"Silence" Questions for Discussion

The past month, our book community has been reading Silence by Shusaku Endo, a story about 16th century Japan where a Portuguese missionary/priest is captured and attempts to defend his faith to the very end.

If you would like to join in the discussion, our final recap is tonight (click the block to the right for more details) or download this FREE discussion guide to utilize for your personal edification or within your own book community.

Next book TBA....

Book Community - Fall 2015

It's time to start up our Radial book community again (cue cheering section)!

Because I know everyone has crazy busy schedules (work, school, kids, sports, etc.), I'll try to keep our reading minimal.  Less than a book a month, and if that's too much we'll shorten it.  Whatever works for the group of people that come!

With that in mind, the book selection will be up to the group.  I would suggest we keep it as diverse as possible to cater to everyone's preferences at least a little bit.  This means a range of cultures, time periods, and theology represented in both fiction and non-fiction writings.  I have a suggested list I typed up last year here, but please come with ideas and favorite books you would like to discuss more in a group setting.  Oftentimes I realize that through the years my views and opinions shift so it's great to come back to some familiar stories.

Since our first meeting is next week (!), let's start with a short story.  Edgar Allan Poe's "Black Cat" is available free here.  Please read & come prepared to discuss your thoughts.

A few more notes....
We will be meeting every other Wednesday night at the Barrel Room in North Canton (they serve a variety of wines, beer, and snack plates) so there's option for drink & food.  7:30pm meeting time, which gives ample time for discussion before a finish time before 9:00 for those who want to go to bed, check on the kids, or go to the Geisen group that meets on Wednesdays.  Time and place is subject to change based upon the needs of the group. All updates for the book community will be posted through this blog (the button on the right) as well as other social media outlets.
Check back soon!

Book Choices

Even though I am fairly biased in my book selections (who isn't?) for past book clubs, I wanted to allow this book community to decide their own books to read (you know, like communities do).  Even though I could read C.S. Lewis all day, others may not feel that way.  That is why I decided to put together a starting list of titles I believe would be spiritually formative.

These cover diverse authors from varying time periods and faith backgrounds.  Again, not a set list, just a starting point for those who aren't sure what to choose from (sometimes an infinite number of selections is harder than picking from a list!).  This document gives a brief description of each title as well.

What books would you like to see on this list of spiritual literature?  Comment below or email me!

Our next Book Community meets tomorrow at 8! (See Book Community tab to the right for more info).

Book Challenge

Lately it seems that social media has played a big part in heightening everyone's awareness of certain things (like ALS) as well as thrown out quite a few "challenges" to engage the social community with what they're thankful for or what their song choices are.  My favorite challenge as of yet (which I'll admit I'm slightly bummed that no one has challenged me with this one) is the book challenge.  Basically this is simply motivation to recall the top 10 books that have changed your life.

With the approach of our new Book Community starting this week, I would like to offer my top ten (whether you are interested or not!) in no particular order.....

1. "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis
As an immature 16 year old, this book was far over my level of comprehension the first time I read it. However, I've picked it back up a number of times throughout the past 12 years, each time finding new truths and bold proclamations of what the Christian faith consists of.

2. "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
This was the first "big" book I ever read by myself.  I don't know how old I was, but I think I was pretty young (second grade?) to have such a large book on my bookshelf.  No more kid books for me!  I was so pumped when the movie came out, too, because I could fit in with the adults who had also read the book.  My little sister was out of the loop, which of course I enjoyed, showing off how smart I was ;)

3. "The Seven Storey Mountain" by Thomas Merton
I got into reading about this monk because of seminary, but have drawn so much deeper in faith because of his dedication to a bi-vocational lifestyle of monk and writer.  My draw towards Merton's writing can be seen in the past 8 (?!) blog posts, but his struggles with coming to faith and consistent pursuit of God resonates with my own journey.

4. "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis
Ok, a lot of Lewis on my list, but what can I say? This book, written as satire, gets me.  Reading from the perspective of the devil really allows for a deeper perspective of the way the enemy is out to seek, kill and destroy.  I continue to learn a lot from this book each time I pick it up!

5. "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Another great one from my childhood!  I read this book, saw the plays, watched the movie and immersed myself into the book.  I often hoped (and still do) to find a secret garden of my own!

6. "The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis
I love kids books, despite my age.  Though I never read the Narnia books as a child, they impacted me as an adult just as much (if not more).  I love the character development, the storyline and the way Lewis is able to reach

7. "Native Son" by Richard Wright
I can't remember if I first read this for a college class or not, but regardless it sparked my love of African American literature.  Wright had a way of writing that captured his audience, making them feel the despair of many of his characters.  I haven't read one of his books that don't spark the same feelings!

8. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison
Another one from African American literature, Toni Morrison's writing grabs me and doesn't let me go til the last word of her books!  Her writing is so vivid, I feel as though I am right there in her story - watching Sethe kill her daughter and the haunting life that follows.

9. "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This book has been one of many studies and papers for school, however offers a lot of practical advice for living communally in the Christian faith.  Bonhoeffer's own story is relevant throughout as he runs an underground seminary in Nazi Germany and lives out his faith in the face of death.  Inspirational and practical.

10. "The Bible"
You may think, 'well, that's just what all Christians have to say in this challenge,' however this truly is a complex and challenging book that has never ceased to surprise me.  I have found comfort, hope, history, narratives, beautiful poetry and a lot of confusion within these pages.  Glancing at a verse here or there never fully allows for an understanding - I'd suggest to grab a passage and meditate on that for a full week (or at least day) to let it soak in and find commentaries for help with confusion.  There is beauty in these pages that just don't come through other books.


While I have SOOOO many others that have inspired, challenged and motivated me, I'll stop at that for now.  Make sure to take a look at the upcoming books/dates for our book community (button on the right sidebar) that starts THIS WEEK!  Hope to see you there :)