Upcoming reads for the rest of the year (We do not meet in December):

If any of these books are of interest to you, even if you haven't participated in book club discussions before, please join us on ZOOM!

July 15 - How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

This is a novel about three people whose lives intersect after a fatal drunk-driving accident: Violet, the young woman who caused the crash; Frank, the widower of the victim; and Harriet, a retired teacher who runs a prison book club that Violet attended. The story explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the transformative power of literature, following their journeys as they grapple with guilt, grief, and the unexpected connections that form through books and shared experiences in Portland, Maine. 

August 19: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is a bestselling epistolary novel about 73-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired lawyer who communicates through letters and emails to explore her past, relationships, and a painful secret, ultimately finding forgiveness and connection. The book, praised for its skillful character development and emotional depth, became a word-of-mouth hit, won the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction, and is being adapted into a major motion picture. 

September 16: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Hamnet is a 2020 historical fiction novel by Maggie O'Farrell that reimagines the life and death of William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, who died at age 11 from the plague, and the profound grief it caused his family, particularly his mother, Agnes (Anne Hathaway). The book explores the marriage of William and Agnes, the bond between the twins Hamnet and Judith, and how the family's tragedy may have inspired Shakespeare's play Hamlet, focusing on the mother's perspective and the devastating impact of the plague. 

October 21: Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Daughter of Egypt is a historical fiction novel by Marie Benedict (writing as Heather Terrell) that tells the parallel stories of two ambitious women: Lady Evelyn Herbert in the 1920s and the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Hatshepsut. The book follows Evelyn's quest to find Hatshepsut's tomb, a mission that mirrors Hatshepsut's own struggle to rule Egypt and have her legacy recognized, as both women defied the expectations of their time to leave their mark on history. 

November 18: Brighter Than Her Fears by Lisa Ard

Brighter Than Her Fears is Lisa Ard's debut historical fiction novel, published in 2024, set in 1882 western North Carolina, and based on her great-great-grandmother's life. The story follows 30-year-old Alice Harris as she navigates personal and societal challenges, including the women's rights movement, inequality, and racism, after her father's death forces her into a marriage with a Civil War veteran. It's praised for its exploration of love, independence, and identity through a proactive female protagonist.