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June 2022 BOTM - Voting
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Friends in High Places - Corinna TurnerThe history of the Earth-9 colony - M.Alfonseca
A Time to Die: Monks on the Threshold of Eternal Life
Genius of Christianity, Chateaubriand; andEarth-9, Alfonseca.
A Time to Die: Monks on the Threshold of Eternal Lifeby Nicolas Diat
Masaru
A Time to Die: Monks on the Threshold of Eternal Lifeor From Fire by Water.
(PS this is an excellent list-it was difficult to choose!)
Pierre Toussaint: A Biography by Arthur Jones
The BetrothedA Time to Die.
The Earth-9 ColonyThe Emerald Tablet
Mod
The history of the Earth-9 colony
The Resurrection of the Son of God
A Bloody Habit
A Bloody Habit
My votes are for The history of the Earth-9 colony by Manuel Alfonseca and Masaru by Michael Thomas Cibenko.
The second greatest story ever toldThe history of the Earth-9 colony
Chronicles of the Magic Jigsaw PuzzleThe history of the Earth-9 colony
The Resurrection of the Son of God, by N.T. WrightA Time to Die: Monks on the Threshold of Eternal Life, by Nicolas Diat
The Resurrection of the Son of GodThe history of the Earth-9 colony
Mod
Of course, there is nothing in our rules to prevent calling your friends and having them join and vote (mainly because we had not foreseen it), but if this goes on, every voting may soon be tainted.
Back in the day, this was called "payola." A record company would produce a record and then the company's employees and their friends would call up a radio show and make requests to have that one record played. They were lobbying to have their product showcased.What Manuel described is "deja vu, all over again."
The deadline is 5pm today.Jill, you haven’t voted yet, right?
I voted for From Fire by Water, forget what my second choice was.
That is not behavior one should experience on a Catholic website.I will change my vote.
Mod
I think we need to be careful. There is no way to tell in a single month whether those are real accounts for real people or whether they are real people who have just signed on one time as a favor for a friend. In the latter case, it isn't against the rules, especially if they are Catholic friends who might be inclined to join us long term.
There may be reason to think about weighting voting so that members who participate in the book discussions regularly get a weighted vote. That discussion should take place in the Atrium and I may start a discussion there if no one else has.
Finally, I have noticed in the past voting behavior that appeared coordinated, which frankly bothered me a bit. But there is no rule against it, I have tried to view it in the light most favorable to the participants and have decided to hold off unless it became apparent that it was harming the group. So, I think we should view the current events in the most charitable light possible, as long as that is possible.
Mod
My apologies, I have a new job which is keeping me busy, we are packing up and selling our home in Minnesota, and I am a new grandfather. All of which is wonderful and delightful, but exhausting. I thought I would have time to post the results last night before leaving for dinner but couldn't get to it and was worn out when I got back.
I will post them shortly.
Mod
Hi Jill, I don't see where you voted. I will count this as a vote for From Fire by Water.
Mod
Yeah this is just how voting works, unless a special system has been set up. Personally I'm excited to read Masaru and happy others will be reading it with me.
Congratulations on the birth of your grandchild, John!
Mod
Thank you!! Very excited. My mom has been coming over to visit with her several times. and I have a picture now of "my girls": mom (90); wife (64); daughter (33); and granddaughter (7 days).
The Catholic Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Betrothed - Alessandro Manzoni [World'S Best Edition] (other topics)A Bloody Habit (other topics)
Centurion's Daughter (other topics)
The Emerald Tablet (other topics)
From Fire, by Water: My Journey to the Catholic Faith (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Alessandro Manzoni (other topics)Eleanor Bourg Nicholson (other topics)
Manuel Alfonseca (other topics)
Sohrab Ahmari (other topics)
Corinna Turner (other topics)
More...
Voting will end at approximately 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, May 19.
The Betrothed - Alessandro Manzoni World'S Best Edition by Alessandro Manzoni, nominated by Mariangel
“Compulsory reading for Italian high school students, The Betrothed gives a historically accurate account of the bubonic plague that wiped out a quarter of Milan’s population in 1629-1631.” —Politico “This is not just a book; it offers consolation to the whole of humanity.” —Giuseppe Verdi
Voting History: April 2022 - 3; May 2022 - 4
A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, nominated by Fonch
It is 1900, the dawn of a new century. Even as the old Queen's health fails, Victorian Britain stands monumental and strong upon a mountain of technological, scientific, and intellectual progress. For John Kemp, a straight-forward, unimaginative London lawyer, life seems reassuringly predictable yet forward-leaning, that is, until a foray into the recently published sensationalist novel Dracula, united with a chance meeting with an eccentric Dominican friar, catapults him into a bizarre, violent, and unsettling series of events.
Voting History: NONE
Centurion's Daughter, Justin Swanton, Fonch
Written and illustrated by master storyteller Justin Swanton, Centurion's Daughter is a thoughtful and compelling journey to a little-known period of history when an empire fell and the foundations of Christendom were laid.
Voting History: February 2022 - 2; March 2022 - 4; April 2022 - 2 ; May 2022 - 5
Chronicles of the Magic Jigsaw Puzzle, https://www.goodreads.com/series/1836..., Manuel Alfonseca, nominated by Fonch
In the far country of Tiva, king Tivo learns that the only way to cure his betrothed, Aquamarine, will be by means of one of the lost pieces of the Magic Jigsaw Puzzle. In this series, the seven pieces of the Magic Jigsaw Puzzle are being recovered, until all of them get together at the end of the world. This series has been influenced by C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia.
Voting History: NONE
The Emerald Tablet, by Manuel Alfonseca, nominated by John
Loyalty to her homeland and her ideals make Meriem a young heroine. In the times of the emperor Valerian Augustus, the borders of the Roman Empire begin to weaken and strange people walk inside. In Hispania, Gaius Aeolius receives the visit of a mysterious Egyptian who brings ruin to the house, along with a mysterious emerald tablet. Young Meriem and her brother Lucius are then involved in a series of adventures, which will take them from an encounter with barbarians to the presence of Caesar.
Voting History: March 2022 - 9; April 2022 - 2; May 2022 - 4
From Fire, by Water: My Journey to the Catholic Faith, by Sohrab Ahmari, nominated by Sohrab and John
Sohrab Ahmari was a teenager living under the Iranian ayatollahs when he decided that there is no God. Nearly two decades later, he would be received into the Catholic Church. In From Fire, by Water, he recounts this unlikely passage, from the strident Marxism and atheism of a youth misspent on both sides of the Atlantic to a moral and spiritual awakening prompted by the Mass. At once a young intellectual’s finely crafted self-portrait and a life story at the intersection of the great ideas and events of our time, the book marks the debut of a compelling new Catholic voice.
Voting History: February 2021 - 3; March 2021 -8; April 2021 - 9; May 2021 - 2; July 2021 - 2; September 2021 - 4; October 2021 - 4; December 2021 - 5; February 2022 - 7; March 2022 - 7; April 2022 - 8; May 2022 - 6
Friends in High Places (https://www.goodreads.com/series/3264...), by Corinna Turner, nominated by Manuel.
This nomination is to read the following three books in this series:
The Boy Who Knew: Carlo Acutis
Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph
Child, Unwanted (Margaret of Castello)
Voting History: March 2022 - 5; April 2022 - 2; May 2022 - 3
The Genius of Christianity or the Spirit and Beauty of the Christian Religion, by François-René de Chateaubriand, nominated by Fonch
Instead of a description of the book, Goodreads summary says: This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work. Its price is higher than what we typically read, though I've seen references to much lower prices and our members may be able to find it available free online.
Voting History: May 2022 - 2
The history of the Earth-9 colony, M.Alfonseca, Manuel
The colonization of the galaxy has started. When human beings discover planets suitable for life, they enter in conflict with extraterrestrial intelligences who were living there. This science-fiction novel revises the story of Adam and Eve and its consequences, in the setting of space colonization and the encounter with extraterrestrial intelligences.
Voting History: February 2022 - 4; March 2022 - 4; April 2022 - 5; May 2022 - 8
Masaru, by Michael T. Cibenko, nominated by Fonch
Masaru is an historical novel which paints the travails of the first Japanese Christians in brilliant colors. Author Michael T. Cibenko utilizes his expert knowledge of Japanese culture and language to create a memorable and authentic epic of early Christian Japan which entertains the reader while effortlessly conveying a lesson on this fascinating and complex period of history.
Voting History: May 2022 - 5
Pierre Toussaint: A Biography, by Arthur Jones, nominated by Kathleen
This richly detailed portrait of Pierre Toussaint, who was born into slavery, became one of the most admired men of his time, and is now a candidate for canonization, reveals both the journey of an extraordinary man and a fascinating glimpse into nineteenth-century America.
Voting History: December 2021 - 3; February 2022 - 2; March 2022 - 4; April 2022 - 2; May 2022 - 2
Prison Journal, Volume 1 The Cardinal Makes His Appeal, by George Cardinal Pell, nominated by John
Led off to jail in handcuffs, following his sentencing on March 13, 2019, the 78-year-old Australian prelate began what was meant to be six years in jail for "historical sexual assault offenses”. Cardinal Pell endured more than thirteen months in solitary confinement, before the Australian High Court voted 7-0 to overturn his original convictions. His victory over injustice was not just personal, but one for the entire Catholic Church.
Bearing no ill will toward his accusers, judges, prison workers, journalists, and those harboring and expressing hatred for him, the cardinal used his time in prison as a kind of "extended retreat". He eloquently filled notebook pages with his spiritual insights, prison experiences, and personal reflections on current events both inside and outside the Church, as well as moving prayers.
Voting History: May 2022 - 3
The Resurrection of the Son of God, by N.T. Wright, nominated by Frances
Why did Christianity begin, and why did it take the shape it did? To answer this question – which any historian must face – renowned New Testament scholar N.T. Wright focuses on the key points: what precisely happened at Easter? What did the early Christians mean when they said that Jesus of Nazareth had been raised from the dead? What can be said today about his belief?
Voting History: May 2022 - 4
The Second Greatest Story Ever Told, by Michael E. Gaitley, nominated by Manuel
In The Second Greatest Story Ever Told bestselling author Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, reveals St. John Paul II’s witness for our time. Building on the prophetic voices of Margaret Mary Alacoque, Thérèse of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe, and Faustina Kowalska, The Second Greatest Story Ever Told is more than a historical account of the Great Mercy Pope. This book expounds on the profound connection between Divine Mercy and Marian consecration. It serves as an inspiration for all those who desire to bear witness to the mercy of God, focused on Christ and formed by Mary. Now is the time of mercy.
Voting History: April 2022 - 2; May 2022 - 2
A Time to Die: Monks on the Threshold of Eternal Life, by Nicolas Diat, nominated by Robert Bruening
Behind monastery walls, men of God spend their lives preparing for the passage of death. Best-selling French author Nicolas Diat set out to find what their deaths can reveal about the greatest mystery faced by everyone—the end of life. How to die? How to respond to our fear of death? To answer these and other questions, Diat travelled to eight European monasteries including Solesmes Abbey and the Grande Chartreuse. Through extraordinary interviews with monks, he learned that their death experiences are varied and unique, with elements of peace, pain, humility, sorrow, and joy.
Voting History: May 2022 - 3