Compiled by Carol Schaal ’91M.A.
My Hands Came Away Red, Lisa McKay ’03M.A. (Moody Publishers). This debut novel follows the path of 18-year-old Cori, who volunteers to help build a church on a remote island in Indonesia. When a wave of violence washes over the Christian and Muslim villages in the area, the mission team of teen-age builders is forced to flee, and Cori wrestles with spiritual questions during the difficult journey to safety.
The Widow’s Mate: A Father Dowling Mystery, Ralph McInerny (St. Martin’s Minotaur). When the body of a man who was suspected of fleeing town with his mistress a decade earlier is discovered, Father Dowling is drawn into the case that mixes past and present secrets. This is the 26th Dowling mystery by McInerny, a Notre Dame professor of philosophy who also is the author of a mystery series set at Notre Dame.
The Geography of God’s Mercy: Stories of Compassion and Forgiveness, Patrick Hannon, CSC, ’88M.Div. (ACTA Publications). Whether he writes about his mother and her endless compassion for some often bratty kids or a high school student dying of cancer or a young Irish boy coveting a baseball cap, the priest showcases the countless ways in which God shows unending love and mercy. Preview a chapter of the book.
On the Ropes: A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery, Tom Schreck ’83 (Midnight Ink). Duffy is a social worker, a boxer and a beer-drinking, dog-loving, wise-cracking New Yorker. When a client is murdered and her stepdaughter goes missing, he sets out to settle some scores, only to stumble into a deeper mystery. The author of this debut novel officiates heavyweight title fights at Madison Square Garden.
Power and Influence: The Rules Have Changed, Robert L. Dilenschneider ’65 (McGraw-Hill). Google, MySpace, blogs, podcasts: The digital age has changed how power is gained and used. The author of the best-selling On Power here offers an update on adapting to and using todays’ accelerating technology in an ethical manner, sharing anecdotes from his career and examples from a variety of industry sectors.
A is for Ara: The ABCs of Notre Dame Football, Sean Callahan ’87, designed by Martin Musker (Eddy Street Press). Large pictures set off this alphabetical tour of the University’s famed football program. Along with football facts and lore, the book discusses the school’s history and the meaning of its name.
Lebanon A to Z: A Middle Eastern Mosaic, Marijean Boueri (SMC ’82), Jill Boutros ’88 and Joanne Sayad, illustrated by Tatiana Sabbagh (Publishing Works). Designed for ages 8 to 12, this colorful book takes readers on a tour of Lebanon’s history, geography, languages and religions, using 11-year-old Kareem as the guide. Fun facts, country facts and a glossary end the 76-page book, which visits more than a dozen locations and explores the area’s diverse cultural heritage.
Celebrating Notre Dame, photography by Matt Cashore ’94, text by Kerry Temple ’74 (Corby Books). A feast of more than 120 full-color images and short essays that capture the tradition, beauty and spirit of the University. The foreword is by Rev. John I. Jenkins, CSC, University president. The book is available at the Hammes Notre Dame bookstore or at corbypublishing.com/catalog/.
100 Years: The Notre Dame Victory March 1908–2008, University of Notre Dame Bands. This CD celebrates the centennial of the great fight song with several versions, including the original composed in 1908. Other classic school songs here include “Hike, Notre Dame,” “Down the Line,” “When the Irish Backs Go Marching By” and the alma mater, “Notre Dame, Our Mother.” The CD can be ordered at www.ndband.com or by calling 574-631-7136.
Also see choices in brief.