Book Clubs

 

Like reading books and talking about life and happiness? Then these could be the groups for you. We come together for one common interest—books. Yet, in exploring the stories or history together, we will discover we have so much more in common as well. We try to find new areas to branch into each month. We may invite OLLI authors with manuscripts ready for publication. We don’t break the stories down clinically, piece by piece. Instead, we prefer to discuss the story in general terms and how it relates to us. There are four separate clubs to choose from—see below.

Click here for information about connecting to OLLI zoom classes. (OLLI members only)

 

“Genreflections” Book Club

Alternate Fridays • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. • Zoom

September 19 • October 3, 17, 31 • November 14, (28 no class) • December 5

This course is for those who enjoy reading and discussing fiction. We will explore a variety of novels representing various genres, such as travel fiction, historical fiction, coming-of-age fiction and domestic fiction. Our selection for the first class of our 2025 fall semester is the novel “Still Life with Elephant” by Judy Reene Singer (2007; 304 pages)—this is our peek into the animal world; future novels that we can explore will be discussed and decided on by attendees during our first class.

Genreflections is a Zoom course forthose who enjoy reading and discussing fiction. We will explore a variety of novels representing various genres, such as travel fiction, historical fiction, coming-of-age fiction and domestic fiction. We meet from 11:30 until 1 pm on alternate Fridays

Here is our lineup for Fall semester 2025:

9/19 - our genre: “our creatures great & small” - our novel: Still life with elephant by Judy Reene Singer  304 pages; published: 2007

10/3 - our genre: “superheroes, somewhat” - our novel: Secret life of Sam Holloway by Rhys Thomas 384 pages; published: 2019

10/17 - our genre: “enemies to lovers” - our novel: Work in progress by Kat Mackenzie 387 pages; published: 2025

10/31 our genre: “searching for something new” -our novel: Borrowed life of Frederick Fife  by Anna Johnston 336 pages; published: 2024

11/14 our genre: “can we ever go home again?” - Our novel: People we keep by Allison Larkin 368 pages; published: 2021

12/5 our genre: “pirate life on the high seas: shiver me timbers” - our novel: Connamon & gunpowder by Eli Brown” 318 pages; 2013

Instructor: Andrea Tarr     Tech Coordinator: Rosalind Charles

 

Graphic Novels, Comics and More!

Alternate Thursdays • 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. • Zoom

September 11, 25 • October 9, 23 • November 6, 20 • December 11

Did you know that the popularity of graphic novels has grown 90% in the past few years? And did you know that adult graphic novels offer a unique interplay of challenging text and supporting artwork that are just as complex and enjoyable as a traditional book? Due to popular demand, many traditional books, such as Stephen King’s “Sleeping Beauties,” Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and even Shakespeare have been transformed into graphic novels! Each class, we meet online and discuss and critique a book we have read from many different genres: mystery, romance, science fiction and fantasy, memoir, historical fiction and nonfiction, or even a science book, all in the form of a graphic novel or manga. Occasionally, we will focus on a popular comic, such as Wonder Woman, Calvin and Hobbes, or Drabble. The more voices we have, the richer the discussion, so drop by our class any time, even if you haven’t read the book, and add your unique perspectives to ours!

Instructor: Dr. Barbara Glaeser    
Coordinator/Tech Coordinator: Jill Patterson

 

Kitty’s Book Club

Alternate Mondays • 12:15 p.m.-2 p.m. • Zoom

September 15, 29 • October 13, 27 • November 10, (24 no class) • December 1

Our book club loves exploring different themes in discussing fiction books. Prior to the first class of the semester, our members generate the list of books to read. The first book selected for the fall semester will be “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See. Please read the book and join our discussion.

The reading list for the fall 2025 semester is:

September 15  Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

September 29  The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella

October 13  The Address by Fiona Davis

October 27  The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes

November 10  The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnson

December 1  Absolution by Alice McDermott 

Coordinators: Lisa Sewell and Juanita Driskell

Mystery Book Club

Alternate Mondays • 12:15 p.m.-2 p.m. • Zoom

September 8, 22 • October 6, 20 • November 3, 17 • December 8

Mystery Books is a category well established by the reading public. Authors such as Agatha Christie and characters such as Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple are well known. Mystery books are so popular that they have separate awards for excellence, humor etc. The “Mystery Book Club” meets and discusses a book selected by club members. Please read “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore before our first class and “The Chatham School Affair” by Thomas Cook before the second class. Subsequent selections will be determined by the club during the first class.

Coordinators: Patrick Boyle and Sandy Potter