Parental Watch List - Books that Include Abortion

It should be no surprise that I am pro-life, as I am a practicing Catholic mother of at least 4 children.  In my leisure reading, I have found many casual references to abortion and I feel that people, especially parents, should be made aware of these books.  I am not encouraging book banning, as I believe that some of these books have many redeeming qualities.  However, I feel that parents need to be aware if their children are reading these books so that they can provide parental guidance and open a discussion regarding life issues.

**Keep in mind that the following may include plot spoilers**

• Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg - All-in-all, this is a cute story about a spunky girl who grows up in a quirky, struggling family.  Some parts are a bit off-color, there is fornication, and marriages break up, but the title character overcomes.  However, in one scene, a character goes to procure an abortion and learns that the abortionist has a successful front business because she knows everyone's "dirty" secrets.
• The Color of Water by James McBride - This is a riveting read about religion and race relations and the son who grows up in a mixed-race, mixed-religion family.  Just be warned that a character is basically coerced into getting an abortion when she finds herself pregnant at the age of 17.

Book Review - Saints Behaving Badly

Saints Behaving Badly

I just finished reading Saints Behaving Badly by Thomas J. Craughwell. I have to admit that if I hadn't seen an advertisement in a Catholic magazine for the book, I would have been a bit turned off by the title because I can imagine someone with anti-Catholic sentiments gleefully trying to slander our saints.

I found Saints Behaving Badly to be a quick, easy, and fascinating read.  The author went into greater detail about some of the saints' follies than I had previously read in other books.  The take home message that no matter how far you fall into sin, you can always repent, convert, and lead a life of sanctity was comforting to me.

However, I have to say that the cover image and the little icons of angels and devils in the book bothered me.  I can't stand it when satan is portrayed in a cute or comic manner because I believe it lessens the impact of his evil.  By using an illustration of a saint with a devil's pointed tail, I believe the author and/or publisher either doesn't respect the saints or doesn't believe in the depth of satan's evil.  (I tend to think this was the publisher's decision since the book itself is very respectful toward the saints.)

All-in-all, I think that Saints Behaving Badly is worthwhile reading, especially for a busy mom like me who doesn't seem to be able to find a lot of time to sit and focus on more heady subject matter.