--- title: "An Open Book: February 2023" 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/20230201%20CAstfalk%201.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-february-2023#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # An Open Book: February 2023 Feb 1, 2023 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/carolyn-astfalk) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230201%20CAstfalk%201.png) *Carolyn Astfalk hosts the Open Book linkup: Share what you're reading and get recommendations from other readers.* --- Welcome to the February 2023 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. > [Click to tweet: > What are you (or your family) reading this month? Share in the #AnOpenBook linkup #CatholicMom](https://ctt.ac/0bcb7) ![Red Badge of Courage](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Red%20Badge%20of%20Courage.jpeg?width=200&height=299&name=Red%20Badge%20of%20Courage.jpeg)I’ve shared my love for [Hoopla Digital](https://www.hoopladigital.com/) here several times, but, sadly, our local libraries no longer support it. So, when I was looking for a short audiobook to accompany me on my drive from Virginia back to Pennsylvania, I turned to our Audible books. Stephen Crane’s classic [The Red Badge of Courage](https://amzn.to/3Je6msI) fit the bill. I admired Crane’s use of imagery, but overall, this Civil War novel about a young man who romanticized battle then fled under pressure was a good but not great read. The main character, Henry Fleming, is referred to as “the youth” throughout, creating a distance from the character that I’d rather didn’t exist. Still, I thought the author did a great job of getting inside the youth’s head and experiencing his guilt, shame, pride, and nobility. Interestingly, the book is lauded as being a realistic war story, though Crane himself had no battle experience.   ![The Merchant_s Curse](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Merchant_s%20Curse.jpeg?width=200&height=300&name=The%20Merchant_s%20Curse.jpeg)My oldest daughter and I both read [The Merchant’s Curse](https://amzn.to/3WAT9x9) by Antony B. Kolenc this month. She received the paperback for Christmas, and I read the e-book. We both thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think it may be my favorite book in the Harwood Mysteries series thus far. Xan (Alexander) has left the abbey to be a merchant’s apprentice to his Uncle William but is doubting that this move was God’s will for him. A witch has cursed the son of his uncle’s partner and then Xan himself is cursed. (As a result, there’s a lot of retching going on in this novel.) There’s also a minor romantic thread between Xan and Christina, who assists Xan’s uncle. I really didn’t expect the witch’s curse to persist throughout the novel, which I guess I should have, based on the title, but I love that it did.   ![New Atlantis](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Atlantis.jpeg?width=200&height=305&name=New%20Atlantis.jpeg)My college son is reading Sir Francis Bacon’s [New Atlantis](https://amzn.to/3HwLFY3), a utopian story. His opinion thus far is that it could’ve used an editor. Apparently, there is a lot of detail he thinks could be pared down. According to the description, Bacon’s depiction of an ideal college, Salomon’s House, “envisioned the modern research university in both applied and pure sciences.”   [![Intermission](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Intermission.jpeg?width=200&height=309&name=Intermission.jpeg)Intermission](https://amzn.to/3H5qNWo) by Serena Chase is one of my all-time favorite Christian Young Adult romances, and my 15-year-old can hardly put it down. My review when I read it in 2017 says, in part, “This beautifully-written, gut-wrenching story is not only a touching, tender, and chaste love story, but an examination of obedience, an exploration of faith, and God's magnificent plans for our lives—which may not follow our plans or our timelines.” Musical theatre buffs will love it, but I’m not one of those, and I still adored it!   ![Mission Libertad](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mission%20Libertad.jpeg?width=200&height=294&name=Mission%20Libertad.jpeg)My fifth-grade daughter is reading Lizette Lantigua’s [Mission Libertad](https://goodnewsbookshop.com/products/mission-libertad?_pos=1&_sid=11b2407a3&_ss=r&ref=urhRelQRszvQ1&variant=37259633590460) with her class. It’s the story of a 14-year-old boy who escapes communist Cuba. He comes to America and is embroiled in a mystery. It’s a fun combination of adventure, suspense, history, and faith. Its availability has become limited, so [visit Good News! Book Shop to find it](https://goodnewsbookshop.com/products/mission-libertad?_pos=1&_sid=11b2407a3&_ss=r&ref=urhRelQRszvQ1&variant=37259633590460).   ![Lacey_s Story](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lacey_s%20Story.jpeg?width=200&height=302&name=Lacey_s%20Story.jpeg)Based on [Patrice Fagnant-MacAthurs’ An Open Book recommendation](https://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/01/open-book-for-january-2023.html) last month, I borrowed [Lacey’s Story](https://amzn.to/3Hy5bTG) by Bruce Cameron from the library for my daughter too. She’d been wrapped up in a long, ongoing series, but now she’ll be looking for something new. This story in Cameron’s series of puppy tales regards a special needs puppy who gets around with a mobility cart following an accident. So far, my daughter thinks it’s a little sad, but I think it will end up being heartwarming.   ![The Fight to Survive](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Fight%20to%20Survive.jpeg?width=200&height=291&name=The%20Fight%20to%20Survive.jpeg)My youngest son picked up a Star Wars Boba Fett Clone Wars novel at a library sale last year. When he discovered [The Fight to Survive](https://amzn.to/3kJd3cg) by Terry Bisson in the school library, he realized he’d read book two and not book one. He borrowed the book and problem solved! My children all seem to enjoy the Clone Wars era of Star Wars most, and Boba Fett is this particular child’s favorite character. In this first novel, Boba Fett is a teenager on his home planet, Kamino—an especially rainy, watery world.   ![The Wellington Avalanche](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Wellington%20Avalanche.jpeg?width=200&height=292&name=The%20Wellington%20Avalanche.jpeg)In fourth grade, he continues to read more in the I Survived series. Most recently, it’s [I Survived the Wellington Avalanche, 1910](https://amzn.to/3HwVFR2) by Lauren Tarshis. I’m starting to think I should read this series to get a thumbnail sketch of all the history I’ve never learned about. This snowslide in the Cascade Mountains is the deadliest in American history. Ninety-six people were killed when lightning struck the mountain and sent a ten-foot wave of snow down its slope.   [*A Prayer from the Heart*](https://tammyfernando.co.uk/) is Tammy Fernando’s debut picture book. It’s not yet available, but I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy. The main character, Chris, touches a soft spot in my heart. He prays for a friend, something I think all of my children—and I—have done. The way God answers his prayer is touching and demonstrates God’s intimate care and concern for each of us. Illustrations are bright and inviting. Tammy hasn't yet done a cover reveal for this book, so follow her website or social media to get the first look! You are invited to the **Inlinkz** link party! [Click here to enter](https://fresh.inlinkz.com/p/4adabc4f934e41449fac2ab75b780952) #### 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/20230201%20CAstfalk%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20230201%20CAstfalk%202.png) --- Copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk Images: Canva This article contains Amazon affiliate links; your purchases through these links benefit the author. ### 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-february-2023%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-february-2023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fan-open-book-february-2023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=An%20Open%20Book%3A%20February%202023) [![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-february-2023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fan-open-book-february-2023%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: October 2022 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/an-open-book-october-2022) [ An Open Book: January 2021 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/an-open-book-january-2021) [ An Open Book: July 2021 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/an-open-book-july-2021) ## 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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