Frances O'Connor Books

O'Connor has crafted what may be her most heartfelt and engaging story yet, with a memorable cast of characters who spend a few lifechanging days together at the Sleepy Time Motel in the Smoky Mountains. Short chapters with alternating points of view blend into a smoothly woven text that reveals just the right amount of backstory to expose the dreams and difficulties which have led the assorted travelers to their common destination. A great classroom readaloud or gift book that invites readers of all ages to "sit and ponder" the mysteries of friendship between generations.

Amazing story with so many characters woven together to create a wonderful storyline. Although the characters were different ages all of them taught each other an important life lesson. I read it in one day and couldn't put it down! Tremendous read-suggested for read aloud in an intermediate classroom or even book clubs. It will lead to excellent conversations.

Patricia O'Connor's "THERESE OF LISIEUX: A BIOGRAPHY" is a most worthy volume to read as an accompaniment to reading Therese's own "STORY OF A SOUL" . . . Patricia presents an easily readable biigraphy which helps to place Therese's own spiritual thoughts into a "lifeline perspective" . . . and Miss O'Connor has a reliable understanding of and grasp of Therese's own spirituality.

As we read Patricia's text we get a sense of Therese's life as it evollved and grew and developed . . . from the little favored French daughter of her father to the "little favored French daughter of THE FATHER" . . . to the universally acknowledged patroness and spiritual teacher and heavenly friend and piligrimage companion on life's journey to eternity.

I would recommend reading this book even before reading Therese's "STORY OF A SOUL" . . . then read it again AFTER reading STORY OF A SOUL . . . and it is a book you will go back to and re-read and peruse again and again over time . . .

Like Therese herself, this is a small volume but has a lot to say . . .

This short biography of Therese is a rich introduction to her life. Carefully researched and rich in details that bring Therese to life as a real woman. Not an exhaustive biography, but what there is is excellent.

A probing, insightful analysis of Therese's inner life.

"The Inner Life of Therese of Lisieux" is a short and powerful study of Therese, carefully researched and fascinating. In ten short chapters O'Connor examines Therese's way, Therese and the priesthood, and reveals what was original in Therese's thought and life against the context of her society. Her study of "the rough, unpolished details of her days" yields a deep understanding of Therese's life as it was lived. Don't miss it.

I have been a very large fan of Josephine Baker for years. In fact my two favorite women from the 1920's, 30's, 40's etc, are Marlene Dietrich, and Josephine Baker. La Baker appears to have had a much harder life than Dietrich, in fact La Baker still struggled in her adult life, even though she became famous and wealthy. This book walks one through the full life of Josephine Baker, using story, pictues, and art media. This is one of the best books, and I recommend it to anyone, who would like to know more of the Women named Josephine Baker ~

Although the original 1974 French edition of this excellent biography by Dom Louis Soltner is also (and quite rarely) available here upon the amazon as Solesmes & [i.e. et] dom Gueranger, 1805-1875, the exclusively English speaker may rejoice with this version as well, translated by Jospeh O'Connor (the former postulant of Solesmes?) and published sturdily by the great Paraclete Press of Brewster, MA, from whom several of the Solesmes recordings of Gregorian chant are also available here upon the amazon.

This book therefore covers the full life of Dom Prosper Gueranger, and the profound political and social transformations of his time, which he confronted and crossed in re-establishing the full liturgical monastic life and the forgotten fullness of Gregorian Chant within an abandoned ancient Abbey at Solesmes. This book thus is a true tale of heroism and fortitude for our Church, and represents the roots of a revival of our most ancient Liturgy which swept the Second Vatican Council a hundred years later giving birth for instance to the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Sacrosanctum Concilium (Vatican II in Plain English). A less scholarly and far less recommendable work which imposes its foregone conclusions on the true history beginning with Dom Gueranger may be The Liturgical Movement: From Dom Gueranger to Annibale Bugnini, Or, the Trojan Horse in the City of God whose only truth is the importance of Dom Gueranger in the vanguard of Liturgical Restoration.

Surprisingly and generously available here in its several volumes are the once standard texts written by Dom Gueranger on the Liturgical Year. Anyone interested in the earlier celebration of our Liturgical Year may find their study an edifying and informative commentary and meditation of our Liturgical Seasons, including Advent the Liturgical Year, Christmas - Book 2 (The Liturgical Year, Vol. 3), Lent the Liturgical Year, The Liturgical Year (Vol. 7) Paschal Time, Book I, etc.

Meanwhile this present biography, written ably by a monk of Solesmes, DOm Soltner, and thus written with great authority and thoughtfulness and gratitude from the living communal memory and primary sources, introduces us more fully to the significance for our Church and for our Faith of this great and courageous monk of Saint Benedict.

Incidentally, I myself, greatly baffled and unappreciative, received my monastic habit during the Triduum Celebration of the centenary of the death of Dom Gueranger, the centenary for which this biography was published by his Abbey.

Read this and enter the fullness of our Faith.

This is a story about friendship, peer pressure, growing apart, growing up, and making choices. I loved the characters and fell in love with Paisley who was almost too good to be true. I also loved Marylin's younger brother Petey and her Aunt Tish who added a lot of charm to the story. I think readers will easily identify with particular characters and recognize their friends in some of the other characters. It's a good read and I think some of the choices the characters make will give readers a lot to think about.

A sweet book with great female characters. The book feels like an accurate portrayal of tween girls and I'd like to read more by this author. Definitely recommended!

Ever been excluded by someone? A new friend, an old one, maybe even a family member? You get that lump in your throat, those butterflies in your stomach? Imagine having that feeling on a normal basis- never knowing if your friend would be your friend that day.
Eleven year old Kate Faber wishes that she could confront her friend Marylin about this, but every time she's around her, she feels like they're on opposite ends of the universe.
Marylin also feels like they're growing apart, but with that bossy older girl Flannery always hanging onto Marylin and excluding Kate all of the time, they never have a chance to talk.
This book helps girls to face their real-life problems while showing what friendship really means and how obstacles will cross your path as you grow older.

I think this is a beautiful book about friendship hopes dreams and everything in between! It shows how much you need your friends that you've been friends with forever in the end. Also, how 6th grade will either tear you apart or bring you closer together. I am about to endure my journey to 6th grade and I have no clue what I would do if I had to be in either Marylin's shoes or Kates. Finally it shows how some hard time and new people on the block will make you fight for your rights to stay with with your friends or show you even more that you clearly have to just step away. That is my review for The Secret Life of Girls! It was one of my favorite books!

I loved this book so much! It was written so well and the characters were described beatifully and I felt like they were real it was so good! Kate seemed like the person I would become best friends with! We read "Dovey Coe" last year in my literarute class and I loved it! This one sounded good,too. I bought it at Half Price books last night and it was SO good that I read all 247 pages in one night! Frances O'Roark Dowell is a great author! I loved this book and it is SO recommended! READ IT NOW!!!

This book makes you fall in love with cooking. Every recipe I have made is so delicious each nearly sends you over the edge in ecstasy. The directions are easy to follow and the book is fun to read. Everyone will enjoy these desserts.

Mouth watering desserts everything I have made in this book is exceptionally delicious and fine dining quality. I highly recommend it.

I HAVE ALL FOUR OF JILL O'CONNORS BOOKS AND THIS IS MY FAVORITE. ANYONE INTERESTED IN FRENCH DESERTS SHOULD HAVE THIS IN THEIR COOKBOOK COLLECTION. THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE CLEAR AND NOT AT ALL INTIMIDATING. ALL OF THE ADVICE IS PRACTICAL AND THE BOOK IS SO INTERESTING! SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE CAFE AU LAIT POTS DE CREME AND THE ALMOND MADELEINES, BOTH WERE DELICIOUS. I AM MAKING THE BURNISHED ORANGE TART NEXT. GET THIS BOOK, YOU WILL LOVE IT.

Recently returned from France all "fired up" to make the wonderful treats I had experienced there. Alas, I could find very few recipes for my favorites, then I happened upon this just released book and it is the answer to all my prayers. It has absolutely all of the Parisian classics, from financiers to macaroons complete with fillings! The instructions look simple and easy to read and I am most anxious to get started. I am ordering a copy for my sister tdoay. Thank you Jill O'Connor!

Beethoven in Paradise is a superb title for this extraordinary book. Well written, emotional, with characters that leap off the page in their "realness" and charm. The author has done an excellent job in creating Martin's life, family and longings for music and an instrument of his own even though it doesn't fit the norm of where he lives or what his own parents want for him. Even though Martin has a tough road ahead of him, there is hope that he is finding his way, accepting himself and others and will lead the life he dreams of.

Beethoven in Paradise is not what I expected. I originally bought this book because my son plays the violin and I thought he might like it. I'm glad I read it first because I'm not sure I'll let him read it just yet since he's nine years old and I have a pretty strict policy about the use of profanity, which this book has in ample supply. (I'd give it a PG 13.) The use of profanity is justified, though, and adds greatly to the authenticity of the setting and characters. I would highly recommend it to students of middle school age and would consider reading it aloud to my fourth graders, although I would have to use quite a few euphemisms. The messages in this book are so powerful: Be true to yourself, stand up for what you believe in, and follow your dreams. Even though I sort of wanted a sappy "everything's going to turn out alright" ending, the actual ending was very realistic and genuine.

I have had great sucess with many of the recipes here. The recipes are easy to follow, the photos of the finished dish are inspiring,and the result is very tasty! There is just a step or two in these recipes that really elevate these dishes. The best Coq a vin and cauliflower gratin I have ever tasted! I look forward to trying the desserts next.The accompanying CD was a fun surprise...It is actually very pleasant to listen to when cooking: upbeat but not too loud,all rather "hummable" and fun.This cookbook and CD is perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon preparing a special Sunday dinner.Highly recommended.

Now a confirmed francophile after honeymooning in Paris, my daughter is delighted with this collection of authentic bistro recipes and music. With the CD and recipes, easy enough even for her novice cooking skills, she can re-create the Parisian mood at home while entertaining family and friends. The only thing lacking are more photographs of the prepared recipes as food is to be savored by our mouth, nose and eyes.