2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

WORLD RELIGION CHALLENGE
Duration April 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017

Our April Theme is World Religions. This challenge is designed to explore some of the religions you have questions about. Here are some suggestions on how to pick out the books to read:

1. Pick a book regarding any of the major religions of the world (e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.)
2. Choose a book about another religion not mentioned above.
3. Read a book about someone practicing their religion.
4. Read a book that deals with what happens in the afterlife according to a religion.
5. Read a book about a spiritual / religious leader in history.

Please chose the number of books you would and let the leader of the challenge know.

Lisa is the creator and leader of this challenge. Thank you Lisa!

Welcome to the challenge and thank you in advance to all who participate :-)
Have fun and happy reading!

Participants:

Amanda → 0/1 books
Breadcrumb → 0/1 books
Carri → 0/1 books
Clare → 0/1 books
Debra → 0/1 books
Ginib → 0/1 books
Jennifer → 1/2 books
Kadijah → 0/2 books
Kristin → 0/2 books
Lindsay → 1/2 books
Lisa → 0/1 books
Lois → 0/4 books
Meghan → 1/1 books
Meaghan → 0/2 books
Nik → 2/1 books
Pat → 1/1 books
Sam F → 1/??
Sharon → 0/1 books
Sherry → 2/2 books
Tanise → 0/3 books
Vicki → 0/5 books

I'm in for one, thank you. =)

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[2/1]

1. White Teeth (2017.04.05, ★★★☆☆).
2. Forever (2017.04.09, ★★★★☆).

Awesome Nik! Welcome to the challenge :)
Any ideas on what it will be yet?

I will try for 2.
The group read and the one I nominated.
A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Kadijah Michelle wrote: "I will try for 2.
The group read and the one I nominated.
A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam"

Fantastic Kadijah. Welcome and good luck!

I will sign up for 1 to start
Wicca for Beginners: A Guide to Real Wiccan Beliefs,Magic and Rituals

Debra wrote: "I will sign up for 1 to start
Wicca for Beginners: A Guide to Real Wiccan Beliefs,Magic and Rituals"

You got it Debra! You're on the list :)

I would like to join for 2.

Stay With Me ✅
White Teeth ✅

Sign me up for 2 please.

The Red Tent
The Life and Legacy of Pope John Paul II

I'd like to sign up for all 5.

1. A book about one of the major religions Early Judaism: A Comprehensive Overview
2. A book about another religion Gospel Truth
3. A book about someone practicing their religion Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery
5. A book about a religious leader Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

I'm going to go for 2

Welcome to the challenge and good luck!
I look forward to hearing about the books you've all picked :)

Lisa wrote: "Awesome Nik! Welcome to the challenge :)
Any ideas on what it will be yet?"

The group read, probably. :D

I will sign up for 1. The Screwtape Letters has been on TBR list for ages. Good motivation to pick it up!

Nik wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Awesome Nik! Welcome to the challenge :)
Any ideas on what it will be yet?"

The group read, probably. :D"

Fantastic :) Happy reading!

Welcome Breadcrumb and Meghan! Glad you're joining us.
Good luck to you both :)

I think I'll just try for 1 this time and see where things go.

1/1

✔1. Pick a book regarding any of the major religions of the world (e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.) Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths

Amanda wrote: "I think I'll just try for 1 this time and see where things go."

Splendid Amanda! Best of luck to you :)

I'll do 1, maybe 2

Sharon wrote: "I'll do 1, maybe 2"

Welcome Sharon! :)

I'll try and find something on "afterlives".

Pat wrote: "I'll try and find something on "afterlives"."

You're on the list, Pat!
Intrigued to see what you'll find on the topic :)

Welcome all, who have joined so far! I'm so glad to have you as part of this challenge. You're all added to the list.

Have a great weekend and happy reading :)
Good luck everyone!

Hi Lisa-already reserved two-diametrically opposed?One on the case for "God and an afterlife",the other pretty well scientifically debunking such manifestations.
Also "The Dummies Guide to World Religions".
Should cover it!:-):-)

I'll try for 1 and go from there. Thinking of the Confessions of St Augustine.

Since I belong to a long line of Roman Catholics, this is a nice chance to learn about other religions - and if you have any book suggestions, I'll appreciate it :)

I'll try for 3:

#1 A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - (1) Pick a book regarding any of the major religions of the world.
#2 The Spirits' Book - (2) Choose a book about another religion not mentioned above; and I guess it also fits in for (4) Read a book that deals with what happens in the afterlife according to a religion.
#3 Alexandre VI: Bórgia, o papa sinistro: about Alexander VI, one of the most controversial popes of the Catholic Church - (5) Read about a religious leader in history.

Pat wrote: "Hi Lisa-already reserved two-diametrically opposed?One on the case for "God and an afterlife",the other pretty well scientifically debunking such manifestations.
Also "The Dummies Guide to World Re..."

Great Pat :) Sounds really interesting. Happy reading!

Welcome to the challenge, Ginib and Tanise! Glad you're joining us this month :) Good luck to you both.

Talk about seek and ye shall find!None of my reserves had arrived at the library but after some fossicking discovered "Understanding Death-World Faiths and the Afterlife""
Report back soon..

Hi, I am in for 1.

Pat wrote: "Talk about seek and ye shall find!None of my reserves had arrived at the library but after some fossicking discovered "Understanding Death-World Faiths and the Afterlife""
Report back soon.."

Cool :) I look forward to seeing what you thought of it, Pat.

Carri wrote: "Hi, I am in for 1."

Welcome to the challenge Carri :) I've added you to the list - good luck!

Kristin wrote: "Kadijah Michelle wrote: "WORLD RELIGION CHALLENGE
Duration April 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017

Our April Theme is World Religions. This challenge is designed to explore some of the religions you have ..."

Non-fiction was my original thought, but it certainly does not have to be. I think Dante's "The Divine Comedy" would fit well in that task. I say go for it :)

Updated OM 3 with:

1. White Teeth (2017.04.05, ★★★☆☆).

[1/1]

I'm in

1. Ancient Greek Religion- Religion & the Gods by Robert Hull

2. Wicca- Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation by Silver RavenWolf

Nik wrote: "Updated OM 3 with:

1. White Teeth (2017.04.05, ★★★☆☆).

[1/1]"

That was fast! Congratulations Nik on finishing your first book and thereby reaching your goal! :)

Sherry wrote: "I'm in

1. Ancient Greek Religion- Religion & the Gods by Robert Hull

2. Wicca- Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation by Silver RavenWolf"

Welcome Sherry! Those two books sound really interesting, hope you enjoy them both :)

Thanks, Lisa. =)

I've completed my one title:

1. The Screwtape Letters

I have completed 1 of 2.

Updated OM 3 with:

2. Forever (2017.04.09, ★★★★☆).

[2/1]

I've read 1 this month:

3. Read a book about someone practicing their religion. - Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez

Perservering with "Understanding Death....more academic than recreational but fascinating...

Our April Theme is World Religions. This challenge is designed to explore some of the religions you have questions about. Here are some suggestions on how to pick out the books to read:

1. Pick a book regarding any of the major religions of the world (e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.)
2. Choose a book about another religion not mentioned above.
3. Read a book about someone practicing their religion.
4. Read a book that deals with what happens in the afterlife according to a religion.
5. Read a book about a spiritual / religious leader in history.

Sure I've got a book about Greek Gods in my tbr pile

Completed 1/1
Favorite Greek Myths Bob Blaisdell

A nice quick update on the greek myths

Working on the Confessions of St Augustine...slowly. Maybe finish by May.

Finished "Understanding Death"etc. Main surprising fact I learned was the influence of Alexander the Great(or his dispersal of Greek ideas)on the major religions-particularly Judaism and Christianity.
As for the Afterlife-not much comfort anywhere.
But who knows?:-):-)

UPDATE: 2/2 Completed ✔

1. Pick a book regarding any of the major religions of the world (e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.)
Ancient Greek- Religion & the Gods by Robert Hull [Read 4/18/2017]

3. Read a book about someone practicing their religion.
Wicca- Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation by Silver RavenWolf [Read 4/21/2017]

Ginib wrote: "Working on the Confessions of St Augustine...slowly. Maybe finish by May."

Just realized that this book and another I'm reading have very similar character development going on but the other one is fiction. Or maybe a fictionalized personal search for answers?