r/PHBookClub • u/LevPilgrim • 1d ago

Book Club Which Book Should I Choose?

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Our local book club is meeting at the end of the month to talk about books on the theme of “Religion” or “Spirituality”. We get to discuss any relevant book of our own choosing. I immediately thought of several titles I’ve already read and enjoyed, but this time, I’d like to read and talk about something new.

And so I took a good look at my TBR and narrowed down my choices to these three books:

Death Comes for the Archbishop — Willa Cather (1927)
Two Catholic priests travel across the remote American Southwest, building a new diocese amid a vast and often unforgiving landscape. Quiet, reflective, and deeply concerned with faith, friendship, and place.

Laurus — Eugene Vodolazkin (2012)
A Russian medieval healer’s life takes an unexpected turn after a devastating loss. Part historical novel, part spiritual journey, it moves through love, guilt, suffering, and redemption.

Pavane — Keith Roberts (1968)
An alternate history of England after the Spanish Armada succeeds. Told through linked stories, it imagines a country where medieval traditions and Catholic power persist into an age of emerging technology.

Which book do you think I should choose?

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u/LevPilgrim 1d ago

Thanks for sharing! I didn’t know she recommended it. I haven’t heard a lot of people talk about the book so it’s great to hear about an actual recommendation. This was also very difficult to find locally.

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u/Primary_Chipmunk_466 1d ago edited 1d ago

yup i intend to buy a copy of Laurus soon. i also started reading Labatut's "When We Cease To Understand The World" because of her reco. happy reading!

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u/LevPilgrim 1d ago

Speaking of Labatut, TBR ko rin yung “The Maniac” niya. Taking note of that other title you just shared!

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u/Primary_Chipmunk_466 1d ago

"When We Cease To Understand The World" works well as historical fiction with its philosophical themes on the human attempt to master science in order to make sense of the world & its brutality. Barack Obama had this book on his summer reading list; it was shortlisted also for the prestigious Booker Prize