Somehow Saints

July 27, 2020
Carroll travels throughout North America and Europe in search of “more saints more fun stories” in this enjoyable follow-up to 2019’s Saint Everywhere. She visits the birthplaces and shrines of those who “ it to the big time,” including North American saints such as Philadelphia nun St. Katherine Drexel and Algonquin-Mohawk Catholic convert St. Kateri Tekakwitha, as well as international figures including former slaves Venerable Pierre Toussaint and Sudanese-Italian St. Josephine Bakhita. In addition to connecting the values of each saint to Caroll’s own memories of childhood and the people she meets on her travels, Carroll pairs the holy figures with one of her “somehow saints,” whom she defines as “people living large and small heroically good lives, but who are unknown outside their circle of friends and family.” Highlights are Bonnie, a Holocaust survivor and loving homemaker, and Jessie, a personal trainer and armchair philosopher who “follows his bliss” by helping people feel better physically. Not all of these stories are successful, and some of the connections Carroll draws between the “somehow saints” she profiles are tenuous. Still, these insightful, enjoyable profiles work as a breezy survey of modern history of sainthood.

October 15, 2020
We could all use the patience of a saint these days, and Carroll is ready with some role models. This follow-up to Saint Everywhere (2019) profiles both saints already canonized in the Catholic Church and those on the road to official sainthood, paired with side profiles on Carroll's "somehow saints." Somehow saints are not usually known outside their immediate circles, but they bless the lives of those they encounter. Carroll's breezy writing and warm voice make her a pleasure to spend time with, and the episodic nature of this sequel makes it easy to set down and come back to. Concepts like Catholicism's "Holy Doors" are well explained, welcoming uninitiated readers. Rather than sharing a series of stodgy biographies, she pairs her saint profiles with a casual style of travel writing that encourages readers to learn more about not only the saints, but also their locales. Chapters begin with inviting illustrations from Joe Rohde, an executive designer for Disney. An excellent pick for readers seeking inspiration, humor, and a fun way to armchair travel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)