Collins Branch Book Discussion Group

Reading Interests: The Collins Branch Book Group seeks to read books by American writers of the 20th century who remain underappreciated, undiscovered, or by those deemed no longer fashionable. Previous selections have included the works of Dawn Powell, Booth Tarkington, William Dean Howells, and Sinclair Lewis. Title selection is by general agreement of the group in preparation for the next several month's meetings.

Requirements: A willingness to share ideas and opinions in a collegial atmosphere. No registration needed,
and the Collins Librarian will be responsible for having enough copies available of the chosen title.

	November Book Group Selection: The Collins Branch Book Group will be discussing Willa Cather's O Pioneers! on Monday, November 3 at 6:00 p.m. Cather's great farm novel of 1913 introduces us to the Bergson family. They are Swedish immigrants, among the last wave of Northern Europeans who settled the great prairies of Nebraska, Cather's home state. Heartbreaking and romantic, this is one of the American canon's best-loved titles.
	December Book Group Selection: On Monday, December 15, the Collins Branch Book Group will be discussing Carson McCullers' The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please note that the December meeting will be held (for this month only) on the third Monday. McCullers' debut novel (1940) instantly made the reputation of this 23 year old Georgian. The tale of the deaf-mute John Singer brilliantly embodies McCullers' lyrical style and intricate plotting. The novel has engaged readers for over sixty years, and was both an Oprah's Book Club selection and a Time Magazine 100 Greatest Novels (1923-2005) pick.
	January Book Group Selection: On Monday, January 5th at 6:00 p.m., the Collins Branch Book Group will be discussing Lillian Hellman's three act play, The Little Foxes. The ferocious Regina Giddens struggles against the confines of early 20th century mores in Alabama, while battling with her brothers for supremacy within their family. With a sickly husband, a recalcitrant daughter, and an alcoholic sister-in-law, Regina has many battles to wage on her quest for independent wealth. Regina as a fictional character (though based on Hellman's maternal relations) was so overpowering that it took Talullah Bankhead to bring the character to life on stage, and Bette Davis to do so on the screen. This is the first time that the group will be discussing a play, so new participants are encouraged to join us.
Contact: Joseph Logue, Collins Branch Manager, 617-349-4021; Email the Collins Branch

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