So...what are you reading?

[John]

FYI, for reference the discussion about 'foreknowledge' and 'will of man' is in Book V, Chapter 9:

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1201...

[Barbara]

Thanks, John.

[Joseph]

Working on Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic. I'm getting close to done and it's a wonderfully written analysis of the political forces at work in the last century of Republican rule.

[Ce]

I just finished Sword and the Serpent by Taylor Marshall. It will be released December 1st. Wonderful fiction tale about Saint George. Great gift for anybody.

[Barbara]

I just finished Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas. It is a beautiful story about making amends and embracing values the world can't understand.

[Ben]

I just read Mark Twain's 2 volume set about Joan of Arc.

[Dan]

What did you think of it Ben? It's been on my to-read for a long time - always pass it up.

[Philip]

I'm rereading The Imitation of Christ.

It's an amazing book!

Definitely worth reading (and even rereading, which is really saying something).

[Denise]

I'm carefully reading through The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin. Wow! Excellent spiritual reading.
Dr. Martin brings together the teachings of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross,Bernard of Clairvaux, and Francis de Sales into a unified and organized blueprint, if you will, on how to grow in holiness, that elusive goal that we're all told should be our own.
I have found this book to be an easier read than The Cloud of Unknowing, which I had to eventually put back on my bookshelf with the thought that perhaps I just wasn't far enough in my own spiritual growth to appreciate it.

[Barbara]

Sounds challenging, Denise, but it also sounds like it is well worth the challenge.

[Vikk]

Every year I choose one book for a year of study (in addition to my other reading). In 2014 I was part of the online FB group reading St. Augustine's City of God. The year before I took up the Moby Dick Big Read challenge, though that one was a 3-month read. For 2015, I've chosen to read Dante's Inferno.

I bought the Catholic Courses 3-part Video Course and will be using that as my guide. I've only read bits and pieces in the past but never tackled the whole book. I decided to make it a year-long project so I wouldn't rush through. I chose the Catholic Courses study because I wanted a Catholic perspective as I work through the book.

If anyone else would like to do this as a year-long read and would be interested in a closed group, I'd be happy to do that through Goodreads or Facebook. Otherwise, that's one of my major reading plans for 2015.

[Barbara]

Hi Vikk, Enjoy the Inferno! I read it many years ago in high school and it was so rich I eventually went on to read the rest of the trilogy, although I confess I don't remember much, although some of the insights have remained with me. Much as I would love to re-read it, I'm not in a position to commit to reading a set amount in keeping with a group at this time. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it as you progress through the book, if you'd like to share them, though. Referring to a Catholic Course sounds like a great approach! Barbara

[Vikk]

Denise wrote: "I'm carefully reading through The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin. Wow! Excellent spiritual reading.
Dr. Martin brings together the teachings of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross,Bernar..."

Denise, my copy arrived a few days before Christmas. I'll be reading it over the new year and beyond.

[Denise]

Hi Vikki

That sounds like a great plan. I wish I could join you. Like Barbara said. If you could share your insights from time to time I would appreciate it.

[Dhanaraj]

Welcome to all the new members.

Presently reading a Catholic Classic - THE DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST by Georges Bernanos. Very very sublime.

[Virginia]

Would like to join in group here in Goodreads. I've been thinking about this, too.

[Julie]

I'm reading, among other things, and finishing up on a group read, both are compelling reads

[Virginia]

Selected Sermons of Thomas Aquinas McGovern, S.J. purchased online from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA

[Denise]

I'm finishing up Michael O'Brian's "Strangers and Sojourners". It's an excellent book and he is such an eloquent writer.

[Cynthia]

Stealing Jenny, by another member, Ellen Gable.

[Barbara]

Stealing Jenny was a great read.

[Thadeus]

Vikk wrote: "Every year I choose one book for a year of study (in addition to my other reading). In 2014 I was part of the online FB group reading St. Augustine's City of God. The year before I took up the Moby..."

That is a great idea! Especially using Catholic Courses to provide support.

[Matthew]

I just finished "My Battle Against Hitler", Dietrich Von Hildebrand.
Most excellent. The book stands as a Catholic witness to history as well as theology.

-Matthew

[Monika]

Tiffanie wrote: "I am reading the The story of a soul.. by St. Therese ...i love reading her books.."

Me too! I got the book for Christmas!

[Barbara]

Monika wrote: "Tiffanie wrote: "I am reading the The story of a soul.. by St. Therese ...i love reading her books.."

Me too! I got the book for Christmas!"

It is a beautiful book-St. Therese's sincerity is very inspiring.

[Anjelina]

Today I started reading confessions of a mega church pastor.

[Barbara]

Kirstie wrote: "Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed the World (And Still Does) by Scott Hahn

His books are fantastic!"

I love his insight-The Supper of the Lamb was great!

[Anne]

Confessions of St. Augustine, translated by Frank Sheed, over the next few weeks with my St. Anne's prayer group friends.

[Ce]

Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does) by Scott Hahn

[Matthew]

The Writings of Saint Justin Martyr

[Ce]

Mujer, ayúdame a amar (Woman, help me to love) by José Miguel Granados Temes

[Carin]

I'm currently reading "On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family, and the Church in the Twenty-First Century" by Pope Francis (back when he was Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires) and Rabbi Abraham Skorka. I started it Boxing Day but got side-tracked, so am only just picking it up again. The title is a bit misleading but I love the conversation between these two men.

[Emily]

Carin wrote: "I'm currently reading "On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family, and the Church in the Twenty-First Century" by Pope Francis (back when he was Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires) and Rab..."

That sounds like an interesting read! Interfaith dialogues are always very insightful.

[Virginia]

Vikk wrote: "Every year I choose one book for a year of study (in addition to my other reading). In 2014 I was part of the online FB group reading St. Augustine's City of God. The year before I took up the Moby..."

would love to do Dante reading together as group.

[Emily]

I just started God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World--and Why Their Differences Matter by Stephen Prothero. I like his bluntness and his wit, even if his decided viewpoints are not necessarily my own. I think I'll learn a lot from this one!

[Scott]

Just finished Sword and Serpent, a fantastic retelling of St. George and the Dragon by Taylor Marshall.

[Denise]

I'm reading "If Nuns Ruled the World". So far I find it irritating. I get tired of reading from the perspective of this secular author who doesn't truly understand what she is writing about and only bashes the church from her secular viewpoint.

[Carmen]

I am reading 'Jews in Iraq: 3000 Years of History and Culture' by award winning Nissim Rejwan.

Absolutely fascinating!

[Emily]

Kent wrote: "I just finished reading Hungry Souls. It is not a long read, but worth every page. It addresses Purgatory in a very straight forward manner and is a bucket of freezing cold water thrown onto the so..."

I have a CCD student who is interested in purgatory - does this book have language that could be understood by an eleven-year-old that I should recommend it?

[Dhanaraj]

An excellent Lent Read: Just now completed reading Stations of the Cross. I will recommend it to everyone. If interested check my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carmen]

My constant prayers are for world peace. Our Holy Father is specifically asking for prayers for peace in the Middle East. Through prayer, I have come to believe that all of humanity is seeking freedom. And only the Truth will see us free.

I just finished a book about the truth of Jews in Iraq:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...

[Peggy]

I'm reading "Consoling The Heart Of Jesus" by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC

[❄Elsa Frost❄]

I'm currently reading Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith, alongside The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction: A Comprehensive Counseling Resource because a priest told me to regarding my same-sex attractions. Overall, both are wonderful books! I hope to purchase both for myself sometime soon.

[Denise]

Elsa, the title of the second book intrigues me. I'll have to check it out.

[[deleted user]]

How Dante Can Save Your Life: The Life-Changing Wisdom of History’s Greatest Poem. Rod Dreher.

[Joseph]

Liù wrote: "How Dante Can Save Your Life: The Life-Changing Wisdom of History’s Greatest Poem. Rod Dreher."

I read The Divine Comedy every year, I'll have to check that one out.

[Stacy]

The how to of the mass, Everything you need to know but no one ever tought you, by Michael Dubruiel. I bought this book way back when, before i made my Confirmation 3 years ago. I just found it and thought maybe i'll come across something i never knew, couldn't hurt to Read, being I hope to be a Sacristan sooner or later.

Does anyone buy book's and it turns out you don't read them months or years later? Or is this just me? :)

[Barbara]

I've done that, Stacy, but there are also books I re-read over and over. In fact, I just finished re-reading The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne, and although it is not Catholic, its exploration of the nature of good and evil is profound.

[Joseph]

Just about to start my annual reread of The Divine Comedy.

[Stacy]

I get my two new books in the mail today, I'm super excited!
I attempted to read Holy Blood, Holy Grail, I couldn't get past the first chapter.
It's just the way this was written.. It's like I'm not learning anything.
Just some ramblings with no honest detail, just left me with to many questions marks, ugh. I don't like how these writer's brain process info, It's all over the place. I'm left having to unknot it all, and when I do it equal's out to nothing, it's a waste of time. I only bought it because I heard them talking about it on the catholic channel, sirius radio year's ago before i moved, maybe it will make more sense to me when I'm as old as the people who wrote it, who knows..as for now.. I'm moving on.