Book Discussion Group

September 9, 2026

The Correspondent by Virgina Evans

The novel explores the solace found in literature and human connection. It follows Sybil Van Antwerp, who uses letters throughout her life to understand her experiences and relationships. As a distinguished lawyer, she writes to various recipients, including authors and a person she never sends letters to. When letters from her past resurface, they compel her to confront a painful chapter in her life, leading her to realize that she must read her unwritten letter and seek forgiveness to move forward.

October 14, 2026

All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley

Patrick Bringley, once a writer at The New Yorker, became a museum guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art after his brother’s cancer diagnosis drives him to seek solace. Over a decade, he explores the museum, protects its treasures, and forms bonds with colleagues and artworks. Initially feeling like a ghost, he finds his voice among a diverse community of guards and artists, ultimately appreciating the museum’s beauty and its reflection of the outside world he will return to.

November 10, 2026* (It is on a Tuesday)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray makes a Faustian bargain to sell his soul in exchange for eternal youth and beauty. Under the influence of Lord Henry Wotton, he is drawn into a corrupt double life, where he can indulge his desires while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society. Only Dorian’s picture bears the traces of his decadence.

A knowing account of a secret life and an analysis of the darker side of late Victorian society. The Picture of Dorian Gray offers a disturbing portrait of an individual coming face to face with the reality of his soul.

December 9, 2026

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

This was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the story of them all . . .In the middle of the night, a woman wakes to find her beloved city engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans are over. Troy has fallen. From the Trojan women whose fates now lie in the hands of the Greeks, to the Amazon princess who fought Achilles on their behalf, to Penelope awaiting the return of Odysseus, to the three goddesses whose feud started it all, these are the stories of the women whose lives, loves, and rivalries were forever altered by this long and tragic war.

January 13, 2027

The Antidote by Karen Russell

The Antidote begins on Black Sunday with a dust storm in the fictional town of Uz, Nebraska, already struggling under the Great Depression and its violent past. The story revolves around a “Prairie Witch” who holds people’s memories, a Polish wheat farmer facing the curse of his blessings, his orphan niece who is a basketball star and witch’s apprentice, a talkative scarecrow, and a time-traveling New Deal photographer. The novel explores themes of national amnesia, revealing both horrors and potential amidst the climate crisis, and challenges readers to reflect on missed opportunities and future possibilities.

February 10, 2027

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

A servant girl escapes a colonial settlement into the wilderness, armed only with her wits and a few belongings. In this unknown land, she encounters experiences that challenge her beliefs shaped by civilization. Lauren Groff’s novel, The Vaster Wilds, is a thrilling adventure and a profound fable about finding new ways to live amid colonialism’s impact. It explores America’s story through the eyes of one girl at a pivotal moment in history, questioning our ability to adapt and survive.

March 10, 2027

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

In the aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, Cal Jenkins reflects on his life’s work to amend past mistakes. He shares a pivotal moment with Margaret Salt, who is trying to escape her past. Cal is married to Becky, a medium, while Margaret’s husband, Felix, is believed safe at sea until a concerning telegram arrives. Their brief transgression creates a complex secret that intertwines their lives. As their Ohio town changes in the postwar era, the consequences of past choices resurface, affecting future generations. “Buckeye” is a poignant tale of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and forgiveness.

April 13, 2027* (It is on a Tuesday)

The Ferryman and his Wife by Frode Grytten, translated by Alison McCullough

On November 18th, Nils Vik anticipates his death as he follows his morning routine and boards his beloved boat. Accompanied by memories of his deceased dog and others from his past, he reflects on missed moments while waiting for his late wife, Marta. This award-winning novel by Grytten unfolds a profound life story in reverse, exploring the significance of seemingly insignificant moments that become meaningful over time.

May 11, 2027* (It is on a Tuesday)

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

Masterfully researched, The Professor and the Madman narrate the extraordinary story of two men whose obsessions contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary. Professor James Murray’s committee was astonished to find Dr. W. C. Minor, an inmate at a criminal asylum and a Civil War veteran, had submitted over ten thousand entries, revealing a profound tale of madness and genius.