The Prose and Popery Book Club
Scroll down for the calendar/book list, FAQ, and more!
What is this club?
From Augustine to Edith Stein, many saints began their conversions after being confronted with the truth in a book.
The purpose of this book club is to discuss classic works of literature and discover what they reveal about truth, hope, and love.
Beyond that, I hope participating in our meetings inspires you to read more and enrich your understanding of our humanity, its virtues, and its vices.
Scroll down for more info, and to join or ask a question, please use this form.
Meeting Calendar
Click the emoji of the headphones for my recommended—not required—edition of the audiobook and the emoji of a stack of books for a recommended print edition. (But really, the Penguin Classics/Clothbound Classics, Oxford World’s Classics, Norton, and Dover editions are all just fine.) Some titles also have a recommended movie edition.
May 2, 2024: Persuasion by Jane Austen 🎧 🎥 (any print edition is fine)
For the good of your soul, do not watch the new Netflix version. 🙈
All Fall Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. CT on Zoom:
FAQs
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While there are a few big’uns in here, I have generally chosen books that are of a manageable length for busy people.
Additionally, I would suggest that listening to an audiobook is better than not attempting the book at all. Every book on our list has a good audiobook version, which I have linked above.
Also, don’t tell anyone I said this, but it’s ok if you don’t read the book before the meeting.
One of the reasons I started this club is to get people excited about reading again. If you get excited to read a book because you came to a meeting and listened to other people rave (and rant) about it, I consider that a win.
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Nope!
When you sign up, I will add you to my mailing list so that I can send you an RSVP and the prep guide a week(-ish) before the meeting. I just ask that you respond to the RSVP so that I can plan for each gathering.
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This will be an online book club to start. The meetings will be one hour, but I’ll leave the meeting room open if people want to chat longer.
We’ll use Zoom, and you’ll need to join the meeting on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you’re terrible with technology, don’t worry. I’ll help you out before our first meeting.
Before each meeting, I’ll send you a prep guide with a few discussion questions and important sections/moments that will probably be part of the discussion. (That’s your hint to read just those sections if you’re short on time.)
I’ll lead the group by starting off with a 5 to 10-minute recap of the story and the prevailing themes. And if you would like to volunteer to present a bit, that would be great!
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Yes!
In fact, you probably should be required to do this if you haven’t read a book since high school.
