We're finally starting our group reading of Tolstoy's War and Peace!  

Publisher's Summary:

War and Peace centers broadly on Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and follows three of the best-known characters in literature: Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of a count who is fighting for his inheritance and yearning for spiritual fulfillment; Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, who leaves behind his family to fight in the war against Napoleon; and Natasha Rostov, the beautiful young daughter of a nobleman, who intrigues both men. As Napoleon’s army invades, Tolstoy vividly follows characters from diverse backgrounds—peasants and nobility, civilians and soldiers—as they struggle with the problems unique to their era, their history, and their culture. And as the novel progresses, these characters transcend their specificity, becoming some of the most moving—and human—figures in world literature.

Please feel free to read any version of this book you find approachable, including abridged, unabridged, or audio. Jack McCandless recommends this audio version and has hinted at sending out a few encouragements to us throughout the summer. I also found a group on Substack that is slow-reading Tolstoy's novel in 2026, and I have subscribed to receive weekly encouragement. The Subtack author describes War and Peace this way:

 

"It’s also a great story, full of twists and turns, high drama and heartache. And first-time readers are often struck by how readable, entertaining and even funny it is. But it’s more than just a great story. It’s a good one. It has a good heart. A rich soul. And the world feels a little better, a little truer, for having read it.

No matter how much you choose to read of this acclaimed novel, I hope we'll all find ourselves chatting about our reading as we cross paths over the summer."

---Simon Haisell, "Why Read War and Peace"

Alongside War and Peace, we will also spend time discussing the poems you are reading from A Century of Poetry: 100 Poems for Searching the Heart, edited by Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury. As always, everyone is welcome, whether or not you've been reading the current book. We always spend the first part of our time together chatting about the other books we've all been reading. Honestly, as fascinating as our book discussions are, talking about other books is one of my favorite parts of what we do together!

Details for our next reading discussion

What:
War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy
Selections from A Century of Poetry by Rowan Williams

When:
Sunday, September 20, 4–6 pm

Where:
Church lounge

Please RSVP and bring a snack to share:
📧 tamarahillmurphy@gmail.com

2026 reading list with discussion dates

Please know that while I've done my best, changes to dates or titles may be needed as we approach each one.