Earlier this month Pope Leo XIV canonized two modern saints — they are the subject of two nonfiction selections in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. They’re followed by memoirs written by two people prominently associated with President Donald Trump’s first term in office — Kellyanne Conway and. Gen. Michael Flynn. For fiction, there is the novel of the week, “A superb spy thriller,” according to Library Journal.
“The Poet’s Game: A Spy in Moscow,” by Paul Vidich (Pegasus Crime)
Years after leaving the CIA and restarting his life in the private sector, Alex Matthews is reluctantly dragged back. A Russian asset, one that Matthews recruited years earlier when he ran the Moscow station, has information concerning a Kremlin plot targeting the U.S. president. But the asset will only release the information after he’s been safely taken out of Russia. But getting back into the spy game means Matthews is placing everything he’s worked for in jeopardy — the safety of his new wife and family, and the successful financial firm he built from scratch. To top it off, something just doesn’t feel right about this assignment. “Every time I think Paul Vidich has reached his peak as an author in the spy novel genre, he one-ups himself and delivers another classic. ‘The Poet’s Game’ may be my favorite among those in his catalog, and that’s sayin’ somethin’. It’s that good,” wrote Michael Martz in his GoodReads review. “Loved it, now (No.) 1 in my Book of the Year list.” [Fiction]
“Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint,” by Nicola Gori (Our Sunday Visitor)
Carlo Acutis was like a lot of other Italian kids his age: He enjoyed playing soccer and video games, he was a whiz on the computer, and he enjoyed taking music lessons. But a special light burned in him that set him apart from others. Acutis used digital media to promote his love of Christ, his Catholic devotion, and in particular his love of the Holy Eucharist — the body of Christ — to perform miracles. Before his death from a sudden and violent attack of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, Carlo left a lasting impression on the Catholic community, and was credited with performing two miracles — healing a child and a woman. “The book leaves the reader with an important understanding of the sanctity of the life of Carlo, who is destined to become the first Catholic saint of the 21st Century,” said D. White for Amazon. “He lived an exemplary and inspiring life. I recommend this for teens who are struggling to find meaning to their lives in our current culture.” [Nonfiction]
“The Frassati Field Guide: An 8-Day Ascent to Heroic Virtue with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,” by Bobby Angel (Ave Maria Press)
Pier Giorgio Frassati was the second person Pope Leo XIV canonized this month. He was another Italian who died young, in his case at 24 due to polio. But he lived his brief life by a motto, Verso l’alto (To the Heights), and this book challenges the reader to also rise to the occasion and live their Christian faith with courageous action.
The book includes, according to rhetorical publisher:
- Words of Wisdom from Frassati himself, inspiring you to live fully;
- Practical Insights, showing how he turned his Catholic beliefs into action in every moment;
- Journaling Prompts that help a person apply Frassati’s witness to one’s own life;
- Challenges that push one to step outside their comfort zone and take bold action;
- Daily Prayers to unite one’s efforts with God’s will for your life.
“Thank God for the gift of the saints, especially St. Pier Giorgio Frassati!” wrote Maggie Craig, author of “Friendship Reset.” “This book wonderfully explores our universal call to holiness and highlights the examples of men and women who were heroic in their virtue yet completely ordinary in their daily lives. Frassati is a perfect example of this everyday faithfulness, and I now consider him a dear friend and role model in Christ. I can’t wait to share this book with everyone I know!” [Nonfiction]
“Here’s the Deal: A Memoir,” by Kellyanne Conway (Threshold Editions)
When Donald Trump asked Kellyanne Conway to manage his first presidential campaign, she already had made a name for herself in politics. She was a respected pollster for corporate and Republican clients, and a frequent TV news contributor. But the 2016 race would be a tough nut to crack. Trump had never sought elective office previously, and was starting in the big leagues — a run for the White House. All the smart money backed his opponent, Hillary Clinton, who had her husband’s “Arkansas Mafia” to back her, who were battle-hardened by multiple successful gubernatorial and presidential races. Conway’s instant No. 1 New York Times bestseller explains how she and Trump beat the odds, making her the first woman to manage a successful presidential campaign. “I was not a huge fan of KellyAnne, but I was blown away by this book,” wrote Tami Baker for GoodReads. “She is and was a great role model whose views are in line with so many of us. I highly recommend this book to everyone! Kudos to Kellyanne Conway! I never gave her enough credit.” [Nonfiction]
“Pardon of Innocence: An Inspiring Story of Faith and Freedom,” by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Michael T. Flynn (Bombardier Books)
Michael Flynn paid heavily for being Trump’s first national security advisor. Despite his service in the U.S. Army as a three-star general, and his years as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, accepting a position in the Trump administration was deemed an unpardonable sin to Democrats, one for which he paid dearly. Flynn was hit with the weight of the FBI and a weaponized justice system when adversaries like Barack Obama and Joe Biden saw his honesty and courage as a threat to their flawed policies.
When President Trump eventually pardoned Flynn, it was, according to Flynn, a “Pardon of Innocence.” “As a discerning reader, I proclaim ‘Pardon of Innocence’ the standout book of the year,” wrote Dr. Jeffrey Horelick for Amazon. “I wholeheartedly recommend this unforgettable story of resilience, fortitude, and the triumph of truth a must read that will leave you uplifted and moved by the enduring power of solidarity in the fight for justice.” [Nonfiction]
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