One of the joys of reading is the solitude. But when a book moves you, challenges you or inspires you… that when you appreciate community.

In the coming months, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church will host opportunities for us to get together, in book groups and in public forums, to go deeper into our fall reading list:

Elusive Grace: Loving Your Enemies While Striving for God’s Justice, by Scott Black Johnston.

The senior pastor’s new book brings the wisdom of Scripture into conversation with such diverse minds as Emily Dickinson, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ayn Rand, and Mr. Rogers. The premise of the book is a promise: “There is a way out of ideological warfare,” Scott writes, “a way to turn hearts poisoned by cynicism into instruments of love.”

Read more (and pre-order your copy) here. Or pick up a copy on Sunday, Sept. 25, when Scott discusses Elusive Grace at an Adult Education forum beginning at 12:30 pm in Bonnell Hall. We’ve also got a book group starting up in October to study Elusive Grace together. Contact Ashley Gonzalez, director of engagement, to learn more and sign up.

Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee.

Pachinko, the second novel by the New York City author and journalist Min Jin Lee, chronicles the history of one Korean family, beginning with their emigration to Japan in the early 20th century. Race, religion and class struggles all figure strongly in this historical epic.

On Sunday, Oct. 23, Lee (a member of Fifth Avenue) sits down with television producer and personality Julie Chen Moonves (also a member of Fifth Avenue) to talk about her fiction and her faith. This event is set for 12:45 pm in Jones Auditorium.

Deacon King Kong, by James McBride.

The acclaimed novelist, musician and screenwriter James McBride delivers the fifth-annual Anita and Antonio Gotto Lecture at 7 pm Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Sanctuary. In advance of that event, book groups are forming to discuss McBride’s latest novel, Deacon King Kong.

The book groups will bring together readers from Fifth Avenue with readers from our neighboring congregation, First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens. (First Jamaica is co-sponsoring the Gotto lecture this year.) Groups will meet online on three Thursday evenings, beginning Oct. 6. Learn more and sign up here.