The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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Julie KS's task - 20.1
Sara wrote: "I was wary about the Harvey Milk challenge, too... But people didn't complain TOO much about my task in the Spring Challenge (except Jon.. ;) ), so I'll suck it up and support Wendy! Plus, the wh..."Mine started at 6am if I remember correctly - Old Testament was my freshman year and it was very hard to get excited about that! D&C was my favorite year, and consequently I took mostly D&C classes at Ricks and at Institute at San Diego State
I don't know if any ones mentioned him already but Ted Dekker is a good read...Christian author, but very interesting books.http://www.teddekker.com/about/
Katie wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Julie wrote: "Greyweather wrote: "Dionisia wrote: "Hello! Christian fiction is not a genre I am very familiar with. I would like to check and make sure that [book:The Sparrow|33417..."Has Julie okay'd The Sparrow? It's a very good book but may not be considered Christian Literature. I'm hoping that both The Sparrow and it's sequel (The Children of God) are accepted for this task.
I was interpreting Message 171 as approving The Sparrow - I pasted the text from that message below. I think Julie was referring to The Sparrow when she said she thought it would work. If I'm wrong, hopefully she'll correct me. She hasn't said anything about the sequel, but if the first one will work, so will the second."Greyweather wrote: "Dionisia wrote: "Hello! Christian fiction is not a genre I am very familiar with. I would like to check and make sure that The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell would fit this task."
I..."
I think his one will work. Good luck with the task."
Erin wrote: "Mine started at 6am if I remember correctly - Old Testament was my freshman year and it was very hard to get excited about that! D&C was my favorite year, and consequently I took mostly D&C classes at Ricks and at Institute at San Diego State"I love STUDYING the D&C... (I'm loving Sunday School this year) but trying to teach it? I imagine it would be a nightmare if you know as little about Church history as I do... (Which is pathetic considering I have pioneer ancestors... I really should have taken those 3 classes at BYU instead of the 42 family history classes I took... ;) Or in addition to, anyway...) I just took the two semesters of D&C. They were awesome.
Leslie wrote: "I was interpreting Message 171 as approving The Sparrow - I pasted the text from that message below. I think Julie was referring to The Sparrow when she said she thought it would work. If I'm wrong..."Oh, that would be good! Thank you. Leslie!
April wrote: "What is D&C?"I was wonder the same thing. I think it's a medical procedure for women who have had miscarriages. But that's probably not what they're talking about... LOL
April wrote: "What is D&C?"D&C is an abbreviation us Mormons call The Doctrine & Covenants, which includes modern day revelation to the early Saints through Joesph Smith... here is how wikipedia expalins it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine...
April wrote: "What is D&C?"Yep, that'd be the one. And you can read the whole thing online. http://scriptures.lds.org/
Sara - You taught me something, I was never sure if Mormons officially fell into the Christian category, and I have actually done some reading on the religion. As you say, we get facts wrong! :)With that in mind, can I read The 19th Wife A Novel? I've had that on my TBR for a while.
If not, can I read a book by Alton Gansky?
If he's approved, that might be a choice for sci-fi fans that aren't hugely excited about this task. It's been a while since I've read any of his books, but they're basically sci-fi stories with a main character that has strong Christian beliefs, and toward the end he'll call on his spirituality to get through a tough spot. I'm part of the agnostic crowd, but I remember the books as being well written.
Good Evening ladies and gentlemen. I have approved The Sparrow and The 19th Wife: A Novel. Another suggestion would be The Poisonwood Bible. I will try to update with suggestions that I find or that others recommend.I am happy to say that I am a bit relieved that this thread turned around. I thank those that supported and defended this task and I also encourage everyone to read outside their comfort zone. I know I have the last few challenges but I like that.
Happy Reading!!!!
Nicole NC wrote: "Sara - You taught me something, I was never sure if Mormons officially fell into the Christian category, and I have actually done some reading on the religion. As you say, we get facts wrong! :)"I wonder what you've been reading... hmmm... If you're ever more curious and would like to get your info straight from the source, the church has a great website to answer basic questions about what we believe: http://www.mormon.org/ .
BUT, I honestly don't know why so many people get confused on that point. It's probably because everyone calls us "Mormon". Which is probably because we keep calling ourselves that (see URL above). But technically it's not a very correct nickname. Our Church's full name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It would be a bit more obvious that we're Christian if everyone knew that! ;)
The "Mormon" nickname stems from the fact that we use a book of scripture called The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ along with the Bible (and the Doctrine and Covenants (the "D&C" that we were talking about) and a book called the Pearl of Great Price).
Leslie wrote: "I was interpreting Message 171 as approving The Sparrow - I pasted the text from that message below. I think Julie was referring to The Sparrow when she said she thought it would work. If I'm wrong..."I also had The Sparrow on a list that Juie approved earlier. I don't know about the sequel, but you're good to go on The Sparrow.
Julie wrote: "Andreea wrote: "I was wondering what to read for this task myself. I hope Narnia's okay, or at least couldn't I read the Gospels instead of Christian fiction? Please?"The Gospels are not fiction. Also, this needs to be a stand alone book, not part of a larger book ."
The Gospels are a stand alone book, the Bible is a collection of stand alone books (that's why its smaller parts are called books- The Book of Job, The Book of Ezekiel, etc.). There is just one Gospel because gospel means "good news", the full title of its smaller parts have the form- "The Gospel according to ___", together they are a unitary book. Moreover, you don't have to read the whole Old Testament before reading the Gospels to understand their action (if you read them like a novel looking only to understand the action, its characters, etc.). Also, if you're not Christian you might think the Bible is fictional.
I was planning to reread the Gospels this autumn and I will anyway, so I'll go for a Narnia book since I started the series this summer. I just thought it would be a lot more useful (to Christians and non-Christians alike) to read the Gospels instead of funny chicklit because I feel that by reading the Gospels you can understand a lot more about God and Christianity.
I'm sorry if that was mean, I didn't mean to hurt anybody's feelings. -shy smile-
Just when I thought I understood this one...Can someone explain to me how in the world The Poisonwood Bible fits into this task??
Andreea, well stated.
El wrote: "Just when I thought I understood this one...Can someone explain to me how in the world The Poisonwood Bible fits into this task??
"
Well the main character is a missionary and although it's been ages since I read it, isn't there a lot about sinners and redemption in it?
Nicki wrote: "El wrote: "Just when I thought I understood this one...Can someone explain to me how in the world The Poisonwood Bible fits into this task??
"
Well the main character is a missionary and al..."
From Wikipedia:
"The Poisonwood Bible offers Kingsolver's perspectives on the imbalance of power, resources, and justice that exists in the Congo and elsewhere. On another level, the book may be read as a stab against patriarchy which may take forms in religious or racial bigotry. The tragic consequences of living with the diehard messianic but close-minded character of the missionary husband/father, Nathan Price, are highlighted in Kingsolver's work."
This is where my question keeps coming up - what makes a book "Christian fiction"? Is it because it's about missionaries, despite the fact that their story is surrounded by negativity? Most literature, on some level, is about sinning and redemption. By that definition, we should be allowed to read just about anything.
Julie, I'm also waiting for a decision on Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes for your task.
Amanda wrote: "horse, previously thought dead, spasms. rears ugly head. coughs. is fine."Again. Asking for clarification. That's what happens when there are contradictory statements.
El wrote: "Nicki wrote: "El wrote: "Just when I thought I understood this one...Can someone explain to me how in the world The Poisonwood Bible fits into this task??
"
Well the main character is a mis..."
Hmmm, yes, get your point. I've no idea what qualifies either really! A challenging task :)
Annie Porthouse has written two books. One called Dear Bob and the other one called Love Jude. If you like chick lit you may like these (although Annie did NOT write them as chick lit and would probably kill me if she saw me describe them as such!). They are written in diary form. In the first one she is just going off to university and she starts the diary about her thoughts and feelings and events. She's feeling kinda lonely and wants to get a boyfriend. She is a Christian so joins the Christian Union but thinks it's full of weirdos! Anyway just chucking it out there as a possibility.
Please allow me to clarify a little more. First of all the Poisonwood Bible is about missionaries who follow their faith to the Congo. That's how it would fit in. To answer another question Something Wicked This Way Comes I have never read this and from the description I can't really see where it would fit in. If you could provide me with some sort of evidence then I would approve it.
Again, thank you for the interest in this task. I hope it is expanding everyone's reading lists.
Julie wrote: "Please allow me to clarify a little more. First of all the Poisonwood Bible is about missionaries who follow their faith to the Congo. That's how it would fit in. To answer another question ..."
Okay, so the book does not have to be a positive book about the Christian faith? Thanks for the clarification.
As far as Something Wicked This Way Comes, it's an allegory about good versus evil.
Julie, can I assume that the sequel to The Sparrow is also accepted for this task? (Children of God)
Julie wrote: "First of all the Poisonwood Bible is about missionaries who follow their faith to the Congo. That's how it would fit in."***SPOILERS***
True, but the faith of the missionary family is tested and all but one turn away from the church. The one who maintains his insistence on spreading Christianity in Africa goes crazy and dies. Not a happy ending.
***END SPOILERS***
The overarching and super-obvious theme of the book is that Christianity doesn't work everywhere, that native ways have developed over thousands of years and shouldn't be supplanted by missionaries who think they have all the answers. That's why the book is called The Poisonwood Bible. The missionary father called Jesus "Poisonwood" - a mis-translation on his part (because he didn't care to learn the native language closely) that frightened all the local people away from embracing Jesus.
I loved the book. That said, I don't think it was what you were hoping for in this task, Julie.
For further clarification. The task does not state that it has to be a happy ending type book. Sometimes following your faith and having strong beliefs does not carry over to having a perfect ending and never being attacked for your personal beliefs. I also never said that it had to be a specific sect of Christianity. Explore whichever you like.
Someone mentioned G.K. Chesterton. Would his Father Brown books work?
I Am Very Faithful In My Christian Beliefs. Read A Christian Fiction Book. The Book Has To Demonstrate The Importance Of Living A Faith Centered Life.With The Poisonwood Bible it would actually be demonstrating the importance of not living a faith-centered life. As Katie pointed out, all but one of the characters leave the Church. This is why the task is confusing to some of us - all I see in the Kingsolver book is why Christianity can be a bad thing. If that's a concept that is accepted by you, then I'm not sure how many suggestions for books for this task can be discounted.
It has been a long, long time, but isn't Something Wicked... an allegory about temptation and evil?
Cindy wrote: "It has been a long, long time, but isn't Something Wicked... an allegory about temptation and evil?"Yes, I pointed that out a few posts ago also (though I guess I said "good" vs evil, but I like your phrasing better). :)
Julie wrote: "For further clarification. The task does not state that it has to be a happy ending type book. Sometimes following your faith and having strong beliefs does not carry over to having a perfect end..."They weren't attacked for their beliefs, they abandoned their beliefs.
Also, the book is narrated by the women of the family; the father's voice is conspicuously absent. And for much of the book these women were not following their own faith so much as they were forced to follow the faith of the overbearing father (that's where the review El posted about patriarchy fits in).
My comment wasn't meant to be antagonistic. It just seems like you haven't read the book, so I wanted to let you know that it might not be what you think it is. That's all.
Like I said, I loved Poisonwood (though others say its a little preachy). I hope you all read it.
El wrote: "I Am Very Faithful In My Christian Beliefs. Read A Christian Fiction Book. The Book Has To Demonstrate The Importance Of Living A Faith Centered Life. With The Poisonwood Bible it would actually be demonstrating the importance of not living a faith-centered life. As Katie pointed out, all but one of the characters leave the Church. This is why the task is confusing to some of us - all I see in the Kingsolver book is why Christianity can be a bad thing. If that's a concept that is accepted by you, then I'm not sure how many suggestions for books for this task can be discounted...."
Julie, I don't mean to intrude. This task is yours to define as you wish and we'll try to find a book that fits into it.
However, I have to agree with El and accepting The Poisonwood Bible makes your task rather muddy. The clarification of your task is imperative to which books will be chosen to be read and whether they'll actually fit into the spirit of the task.
The only "Christian" person in this particular book is the father, who not so much lives a Christian life as he lives by very narrowly defined tenets of his own definition. He's quite brutal and domineering and self-rightous. He is "right"; all others are "wrong". Not at all what I would call Christian. However, that is my definition.
I put this here in the chance that you haven't read the book and do not know it's contents. It is more a book of how a domineering, narrow life-style can cause more harm than good. It just happens that the father figure is a Missionary. He could have been given any other role by the author as well. His character is still suspect.
Cindy wrote: "It has been a long, long time, but isn't Something Wicked... an allegory about temptation and evil?"I understand that that it is temptation vs. evil. But where is the faith centered portion?
Katie wrote: "Julie wrote: "First of all the Poisonwood Bible is about missionaries who follow their faith to the Congo. That's how it would fit in."***SPOILERS***
True, but the faith of the missionary family ..."
Again, we are like minded Katies. :) I absolutely loved this book, but I never thought it would be acceptable for this challenge for the same reasons you've cited.
Petra wrote: "El wrote: "I Am Very Faithful In My Christian Beliefs. Read A Christian Fiction Book. The Book Has To Demonstrate The Importance Of Living A Faith Centered Life. With The Poisonwood Bible it wo..."
As far as the book and the characters go. I understand that this may not be your definition of a Christian, but it demonstrates his faith and the way he led his life. I don't agree with every denomination of Christianity and many have restrictions that I think are outrageous, but they are still classified as Christians. The task does not state that everyone has to be a Christian, in fact the majority of the Christian fiction I have read includes demonstration in how to deal with people who are Christians.
it stands that The Poisonwood Bible is acceptable because it is demonstrating that a person who believes he is a servant of God is leading his life in that manner.
I'm getting carried away reading these threads & not reading my books! Thanks for the clarification, I think I'll read The Screwtape Letters!
Julie wrote: "Petra wrote: "El wrote: "I Am Very Faithful In My Christian Beliefs. Read A Christian Fiction Book. The Book Has To Demonstrate The Importance Of Living A Faith Centered Life. With The Poisonwo..."
I haven't read the book but from all the descriptions you have put in this thread I agree with Julie in that it would fit. It doesn't necessarily sound like it's saying Christianity is a bad thing but rather that you need to make things culturally relevant. I think the book is saying you should not expect other cultures accept an 'american version of religion'. Missionaries (more so in the past) can have a reputation of trying to Westernise Eastern and developing countries which is rightly seen as a negative. I suggest that it is that aspect of missionaries that Kingsolver is slating and not Christianity itself!
Julie wrote: "I understand that that it is temptation vs. evil. But where is the faith centered portion?"According to wikipedia, Will's father "gains self-awareness and faith" by the end of the novel.
Sam wrote: "So, The Handmaid's Tale = ok?"Took the words right out of my mouth.
Julie wrote: "Good Evening ladies and gentlemen. I have approved The Sparrow and The 19th Wife: A Novel. Another suggestion would be The Poisonwood Bible. I will try to update with suggestions that I find or..."Wow, I'm kind of surprised that The 19th Wife A Novel was approved. I read it last year, and I don't remember it as having the requirements that you laid out Julie. It seemed a pretty negative take on one sect of the Morman faith to me. (Murder, child rape, forced purging the community of teenage boys, totalitarin society....) But hey, that's the beauty of being the task owner, you are the final decider here. :-)
I gave the book 4 stars, I thought it was really compelling. But it doesn't jump to mind as a positive spin living a Christian life.
Alice wrote: "I haven't read the book but from all the descriptions you have put in this thread I agree with Julie in that it would fit."I guess before I read the book I would have thought it was a natural fit for this task. However, the plot was completely different than the direction I thought the book would take based on the description.
I really hope some people choose to read it for this task. It's a great book!
I also recommend reading the Publisher's Weekly review of The Poisonwood Bible on Amazon for more discussion. I would cut and paste here but am trying to be careful of ruining anything for those who might not have read the book.With that said, I think it's very important to have read the book to understand that it really is taking a stab at fundamental Christianity. Yes, the father had faith. And so did David Koresh. Can I read a novel about him, or a character like him?
Julie wrote: "....because it is demonstrating that a person who believes he is a servant of God is leading his life in that manner...."Thank you for this definition, Julie. It may help us in defining whether a book fits this task or not.
In essence, if the character believes he's following God's word, then the book is acceptable?
By this definition, would Children of God be acceptable? I've asked before and the question gets lost in this thread. Father Sandoz leads a Christian life in The Sparrow and, although he's renounced his priesthood in this sequel, it's hard to believe that he'd stop leading a Christian life. His Christianity wasn't based on his priesthood but rather on his belief in God and His word.
I haven't read the book so I can't really say. Would you accept it for your task?
Amanda - I loved your comment. Horse is definitely alive and well! May even win the Triple Crown. 
Both American and British Triple Crowns!
What Would Jesus Do? I think this is the orginial. My church is reading this as a group. It is set in the 1800's but a good story
LOL, you guys. Who knew we had a possum-horse?Julie--Thanks for that definition. That helps a lot.
So, would Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather work? My book blurb says: "In 1851 Father Jean Marie Latour comes as the Apostolic Vicar to New Mexico...In the almost forty years that follow, Latour spreads his faith the only way he knows--gently, although he must contend with an unforgiving landscape, derelict and sometimes openly rebellious priests, and his own loneliness." It sounds like he is "a person who believes he is a servant of God is leading his life in that manner."
Thanks.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Julie - I was looking at the Ya-Ya Prayer Group books and they look fun. You have already broadened my horizons. Thanks.