What makes a book a “classic”? The writer Italo Calvino defined them this way: "A classic is a book which has never exhausted all it has to say to its readers." In that spirit, the Classics Book Club reads and discusses novels that have become beloved over the years, whether they're well-known staples or under-the-radar gems. We’ll read one classic or modern classic book every other month and engage in a lively discussion about the text. If you’re looking for an excuse to read a few classic books you’ve never gotten around to, or eager to reread a book with a fresh perspective, join us in person at the Library or online from home!

This month, we'll be reading A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr. This short, lyrical novel follows a British World War I veteran, Tom Birkin, as he searches for a renewed sense of hope after the war. In the summer of 1920, following the breakup of his marriage, Tom takes a job in a tiny, beautiful Yorkshire village to restore a newly discovered medieval mural in a church. The more time he spends with the painting and in the peaceful society of the village, the more he realizes that it is also his mind, body, and soul that need restoration. The book is a poetic, tranquil ode to the power of art, friendship, and the ordinary details of life.

Contact the library so we can reserve you a copy. Refreshments will be served. Click here to register.

Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.

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