The Catholic Mail-Book Chain

[Irenaeus]

I wanted to know if anyone was interested in the idea we had in the beginning with PP...

We were going to choose a book that one (or two) of us have, and send it around to each other to read. Each reader would ideally sign the back cover, and say briefly how the book influenced them. In this way we can fellowship and grow in knowledge, charity, and faith...and when the book is returned to the sender, you get the reward of helping others.

Of course, no one is obligated to send anything if they don't want to. I would suggest paperbacks, but it's up to you all.

I have a solid $10 gift certificate for a local Catholic bookstore. I was thinking of kicking off the book chain with a book that everyone very much wanted to read but was unavailable or no one has a good copy that can survive shipping, or it is irreplaceable.

Any suggestions? Please, post them! After I get some suggestions and narrow it down, I'll make a poll.
PS: I was thinking of the book, Not By Bread Alone (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1579181244/qid=1120179058/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_ur_1/103-0401657-1050207?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), by Robert Sungenis.

[PeterPaul]

Man, no one told me we were up and running!

[lonnienord]

I suggest Practicing His Presence by Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach published by SeedSowers Publishing P. O. Box 3317 Jacksonville, Fl 32206 www.seedsower.com (http://www.seedsower.com)

[Irenaeus]

PP,

We're not up and running just yet.

Still taking suggestions. Thank you, lonnie!

[Carrye]

What a fun idea!

[FullyMT]

A great idea! When I find out which room I'm in for MU I'll be willing to join :)
Edit in, the book I'm reading right now:
The Truth of Catholicism: Inside the Essential Teachigns and Controversies of the Church Today by George Weigel

If I don't give it to someone else to read, I'm willing to part with it for a bit :)

[Filia Mariae]

I'm in. My suggestion- how about a Benedict XVI book? Milestones?

[sneezingleopard]

The idea sounds great. However I wonder how much it would coast to send books back and forth. BEcause it could turn out to be cheaper to just buy books in the end rather than ship them back and forth. AS far as what book to buy I would recommend "CAtholic for a reason" by Scott Hahn. This book actually has various chapters written by some of the best Catholic theologians around. You get to have a taste of many different writtings to see who suites your needs best. I havn't read the second one in the series yet but it sounds really great. It's all about the revelation of MAry in the scriptures.
In CHrist,
The Art MAn

[sneezingleopard]

other suggestions . .. . ..
books by pope benedict 16th, KArl Keeting, Frederick Copleston, Peter Kreeft, pope John Paul 2cnd.
In CHrist,
The Art MAn

[laushe6]

I think this is a great idea! I have Crossing the Threshold of Faith by JP2 and would be willing to donate it.
laushe6

[Irenaeus]

Alright.

I see a lot of people suggesting Benedict XVI books, and Apologetics (Scott Hahn, Peter Kreeft)

[sneezingleopard]

I just thought of an awesome book. Salvation is from the Jews by roy schoeman. Here's a web cite that talks all about the book. http://www.salvationisfromthejews.com/index.shtml

he is a Jew who recognized the fullness of his faith as lived out in Catholicism. HE was met by Mary in a vision and soon after turned to Catholicism for answers. HE is a very brilliant guy who taught at Harvard and knows a lot about Judaism and Catholicism. HE draws the connection between these two phases in salvation history. pre messianic Judaism and post messianic Catholicism. I've seen the author on EWTN and heard him in discussions on radio broadcasts. This would be an awesome book for anyone wishing to better understand why God started with Judaism and why we now have Catholicism. GOd never threw out Judaism for Catholicism and he especially never throughout Catholicism for Protestantism.
Hope this helps.http://www3.christianforums.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
In CHrist,
The Art MAn

[sneezingleopard]

P.S. I just want to make sure I say that I mean no disrespect against protestants. I was just saying that I have often heard even my own protestant friends tell me that the Catholic church is dead and GOd started protestantism to kind of start over. They say it is the same as what God did with judaism. SOrry for any potential confusion. I love protestants as I do all of my brothers and sisters in CHrist.
In CHrist,
The Art MAn

[RichSpidizzy]

Irenaeus,
I'm still interested in this depending on the book that's choosen (I may already own it!). I'm not going to suggest a book since this already seems to be turning into a bunch of different people making a bunch of different suggestions and there will be no consensus. I'll just wait until it's sorted out.

I think you should just choose a book and see if people want to read it. I'm sure whatever he choose there will be a handful of people that want to read it.

Also, have you decided on any guidelines (length of time to hold onto the book, etc)? If you want, you can use my old "Book Chain" thread to create some guidelines for running yours :)

God Bless!
Richie

[Irenaeus]

Richie,

I've been thinking the same thing, and I think that sincerely it will be more of a matter of people here on OBOB getting together, browsing each other's books, and deciding what they want to trade.

We're not going to do a "Book Club" approach, because most people don't want to read the same thing at the same time; we'll do it on an interest basis.

Furthermore, having the exchange being two people at the same time within the general confines of the OBOB Book Chain will ensure that everyone is accountable for keeping each other's books in good condition.

I'm going to make a second thread titled: OBOB Book Chain Inventory. I would request all members, as much as is possible, to list all the good books they have and would be willing to share, with title and author. Then I would encourage individual members to PM the person who has a book they are interested in.

A nice little feature would be if a book you bring up has a short synopsis.

[Quentin]

I am in! :)

I like this idea too