Reading With Raymond

Book Reviews

Raymond Saadi

Perestroika in Paris The Sentinel Face to Face

By Jane Smiley Knopf $26.95

What a marvelous imagination the author has. Imagine touring the most inviting locations in Paris guided by a racehorse, a dog, a pair of delightful ducks and a raven with a mind of its own. Paras, short for Perestroika, had just won her big race and everyone, her jockey, trainer, everyone, were off to celebrate, except her groom, Rania, last to leave and unaccountably, leaving the stall door unlocked. Paras, much to her surprise, found she could now leave her stall and venture through the city finding new friends along the way. What happens to this curious group of sight seekers will delight young and older readers. BC By Lee and Andrew Child

Penguin Random House $28.99

Whenever Jack Reacher finds himself stranded in a small town, he finds trouble. More exactly, trouble finds him, and Jack is not shy about taking it head on, starting on one night with a bar operator cheating his band or the next day, sending four bums flying for attacking one helpless guy. That guy he learns is Rusty Rutherford, the most hated man in town blamed for the breakdown of everything in town … the town is kidnapped, ransom demanded; Rusty, the IT guy is blamed. But Reacher’s not buying it and proceeds to find the kidnappers. BC By Camilla Grant Knopf $75

This oversized, heavyweight volume is remarkable only for the faces it does not include since the face of every celebrity or would-be celebrity has been seen as familiar as the photos on Mama’s wall. Yet what’s so refreshing about the photographs in this voluminous volume is that even those pictures appear to have a “just taken” look. Here are the famous and infamous, at work and at play, on guard and off. Candid shots the way we’d like to have ours look. Here’s a lot to enjoy and learn. BC

The Bright Book of Life People Who Love to Eat Are Always the Best People

By Harold Bloom Knopf $35

Where was Harold Bloom when I really needed him back in school? I sure could have referenced a volume like this (just as I do now.) In those ancient days we relied on Cliff Notes to give us a head start on a book’s content, a quick skim and you were at least in the ballpark. Professor Bloom, on the other hand, gives readers a strong urge to actually read the book and once there, he guides them over the bumps. And guess what? They find reading is fun! BC By Julia Child Knopf $18.95

And now, for our dessert, Julia Child dishes (pun intended) up bon mots with tips on, “Butter, don’t ever forget it, the French never do.” “I was 39 when I started cooking; up until then I just ate.” “No matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize.” The absolutely perfect gift for any hostess or occasion. BC

Announcement

Diocesan wedding anniversary couples

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC Bishop Shelton J. Fabre presided over two wedding anniversary celebrations recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Two celebrations were held because of the restrictions in place regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. The diocese honored 145 couples. In photo at left, celebrating 40 years is Philip and Lisa Prejeant Whitman, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community; and celebrating 50 years is Leroy and Gayle Hebert Chenier, Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux. In photo at right, celebrating 25 years is Dean and Trudy Foret Barrios, Holy Savior Lockport; and celebrating 65 years is Louis III and Shirley LeRay Adams, St. Genevieve, Thibodaux.

Life is great~ Get busy living.

Independent Living Community

1201 Cardinal Drive ~ Thibodaux, LA 70301 (985) 446-9050 ~ www.stjosephmanor.org For More Information Contact: Natalie Barbera natalieb@stjosephmanor.org

Announcement

Curriculum specialist named for Catholic schools

Gerrie Byrne

Gerrie Byrne, who has been serving as the assistant principal at Central Catholic School in Morgan City, has been named the new curriculum specialist for the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

The Morgan City native attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Morgan City and graduated from Central Catholic High School. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in speech, language and hearing from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. In 1996, she earned teaching certification and, in 2015, received a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ.

Byrne has been serving in the Catholic school system for over 25 years. She taught at Holy Cross Elementary School, and at Central Catholic, where she served as curriculum director before being named assistant principal.

Byrne has been married to Gerard Byrne Jr. for nearly 30 years, and they have two children, Caroline and Blake. They are members of Sacred Heart Church parish, and also have close ties to Holy Cross Church.

“Gerrie’s outstanding work ethic, dedication and passion for the ministry of Catholic education make her a wonderful addition to our Catholic Schools team! I look forward to working with her as we support our schools in the growth and formation of our students,” says Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. BC