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 20 • October 4, 18 • November 1, 15, (29 no class) • December 6

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 2024 fall semester is the novel “Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen” by Sarah James (2023). This novel represents the theme/genre “Hooray for Hollywood”; future novels that we can explore will be discussed and decided on by attendees during our first class.

Instructor: Andrea Tarr     Tech Coordinator: Rosalind Charles

 

Graphic Novels, Comics and More!

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

September 12, 26 • October 10, 24 • November 7, 21

Intersession: December 12, (19 & 26 no class) • January (2 no class), 16

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, and even a science book, all in the form of a graphic novel or manga, with an occasional focus on a popular comic, such as Wonder Woman, Calvin and Hobbs, 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

Fall 2024:

Click here for the Fall 2024 Syllabus.

Click here for the September 26, 2024 presentation on Murder On The Orient Express.

Click here for the October 10, 2024 presentation on Blacksad: A Silent Hell.

Click here for the October 24, 2024 presentation on A guest in the House.

Spring 2024:

Click here for the Spring 2024 Syllabus.

Click here for the January 18, 2024 presentation on Manga.

Click here for the February 1, 2024 presentation on Yon and Mu by Junji Ito.

Click here for the February 15, 2024 presentation on Okinawa by Susumu Higa.

Click here for the February 29, 2024 presentation on Sweetness and Lightning by Gido Amagakure

Click here for the February 29, 2024 presentaton on Banned and Challenged Books: Why?

Fall 2023:

Click here for the November 16, 2023 presentation on Who is She-Hulk? 

 

Kitty’s Book Club 

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

September 16, 30 • October 14, 28 • November (11 no class) • December 2

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 “The Little Liar” by Mitch Albom. Please read the book and join our discussion.

Coordinators: Lisa Sewell and Juanita Driskell    

 

Mystery Book Club

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

September 9, 23 • October 7, 21 • November 4, 18

Mystery Books is a category of reading that is 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 “Wolf in the Shadows” by Marcia Muller before our first class and “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” by Benjamin Stevenson before our second class. Subsequent book selections will be determined by the club during the first class.

Coordinators: Patrick Boyle and Sandy Potter

 

Check out the presentation about the Comic Books Past and Present Book Club that we made for the fall 2022 Open House.