The gift keeps unfolding. Recent Reads May 04, 2026 Publishing a novel after years of writing in secret has unlocked the joys of heartfelt responses from friends. People who never knew that side of me have taken the time to read, ask questions, and share their delight. And while I’m so grateful for their kindContinue reading “Mysterious Antecedents”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Yes, I did bring A Tree Grows in Brooklyn to New York City
On graciousness during Lent Recent Reads Mar 28, 2026 I’m pleased to tag #OpenBook Linkup on CatholicMom.com. Thanks to Carolyn Astfalk for hosting this opportunity! Every year, the Women of St. Jude host an Ash Wednesday morning of reflection that glows with a particular hallmark of hospitality. We lay out a simple but lovely repast ofContinue reading “Yes, I did bring A Tree Grows in Brooklyn to New York City”
We Must Lay Down Our Lives
and yield up our secrets. I read most of Shelby Foote’s Civil War trilogy in the early nineties, but I stopped for some reason on the verge of the fall of Atlanta and Sherman’s March to the Sea. Surely life intervened in some way. But perhaps I was afraid to journey through all that destruction—especiallyContinue reading “We Must Lay Down Our Lives”
The “Wagers” of Sin is Death
Actually, make that murder. Recent Reads Dec 19, 2025 Last February, I joked that Milwaukee’s snow totals were finally catching up with Louisiana’s. Well, things have gone back to normal—we took our first hit of eight to ten inches on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Most of that snow is still here*, plus whatever else hasContinue reading “The “Wagers” of Sin is Death”
The Payoff at the End
On the books I choose, and those that are chosen for me Recent Reads Nov 29, 2025 For years, I have chosen my books from my husband’s admittedly rarefied shelves. It was in his collection that I first discovered the worn-out volumes of Proust that I consumed over my lunch hour at work in myContinue reading “The Payoff at the End”
Bells are Ringing
Back to BasicsRecent Reads Oct 27, 2025 I can’t tell you how happy I am that our new Director of Music has reinstituted the handbell choir at our parish! As you may remember, I was crushed when our former director took a new job last spring, prematurely ending our season. And while some of us made theContinue reading “Bells are Ringing”
It’s a Secret
Why I can’t tell you what I’m reading this month Recent Reads Sep 29, 2025 Okay, I can tell you some of what I’ve been reading this past month or so: Brant Pitre’s Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, for a wonderful explication of the ways Mary fulfills the types and patterns of the Old Testament, always pointingContinue reading “It’s a Secret”
A Power Made Perfect in Weakness
The Song at the Scaffold and Little Souls Recent Reads Aug 29, 2025 Sometimes, everything I happen to read—novels, essays, and spiritual books—seems to coalesce around a particular theme. In a matter of weeks, I encountered the Carmelites of Compiègne, who were martyred during the Reign of Terror, in three different places. In his do-it-yourselfContinue reading “A Power Made Perfect in Weakness”
For Book Clubs
Discussion Questions for The Bicycle Messenger Recent Reads Aug 15, 2025 Please pray for all those who have been impacted by flash flooding in southeastern Wisconsin and for everyone involved in the recovery effort. We had a wonderful time launching The Bicycle Messenger at the Village Cheese Shop here in Wauwatosa on August 3. If you’ve foundContinue reading “For Book Clubs”
On Baptism and Cultural Memory
One more sneak peek at The Bicycle Messenger Recent Reads Aug 01, 2025 It’s almost here! The Bicycle Messenger releases in just a few days! I can’t wait to share it with you. In the meantime, here are three takes on baptism in the story. A few words on the Catholic Church in the Nazi Era InContinue reading “On Baptism and Cultural Memory”
Joan Elizabeth Bauer 