I love quote books. I’ve probably got 10 or 12 different ones on my bookshelf. They’re lovely for browsing through, “chewing” on a little something (without getting overwhelmed by the whole) and have often lead to discovering new authors and new books of interest. They can be used for tidbits of inspiration to start the school day or for memory work. This is a lovely, simple little book of Marian quotations with very brief reflections (usually simple prayers) – one for each day of the year. The quotes are varied, helpful, encouraging and inspirational. You’ll find the usual suspects of course – Pope John Paul II, St. Alphonsus Liguori (who are both particularly known for their Marian spirituality). You’ll find quotes from an incredible variety of saints from the early Church Fathers through the most recently beatified (like Blessed John Henry Newman). Of course we also find snippets of wisdom from the Bible, traditional prayers of the Church and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These more traditional sources are nicely balanced with a number of modern voices, including Caryll Houselander, Thomas Merton, Flannery O’Connor, Dorothy Day, a very healthy dose of G.K. Chesterton and a few living authors as well – like Archbishop Dolan, Edward Sri and Scott and Kimberly Hahn. Karen, who is a convert to Catholicism herself, has a unique talent for making this book particularly accessible for those who haven’t always had a close relationship with Mary, and so you’ll find many gentle, helpful quotes for Marian neophytes and non-Catholics. Several are even from Martin Luther!