‘Tis the
season when many book groups restart their activities, sharing all of their
wonderful choices in reading—and food. While we’re sure at least one or two of
them will be laughing over “Fifty Shades of Gray,” selections aren’t as
predictable. We asked area group leaders to share their September choices,
which revealed a variety of selections for the coming season.
Edward
Bergman, head of adult services at Leominster
Public Library, says the library’s Brown Bag (lunchtime) Book Group will
discuss “Mrs. Pettigrew's Last Stand,”
by Helen Simonson, when it resumes meeting at noon on Sept. 6. Bring a lunch if
you wish, and the library will provide beverages. This is a
drop-in program, so no registration is necessary. Visit or call the library's
Reference Desk at 978-534-7522, ext. 3, if you want to borrow a copy of the
book. For more information, contact Bergman at ebergman@cwmars.org or 978-534-7522
x 114.
Hemingway is in the air for fall in Brookfield.
Brenda Metterville of Merrick Public
Library reports the Bannister Book
Group will launch its season Sept. 25, with Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast,” a
memoir of his life in 1920s Paris, as a young artist married to Hadley
Richardson. On Oct. 30, the group discusses Hadley’s life among those of the
artistic “Lost Generation” in Paris (think Owen Wilson in the movie, Midnight in Paris). They’re reading
Paula McLain’s “The Paris Wife.” Nice pairing. Meetings are held at the library
from 7 to 8 p.m. Call 508-867-6339 for details.
At the Merriam-Gilbert
Public Library in W. Brookfield, members will discuss Shakespeare’s
“MacBeth” on Aug. 30. The group meets from 4 to 5 p.m. the last Thursday of
each month. Selection for Sept. 27 is “Rules of Civility” by Amor Towels.
The
Spiritual Book Club, an activity of “Fun Stuff for Singles
Over 40,” in Westborough, meets weekly, discussing a few chapters at a time
from the book they are reading. On Sept. 11, the group will begin a discussion
of “Wishes Fulfilled,” by Wayne Dyer. The group meets the first Tuesday of each
month, and every Monday in the weeks after that. Contact Jacki Rose at jacki@jackirose.com
for further information.
Princeton readers of the Afternoon Book Group will resume meetings at 1 p.m., Sept. 12, to
discuss books by or about Thomas Hardy—from their summer reading. Wendy Pape
says the Evening Group meets at 7
p.m., Sept. 20, to discuss “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” by Rebecca
Skloot. Lacks’ cells—the HeLa cells—were used to study a polio vaccine,
cloning, genetic mapping, and in vitro fertilization, without her knowledge and
with no remuneration. This has been named one of the best books of 2010 by
countless critics. See an interview with Skloot at http://rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/
Betsy Johnson of Holden says members regroup Sept. 4 to discuss what they’ve read
over the summer; the plan for fall includes Booth Tarkington’s “Magnificent
Ambersons,” some Balzac short stories and “Phantom of the Opera.” The group
meets at Holden First Congregational Church, 41 Blossom Square. For more info,
contact Bjohnson825@yahoo.com.
Gale
Free Library in Holden has two book groups. The Open Genre Book Group—which
reads contemporary fiction—will meet at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday,
Sept. 6, to discuss “Heft” by Liz Moore. The Clasics Book Group meets at 6:30
p.m., Sept. 20, to discuss Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” Check the library website
for details on the selections.
***
Still
undecided? Perhaps there’s some help from Washington. In preparation for the
Sept. 22-23 Library of Congress National Book Festival, on the National Mall in
Washington, D.C., the Library of Congress has published a list of 88 books that
shaped America. Clubs may want to discuss or debate the list, and select a book
or more from it to read collectively during the upcoming season. The selected
books are on exhibit through Sept. 29 at the Library's Thomas Jefferson
Building, or see it at http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/
September
releases: Zadie Smith (“On Beauty,” “White Teeth”) has a new novel, “NW.”
Michael Chabon (“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”) is about to
release “Telegraph Avenue” and J.K. Rowling, of Harry Potter fame, releases her
first novel for adults, “The Casual Vacancy,” on Sept. 27. Dark comedy set in
an idyllic British town, we hear.
