Christian Goodreaders discussion
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I plan to review it in a bit. As noted maybe we can do it later.
I just started Dan Brown's novel, "Origin," and while it is not really a "Christian" book, I imagine it might start another controversy. I can't say for sure as I'm only about a quarter of the way into it, but it might make a good group read.
Betty, I know Brown only by reputation, reviews of his novel The Da Vinci Code (which, as I understand it, posits that Christ faked his death, married Mary Magdalene, and sired what became the Meroviginian royal house of France, and that the Roman Catholic church will kill to protect that secret), and negative comments on his work by my oldest daughter. My understanding is that he's an anti-Christian writer whose novels all seek to discredit and disparage Christianity; so if that is the case, as you said, Origin would be a controversial selection. It would be something that group members might read to be aware of what kinds of deceptions the opposition is promulgating in the general culture, rather than to experience Christian art or discussion of Christian truth.Personally myself, I wouldn't vote for a book on that basis as a group read; but that's just me, and doesn't mean it shouldn't be in the poll in the first place. How do some of the rest of you feel about that?
I am strongly against censorship and believe strongly in freedom of speech and press (this of course now includes (Ebooks and Audio). All that said after The Da Vinci Code I felt I needed a bath so we may want to consider what books a group would want to read.I suppose if there's a vote that would say something of course but personally I didn't follow Mr. Browns writing any farther.
I read non-Christian and even anti-Christian but I'm not sure they'd be popular here.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I am strongly against censorship and believe strongly in freedom of speech and press (this of course now includes (Ebooks and Audio). All that said after The Da Vinci Code I felt I neede..."I hear you, Mike!
The God Hater by Bill Myers certainly sounds like a viable possibility. It was published in 2010, so has been out for eight years; I've checked the World Catalog database, and nearly 550 libraries have copies.
Werner wrote: "Betty, I know Brown only by reputation, reviews of his novel The Da Vinci Code (which, as I understand it, posits that Christ faked his death, married Mary Magdalene, and sired what became the Mero..."I understand your feelings about such writing. I find it useful to know what "the other side is thinking." But that's not for everyone, I agree. I withdraw my suggestion.
Betty, if you want to, you might broach the idea (on this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ) of getting a few people to join you in doing it as a "buddy read." I'm not sure how much interest there would be, but you never know until you try. :-)
I agree with the others. I do read non-Christian and sometimes even anti-Christian books, but don't think they would be appropriate for a common read in this group.I do have a couple of suggestions.
The first is Onesimus: A Novel of Christianity in the Roman Empire, written by one of the members of this group. I enjoyed it a lot, but it was published pretty recently, so maybe it will have to go on the list for next year.
The second is Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, which I haven't read yet, but have heard good things about, and which I would like to read and discuss.
(Thanks, Mike, for explaining the links.)
Do you know how to link books Swantje?You can click on add book/author heading above the line and type in the book. It will allow you to link them in your comment.
Onesimus is indeed a very recent book; but as a common read choice, that wouldn't be its only problem. It's apparently only published in e-book format, which would exclude readers who don't read in that mode. And while some libraries loan e-books, there are apparently no libraries whatsoever, in the whole worldwide OCLC system, that own this book. That didn't surprise me, because I've never heard of "Riversong Books." It's either a small press or (what's more likely, given the absence of a paper edition) a distribution service for self-published books. Most librarians automatically distrust books from those sources, and they tend not to be reviewed in the venues librarians rely on.On the other hand, the Bonhoeffer book would be an excellent possibility. I remember reading favorable reviews of it, when it was first published, in Library Journal or Booklist (maybe both).
I've read Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. There are a lot of biographies of Bonhoeffer, but this one is often described as quintessential. I couldn't put it down.
I've already read it also, it is a good read.
I haven't read the Metaxas book myself, but I'd definitely like to! In fact, I'll withdraw my suggestion of the Berry book, in favor of this one. (I do plan to re-read the Berry book sometime soon, so I can do a review of it and have the benefit of my freshest thoughts; but I can do that on my own later this year.)
I'd be willing to take a second trip through Bonhoeffer.
I read it a couple of years ago with another group. It's worth reading.
Betty wrote: "I'd be willing to take a second trip through Bonhoeffer."That would be fine, Betty! However, just to clarify for the benefit of anyone who's already read the book (or any other book that might be selected for a common read), you don't have to reread it in order to participate in the discussion. If you can remember it well enough to comment, or if you've already reviewed it and want to link to your review, those kinds of contributions to the conversation are appreciated as much as those of the people reading it currently.
I have not read the Bonhoeffer book. I've heard about him, though, and I am behind on my non-fiction reading challenge, so I'd be in for that book. I read the God Hater by Bill Myers. I really like his work!
Werner, your synopsis of The Davinci Code is the most succinct review I've ever seen from you! Unlike Jesus in that book, you nailed it.
Thanks, Nathan! Yes, I can write much more succinct "reviews" of books when I haven't actually read them. :-)Back when I first joined Goodreads, some ten and a half years ago, my earlier reviews here were much more terse, often pared down to fit into the comments box without having to expand it. But as I've gotten less shy and self-conscious, and more comfortable, on this site, my reviews have gotten meatier and more detailed. (That's polite language for "long-winded." :-) )
I absolutely love reading your meaty detaily windy reviews. It was just fun to realise you can launch a #afterwerner strike when you want
The poll is now up, at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1... , and I just sent a general invitation to members to vote if they're interested in the read. (That has the link to the poll, but the poll can also be accessed from the links at the top of any of the group pages --if anyone needs directions, just ask!)
With 41 people voting, the poll results are now in, and they could safely be called a landslide: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy won with 32 votes, compared to nine for The God Hater. Hopefully I'll have the discussion thread up no later than Nov. 1. I'm looking forward to the read, and I believe a number of others are as well!
We don't usually start very serious brainstorming about what book to choose for our annual common read until around the beginning of September; but since this thread stays open for suggestions year around, I thought it wouldn't hurt to offer one now. Following up on our common read of this past November, would there be any interest in reading one of Bonhoeffer's own writings together? I'm thinking of either The Cost of Discipleship or Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community.
Yes, Werner. I would be interested in one of those for November this year. Let’s keep them in mind.
I’m game. I’m already 100 pages into “Discipleship” but put it on pause for reasons I can’t remember. It was very good, though, and I’d definitely like to finish it.
I've added The Cost of Discipleship to my currently reading shelf but have yet to start it. I'm planning to soon however.
I've read Life Together twice. A third time would be fine with me - it has so much to say. I've not read Discipleship, so would be fine with that too. Provided I have the time to do the group read in November.Also, a book that is said to incorporate both these books as well as some biography is Bonhoeffer's Seminary Vision: A Case for Costly Discipleship and Life Together. It puts his works in the context of his life and his thoughts on both discipleship and community.
Either of Werner's suggestions would be good. I had a quick look at the 'Seminary Vision' book and it seems to focus very much on seminary education. I wouldn't be as interested in that.
One thought to consider is that Life Together (1939) has only 122 pages, compared to 320 p. for The Cost of Discipleship (1937). So the former book would be the shorter and quicker read.Personally, I'd be happy with either choice! I'm hoping to read both of them later this year.
We're well into September now, so November will be here almost before we know it. So far, we still haven't formed a consensus on which Bonhoeffer book to put in the poll, The Cost of Discipleship or Life Together. Thinking outside the box, what about pairing them as a single poll option, a double common read? Both of them could be read in a month; their combined length is 442 pages, and we've read at least one single book that was longer than that as a common read.Stan, were you wanting to suggest putting Bonhoeffer's Seminary Vision in the poll as well?
I’d prefer one at a time, but if others prefer both together, I’ll go with that. (The longer book was last year’s common read, wasn’t it? I finished it way late.)
Swantje wrote: "I’d prefer one at a time, but if others prefer both together, I’ll go with that. (The longer book was last year’s common read, wasn’t it? I finished it way late.)"Actually, last year's common read was Eric Metaxas' biography of Bonhoeffer. That's what sparked an interest in reading some of Bonhoeffer's own writings.
If we opted for doing both Bonhoeffer books as a double common read, I imagine we'd read them one at a time, but back-to-back.
I'm not sure I'll find time, but I read both decades ago, so I'd vote for both.
Peter wrote: "I'm not sure I'll find time, but I read both decades ago, so I'd vote for both."I read both of them back in the 70s, though my memories of them are hazy. But I think I'm at a stage in my life and Christian walk now when I'd be better able to appreciate them than I was then. Whether or not they're chosen for this group read, I do intend to reread both books eventually.
I'm hoping to get the poll up on Tuesday, Sept. 1, since I'll be going out of town (barring anything unforeseen) on Wednesday, and won't be coming back until Sunday; I'll be offline during that time. So far, the only suggestions we have for the poll are the two books by Bonhoeffer. I could make those choices 1 and 2, and have "Both of the above" as a third option. Is that the plan we want to go with?
Sounds good to me. Will we be able to make comments with the poll?
Yes, Swantje, the comments feature is always available on all of our polls!
The poll is now up, at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1... , and a general invitation to vote has also been sent out to all group members.
With 45 total votes cast, our results are in: we'll be reading both books in succession, with The Cost of Discipleship first. (That option edged reading the latter book by itself, 18 to 17; just reading Life Together by itself got 10 votes.) Actually, though, since participation is voluntary, those who only want to read one or the other are welcome to join in just for that one.I'll be adding both books to our to-read shelf. Since we all read at different speeds, I'll try to get a discussion thread for each book up by Nov. 1, so it'll be ready.
Thanks, Werner.I picked up a second hand copy of The Cost of Discipleship through Abe Books (SCM 1959 edition). It's introduced by a 'Memoir' by G Leibholz, which reads more like a eulogy but includes a brief life of Bonhoeffer that might be helpful for those who have not read one of the biographies.
November is fast approaching; so it's about the time to start brainstorming seriously about what book to pick for our group's annual common read this year. Because of the impact of the pandemic on libraries, the circumstances are unusual this year. Many people's local libraries are still closed, and interlibrary loan services are still disrupted, so slower and less dependable than normal. Since folks won't necessarily be able to rely on libraries for free access to the chosen book, it might be best to pick something that's old enough to be in the public domain, so that it will likely be accessible online or as a free e-book. (Several other groups have already opted for that idea in picking common reads this year.)Heretics (1905) by G. K. Chesterton is one book which would fit that criteria. It's also one that's been on my to-read shelf for some time, and Chesterton is an incisive Christian thinker whose work we've never yet read together. So I'll put that one out as a suggestion; but we're certainly open to others as well!
The following books that have been recommended to me that I would like to read are all available through Hoopla which your library should have available if you’re in the US. I would like feedback from members who are not in the US if they have access to these as well:The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
And one I’ve read:
Insider, Outsider by Bryan Loritts
Werner, I like your suggestion as well. Hoopla seems to have 7 different versions available, plus an audiobook version! 20 essays give us a good chunk to read every day. And the people and topics he writes about look interesting.
Swantje, thanks for your feedback and suggestions! I'm not sure how universal access to Hoopla is, though, even in the U.S. --admittedly, I'm not familiar with it at all. (I've never worked much with online resources in my library career.) The Bluefield College library doesn't have it, and the websites of the two local public libraries don't give any indication of having it either. (The one on the Virginia side has a service called Libby, which may or may not be similar.)Here are the links to the Goodreads descriptions for the books in Swantje's message 298: The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism; Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity; Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis; and Insider Outsider: My Journey as a Stranger in White Evangelicalism and My Hope for Us All.
The Qureshi book is on my to-read shelf, having been recommended to me by our fellow group member LeAnn. At least four members have read it and given it five-star reviews. Both the Tisby and Loritts books deal with U.S. black-white relationships from a Christian perspective; I'm not personally familiar with either, but they're obviously topical at the moment. Oneness Embraced: Through the Eyes of Tony Evans is another treatment of the same subject, which was recommended to this group (on another thread) a few years ago by a member who's no longer on Goodreads.
Thankfully, our library is open and we can get books easily from within our 21 library consortium, also through interlibrary loans. We also have Hoopla! I have both The Color of Compromise and Seeking Allah Finding Jesus on my TBR shelf. Heretics sounds good, as I haven't read too many classics. I have heard Tony Evans and would enjoy his book, I'm sure. The others sound good, too. How did it get to be November so soon?! Honestly, it was difficult to adjust to our stay-at-home, but now it's flying by.
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Yes, and we try not to force people into that option. (Though it's okay if they buy a selected book just because they actually want to own it!)