I hope everybody is enjoying this glorious weather we are having! Today’s blog is about our two book clubs that meet at the library, and their upcoming meetings.

Salzmann Selections, sponsored by the library, is next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. and will be reading “Radical Reinvention: An Unlikely Return to the Catholic Church” by Kaya Oakes. It was published by Counterpoint and was released June 26, 2012. Our copy is, at this moment checked out, but it is also available for a reasonable amount through Amazon. We hope you can make it, all are welcome, even if you have not read the book and just want to hear more about it.

Here is information from the author about the book (taken from the Amazon Web page): “Radical Reinvention is a memoir about being a skeptical, anti-dogmatic feminist who falls back in love with the Catholic faith after leaving it behind as a teenager.  But it’s not just a memoir; it’s also a profile of the many people, and groups of people, who are working to make the church a more welcoming and inclusive place. It is totally a safe read for atheists, agnostics, and believers of all styles. The book involved three years of research and writing, including travels to Rome and Assisi, two of the oldest homes of the Catholic church. It’s a big evolution from my previous book on indie culture, but it still shares some of the spirit of that book. DIY Catholicism!”

Poperies is a book club that meets at the library.  Previously held every two weeks, it will now be held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, starting at 6:30 p.m. This book group focuses on works by the popes, and just finished Pope Benedict XVI’s “Introduction to Christianity.” The group will next be reading the new Encyclical, “Lumen Fidei,” which was just released by Pope Francis. This discussion will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 20.  “Lumen Fidei” is a joint effort started by Pope Benedict XVI and finished by Pope Francis, it is not a very long read, and will be a joy to talk about with others. All, again, are welcome to come.  The plan for Poperies at this time is to work backward through the last several encyclicals after “Lumen Fidei.”

We hope to see you at one or both of these book groups.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated – anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

  • Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
  • The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
  • There is free Wi-Fi available.
  • “Like” us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.