Book Review: How to Be a Better Catholic by Fred Ferraro

If you're a regular guy looking for tips on how to strengthen your relationship with God and with others, How to Be a Better Catholic should be on your list of resources to read.

In this short book, Massachusetts author Fred Ferraro explains the important mission of getting your soul, the souls of your family, and the souls of all you love into heaven. This is not a book of theory, it is a book of action. Ferraro encourages the reader to assess where he is on his religious journey and set goals to help him achieve his mission. He says men need to know Jesus and develop strategies to keep Jesus in their lives.

Dedicating your life to Christ and living your Catholic faith every day isn't always an easy task. Sin surrounds us in this fallen world. Ferraro offers an easy to follow guide with a conversational style that isn't intimidating for the reader. I could see readers using this guide on a regular basis as a source of encouragement and inspiration. While geared toward Catholics, I truly believe any Christian man would find this guide helpful.


Paperback: 78 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 25, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1508503230
ISBN-13: 978-1508503231

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Book Releases for the First Half of 2020

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.


Welcome to the first Top Ten Tuesday meme of 2020. Here is my list of my ...

Most Anticipated Book Releases for the First Half of 2020

What are some books you're looking forward to in early 2020? Do we have any of the same books on our lists?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Jan 6

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Welcome to the first It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post of 2020. I hope you enjoyed your holidays. Ours were wonderful. Now, it's back to the real world and work will be crazy this week. The Lil' Princess goes back to school on Tuesday, too, so schedules are coming back after a few weeks of playing it by ear.

I read this book by a local author over the holidays. Look for my review this week.

I started this one, but it wasn't doing it for me, so I put it aside. 

Do you ever wonder why you buy certain books or request some books for review? Maybe they sounded interesting once, but when you pull them out of the pile you scratch your head wondering why it is even there. This is the year I'm not reading books I don't enjoy. This summer, The Book Connection will be 15 years old. I've earned putting aside books that don't suit my tastes or that I can't get into. My litmus test will be three chapters. If I'm not liking it by then, it's being donated to the library book sale.

Right now, I'm reading this one from Charlotte Hubbard. I love her books, so I'm hoping for another great read.

I owe reviews to authors for 16 books, but I'm not sure one of those will be the next book I read. You've seen the list, so I won't share it again. I just feel like I need to be kind to myself this year. I will get them read, but not sure when.

Have you made any changes to your reading schedule this year? What is the first book you plan to read or have started reading? What is one book you're looking forward to?

Here's to a year of great books!

My 2019 Reading Year in Review

I'm a bit late to the party, but Realtors don't always get time off around the holidays. I'm tying up the last loose ends for a closing and I rented out two units this week for a landlord. I had a lovely listing luncheon on Thursday, too. I'm also excited that the copy edits are in the works for the first manuscript I acquired for 4RV Publishing. Dust of Lies by G.K. Davenport can be pre-ordered here.

Here is a look at my 2019 Reading Year:

• Number of books read: 42 (only 8 shy of my goal)
• Number of books reviewed: 41 
• Reading challenges: None completed--well, in fairness, I never started
• First book: Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy (not finished)
• Last book: How to Be a Better Catholic by Fred Ferraro (not reviewed yet)
• Number of books carried over to my 2020 TBR pile: 237
• Number of overdue reviews:  16

Top 5 Books of 2019

What are some highlights of your reading year? Can you share one of your favorites? What books should I be on the lookout for in 2020?

Karen White Books Under the Tree

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. Part of the family was here today, and we will get together with the rest of the family this weekend. I like this little break in between.

Santa brought along two book gifts for me this year. These are books 4 and 5 in Karen White's Tradd Street series. Now that I have all the books--I bought this year's Christmas release when it came out--I can schedule time to catch up on this series.

Did you receive any book gifts or reading related gifts this year? Anything exciting you would like to share? 

Merry Christmas!

As Santa's little helper, I'm a bit busy this week. Still, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your loyal readership and to wish everyone a blessed Christmas. Here are a few of my holiday favorites. Hope you'll share yours, too.

Book Review: Christmas in Newfoundland by Mike Martin

Filled with sweet and heartfelt stories of the season, Christmas in Newfoundland by Mike Martin is a nostalgic trip through memories and mysteries set in Grand Bank. From an elderly set of sweethearts remembering their younger days  to Sgt. Windflower's dreams and a Christmas miracle, you'll enjoy getting to know the people of Grand Bank.

Though I often think of these kinds of stories taking place in  small town America, Grand Bank is just as charming. Not knowing much about the area, Christmas in Newfoundland gives readers a snapshot of what to expect in this quiet town by the Atlantic.

I first met Sgt. Windflower in The Walker on the Cape and was happy to be reintroduced to him with this seasonal collection of stories.

If you like small town stories with a cozy feel, Christmas in Newfoundland is a good title to indulge in.


Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing (August 20, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1988437253
ISBN-13: 978-1988437255

I received a copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.