In an effort to help keep you abreast of the many great books that come across my desk for review, I'm going to try to revive a feature from my old blog sharing "What's New on My Bookshelf This Week".  Let me state up front that since these books are new arrivals, I have not yet read them in full.  So please don't consider the following to be endorsements, but rather simply a "heads up" on some new arrivals.  Books that seem to be a great fit and relevant for our CatholicMom.com readers will be followed up with Book Spotlight author interviews or more complete reviews.  Here are this week's new arrivals, along with book descriptions from the publishers.  Please remember that your purchase of these books through Amazon or The Catholic Company helps to support the work and mission of CatholicMom.com.

bleeder_desjarlaisBleeder: A Mystery by John Desjarlais - When classics professor Reed Stubblefield is disabled in a school shooting, he retreats to a rural Illinois cabin to recover and to write a book on Aristotle in peace. Oddly, in the chill of early March, the campgrounds and motels of tiny River Falls are filled with the ill and infirm -- all seeking the healing touch of the town's new parish priest, reputed to be a stigmatic. Skeptical about religion since his wife's death from leukemia, Reed is nevertheless drawn into a friendship with the cleric, Rev. Ray Boudreau, an amiable Aquinas scholar with a fine library -- who collapses and bleeds to death on Good Friday in front of horrified parishioners. A miracle? Or bloody murder? Once Reed becomes the prime 'person of interest' in the mysterious death, he seeks the truth with the help of an attractive local reporter and Aristotle's logic before he is arrested or killed -- because not everyone in town wants this mystery solved...

gould_menorahWhy Is There a Menorah on the Altar?Jewish Roots of Christian Worship by Meredith Gould - A desire and demand to know more about the Jewish legacy of Christian identity is growing among laity. A desire to foster interfaith understanding and dialogue is growing among officials of local churches.  Meredith Gould's newest book meets these demands by providing information and delivering biblically and historically-based insights about Judaism's legacy as it's revealed in Christian rites, rituals, and traditions. She introduces Christians to Judaism's influence on the structure of liturgical worship; church sanctuary design and decoration; and the meaning and structure of baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation.  Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar? provides readers a deeper understanding of Judaism, one that will enrich their Christianity and deepen appreciation for their enduring Jewish legacy. Each chapter includes questions for reflection and discussion, plus practical exercises to illuminate key concepts. Questions and exercises can be used by groups as well as individuals.

stuart_stretchStretch Marks: A Novel by Kimberly Stuart - An earth-conscious, yoga-practicing twenty-something is forced to face her estranged relationship with her mother in this comic yet poignant novel about moms and daughters.  Mia Rathbun is an overworked and underpaid Chicago social worker who belongs to PETA and recycles the tops of pizza boxes. Her boyfriend, Lars, is a free-spirited freelance writer (read: mooch) who disdains the conventions of marriage but is happy to build a life with Mia. That is until Mia becomes pregnant. Left on her own, Mia just begins to accustom herself to the looming prospect of single parenthood when her mother, Babs, shows up to "help." The two have an estranged relationship but are forced to acknowledge their connection as Mia's belly grows and she has few other options. The story is told with Stuart's characteristic irreverent and authentic humour with healthy doses of poignancy and grace.

trouve_claireSaint Clare of Assisi: A Light for the World by Marianne Lorraine Trouve, FSP - This noblewoman was so moved by St. Francis of Assisi's preaching that she gave up all of her worldly goods and devoted her life to Jesus. St. Clare eventually became the foundress of an order of nuns called the Poor Clares.

Fun with Saints - Double the fun of the fantastic coloring and activity books you already love from Pauline Books and Media, Fun with Saints includes 64 coloring and activity pages featuring favorite saints and blesseds. Perfect for children ages 6-8.