--- title: "An Open Book: August 2024" description: "Carolyn Astfalk hosts the Open Book linkup: Share what you're reading and get recommendations from other readers." image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/An%20Open%20Book%202023%20CM%20Blog.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/an-open-book-august-2024#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # An Open Book: August 2024 Aug 7, 2024 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/carolyn-astfalk) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/An%20Open%20Book%202023%20CM%20Blog.png) *Carolyn Astfalk hosts the Open Book linkup: Share what you're reading and get recommendations from other readers.* --- Welcome to the August 2024 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler's Heart AND Catholicmom.com. An Open Book is all about what my family is reading this month, from the adults down to the little kids. ## Share what you're reading by linking up your blog post below. Simply write about what you're reading. You can make it personal or, as I do, extend it to the whole family. Your post can be as simple as a few lines about the book or as in-depth as a 700-word review. That's entirely up to you. You can even forego writing all together and record a video or simply post cover photos. No blog? No problem. Please share what you're reading in the comments. ## Here are the books my family and I have read this month: ![Hillbilly Elegy](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hillbilly%20Elegy.jpeg?width=225&height=341&name=Hillbilly%20Elegy.jpeg)Like many others, my husband purchased a copy of J.D. Vance’s memoir, [*Hillybilly Elegy*](https://amzn.to/3YrgLsK)*,* following the Republican National Convention. I’m not sure if it was Prime Day pricing, but it was a considerably reduced price. I’d had my eye on this several years ago but hadn’t gotten around to reading it, so I’ll likely read it as well. So far, from the stories my husband has shared, I think it’s fair to say Vance’s Appalachian family was very colorful. I read the introduction, and the writing was so smooth, I wanted to continue.    *![Summer Sweethearts](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Summer%20Sweethearts.jpeg?width=225&height=343&name=Summer%20Sweethearts.jpeg)Summer Sweethearts* was a quick, fun read. It’s a collection of short summery contemporary romances put together by authors Katie Fitzgerald (also a Catholic Mom contributing writer) and Rachel Lawrence. Each story was well-written, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them. Plus, I was introduced to many new-to-me authors. [It’s available via the contributors, including Katie.](https://linktr.ee/katiefitzstories)    [*![Cole and Laila Are Just Friends](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cole%20and%20Laila%20Are%20Just%20Friends.png?width=225&height=338&name=Cole%20and%20Laila%20Are%20Just%20Friends.png)Cole and Laila Are Just Friends*](https://amzn.to/4dkcz2e), as you might guess by the title, is a friends-to-more trope contemporary rom-com. I’d read another Bethany Turner novel awhile back and didn’t care for the main character, but I wanted to give the author another try, and I’d seen lots of positive reviews of this one. I did like the characters in this one, which is filled with snappy dialogue, solid writing, and fun settings from mountainous Colorado to New York City. Cole and Laila's (eventual) romance is tender, sweet, and honest, but I could never quite buy that they’d been intimate, touchy-feely, inseparable friends for nearly four decades and hadn't considered the possibility of romance.    ![Love Unscripted](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Love%20Unscripted.jpeg?width=225&height=343&name=Love%20Unscripted.jpeg)It had been a minute (as they say) since I’d read a Denise Hunter novel, so I picked up [*Love, Unscripted*](https://amzn.to/3y9wQZA). A romance novelist enters a fake dating relationship with the star of the movie adaption of her book. She ensures he gets the main character right, and he rehabilitates his playboy image. As you’d guess, they fall in love, but there are some hurdles preventing them from getting together. I was disappointed that unlike all the other Denise Hunter books I’ve read, this one didn’t have a faith theme in a story that would readily lend itself to one.    ![Johnny Tremain](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Johnny%20Tremain.jpeg?width=225&height=334&name=Johnny%20Tremain.jpeg)Many years after my daughter prompted me to read a favorite of hers, [*Johnny Tremain*](https://amzn.to/4c4VXKE), I finally did! This American Revolutionary War novel by Esther Forbes follows a young, orphaned silversmith, the title character, who through a series of events finds himself playing a key role in the colonial rebellion despite his age and a serious injury. Since the story is set in Boston and its environs, I was grateful our family had visited Boston, Concord, and Lexington for a family vacation once. It helped ground me in the setting and the action.    ![To the Heights](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/To%20the%20Heights.jpeg?width=225&height=348&name=To%20the%20Heights.jpeg)I’d also been meaning to read [*To the Heights: A Novel Based on the Life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati*](https://amzn.to/3YqbTUW) by Brian Kennelly for many years. It was a moving introduction to the life of soon-to-be-saint Pier Giorgio Frassati. There is so much to admire in this young man: his zest for life, his love of family, his patriotism, passion, and piety. The novel gave historical context to the details I knew of his life, grounding it in early 20th century Italian culture and the political milieu. The author did a good job of allowing the reader to see Pier Giorgio's heroism and virtue but also his weaknesses and flaws. It could be improved with additional proofreading.     ![Forgiven](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Forgiven.jpeg?width=225&height=331&name=Forgiven.jpeg)I previewed a copy of [*Forgiven: A Guide to Confession and the Examen Prayer*](https://amzn.to/3LM4l7s) by Sr. Orianne Pietra René Dyck and Sr. Allison Regina Gliot. It’s as thorough a guide to confession for young people that I’ve ever seen. In easy-to-understand language, it offers practical answers to common questions about the sacrament. It also includes many relevant prayers, all in a compact size that’s easily portable. Full review coming at [CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/).    ![The Andromeda Strain](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Andromeda%20Strain.jpeg?width=225&height=364&name=The%20Andromeda%20Strain.jpeg)My oldest son, who enjoys Michael Crichton books, read [*The Andromeda Strain*](https://amzn.to/4dpoxrd). He’s read enough of the author’s books to recognize the pattern: a team of people are brought in to address a crisis brought about by man and nature. Premise from the blurb: Five prominent biophysicists have warned the United States government that sterilization procedures for returning space probes may be inadequate to guarantee uncontaminated re-entry to the atmosphere.    ![Rebel Yell](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rebel%20Yell.jpeg?width=225&height=339&name=Rebel%20Yell.jpeg)He also read [*Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson*](https://amzn.to/4c4XZug) by S. C. Gwynne. From his review: “An amazing book about one of the more forgotten American heroes of the Civil War. Jackson is a simple yet complex figure, revered and feared by Confederates and Unionists alike. Gwynne does a beautiful job of bringing Jackson and the broader Civil War to life once again!” His only criticism of the book is that the maps, critical to understanding the battles, were insufficient.    ![1776](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1776.jpeg?width=225&height=340&name=1776.jpeg)My oldest daughter read [*1776*](https://amzn.to/3Wrd2sB) by David McCullough, a Pulitzer Prize winner, as part of a summer reading project. She really enjoyed the book, which she described as an outline of the Revolutionary War from late 1775 through 1776. It focuses on generals from both sides of the conflict and their campaigns. She appreciated that it included historical accuracy without contemporary judgment.    My younger daughter is reading in series that she or her siblings have read and have been featured here at least once:  *I Am Margaret*, *The Three Most Wanted, and Drive!, *all by Corinna Turner; *A World Such as Heaven Intended*  by Amanda Lauer; and the second and third books in Raymond Arroyo’s Will Wilder series. She’s becoming a [Catholic Teen Books](https://www.catholicteenbooks.com/) poster child.     ![Saving Vengeance](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Saving%20Vengeance.jpeg?width=225&height=342&name=Saving%20Vengeance.jpeg)She’s also been re-reading parts of Cece Louise’s Forest Tales series in addition to a series prequel, [*Saving Vengeance*](https://amzn.to/3A0d5nH). The description: “Forced to choose between loyalty to the king and what is right, Gavin spares an innocent woman’s life, only to discover that saving her won’t be as easy as he thought. All Laurel wants is revenge on the man who murdered her sister, even if that means sacrificing herself in the process. When a masquerade ball provides the perfect opportunity for her plan, will she succeed?”    ![Where the Red Fern Grows](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Where%20the%20Red%20Fern%20Grows.jpeg?width=225&height=375&name=Where%20the%20Red%20Fern%20Grows.jpeg)I’ve been reading [*Where the Red Fern Grows*](https://amzn.to/3WsBSIN) aloud to my youngest son. The classic by Wilson Rawls is one I’ve meant to read, and it’s on his summer reading list. So far, it’s a story of a boy determined to get his own pair of hunting dogs. Every time someone spies the cover, they make a remark about a tragic ending, so I guess that’s where we’re headed.        ## Join the linkup to share what you're reading — or leave a comment below. [![Read other reviews and join the linkup](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/3f2a4457-1678-4ee9-8511-d8756267cc0f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/3f2a4457-1678-4ee9-8511-d8756267cc0f)   ## Want [more details](http://carolynastfalk.com/2016/02/22/reading-link-up/) on An Open Book? You can also [sign up for An Open Book reminder email](http://carolynastfalk.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c315a0999a1db9b7fb756ad89&id=eb3e9373c4), which goes out one week before the link-up. ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/An%20Open%20Book%202023%20square.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=An%20Open%20Book%202023%20square.png) --- Copyright 2024 Carolyn Astfalk Images: Canva This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fan-open-book-august-2024%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fan-open-book-august-2024%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fan-open-book-august-2024%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=An%20Open%20Book%3A%20August%202024) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fan-open-book-august-2024%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fan-open-book-august-2024%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/CAROLYN%20ASTFALK.jpeg) ### [Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/carolyn-astfalk) Carolyn Astfalk is a wife, mother of four young children, and a writer. Her contemporary Catholic romances are available at Amazon.com. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, a Catholic Teen Books author, and blogs at My Scribbler’s Heart. Visit [CarolynAstfalk.com](http://www.carolynastfalk.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ An Open Book: July 2026 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/an-open-book-july-2026) [ An Open Book: December 2016 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/12/07/open-book-december-2016) [ An Open Book: March 2025 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/an-open-book-march-2025) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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