Introduce Yourself

[David]

My name is David Bush, and I am a practicing cradle Catholic. By profession, I am a medical doctor specialised in Haematology which I practice in a hospital setting. I have always had a lifelong passion for world literature, and since I am a speed reader, I have read plenty. I read all genres, fiction and non-fiction, as long as there's an underlying positive message. I am particularly interested in Church history.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I started writing novels to break away from the tedium of hospital life during the COVID shutdown. I did most of my writing in the early morning hours before going to work, and it was a cathartic experience. I wanted to stimulate a love of reading for my two young great-nephews with whom I spend a lot of time. Children nowadays don't read like we used to, being hooked on video games, the internet, and YouTube.
No agent or publisher was interested in my work and I've lost count of the number I've approached, so I delved into the realm of self-publishing.
My debut novel was "General Jack and the Battle of the Five Kingdoms."

https://www.amazon.com/General-Jack-B...

It is an allegorical anthropomorphic fantasy along the lines of the Chronicles of Narnia. It was a critical success and went on to win many awards. It sold quite well but the cost of promoting it was excessive and not financially sustainable. It is a cross-genre novel,
straddling fantasy, historical fiction, young adult, animals, myth and legend, action and adventure, humour and satire, but primarily Christian. I received many requests to write sequels.

So this year, I published four novella sequels on the same lines.

"Animal Quest" is an allegory about the Black Death and the Albigensian Crusade.
"Animals Divided" is an allegory about the Great Western Schism and the Hundred Years' War.
"Animals at War" is an allegory about the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War.
"Animal Revolution" is an allegory about the French Revolution and Enlightenment.
I am particularly interested in history from the Catholic viewpoint.

I self-produced trailers for each book which anyone can check out on my Goodreads page.
I also designed author and book websites using Canva.
I have an award-winning YouTube channel dedicated to the book series with more than one hundred self-produced videos.

https://www.youtube.com/@generaljackb...

The various websites can be accessed through this channel.

I find that most of popular history tends to be an organised lie, so I am careful about which authors I trust to deliver an unbiased and objective reading experience.

I also published a middle-grade novel together with my great-nephew called,"The Joyous Adventures of Whizzojack."

There are many authors who I like but if I were to choose one, it would have to be AJ. Cronin, since he wrote as a diversion from his medical practice. I really enjoyed reading "The Citadel", "The Keys of the Kingdom" and "Three Loves," in particular. But there are so many great authors out there.

I plan to nominate one book "The Kapillan of Malta" by Nicholas Monserrat. It is an underrated faith-based novel about life during the blitz in the Second World War.

[A.J]

Hello, I am A.J, I live in Switzerland since 2015 (but I'm originally from Perú). I have read many Catholic books but the one that changed my life was "Story of a soul". I had tried to read it several times but I could not get pass all the "little flower" sweetness. This year I tried again and I think it was by God's Providence that I opened it at the right time. I fell in love with the little Therese and since then I keep coming back to it every time I need spiritual advice.

I am not good at keeping track of the books I read and a few days ago I found this website and this group and I am looking forward to reading with you and also (maybe) doing a 2025 reading challenge.

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Edit: I forgot!!!! My copy of the "Prison Journal Volume 1" is on its way and I am very excited to start!!!! :) : ) :)

[Fonch]

Hello Mss. A.J. welcome to the Catholic Book Club here you will find excellent books. I must read the story of a soul i have not read yet. Greetings to the swiss.

[A.J]

Fonch wrote: "Hello Mss. A.J. welcome to the Catholic Book Club here you will find excellent books. I must read the story of a soul i have not read yet. Greetings to the swiss."

Hi! Thank you for the warm welcome Fonchi. I read your profile and saw you come from Valladolid in Spain.... I lived in Lima for 27 years and that was the name of my street!!!!! "Valladolid 2XX..., Lima, Perú". Always grateful to the Madre Patria España for bringing us the faith :)

[Mariela]

Hello Everyone! My name is Mariela, and I’m excited to join this amazing group now that I’ve become active on Goodreads! While I enjoy exploring a variety of genres, my passion lies in spiritual reading and Catholic books. I especially love reading about saints, learning about spiritual welfare, and delving into works that blend psychology and spirituality. I find the intersection of these topics fascinating, as they deeply impact an individual's mind, soul, and overall well-being. I am looking forward to connecting and sharing with you all!

Feel free to add me if you are interested!


Here are some of the books that I am currently reading:

--A Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person (it is for school, but I still love to read it either way; highly recommend it for anyone who is practicing psychology or counseling )

--Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe

--Sr. Clare Crockett: Alone with Christ Alone

--Story of a Soul, The Autobiography of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux

--The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis

I soon want to read JRR Tolkien's works of The Lord of the Rings and other works by C.S Lewis.

[Mariangel]

Welcome, Mariela!

We are currently reading and discussing Prison Journal, Volume 1 The Cardinal Makes His Appeal.

You can see the discussion here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

On February 1 we will start The Second Greatest Story Ever Told.

Feel free to join us!

[Fonch]

Hello Mss. Mariela welcome to the Catholic Book Club feel as you were in your own house.

[Rayla]

Hi! My name is Rayla Karen, I'm Brazilian and catholic. I like to read books.

[C F]

Hello! My name is Cat I live in Southern California. I’m a Catholic revert. I’m trying to become an avid reader also including books based on Catholicism to learn more about the faith.
Currently finishing up The Ten Green Commandments of Laudato Si’.

[J.P.]

Hi all,

I recently joined and would like to add a novella for young Catholics that discusses their faith and the Rosary through a ripping adventure. There isn’t too much for young adults or teenagers so it’s something different.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DYDD...

ISBN-13 ‎979-8310899476

Feel free to check it out.

Regards,

Alan

[Sascha]

Hey y’all! I saw this group and I wanted to join, one of the few Christian groups. Although I am not a Roman Catholic (I am a Orthodox Christian), we have lots of shared saints and books that I like to read. I really enjoy the early church Fathers, but I also like reading Shusaku endo (really enjoyed his Silence book and plan to read the samurai). Hope to meet y’all!

[Mariangel]

Welcome, Angie and Sascha! You can join us in our current book discussion.

[Andrew]

Hi, I'm Andrew Goliszek. My latest book, Like Embers in the Night is winner of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award and based on the incredible true story of two gulag and Soviet labor camp survivors following Stalin’s brutal invasion of Poland. It's replete with Polish Catholic history, which is a big reason that Poland survived and thrived during World War II and communist occupation.

[Jamie]

Hello all, my name is Jamie Dunston, and I'm an author of Christian mysticism. I have a new forthcoming book, The Mystical Gospel of Thomas: Revelation of the Inner Christ. I am looking for readers who enjoy theology, spirituality, and mysticism. I experienced a divine theophany and share my direct experiences.

I'm offering free Advance Review Copies (ARCs) of my new book, The Mystical Gospel of Thomas: Revelation of the Inner Christ!
This contemplative work explores the hidden sayings of Jesus from the ancient Gospel of Thomas, inviting readers into the sacred silence where the Inner Christ is revealed. It's a book for seekers, mystics, contemplative Christians, and anyone drawn to the deeper teachings of Christ beyond religious form.
If you're interested in receiving a free ARC and leaving an honest review, you can easily download a copy here on BookSprout:
👉 https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review...
Thank you so much for your support and for helping bring this vision to life!
Blessings,
Jamie C. Dunston

[Fonch]

Dear Mr. Goliszek, and Mrs. Dunston I welcome you to The Catholic Book Club, I hope you find good readings in our group, and that you feel at home.

[Fonch]

Sascha wrote: "Hey y’all! I saw this group and I wanted to join, one of the few Christian groups. Although I am not a Roman Catholic (I am a Orthodox Christian), we have lots of shared saints and books that I lik..."

Everyone who likes good literature is welcome to join this group.

[HelloB]

Hi all! I'm Beatrice from Germany. I really love reading, especially catholic/christian books. I was born and raised in Italy and knew only catholicism. After I moved to Germany, I started to learn how many different nuances of the same christian faith there are and how differently God can be perceived. I find it always interesting. I am part of a Bible group where catholics, Protestants and free-churches discuss the Bible chapter by chapter :) we are currently reading the gospel of Mark.

[David]

Hi everyone, I’m David, a Catholic convert with a deep love for theological and spiritual reading. I’m here to listen, learn, and grow in the faith alongside others. Grateful for a space like this that values peace and thoughtful conversation.

I'm always happy for book recommendations.

[Reader]

Hello everyone! I am currently a girl on mission. I have a goal to start reading more so I feel like this group is going to be a good way for me to get ideas on what to read without having to test waters, which usually results in me leaving a book part way through because it's not really inline with my journey spiritually. I love fiction, father elijah is my favorite catholic fiction novel so far so I can't wait to explore what else there is out there :)

[Fonch]

HelloB wrote: "Hi all! I'm Beatrice from Germany. I really love reading, especially catholic/christian books. I was born and raised in Italy and knew only catholicism. After I moved to Germany, I started to learn..."

David wrote: "Hi everyone, I’m David, a Catholic convert with a deep love for theological and spiritual reading. I’m here to listen, learn, and grow in the faith alongside others. Grateful for a space like this ..."

Reader wrote: "Hello everyone! I am currently a girl on mission. I have a goal to start reading more so I feel like this group is going to be a good way for me to get ideas on what to read without having to test ..."


Dear Beatrice, David, and Reader, welcome to the Catholic Book Club. I hope you enjoy your stay here and find some good books. Sincerely, Fonch