Tag: book review

"When I accepted the church’s name for me, I lost my power and vivacity and authenticity because their name for me wasn’t true. They reduced my identity of wife, mother and singer. Yes, I am those things, but I am also many other things. I am also an individual with opinions and ideas. I’m a communicator and an artist. When any person is deliberately limited because of their gender, race, sexuality and so on, bells and sirens should being going off in our minds.” quote from Shannon Harris' book The Woman They Wanted.

Bonnie Way June 12, 2025

The Woman They Wanted by Shannon Harris (book review)

Nonfiction

"In any case, it was then I recognized that my own values–the tenets I hold dear as an Englishman–they were not the only, nor the best, values in existence. I understood there were many ways of being in the world, that to privilege one rigid set of beliefs over another was to lose something." quote from Washington Black by Esi Edugyan.

Bonnie Way May 30, 2025

Washington Black by Esi Edugyen (winner of the 2018 Giller Prize)

Fiction

"A throng of bearded men, in sad-colored garments and gray, steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods, and others bare-headed, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, and studded with iron spikes." opening sentence of A Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Bonnie Way April 8, 2025

The Scarlet Letter (a Telemachos Guided Reading Edition)

Curriculum Reviews

I divorced the man I worshipped simply because he was my husband. I also divorced the god my religious community worshipped. A scary little god who didn't even exist. That meant I got to discover a Bigger God. That mean I got to actually live my own life. ~ Natalie Hoffman, author of All the Scary Little Gods.

Bonnie Way February 25, 2025

All the Scary Little Gods by Natalie Hoffman (book review)

Nonfiction

For the first time in a long time, I feel as though I am getting on track. ~review of the 2025 Canadian Catholic Day Planner.

Bonnie Way February 1, 2025

The 2025 Canadian Catholic Day Planner (review)

Catholicism

Joshua Harris Kissed His Books Goodbye.

Bonnie Way January 16, 2025

Joshua Harris Kissed His Books Goodbye

Nonfiction

A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings is "memoir of a girl who grew up in an evangelical megachurch, married an abusive man, tried her best to be a "good Christian wife" for years, and finally escaped from the deeply unhealthy life she was living." (book review by Bonnie Way of the Koala Mom)

Bonnie Way January 6, 2025

The Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings

Nonfiction

Ultimately, this is a tale about the struggle between good and evil. I hope you enjoy it—hold on for a thrilling ride! ~ Antony Barone Kolenc

Bonnie Way December 16, 2024

The Devil’s Ransom by Antony Barone Kolenc

Kids Books

"When Catholic hear mention of St. Josemaria, too many think, 'Oh, he's the Opus Dei saint,' and then relegate his life and teachings as only applicable to Opus Dei members. What a shame." Eric Sammons, author of Holiness for Everyone

Bonnie Way December 2, 2024

Holiness for Everyone: The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaria Escriva

Catholicism

Lynn Johnston introduces AlottaBotz

Bonnie Way July 11, 2024

Lynn Johnston introduces AlottaBotz

Kids Books