Common reads

[Ron]

I'm ambivalent. While I feel free to ignore group reads, the inputs of others have led me to good reads.

[Werner]

Ron wrote: "I'm ambivalent. While I feel free to ignore group reads, the inputs of others have led me to good reads."

Others' suggestions have introduced me to rewarding reads, too! Yes, all of our group reads are voluntary. I usually feel an obligation to at least try to take part, though, just because having them at all was my idea (back in 2013).

[Georgann]

I like to participate in group reads, although I rarely suggest a book. Usually I just vote in the poll and wait and see if the chosen book is one I'll read. As you both mentioned, I also find reads I might not have chosen on my own, and I like that.

[Werner]

Georgann, I posed a question a minute ago in a comment, but our posts evidently crossed in cyberspace. :-) You answered my question without knowing I'd asked it, so I went ahead and deleted it. What I wanted to find out was whether anybody in the group had any interest in the idea of a group read, one way or the other. It's now clear that the interest is there; it just doesn't always express itself by nominating books. So, we'll persevere with the tradition! There's still ten days left to suggest a book, if anyone wants to.

[Melissa (ladybug)]

Georgann wrote: "I like to participate in group reads, although I rarely suggest a book. Usually I just vote in the poll and wait and see if the chosen book is one I'll read. As you both mentioned, I also find read..."

This is me also. I don't always have an idea of what to recommend so I go with voting and then seeing if the winner is one I think is interesting.

[Werner]

Thanks, Melissa; that's helpful to know.

If The Last Sin Eater is the only book suggested by the time the poll would normally go up on Oct. 1, we'll consider it nominated by acclamation. Does it sound like something either of you ladies would be interested in reading?

[Melissa (ladybug)]

Actually, I've already read and DNF'd it :) It seemed good but I wasn't in a place to enjoy it or even really pay attention to what it was saying. A friend had loaned it to me and then a few days latter passed away during the pandemic. I returned the book to her husband at that time. I would be willing to try it again though.

I can recommend Gods and Kings if it hasn't already been read? I first read this in 2011 and want to re-read it.

[Werner]

Lynn Austin, the author of Gods and Kings, is also the author of Candle in the Darkness, our group read in 2021, which I'd say was well received. We'll put Gods and Kings in the poll, and see what happens!

[Jessica]

I don't always have something to suggest, as is the case right now, but I think I have participated in every group read since I joined the group and would probably continue to do so.

[Werner]

Jessica wrote: "I don't always have something to suggest, as is the case right now, but I think I have participated in every group read since I joined the group and would probably continue to do so."

That's even more confirmation that continuing to have them is a good decision! Thanks for sharing that, Jessica.

[Werner]

The poll is now up, at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2... ! I need to get offline soon to get ready for church; but this evening I'll send a general invitation to the group to vote.

[David]

Ok

[Werner]

Gods and Kings has won the poll by a solid margin, so it will be our group read this year. The read/discussion will officially start on November 1, and (as always) I'll see to it that a discussion thread for the book is in place before the end of that day.

Having now read three reviews of the book, I'm certain it wouldn't be my cup of tea; so I'm not going to join in the read myself. But I will be following the discussion!

[Nathan]

I don't think I've ever participated in a group read on Goodreads before, though I may have had the best of intentions here in the past. The winning book this year certainly has a high enough Goodreads score to be worth the effort generally. And even if some of us don't like it, well-reasoned and articulate criticism certainly has it's place here. I guess I'll tag along, given the delay affecting other books I've requested from my local library on Inter-Library-Loan. Assuming this book gets to me via ILL in time to participate :-)

[Melissa (ladybug)]

For anyone who has Kindle Unlimited this book is free at the moment :)

[Jessica]

My library has it on Hoopla. If you don't mind ebooks or eaudio and your library has Hoopla you might check there.

[Blossom]

Oooh on audio?? I have it on Kindle but if I can find it on audio I may try that.

[Werner]

Just to give everybody a heads-up, Ron and I have discussed the schedule of our annual group read. If there aren't strong objections on anyone's part, what we've decided to do for this year (and if it works out well, permanently) is to move the read from November to August. The earlier time frame will remove a conflict with a group read in another group (and possibly with other reads as well, for other members). Does anyone have a problem with this idea? (I'll cross post this as well on the "Group announcements" thread.)

[Werner]

Since we've agreed to move our annual common read to August this year, it's not too early to begin brainstorming about what to read! We did a fiction read last year; so if we keep to the idea of alternating fiction and nonfiction (though we're not obligated to) this would be a year for the latter.

To get the ball rolling, I'll toss out a suggestion: The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. At 95 pages, it's a quick read, and one that's stood the test of time, having been first published in 1692. While spiritual self-help books are not a preferred genre for me, I've read and liked this one (albeit decades ago), and would be willing to reread it with the group.

[Melissa (ladybug)]

I would like to nominate Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis :) The kindle version comes in at 98 pages so seems like a quickish read.

The description says: "In the classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith."

[Lexi T.]

I’d like to propose ‘Rest: The Case for Sabbath’ by Timothy J. Schwab.


The description says this:
“It is time to truly explore the Word and discover what it says about the authentic ways of the Creator. Examine The God Culture rather than the culture of the gods which permeates our society today just as prophesied many times in scripture. This is not a debate nor a topic that can be broken into fragments out of context. If you are a believer, even a pastor, and you have not reviewed this case except fragments, this book will change your life. Is the Sabbath still applicable today? Why? When you learn Jesus kept and taught the Sabbath and ALL 10 commandments followed by His Apostles who kept and taught the Sabbath and ALL 10 commandments succeeded by the True Early Ekklesia who kept and taught the Sabbath and ALL 10 commandments, shockwaves will vibrate. Learn about the Lord of the Sabbath and His ways which are higher than our ways and the doctrines of men. Study the overwhelmingly abundant scripture proving this as well as history. Explore Messiah's Great Sabbath Sermon which is mischaracterized yet explained as such in the New Testament in which the 7th Day Sabbath observance remained. That's what the Bible says and it is time to know. This extensive Bible case for Sabbath will arm you with the needed data to render a Biblical decision on this topic. Don't let this pass you by another day. Yah Bless.”

[Lexi T.]

I don’t know how to edit a comment. Rest: The Case for Sabbath is free in digital form.

[Werner]

Melissa, that's a great suggestion! Mere Christianity is another book I read back in the early or mid-70s and really appreciated, but have never reviewed. We'll definitely put it in the poll, and if it wins, I'll be glad to reread it with the group.

[Patrick]

How about. Love Does by Bob Goff

[Werner]

For better reference, here's the link to the book Patrick mentioned: Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World.

Lexi wrote: "I don’t know how to edit a comment."

Lexi, if you're on a PC (I don't know if this feature is available on a phone, or a device like a tablet), underneath any comment you've posted, you'll see three small green links that say "reply/edit/delete." Click on the "edit" one, and your comment will open into an editing box. Then just type in your changes, and click the "Edit post" button.

[Melissa (ladybug)]

Werner wrote: "...(I don't know if this feature is available on a phone, or a device like a tablet),..."

General fyi. The edit feature isn't available on phone. I don't have a tablet so don't know about that way. :)

[Werner]

Melissa wrote: "The edit feature isn't available on phone."

That doesn't surprise me! I don't use my cell phone to access the Internet; but I know that a LOT of Goodreads members who do complain that it doesn't have as much functionality in that mode.

[Werner]

The poll is now up and ready for voting, at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2... .

[Werner]

Mere Christianity has won the poll, with six votes (to four for The Practice of the Presence of God; those were the only nominations that go votes). So it will be our group read, starting on Aug. 1. I'll plan to get the discussion thread up no later than that date (though I'll probably start the read late myself, owing to a planned vacation in early August to visit family).

[Gillian]

I lost contact with the website for a while. Has the group read gone ahead? I'll have to re-read Mere Christianity.

[Werner]

Gillian, glad to have you back in contact! Yes, we did the group read in August, and discussed it on this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... . But it remains open for comments from any group members who read, have read, or reread the book in the future! We'll be glad to hear your thoughts; and whenever you reread the book, I hope it's rewarding.

[P. Pherson]

I fear I read too slowly to common read with someone else. Last time I did, my partner was done in less than a week, and it took me four months.

And honestly, most of my energy goes into creating stories, and not reading them. But...I do have times between stories where I try to make good on my promises to read other peoples stuff. I will be at that soon. I have a small list waiting.

[Gene]

I like how The 5 Love Languages aligns with Christian values—especially the call to love selflessly and understand others deeply. It’s a practical tool for living out 1 Corinthians 13 in everyday relationships, whether in marriage, friendship, or family.”

[Werner]

If we keep to the schedule we tried out last year, Gene, we'll do our annual common read in August. Are you suggesting The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts as a possible choice? For the past several years, we've alternated between a nonfiction book (which is what we read last year) and a fictional work; but we don't have to. I've never read anything by Chapman myself, but my oldest daughter (who's a psychology major and a counselor) has read this book and speaks well of it.

[P. Pherson]

I dont know. Is there any male who does not have touch as their love language? Im a little dubious of it.

It seems to me like one of those things that is cool to look at and store away but never really leaks into something that really matters.

[Werner]

P. Pherson wrote: "I dont know. Is there any male who does not have touch as their love language? Im a little dubious of it."

Well, at this point we're just brainstorming. The group as a whole will make the final choice by voting on a poll, which I'll plan to post around the beginning of July; and there will probably be other suggestions between now and then. (I have some ideas myself, but I'll wait and broach them a little later.)

[Werner]

Back in 2023, my read of Redeeming Love (1991) was my first introduction to the work of Christy Award-winning author Francine Rivers, and it earned five stars from me. Like many of her novels, that one is historical fiction; but I'm very interested in reading her contemporary general fiction as well. So I'll toss And the Shofar Blew (2003) into the ring as a suggestion. Judging from the book description, I believe it could be a rewarding read for this group.

[Jessica]

Werner wrote: "Back in 2023, my read of Redeeming Love (1991) was my first introduction to the work of Christy Award-winning author Francine Rivers, and it earned five stars from me. Like many of he..."

I read And the Shofar Blew just last year and gave it 5 stars. I found the story a little choppy, but very good and with some very timely lessons despite it's being written more than 20 years ago. I'd be happy to participate in a discussion and maybe even give it another read.

[Werner]

Thanks for your feedback, Jessica; that's encouraging!

[Werner]

The poll is up now, at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3... . If you think you might like to join in on this read/discussion, please vote for the book of your choice! Voting will be open through July 14.

[Werner]

We have a winner in our poll; And the Shofar Blew garnered 41 votes, to 15 for the Chapman book. The read discussion will officially begin on August 1.

Barb and I plan to spend Aug. 1-5 with family, so I'll be starting my read of the book a bit late. But I'll plan to get the discussion thread up on July 31.