The Catholic Book Club discussion

The CBC selects its books to read each month by way of three lists: the Voting List, the Nomination List and the Current Interest List. Nominate books in the thread below and they will be added to the Nomination List. Eventually they will make it to the Voting List. The lists are described further in the posts below, including how a book can be put on the Current Interest List.

The moderators will try to keep this thread to one page. If your nomination doesn't have any information other than the title of the book it will be deleted after it has been added to the Nomination List. If you include other information, such as the reason why you think it would be of interest to the group, we will leave your nominating post in place until the book has been removed from both the Nomination and Voting Lists.

Voting List. You can nominate books anytime simply by replying in this thread. On about the 15th of each month, a Moderator will post the then current Voting List for a vote for the following month's BOTM. Except as noted below, books that are not selected as a BOTM will remain on the Voting List. The Voting List is capped at 15 books. After each month's vote, in addition to the book which is selected to be read, all books that get 0 or 1 vote will be removed from the Voting List and those with 1 vote will be added to the end of the Nomination List again. Each month after the voting is over a Moderator will update this Voting List so everyone can see what the current nominations are. They are the following:

Ancient of Genes by Dan Gallagher, nominated by Dan
Voting History: NONE

The Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle: Saint Manuel Gonzalez Garcia by Victoria Schneider, nominated by Catherine
Voting History: NONE

The Ghost of Madison Avenue by Nancy Bilyeau, nominated by Fonch
Voting History: NONE

Hope Does Not Disappoint (Spes non confundit): Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 by Pope Francis, nominated by Jill
In Pope Francis’ proclamation for the Jubilee of 2025, he encourages all of us to be signs of hope to the world. While we may not always feel optimistic about the future, we are called to be renewed in hope and to press forward in our Christian lives. He reminds us that as we do, we will also revive our trust in the Church, in our relationships, and in our ability to shine the light of Christ with those who most need it.
Voting History: September: 2

The Letters of Magdalen Montague by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, nominated by Emmy
Voting History: NONE

The Mango Murders, by Mara Campos, nominated by Madeleine
Voting History: NONE

Paul: A Biography, by N.T. Wright, nominated by Jill
Voting History: NONE

Pierre Toussaint: A Biography by Arthur Jones, nominated by Kathleen
Voting History: NONE

The Resurrection of the Son of God, by N.T. Wright, nominated by Frances
Voting History: NONE

The Rifle, and Other Stories by Tomás Carrasquilla, nominated by Steven R.
The Rifle, and Other Stories collects eleven stories spanning the literary career of Tomás Carrasquilla, the "first Colombian novelist", whose work is widely known within the country, and a high-school standard in the department of Antioquia, home to the city of Medellín. His novels and short stories straddle the traditional stylings of Costumbrismo and an anti-Modernist, picaresque realism, with a consistent focus on manifestations of Catholicism in both domestic and communal spheres.
Voting History: April: 2; July: 2; September: 3

The Secret of the Holy Face: The Devotion Destined to Save Society by Fr. Lawrence Daniel Carney III, nominated by Sandralena
From the creation of man to the current ecclesial infiltration and world revolution, the devil and his minions have sought to destroy the human race made in the image of God. No longer attacking from without, they are now secretly laying siege from within the Holy Roman Catholic Church. But why is God allowing this? He loves to see souls heroically battle for the faith.
Voting History: April: 4; July: 5; September: 4

The Sower of Black Field: Inspired by the True Story of an American in Nazi Germany by Katherine Koch, nominated by Katherine
Voting History: NONE

This Is Your Last Warning: An Authoritative End of Days Timeline by Donna Silveira, nominated by Donna
Voting History: NONE

Understanding the Hillbilly Thomist: The Philosophical Foundations of Flannery O’Connor’s Narrative Art by Damian Ference, nominated by Fergus, Quondam Happy Face
Voting History: NONE

Vipers' Tangle by François Mauriac, nominated by Susan
The masterpiece of one of the twentieth century’s greatest Catholic writers, Vipers’ Tangle tells the story of Monsieur Louis, an embittered aging lawyer who has spread his misery to his entire estranged family. Louis writes a journal to explain to them—and to himself—why his soul has been deformed, why his heart seems like a foul nest of twisted serpents. Mauriac’s novel masterfully explores the corruption caused by pride, avarice, and hatred, and its opposite—the divine grace that remains available to each of us until the very moment of our deaths. It is the unforgettable tale of the battle for one man’s soul.
Voting History: July: 5; September: 7

The following is the Nominations List. Each month, after voting, the top books on the Nominations List will be added to bring the Voting List up to 15 books. Once a year, following the voting for the December BOTM, a Moderator will conduct a preference vote to re-order the Nominations List.

Struck books in the following list have been moved to the voting list.

Please feel free to continue to add new nominations below the list.


21. Our Lady of the Sign by Abigail Favale nominated by Emmy
22. The Execution of Justice, Elisabetta Sala, nominated by Susan and renominated by Fonch
23. A Cardiologist Examines Jesus: The Stunning Science Behind Eucharistic Miracles by Franco Serafini, nominated by John
24. Eucharistic Miracles and Eucharistic Phenomena in the Lives of the Saints by Joan Carroll Cruz, nominated by John
25. Building a Civilization of Love: A Catholic Response to Racism by Harold Burke-Sivers, nominated by Jill
26. The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization, by Vishal Mangalwadi, nominated by Mariangel
27. Saints vs. Scoundrels: Debating Life's Greatest Questions by Benjamin Wiker, nominated by Emmy
28. Hope Does Not Disappoint (Spes non confundit): Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 by Pope Francis, nominated by Jill
29. Exogenesis by Peco Gaskovski, nominated by Steven R.
30. This Is Your Last Warning: An Authoritative End of Days Timeline by Donna Silveira, nominated by Donna
31. Dilexit nos - He loved us: Encyclical letter about the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus-Christ by Pope Francis, nominated by Manuel
32. Understanding the Hillbilly Thomist: The Philosophical Foundations of Flannery O’Connor’s Narrative Art by Damian Ference, nominated by Fergus, Quondam Happy Face
33. The Mango Murders, by Mara Campos, nominated by Madeleine
34. Paul: A Biography, by N.T. Wright, nominated by Jill
35. The Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle: Saint Manuel Gonzalez Garcia by Victoria Schneider, nominated by Catherine
36. The Letters of Magdalen Montague by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, nominated by Emmy
37. The Sower of Black Field: Inspired by the True Story of an American in Nazi Germany by Katherine Koch, nominated by Katherine
38. Pierre Toussaint: A Biography by Arthur Jones, nominated by Kathleen
39. Ancient of Genes by Dan Gallagher, nominated by Dan
40. The Ghost of Madison Avenue by Nancy Bilyeau, nominated by Fonch
41. The Resurrection of the Son of God, by N.T. Wright, nominated by Frances
42. Sonnets for Christ the King, J.C.MacKenzie, nominated by Joseph
43. The Shattering of Loneliness: On Christian Remembrance by Erik Varden nominated by Kristi
44. Catatonia by Courtney Stephen Crane, nominated by Courtney
45. Champion of Valdeor, by Sandralena Hanley, nominated by Fonch
46. The Purple Robe, David Dean, nominated by David
47. Bakhita: A Novel of the Saint of Sudan by Véronique Olmi, nominated by Don Mario
48. Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris, nominated by Faith
49. Demoniac, by Nathan Krupa, nominated by Nathan
50. GIVE LOVE: A 91-Day Devotional for Searching Catholics by Heidi E. Vincent nominated by Heidi
51. Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality by Harold Burke-Sivers, nominated by Jill
52. Intercession by Kevin J Haar, nominated by Madeleine
53. The Gospel According to Judas: A Handbook on Life by John H. Doe, nominated by Andrew
54. Dilexi Te: Apostolic Exhortation on Love for the Poor by Pope Leo XIV, nominated by Jill.
55. Christianity and Anti-Christianity in Fantasy and Science Fiction by Manuel Alfonseca, nominated by Fonch.
56. Jiao Tu’s Endeavour: Episode 1: The Kidnapped Mousling by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt, nominated by Fonch.
57. The Arrow That Flies by Day by John Servant, nominated by John Servant
58. The Secrets of Successful Financial Planning: Inside Tips from an Expert, by Dan Gallagher, nominated by Dan
59. Wheat that Springeth Green by J.F. Powers, nominated by Steven R.
60. Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father by Donald H. Calloway, nominated by Mariangel
61. Invasion '14, by Maxence Van der Meersch, nominated by John
62. The Queen's Tragedy by Robert Hugh Benson, nominated by Fonch
63. Works of Mercy by Sally Thomas, nominated by Stef
64. The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful by Joseph Pearce, nominated by Fonch
65. IGNATIAN MEDITATIONS: A Perspective from Tradition by Fr. Jeffery Jambon, nominated by Joy
66. Janie's Prayer: and Our Lady's Message by Joy Ruli Domangue, nominated by Joy
67. The Way of Lucherium by Christopher Rziha, nominated by Christopher
68. The Desolation by Andrew Gillsmith, nominated by Andrew
69. The Passion of Jesus and Its Hidden Meaning by James Groenings, nominated by Joy
70. Champions of the Rosary by Donald H. Calloway, nominated by Ann
71. The Genius of Christianity or the Spirit and Beauty of the Christian Religion, by François-René de Chateaubriand, nominated by Fonch
72. Pilgrims by M.R. Leonard, nominated by M.R.
73. War Demons, by Russell S. Newquist, nominated by Fonch
74. Janie's Prayer: and Our Lady's Message by Joy Ruli Domangue, nominated by Joy
75. One Million Dead by José María Gironella, nominated by John
76. Peace After War by José María Gironella, nominated by John
77. The Burning Bush by Sigrid Undset, nominated by Fonch
78. The Execution of Justice, Elisabetta Sala, nominated by Susan and renominated by Fonch
79. In Pieces by Rhonda Ortiz, nominated by Fonch
80. Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention by Sarah Clarkson, nominated by Jill
81. The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization, by Vishal Mangalwadi, nominated by Mariangel
82. Building a Civilization of Love: A Catholic Response to Racism by Harold Burke-Sivers, nominated by Jill
83. A Cardiologist Examines Jesus: The Stunning Science Behind Eucharistic Miracles by Franco Serafini, nominated by John
84. Conversation With Christ: The Teaching of St. Teresa of Avila About Personal Prayer by Peter-Thomas Rohrbach nominated by Sebastian and Fonch
85. Exogenesis by Peco Gaskovski, nominated by Steven R.
86. Our Lady of the Sign by Abigail Favale nominated by Emmy
87. Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America by Christian Smith nominated by Jill
88. This Thing of Darkness by K.V. Turley and Fiorella De Maria, nominated by Emmy
89. Holy Moments: A handbook for the rest of your life by Matthew Kelly nominated by ACM
90. How the Eucharist Can Save Civilization by Dr. R. Jared Staudt nominated by Nate

Current Interest List. The Current Interest List operates as follows:

(a) Anyone nominating a book that qualifies may ask that it be added to the Current Interest List in addition to the Nomination List, but only if they (or someone else on their behalf) are willing to volunteer to prepare the initial discussion questions for the book. (If you want to jump the queue, you should have some skin in the game.)

(b) To qualify for the Current Interest List a book must be "timely" (as determined by the moderators in their discretion) and must have been published within the 12 months prior to the month in which the voting will be held. Examples of "timely" books would include Encyclicals, potentially other Church documents, books by senior Church officials, books addressing current affairs from a Catholic perspective. The moderators will determine whether books should be included on the Current Interest List. The Current Interest List is not expected to have books on it all the time and is not anticipated to ever have a large number of books. The moderators may adjust the criteria to ensure this is the case.

(c) Each month the top book on the Current Interest List will be added as a supplemental 16th book on the Voting List, while keeping its position in the normal Nominations List.

(d) If the book from the Current Interest List is not selected as the BOTM, it receives at least two votes, and otherwise still qualifies, it will be dropped to the bottom of the Current Interest List. The 3rd time a book from the Current Interest List is included in the Voting List and not selected as the BOTM it will be dropped from the Current Interest List, though it will remain in its position on the Nomination List. If it is selected as the BOTM, it will be removed from the Nomination List. If a book from the Current Interest List gets only one vote, it will be dropped from the Current Interest List, but will retain its position on the Nomination List. If it receives no votes, it will be dropped from all lists, though, of course, it may be re-nominated, and if it still qualifies, may be placed back on the Current Interest List.

Current Interest List:
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I would like to nominate: With Two Eyes Into Gehenna
by Jane LebakJane Lebak.

It is very different than any that have been books since I have been a member and would love to follow the discussion on it.

My name is David Dean and I have been a published writer (amongst many other things) for the past thirty years; mostly in crime fiction. My own most cherished work, however, is my novel of Catholic fiction entitled, "The Purple Robe". It's published by Tumblar House Press, a small Catholic publisher, and concerns a young priest investigating a purported holy relic in the jungles of the Yucatan. I hope some of you might consider giving it a read. I've attached a link for your convenience. The Purple Robe

I nominate Sonnets for Christ the King by Joseph Charles MacKenzie. A collection of traditional lyric poems of Catholic inspiration that James Sale of the Royal Academy (London) has called "major poetry by a major poet." Amazon is offering a compelling discount for the deluxe hardcover. The companion audiobook is performed by northern English stage actor Ian Russell.Sonnets for Christ the King

I nominate Demoniac. I'm the author, and would be willing to do a free kindle giveaway for the group if that is desired.

John wrote: "I've decided to slightly alter the way we move up books from the nominations to the Nominations List for voting. Since Fonch and I are the most prolific and, shall we say enthusiastic, nominators o..." I nominate "Pierre Toussaint" by Arthur Jones, a biography of a man born into slavery in Haiti who became a benefactor to the poor of all races in early 19th century New York City, is a candidate for sainthood, and who along the way was the hairdresser to the wife of Alexander Hamilton.

I would like to nominate to "Champion of Valdeor" by Sandralena Hanley. Steven R. McEvoy wrote a good review of This book i have totally faith. Mariángel posted a post me speaking about to nominate some book by Patricia Asedegbega. I Will write to Asedegbega in case that she wanted to nominate some of her books at This moment i could not buy any book although my birthday It is to close i asked for to my sister the present "The myth of the Hitler's pope" by David G. Dalin and i will delay buying books. I did not know if i nominated previously but a good book would be "Burning bush" by Sigrid Undset but before we must Read the prequel "Wild Orchid". Burning bush is my favorite Sigrid Undset's novel.

I would like to purpose the novel of the new members of Catholic Book Club Russell S. Newquist "War Demons" a lot of Friends Adam Lane, Declan Finn and Richard Paolinelli have spoken very good about This novel.

I purpose the Rhonda Ortiz's novel "In pieces" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... nowadays Rhonda Ortiz is the main editor of the Chrism Press, which is publishing Interesting Christian fiction https://chrismpress.com/about-us/ besides Mss. Ortiz has very good ideas to improve the Catholic Fiction genre. I share with you an article about This topic published in Catholic World Report https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2... It would be an excellent suggestion for Catholic Book Club.

I would like to nominate my book, The Arrow That Flies By Day. It is a story about overcoming the obstacles in your path to achieve your dreams and find redemption even if your failures are always before you. You can see a preview at https://www.johnservantbooks.com/.

I am nominating Wheat that Springeth Green by J.F. Powers. Powers only published 2 novels and several collections of short stories. Both his novels are about priests. And both won the national book award many years apart. A version of this short story is one of the chapters in the book. http://bookreviewsandmore.ca/2005/12/...

Ah. Well, then I would like to nominate my novel, Ancient of Genes. I have noticed very strong interest among Catholic readers and it could make for a lively discussion. There were interesting reviews from Catholic thinkers when it firts came out long ago. These may be found in the front matter by using tge Look Inside feature at online stores or at many physical stores. Thanks for considering my nomination; hope self-nomination is allowed. God bless!

I would like to nominate "Intercession" by Kevin Haar, with apologies to the author for being late to review it--hopefully will have it out within the week, we've been in and out of town, and playing catch up in between. It's a lovely book, set in a remote Irish island, with parallel protagonists with little in common and a masterful mix of religious faith, superstition, and folklore, all coming together in the end.

I nominate The Rifle, and Other Stories -Tomás Carrasquilla - Translated by ML Clark I struggled with this collection of stories by Columbian Catholic author available in English for the first time. I would love to see other responses to the stories and Catholicism as presented. Note: for transparency I have known the translator and publisher for several years.

This book was recommended on the blog Rorate Caeli. I have not read it, but I would like to read it with the book club. The Execution of Justice by Elisabetta Sala https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/202...

The Vipers' Tangle by Francis Mauriac
from Amazon description: Mauriac’s best novel.”—Catholic World
“A lucid and penetrating study . . . Mauriac proves himself as good a storyteller as he is a psychologist.”—The New York Times
“A most admirable and exciting novel.”—New StatesmanThe masterpiece of one of the twentieth century’s greatest Catholic writers, Vipers’ Tangle tells the story of Monsieur Louis, an embittered aging lawyer who has spread his misery to his entire estranged family. Louis writes a journal to explain to them—and to himself—why his soul has been deformed, why his heart seems like a foul nest of twisted serpents. Mauriac’s novel masterfully explores the corruption caused by pride, avarice, and hatred, and its opposite—the divine grace that remains available to each of us until the very moment of our deaths. It is the unforgettable tale of the battle for one man’s soul.

I would like to nominate Exogenesis by Peco Gaskovski.

"Out of the collapse of Old America rises Lantua, a glittering thousand-mile metropolis where drones patrol the sky and AI algorithms reward social behavior. The most compliant citizens enjoy the greatest privileges, the poorest struggle to rise up the echelon system, and criminals are subjected to brain modification. Birthing and genetic quality are controlled through mass embryonic selection, with fetuses grown outside the body in artificial wombs—a technology known as exogenesis. But rebellion is brewing. Lantua struggles to control the Benedites, a rural religious people who refuse to obey one-child regulations. Each February, Field Commander Maelin Kivela oversees the forced sterilization of Benedite teenagers, a duty she carries out with unflinching zeal—but this year comes with a shock. After escaping an ambush by insurgents, Maelin returns to the city to choose one of over three hundred embryos to be her child, only to come face to face with a secret that will tear her life apart and alter the course of her civilization."

I'd like to nominate the book 'Understanding the Hillbilly Thomist: The Philosophical Foundation of Flannery O'Connor's Art' by Father Damian Ference. It is a study of the influence of Saint Thomas Aquinas on this epochal American chronicler of the skewed morality of the Deep South.

Nominate "Champions of the Rosary" by Donald H. Calloway "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Nomination for The Sower of Black Field: Inspired by the True Story of an American in Nazi Germany

SUMMARY FROM THE BOOK:

Throughout the Third Reich, millions of Germans pledged allegiance to Adolf Hitler. In the Bavarian village of Schwarzenfeld, they followed an American citizen.

As he struggles to rekindle the faith of a guilt-ridden Wehrmacht veteran, a morose widow, and her grieving teenage son, Fr. Viktor Koch, C.P. is haunted by self-doubt. What is driving him to stay in the Third Reich? Is he following a higher plan, or the mystic compulsion of his German heritage? Exposed to American ideals, his parishioners grow restless under Nazi rule. Relying upon his ingenuity to keep them out of prison, Fr. Viktor solicits aid from an unlikely intercessor--the Nazi charity worker who confiscated his monastery for state purposes.

In April 1945, American liberators make a gruesome discovery: the SS have left a mass grave of concentration camp victims on Schwarzenfeld's borders. Enraged by the sight, the infantry commander orders the townspeople to disinter 140 corpses, construct coffins despite material shortages, dig a grave trench, and hold a funeral ceremony--all in 24 hours. If they fail to fulfill this ultimatum, he vows to execute all German men in town.

Fr. Viktor has to pull off a miracle: he must convince his countrymen that his followers are not the enemy. Their humanity is intact. And most of all, they are innocent.

“A compelling exploration of faith and resistance in the face of oppression.” –Kirkus Reviews ("GET IT" rating)

"The historical context, characters, and faith-keeping actions make for a memorable read." -Reedsy Discovery

"Faith in God, and the testing of that faith, is interwoven through the novel... A picture emerges of people caught up in a conflict not of their making, resisting as they can from its evils, and finding strength in the courageous example of their pastor." - Chanticleer Book Reviews ("BEST BOOK," 5 STARS!)

The Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle by Victoria Schneider

I nominate in the name of Sebastian Fricke Conversation with Christ by Peter Thomas Rohrbach.

Hello! I have a couple books I'd like to nominate...

This Thing of Darkness --a chilling Catholic horror novel featuring the late Bela Lugosi

The Letters of Magdalen Montague-- a short, but beautiful story told through letters written by an agnostic who is slowly becoming influenced by a pious woman he falls in love with

I highly recommend Secret of the Holy Face by Fr. Lawrence D. Carney III. A must read to conquer Communism with a simple prayer :
Show us Thy face, O Lord, and we shall be saved.

I propose Bakhita: A Novel of the Saint of Sudan by Véronique Olmi.

Don Mario, I read Bakhita last year. Excellent suggestion.

I would like to nominate Works of Mercy by Sally Thomas.

Hello! I'm a Catholic author who is currently publishing my debut novel Pilgrims:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

A sci-fi retelling of Augustine's Confessions, it is about a washed-up Latin teacher who gets thrust into the center of humanity's first contact with Catholic aliens.

The reviews so far have been outstanding (from Catholics and non-Catholics alike) and the audiobook (coming 11/15) is superlative - a credit to Catholic art as a whole.

Christopher Ruocchio, bestselling author of The Sun Eater (and fellow Catholic) said "Leonard balances big-idea science fiction with thriller-like pacing, and blends each with his Catholic faith to stunning effect. A striking debut. I couldn’t put the book down.”

I'd love to nominate PILGRIMS for the list!

Pope Francis - Hope Does Not Disappoint

Sarah Clarkson - Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention

Erik Varden, The Shattering of Loneliness: On Christian Remembrance

please add Why Religion Went Obsolete by Christian smith

I just finished Kathleen Norris' "Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith." I recommend it as an easy and entertaining book.

Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris, has been my daily spiritual reading for a few months. I assigned myself a chapter a day. Maybe a couple of chapters because a chapter could have been one paragraph or half a page. At most, a long chapter was about four pages; just perfect for me.

Norris begins by explaining her pious childhood and then her adolescent rebelling. As an adult, she tried to figure out why she had abandoned her families' religious sensibility. She decided that it must have been the vocabulary. The church vocabulary was off-putting in the secular world she was living. Hence, this book is examining churchy vocabulary:

Hi everyone. I am a new Catholic author and I started the Catholic Bible Books Devotional Series © to help Catholics grow in their knowledge and love of the Catholic faith as well as their relationship with God.

Firstly, I would like to nominate the 2nd devotional in my series - GIVE LOVE: A 91-Day Devotional for Searching Catholics - which is available at all Amazon stores and Barnes & Noble.

Secondly, I would also like to have it added to the Current Interest List since it is quite timely - it was published in July 2024.

Heidi E. Vincent

Ignatius Press has a new book, Our Lady of the Sign. Still waiting for my copy from the library, but I'd like to add this to the nominations list :)

I have long wanted to read these books, but have never gotten around to it. Maybe it can happen this next year.

A Cardiologist Examines Jesus: The Stunning Science Behind Eucharistic Miracles, by Franco Serafini

Eucharistic Miracles and Eucharistic Phenomena in the Lives of the Saints, by Joan Carroll Cruz

I nominate the Consecration to St Joseph by Fr. Calloway

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Andrew Lewis wrote the following comment:

I’d love to propose The Gospel According to Judas: A Handbook on Life by John H. Doe for our next read.

At first glance, the title might spark curiosity or even controversy,but what lies inside is something entirely different from what you might expect. The book isn’t really about Judas at all (though it does give him a surprising and thoughtful nod). Instead, it’s a collection of philosophy, reflections, visions, and even poetry woven together in a way that’s both playful and thought-provoking.

The author explores deep questions of faith, meaning, and existence, often through unexpected angles. For example, what if “work is magic”? How do we think about paradoxes like “Can God make a rock He couldn’t lift?” And what does it mean to live with imagination, curiosity, and reverence in everyday life?

What makes this book especially book-club friendly is its format,it’s divided into bite-sized sections, so it’s easy to pick up, reflect on, and then discuss. It’s the kind of book that sparks conversation not only about the text itself but about our own beliefs, experiences, and interpretations of life.

It’s not your typical “gospel”,it’s more of a philosophical journey sprinkled with creativity and humor. I think it would give us plenty to talk about, challenge our perspectives, and maybe even inspire us.

If you’re looking for something fresh, unconventional, and discussion-worthy, this one deserves a spot on our reading list.

If there is an English edition, I would like to suggest Christianity and Anti-Christianity in Fantasy and Science Fiction by our Co-Ledger, Professor Manuel Alfonseca, as a reading.

I wish to nominate the novel by Jiao Tu’s Endeavour: Episode 1: The Kidnapped Mousling de Donald Jacob Uitvlugt

Hello. I would like to nominate my own book: "Defending Human Dignity: Catholic Answers to Gender, Abortion and Relativism". It has received three reviews so far, since having been published in Sept 2025. It addresses today’s most pressing moral controversies — from freedom of speech and religion to gender ideology, abortion, relativism, and beyond, from a Catholic perspective.

Here are the reviews so far:

“This is an excellent book of essays, written from the viewpoint of a Canadian Catholic teacher. The author has done her research and explains Catholic teachings on human dignity and morality with finesse. Highly recommend!” – Ellen Gable, Catholic author and publisher; visit her blog at Plot Line and Sinker (https://ellengable.wordpress.com/2025...)

“Marie Brousseau’s book is terrific. With vibrant lingo, she counteracts the ills in our society today coming from false ideas and dictatorial methods of enforcing them. Some of these evil endeavors I had never even heard of! Brilliant. Get it now!” – Dr. Ronda Chervin, Catholic philosopher, writer, speaker and media presenter.

“Marie Brousseau offers a courageous witness to truth in a culture adrift. With clarity and conviction, she calls us to defend human dignity and embrace reason illumined by faith in Christ.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, co-author with Ronda Chervin of Catholic Realism.

All reviews can be found on my author page:
https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/defe...

I would like to propose The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful by Joseph Pearce again, and I apologize for not being able to vote in the previous vote.

Hi, I'd like to nominate "IGNATIAN MEDITATIONS: A Perspective from Tradition" by Father Jeffery Jambon. This is a great book for Lent.
Of course, I'd also like to nominate my book, "Janie's Prayer and Our Lady's Message" which brings home the message of Fatima, teaches forgiveness and overcoming grief all in a relatable way. The story takes place in the 1980's, yet the message is timeless.
https://www.amazon.com/Janies-Prayer-...

Peace be with you!
I would like to nominate _The Way of Lucherium_, a novel of Catholic fantasy by Christopher J. Rziha (https://christopherjrziha.com/) that was published in March 2025 by En Route Books and Media.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

_The Way of Lucherium_ plunges the reader into a war-torn land where the line between the spiritual and the material is blurred, and introduces them to Geoffrey: an ambitious bard who falls out of favor with his powerful superiors and falls into a life of grace, freedom, and fulfillment when he joins the followers of an ancient Lord and embraces their paradoxical path of light and life. Both intimate and epic, this novel asks: what if the realities of grace and sin, of angelic inspiration and demonic possession, of sacraments and cultures of death, were made explicitly visible in our bodies, souls, and relationships?

_The Way of Lucherium_ has been reviewed on various popular Catholic publications, including by _Aleteia_: https://aleteia.org/2025/08/28/new-ca...

I am the author and would be happy to provide a reading guide, discussion questions, or a discount for purchasing the book.

Thank you!

I would like to nominate my new novel, The Desolation. here is a link to the book's page on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Desolation-And...

Description:
An undead conscience may be the most terrifying monster of them all.

After a mysterious catastrophe renders the Holy Land uninhabitable, Jerusalem becomes a place people no longer go to live—but to die. In three stories spanning several decades, Gillsmith explores a broken sacramental landscape that mirrors the haunted interior lives of its characters.

Written in the tradition of A Canticle for Leibowitz, The Road, and Dostoevsky's The Idiot, The Desolation does for spiritual horror what Annihilation did for ecological horror. Here, it is not mere biology that is transformed but the soul itself. Contact with mystery is the catalyst, but it is the characters' choices that matter most.

Gillsmith has created a work of serious theology that never evangelizes, treating faith and doubt not as opposites but as two sides of the same coin. It prefers to ask questions and leave the answers to readers, dissolving sentimentality and easy moral arithmetic until all that remains is the naked human ache for meaning and mercy.

"The Passion of Jesus and its Hidden Meaning" by Fr. James Groenings is a wonderful Lenten read. It shows how every person can relate to the Passion of Christ.

I also would like to nominate my book, "Janie's Prayer and Our Lady's Message" https://www.amazon.com/Janies-Prayer-...

In order to prepare questions for our reading of The Cypresses Believe in God: Spain on the Eve of Civil War - A Novel, by José María Gironella, I've finished reading the book myself. But after 800 pages, I want to know what happens next. I mean, I know the Civil War is next, but I want to know what happens to the characters, especially Ignacio, Pilar, Marta, Mateo (never thought I would care about a fascist character), and above all, Mosen Francisco. So I will nominate One Million Dead and Peace After War, both by José María Gironella. Both books are hefty and would be two month reads. Unfortunately, neither book has been published by Ignatius as a reasonably priced single volume, so buying these in English looks to run about $50 for each two volume set.

I'd like to nominate the book Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly

I'd like to nominate "How the Eucharist Can Save Civilization" (TAN Books, 2023) by Jared Staudt, Ph.D., instructor for Rosary College. He has an upcoming event hosted by the Institute of Catholic Culture called "Bread for the World: How the Eucharist Can Save Civilization". If anyone's interested, just search 'ICC How the Eucharist Can Save Civilization'.