Reading Revisited 2023-2024

September

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain

George Saunders

Our first book for each year is always A Book About Books. This year we are also going to knock out Short Stories and Russians right off the bat. I call that a very productive first month!

For September we are going to read A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders.

Can we all take a moment to appreciate that long, witty, and descriptive subtitle?

This is a book of 7 short stories written by 4 Russian authors. With each story George Saunders also gives some commentary or reading exercise to help us probe the depths of the writers process or the story’s beauty. The audiobook is especially delightful as there is a celebrity who reads each story (including Dwight from the Office).

I hope that after reading this we learn to understand the writing process better (especially that of the Russians), read with more enjoyment, and maybe even live a fuller life (the subtitle really does say it all)!

October

My Name is Asher Lev

Chaim Potok

Our next book is a more modern book. I like throwing a few really well written, literary, newer novels on the list each year. I am easily disappointed by a lot of modern novels, but every once in a while there is one that surprises me. This book was one of those.

For October we are going to read My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.

Published in 1972, it is about a Hasidic Jewish boy in New York who is also an artist. It is a beautiful book that explores the themes of sub creation and tradition and cultic religious practice. I am very excited to read it with you all!

November

Rebecca

Daphne de Maurier

Every October or November we read some sort of horror or suspense novel, as it seems in season over Halloween. This year it is going to be a page turner of a gothic suspense novel. You won’t be able to put it down!

For November we are going to read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

Originally published in 1942, this novel is everything you want in a gothic thriller: a likable heroine, a brooding handsome gentleman, a beautiful estate, and a mystery looming behind it all.

This one is going to be very fun!

December

A Gentleman in Moscow

Amor Towles

When choosing a book for December I wanted to choose something a little bit lighter since we are all usually so busy with Christmas preparations, but also something meditative since it is Advent as well. So I chose a modern novel (published in 2016) that meets both of these requirements. This will be our most modern book of the year, but I really think it is a gem!

For December we are going to read A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

It is about a Gentleman during the Bolshevik Revolution who is put under house arrest in a very fancy hotel. Which, now that I’m typing it “out loud” sounds sad, but the book is honestly a very light and uplifting read. I really think you are going to enjoy this one. It is a book that gets recommended in all the literary circles and in itself encourages you to be more cultured (because it is so literarily referential and cultured). We will definitely need some fancy wine and cheese while we chat about this one!

January

Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare

Now it is time for our yearly Shakespeare play! We had such a fun time reading and discussing Romeo and Juliet last year that we decided we really must do more Shakespeare, but we decided to alternate and do a comedy this year.

For January we are going to read Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

If you haven’t read this play yet, you are in for a treat. Beatrice and Benedick’s witty banter is so much fun. And Shakespeare is always lovely to read. I am always surprised how much I enjoy Shakespeare when I have neglected it for a while. There is a reason his plays are still being read hundreds of years later. This wins the award for the oldest book of the year!

And if you haven’t seen the movie with Emma Thompson, maybe we will have to sneak a viewing party in at some point too!

February and March

(Books I-IV) (Books V-VII)

Middlemarch

George Eliot

Now it is time for our LONG book of the year. I have listened to your feedback and scheduled this one over two months so that it will be a little more manageable. But, I really think this is worth spending two months on.

For February AND March we are going to read Middlemarch by George Eliot (pseudonym for Mary Ann Evans).

This classic novel explores what it means to be a woman with the spirit of Teresa of Avila, but not being born in a time where it can be “put to use.” How does one have an effect on the world as an ordinary woman? Be sure to read the Prelude if you need convincing on why you should read an 800 page book! I also think this meditative novel is perfect for Lent. I hope you all come to love it as much as I do!

April

The Innocence of Father Brown

G.K. Chesterton

Next up we have our yearly Easter Season Detective Novel. Apparently it is a Norwegian tradition to gift each other mystery novels and stay up all night reading them to ring in Easter. I have no Norwegian heritage that I know of, but I have decided to partake in this tradition and drag Lit Book Club right along with me!

So, for April we are reading The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton.

This is a volume of short stories featuring Father Brown who is a Catholic priest and an amateur detective, which may seem like an odd combination at first. But, I think you will come to see that being well acquainted with human souls is helpful for the clergy as well as the sleuth. These are delightful stories that you will want to read over and over again. I especially encourage reading them out loud in a group if you have the opportunity. They are hilarious and gripping stories. And for anyone who read Brideshead Revisited with us a few years ago, you may remember that was Lady Marchmain’s favorite pre-bedtime activity!

May

Crossing to Safety

Wallace Stegner

As we start to approach late spring and early summer I like to assign a few modern or just very summery books. This book is one of my favorite modern novels. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

For May we are going to read Crossing to Safety Wallace Stegner.

Those of you who have been reading along with us since the beginning of our Book Club will remember Stegner from when we read Angle of Repose in April 2020. This book is similar in theme but very different in setting. It explores the dynamics of marriage and friendship and academia. It is a beautiful book that is psychologically compelling. You will grow to love the characters and want to go spend the summer at their “camp.” This is a book I return to year after year for lovely written prose, a moving story, and deep reflection. I am very excited to share it with you!

June

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro

Now for a good summery British road trip/memory novel. This is one it feels like you can only read in the summer.

For June we are going to read The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.

This is a beautifully written modern novel (published in 1988) about a Butler who is setting out on a road trip and remembering the man he served for most of his career. It is reflective and a page turner all at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book when I read it for the first time a few years ago and I am eager to share it with you all and hear your thoughts as well! Apparently there is also a very well done movie starring Emma Thompson!

July

East of Eden

John Steinbeck

We had to get one good American classic onto our list for the year. And I have been itching to read this with you all since I read it for the first time last summer!

For July we are going to read East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

Lest you think this not a good summer novel, I think you will feel the California heat

while reading this. And I hope you will find the story compelling enough to not even think of it as a long book. It is another classic that is also such a good story that it feels like a page turner. The Old Testament allusions are so poignant that I think we, as Catholic women, will come to treasure this book as an added imaginative reflection on our Bible reading. And if you’re going to try to convince your husband to read along with us for any books, this may be the one as it portrays so many good men to be inspired by (but you will be just as inspired as a woman).

August

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

We are finally to our last book for the year. I hope you’ve been having fun reading about each pick for the year. I have certainly had fun sharing them with you. Reading with you all is one of my favorite things I do, but picking the books comes in at a close second. Now it is time for our yearly Jane Austen pick and I really couldn’t be more excited!

For August we are going to read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

If you have read this one before, then I don’t have to sell you on how wonderful it is. But, if you haven’t read it yet, I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say that it is about to change your life. If you’ve seen any of the movies or TV shows you may know the storyline, but I promise you are going to like the book even better! I can’t wait to reread this myself. It’s one that I find myself laughing and crying a little harder each time. It is beautifully written, hilariously witty, and inspiring all at the same time!

As always, please feel free to share these posts and book lists with others! We’d love to have more people reading and enjoying the literary life with us!

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