#50, In the School of the Holy Spirit, by Jacques Phillippe

This book is an excellent companion to Fr. Gallagher's book.  A quote, takenn from my undrlinings at random:  "The spirit of God unfailingly produces peace in our souls, and the devil unfailingly produces agitation."  And another: "Every motion that comes from God brings bothh the light to  understand what God intends, and the strength to accomplish it:light that illuminates the mind, and strength that gives power to the will."

For those of us who flounder around wondering what God wants us to do, this book is a great help.  Read it with Fr. Gallagher's book.

#49, The Discernment of Spirits, An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living, by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V.

This book is a real life-changer for me.  It helps me to see that I can face the discouragement I often feel regarding my spiritual life, as well as giving me a plan of attack when the enemy seeks to discourage me.  I cannot recommend this book highly enugh.  READ THIS BOOK!!!!!

#48, The Little Paris Bookshop, by Nina George

The story of Jean Perdu, who owns a bookshop on a barge in the Seine in Paris, is a romantic fairy tale.  Perdu has spent twenty years grieving for a lost love, to the extent of refusing to open the last letter his lover sent him after she abruptly left him.  It is a story of re-awakening to life.  It is a fairy tale in that no one has to worry about money, and relationships all seem to work out, sex is an expression of true love, etc., etc.  I can see why it was a bestseller for a year in Europe.  In one way, it is a story of hope and of overcoming fear.   However, I feel it is also part of the insidious message that we attain this openness and hope by sleeping with lovely women without committing ourselves to them through marriage.  Again, a fairy tale, not a tru slice-of-life.