Great Books

My Parish has a "Great Books" group that meets once a month to discuss works of Catholic prose, both fiction and non fiction, mostly non fiction, and the first year I thought the choices were a bit predictable: Theology for Dummies, Mere Christianity, Confession of St. Augustine.

I was, at the time completing my Masters and really didn't have the time or the energy to participate in such a group (or so I justified my lack of participation).

Then on my first Sunday back after my self-imposed exile in paradise what do I find on the list of books for this fall but Thanatos Syndrome by Walker Percy. What a great welcome home gift! I wasn't aware that my parish was aware of Percy, and thanks to my pals at Korrektiv I have been introduced to his writings and have read more than a few of his books, so I am actually looking forward to joining this discussion.

Maybe I will even stick around for some of the other books they choose this year if they are the caliber of this first one.

Pax

Doing My Bit to Spread the Word

Matthew Lickona at Godsbody has put out a challenge to spread the word and rally more people to join us, so that we can break the stereotype that Catholics Don't Read.

Join the Summer Reading Club

Korrektiv has chosen Walker Percy's insightful parody of the self help genre;

Lost in the Cosmos

as their selection for the summer reading club this year.

Having been turned on to Walker Percy by the very same bunch (aka Korrektiv) and having loved everything I read by Percy last fall, I heartily recommend this. I actually purchased a copy and have it in my hot little hands and am going to begin to read the introductory assignment this evening since mrangelmeg is off on a short overnight business trip. I have already listened to the Peter Kreeft Lecture (trying for some brownie points here.)

So, go to your nearest library and borrow a copy of this book, or better yet, go to your nearest bookstore and buy a copy so you can write in the margins like I do. (Or used book store if you need to save a few bucks. I bet you will find a copy. It was printed as a mass market paperback more than once over the years.

Join us. It will be fun, you will meet new Internet friends and expand your vocabulary and learn a little bit about yourself.

Pax