Cathedral Reads 2026 Kick Off

Encounters with Unexpected Animals by Bret Anthony Johnston

Spend your summer immersed in the power of short fiction. Cathedral Reads is our annual community reading initiative designed to bring us together through the shared experience of a great book. This year, we’re proud to feature a poignant new collection by acclaimed Texas author Bret Anthony Johnston. Whether you’re a lifelong bibliophile or looking to jumpstart a summer reading habit, this program offers a space for reflection, connection, and deep conversation.

Dates: May 25 – August 10, 2026 Kick-off Meeting: Monday, June 15 | 6:30 PM via Zoom Book: Encounters with Unexpected Animals by Bret Anthony Johnston

Copies of the book are available now at the Cathedral Bookstore. Grab your copy and begin reading at your own pace!

Kick-Off Event — Monday, June 15 | 6:30 PM (Zoom)

We’re opening the season with a special virtual conversation featuring Antonya Nelson — author and University of Houston professor — who will orient us to the short-story genre.

Antonya is the author of seven short story collections, including Female Trouble, and four novels. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, Harper’s, and many other publications, and she has been featured in Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Awards, and The Pushcart Prize. A recipient of the Rea Award for Short Fiction and both NEA and Guggenheim Fellowships, she was named by The New Yorker as one of the “twenty young fiction writers for the new millennium.”

RSVP: Cathedral Reads kick-off

Small Group Discussions

Two groups will meet throughout the summer to read and discuss the book together. All are welcome — choose the format that works best for you.

Wednesday Evening Group — Virtual via Zoom | 6:30 PM Led by Danielle Hsu June 17 · June 24 · July 15 · July 22 · July 29 · August 12

Sunday Morning Group — In-Person | Jeffers Conference Room | 10:00 AM Led by Caroline Hendryx and George Hawkins June 21 · June 28 · July 12 · July 19 · July 26 · August 2

Register here: https://christ-church-cathedral-houston.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3656745

Stay tuned for additional announcements regarding guest speakers and supplemental events as the summer unfolds.