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Book Club Tea and Jane Austen Action Figure

The Pride and Prejudice Book Club: Truths Universally Acknowledged

Over 200 years old, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the most beloved novels in the English language. The first line of the novel, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife," sets up our expectations and the plot immediately, and we know that there will be some single, well-off men who will fall in love. Or marry, at the least.

Shakespeare

The Shakespeare Society

The Shakespeare Society is a monthly Shakespeare reading and discussion group. We meet on the third Tuesday of every month.  We intend to read and discuss every single Shakespeare play in series-order, grouped in several series reflecting his tragedies, comedies, problem plays, romances, and histories. There is no preferred edition. The West End Neighborhood Library's adult services librarian will facilitate the discussion. Series 1 will focus on Shakespeare's tragedies; the full reading list for Series 1 is as follows:

Plato

The Plato Project

West End Neighborhood Library's Plato Project aims to read and discuss a variety of Platonic dialogues. This is a discussion-based group and there is no preferred translation. The West End Neighborhood Library's adult services librarian will facilitate these discussions. We meet on the first Tuesday* of every month until Oct. 1, 2019. The full reading list is as follows: *In observance of New Year's Day, which falls on a Tuesday, we will meet for January's discussion on January 8. Dec. 4 | The Apology

Woman in White cover

The Woman in White

Begins October 21 on WETA-26

Walter Hartright, a young drawing master, accepts a position at a country estate outside of London. Before he leaves, Walter encounters a young woman dressed in white on the road. She is frightened and on the run. What happens next is a thrilling mystery in the classic novel The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

art

Five Books That Got Me Interested in Reading

Reading used to be a chore for me. I used to cringe every time I had English/Literature class through my elementary/middle school years. I sat in the back and rarely raised my hand. I had done the reading required for that day. I had pretty good "reading comprehension" skills even though I didn't know it was even called that at that age. That wasn't the problem. I just was never interested in the books they had us reading at that time.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Books of 1968

1968 was one of the most eventful and tumultuous years of the 20th century. Here are a few books of lasting relevance that were published that year.  

Sweetbitter

Delicious Fiction

Novels Set Around Kitchens and Food

Novels that feature food often make us put down the book and get in the kitchen...or at least grab a bag of chips. Likewise, these same novels are often hard to put down as they stimulate not only our imaginations, but our appetites as well. Here’s a list of delicious novels to celebrate the brand new Starz series Sweetbitter.

Stranger

Life and Living

Philosophical Texts Centered on Existence

We've all asked ourselves the pivotal questions at some point in our lives: Why are we here? What is my purpose in life? Is their a true meaning of life? Existentialism is a philosophy that helps us begin to understand these things. Existentialism is the analysis of existence. It is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through free will, choice and personal responsibility. These books' philosophies have helped me develop a better understanding of myself and life. 

StrangerintheWoods

Solitude

A Life Apart From The World

Everyone, at some point or another, seeks out some alone time—to get away from the noise, to escape the pressures and stress of everyday life. Solitude has a healing quality that renews, strengthens and fortifies. There are some people that choose a life of solitude for any number of reasons and others that find themselves alone through no choice of their own. The following are some recent and classic accounts of the solitary life.

Wuthering Heights

Gothic Fiction for the Whole Family Part 2 (Teens and Adults)

A celebration of old-world-style scares

It's never too late to develop a taste for Gothic reads. This glorious genre explores negativity in a manageable package. With supernatural elements and an exploration of feelings like unhappiness and loneliness, both Gothic and Modern Gothic literature provide a unique opportunity for readers to explore and discuss some of the more challenging and gruesome aspects of life, and in such, to find ways to cope with scary and negative feelings in their day-to-day lives. Find a comfy chair and get ready for some shocking, fearsome and morose reads.

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