Stock up on the Spring 2009 Faith & Fiction books now . . . cozy up by the fire this winter and
let's get reading! Join us on the following dates:
January 21 - In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols - A contemporary Christian mystery,
with some romance thrown in.
February 25 - A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist - Historical Christian fiction, with a twist
of romance (in honor of Valentine's month). Set in Colonial America.
March 25 - The Shack by William P. Young - A recent best seller. This one is . . . different. It
will make you think. Love it? Hate it? Let us know!
April 22- Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks - Pulitzer Prize winning
novelist, Brooks has written fantastic historical fiction set in an English village in 1666. What
happens as the villagers' faith frays (or strengthens) during an epidemic of the plague? Inspired
by a true story. One of my favorite novels . . . ever.
May 27 - The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello. Contemporary Christian mystery. FBI
agent Raleigh Harmon must race to unravel the secrets behind a murder tied to a civil rights
case. Lots of twists and turns!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Spring 2009 Meeting Dates
December Meeting: "Skipping Christmas"
We had a fantastic meeting at Tazza di Caffe tonight (be sure to check out their Macadamia White Chocolate Latte . . . mmmmm)! I think there was concensus on our opinion of Anne Rice's ability as an author. While we probably would have not picked up Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt because we aren't fans of her vampire novels, we are so glad we read this book! Her historical research really puts us in the place and time of Christ. The narrative voice is fantastic!
Our next book is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. We will be meeting December 17th. This is a delightful, quick read about what happens when a couple decides to skip the commercialism of Christmas . . . and how the world reacts. I'll update with more information later, but we're thinking of meeting to watch the movie Christmas With the Kranks, based on the book. Check back later!
Hope to see you then!
Our next book is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. We will be meeting December 17th. This is a delightful, quick read about what happens when a couple decides to skip the commercialism of Christmas . . . and how the world reacts. I'll update with more information later, but we're thinking of meeting to watch the movie Christmas With the Kranks, based on the book. Check back later!
Hope to see you then!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Change of Meeting Date for November!
We had a nice meeting for Dee Henderson's murder-mystery Before I Wake last night at Tazza di Caffe. We would all agree that while it kept twisting and turning, there are some holes in the plot that we wanted to see wrapped up.
Our next meeting will NOT be November 26th; instead it will be November 19th to avoid any conflict with Thanksgiving Day. We will again meet at Tazza di Caffe on Valley View Drive to discuss Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. This novel follows the birth of Jesus of Nazareth to age 12, when he makes the pilgrimmage with his family to the temple.
Rice does a lot of research to construct what those "missing years" were possibly like. (Remember, this is a novel, which means it is fiction!) I think it is a plausible plot line (really, who knows what happened during that time), and voice is so stark and bare. I enjoyed the book more than I expected to, mainly because I never had an interest in her vampire novels. Rice also talks about her recent return to Christianity at the end of the novel.
Please join us on Wednesday, November 19th from 7-8 PM at Tazza di Caffe. Stop in for a nice warm latte or mocha around the fireplace. See you then!
Our next meeting will NOT be November 26th; instead it will be November 19th to avoid any conflict with Thanksgiving Day. We will again meet at Tazza di Caffe on Valley View Drive to discuss Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. This novel follows the birth of Jesus of Nazareth to age 12, when he makes the pilgrimmage with his family to the temple.
Rice does a lot of research to construct what those "missing years" were possibly like. (Remember, this is a novel, which means it is fiction!) I think it is a plausible plot line (really, who knows what happened during that time), and voice is so stark and bare. I enjoyed the book more than I expected to, mainly because I never had an interest in her vampire novels. Rice also talks about her recent return to Christianity at the end of the novel.
Please join us on Wednesday, November 19th from 7-8 PM at Tazza di Caffe. Stop in for a nice warm latte or mocha around the fireplace. See you then!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Fall 2008 Meeting Dates
Ready? Set . . . Read!
September 24th @ 7 PM - Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers at Tazza di Cafe on Valley View Drive (Council Bluffs, IA)
October 22nd @ 7 PM- Before I Wake by Dee Henderson
November 26th @ 7 PM - Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice
December 17th @ 7 PM -Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
We usually meet for about an hour. Locations to be determined soon the month of the meeting. Most will be at Tazza di Cafe, Salem UMC, or Panera Bread. We're open to other options, as well.
For information about each specific book, please click on the book's link in the left column.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Finally! The List Is Done!
Finally! I've finished the list! I know many of you have been waiting and asking . . . well, here it is! You'll notice there are a few which weren't even on the "tentative" list posted in June. Use the list on the left, and you can click on the titles to get more details from Barnes and Noble's website. I'll be posting exact meeting dates and book order dates in the next week or so.
We'll be starting the year with Francine River's beloved classic Redeeming Love. Based on the Biblical book of Hosea, this novel is re-set and re-cast: in 1850 in California's gold country, Michael Hosea follows God's call to marry Angel, a prostitute. This is a story of God's unconditional, unwavering, and redemptive love.
Redeeming Love will be followed by the crime novel Before I Wake by Dee Henderson, the deeply researched and passionately written Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice (yes! *THAT* Anne Rice), and the humorous look at the commercialization of the holidays Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.
I think we have a pretty good line up here, with books that men and women of all ages will love. If have any suggestions on meeting dates (move from Wednesday night to Saturday mornings, perhaps?) or meeting locations, please respond to this posting.
Happy Reading!
Stephanie
We'll be starting the year with Francine River's beloved classic Redeeming Love. Based on the Biblical book of Hosea, this novel is re-set and re-cast: in 1850 in California's gold country, Michael Hosea follows God's call to marry Angel, a prostitute. This is a story of God's unconditional, unwavering, and redemptive love.
Redeeming Love will be followed by the crime novel Before I Wake by Dee Henderson, the deeply researched and passionately written Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice (yes! *THAT* Anne Rice), and the humorous look at the commercialization of the holidays Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.
I think we have a pretty good line up here, with books that men and women of all ages will love. If have any suggestions on meeting dates (move from Wednesday night to Saturday mornings, perhaps?) or meeting locations, please respond to this posting.
Happy Reading!
Stephanie
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Happy Summer!
Hello, readers! I hope you're having a wonderful summer, minus all those storms. My husband, Dennis, and I experienced an evacuation while camping near Denison, IA, a week ago Saturday. The cops came knocking on our door, we evacuated, and within 30 minutes, the river and camping area flooded! Bless the Lord for the city police officer who came down to warn us!
I'm currently working on the reading list for the fall, and hope to have that finalized soon. If there is a particular novel -- secular or Christian -- that you think would be an excellent read, please let me know by posting a reply here.
In the past, we've typically met on the last Wednesday evening of the month. We're thinking about changing this meeting time to perhaps a Saturday morning. Any thoughts or opinions?? Please post a reply here. I'd appreciate feed back as to what we can do to increase our attendance a bit.
Some people have asked how many times they need to attend. This is a "club" (a term I use loosely), but remember, you don't have to attend all the meetings. We've had as few as 2 and as many as 10 attendees. Some people just come once or twice a year, and that's OK!
Again, please post any thought, ideas, suggestions, or comments below!
I'm currently working on the reading list for the fall, and hope to have that finalized soon. If there is a particular novel -- secular or Christian -- that you think would be an excellent read, please let me know by posting a reply here.
In the past, we've typically met on the last Wednesday evening of the month. We're thinking about changing this meeting time to perhaps a Saturday morning. Any thoughts or opinions?? Please post a reply here. I'd appreciate feed back as to what we can do to increase our attendance a bit.
Some people have asked how many times they need to attend. This is a "club" (a term I use loosely), but remember, you don't have to attend all the meetings. We've had as few as 2 and as many as 10 attendees. Some people just come once or twice a year, and that's OK!
Again, please post any thought, ideas, suggestions, or comments below!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
April Meeting
One last book before summer: The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin. This is a novel that men and women both will love. The main character, Dylan Styles, is a young self-reliant farmer who loses faith in himself, God, and the world around him when his wife's pregnancy and delivery go horribly wrong. Filled with quirky Southern characters I love so well, you'll have a hard time forgetting this book.
We will meet again at Tazza de Caffe in Valley View Village from 7-8 PM on April 30th. Grab a coffee and a Dutch Letter pastry ... YUM. Very cozy place, indeed!
If you can't make it to the meeting, feel free to post replies in regards to the novel. We'd love to hear your ideas!
Also, if you have any ideas for changes or suggestions for next year's Faith & Fiction Book Club, please see the entry below from last month. I'm open to new ideas and suggestions!
Happy Spring (but watch out for the snow that's coming!)
Stephanie
We will meet again at Tazza de Caffe in Valley View Village from 7-8 PM on April 30th. Grab a coffee and a Dutch Letter pastry ... YUM. Very cozy place, indeed!
If you can't make it to the meeting, feel free to post replies in regards to the novel. We'd love to hear your ideas!
Also, if you have any ideas for changes or suggestions for next year's Faith & Fiction Book Club, please see the entry below from last month. I'm open to new ideas and suggestions!
Happy Spring (but watch out for the snow that's coming!)
Stephanie
Friday, March 14, 2008
Suggestions?
OK, so we are small group. Very small. But that's nice too. However, we're wondering what you think we should do to grow. I hear often from Salem members that they can't make it to the meetings, but they love reading the books. What changes should we make for the Fall 2008/Spring 2009 season?
Thanks for your input! If you don't know my email address, Amy Krueger at Salem can provide it for you.
Stephanie
- Is meeting off site something we should continue? Or should we meet at Salem?
- Should we change our meeting nights from Wednesday to a different night, perhaps even Sunday afternoons or Saturday mornings?
- What do you think of the books? Do we need more mainstream authors, like Kingsbury? Or do you enjoy reading books that you may have never heard of?
- Do you have any suggestions for books for next go-round? If so, please email me and let me know!
Thanks for your input! If you don't know my email address, Amy Krueger at Salem can provide it for you.
Stephanie
Yikes!
Wow! I've gone an entire school quarter without posting. Sorry, sorry, sorry! Well, here's the latest with Faith & Fiction Book Club . . . we still meet every month.
Since Christmas, we've tackled some "heavier" historical fiction novels. In January, we read Daughter of Silk by Linda Lee Chaikin. Those of us not familiar with the French language used the glossary often! ha ha We read The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease for February.
The consensus seemed to be that -- while these were not texts all members would pick up on their own -- they really enjoyed them and learned a lot about these historical periods. We also have a new-found appreciation for the struggles the earlier Christians had to guarantee all Christians, especially Protestants, their religious freedoms. Just being able to read the Bible in English would have been heretical several hundred years ago. Praises to God for those before us who have blazed the path for modern Christianity.
Speaking of modern Christianity, our March 26th meeting will discuss A Skeleton in God's Closet by Paul L. Maier. This is a fantastic, fast-paced archeological thriller. We'll be meeting at Tazza di Caffe on Valley View Drive in Council Bluffs from 7-8 PM.
Our final meeting of the spring will be April 30th, when we discuss The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin. I do love Southern Fiction, and this young Southern Christian fiction novelist has crafted one of my favorite books of all time. This one will draw you in!
Stay tuned for the location of our last meeting. Being a small group in a busy and growing church, we sort of get bounced around as rooms are moved and re-tooled or as other groups take precedence. We're flexible, though, and have enjoyed taking our meetings "off campus." Tazza di Caffe does have some fantastic Dutch Letters and the Dulce de Leche capuccino I had there in front of their fireplace was divine!
Since Christmas, we've tackled some "heavier" historical fiction novels. In January, we read Daughter of Silk by Linda Lee Chaikin. Those of us not familiar with the French language used the glossary often! ha ha We read The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease for February.
The consensus seemed to be that -- while these were not texts all members would pick up on their own -- they really enjoyed them and learned a lot about these historical periods. We also have a new-found appreciation for the struggles the earlier Christians had to guarantee all Christians, especially Protestants, their religious freedoms. Just being able to read the Bible in English would have been heretical several hundred years ago. Praises to God for those before us who have blazed the path for modern Christianity.
Speaking of modern Christianity, our March 26th meeting will discuss A Skeleton in God's Closet by Paul L. Maier. This is a fantastic, fast-paced archeological thriller. We'll be meeting at Tazza di Caffe on Valley View Drive in Council Bluffs from 7-8 PM.
Our final meeting of the spring will be April 30th, when we discuss The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin. I do love Southern Fiction, and this young Southern Christian fiction novelist has crafted one of my favorite books of all time. This one will draw you in!
Stay tuned for the location of our last meeting. Being a small group in a busy and growing church, we sort of get bounced around as rooms are moved and re-tooled or as other groups take precedence. We're flexible, though, and have enjoyed taking our meetings "off campus." Tazza di Caffe does have some fantastic Dutch Letters and the Dulce de Leche capuccino I had there in front of their fireplace was divine!
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