In this class, we’ll break down the difference between plot and theme, share strategies for finding themes, and discuss how uncovering a novel’s deeper meaning leads to better book club conversations. In addition to practical tips for making connections as you read, we’ll share our favorite books with highly discussable themes. – We’ll wrap things up with a plan to retain more of what you read, full of practical tips for annotating as you read, tracking bookish details you want to remember, and taking the “literary lens” from personal reflections to book club discussions.
September
Theme: Coming of Age in NYC, a century apart
An introduction to genre and form, we’re sure to drop a ton of book recommendations in each genre as we go, so get your To Be Read lists ready!
October
November
Main Pick: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Flight Pick: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
–
September 1 at 12 pm or 7 pm ET: Join us for our live Fall Book Preview/Unboxing and the release of our first-ever printed preview!
September 10 at 7 PM ET: Book School Session 1: Reading with a Literary Lens
We’ll explore a framework for finding hidden meanings, making connections, and sparking great conversations.
September 19 at 3 pm ET: Member Meetup. Join us as we see your face and hear your voice on camera! We’ll break into small groups for a chance to talk all things bookish with fellow members.
September 23 at 12 PM ET: Book School Session 2: The Shapes of the Stories We Love
September 29 at 1 pm ET: live discussion with author Elizabeth Acevedo
Main Pick: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Flight Pick: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
–
October 14 at 7 PM ET: Book School Session 3: What Makes Characters Great
In this class, we’ll learn the ingredients for satisfying personalities and transformations and how authors create characters that feel “real” to us by developing their personalities, motivations, and relationships.
–
October 27 at 12 pm ET: live discussion on Never Let Me Go
Main Pick: Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
Flight Pick: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
–
✏ November 5 at 12 PM ET: Book School Session 4: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
📖 November 18 at 7 pm ET: live discussion with author Tayari Jones
–
✏ December 1 at 7 PM: Book School Session 5: Literature with Lasting Impact