Twenty years of Great reading

This month, the Library’s longest-running book discussion series, the A.M. Book Group, marks its 20^th anniversary. Since its first meeting on January 10, 1996, the group has read and discussed 220 books.  Several hundred individuals have participated over the years, and there are even a few original readers from 1996 still attending regularly!

While the group principally reads works of classic and contemporary literature, its successful experimentation with other genres led to the launch of The Nonfictioneers, the Poetry Discussion Group and the Murder by the Book mystery discussion group. Its readers have tackled Steinbeck, Joyce, Dickens, Proust and Fitzgerald as part of thematic community reading initiatives and have delved into children’s classics. They have read their way through the decades in honor of the Library’s centennial, sampled local authors during the town’s 300^th anniversary and commemorated the Civil War and the International Year of Astronomy.  But the constant theme is an enthusiasm not only for reading but for sharing responses with a group of fellow enthusiasts.

New readers are always welcome, and it is not necessary to register or to come to every session. This winter our selections run from “Pilgrim’s Progress” to Ian McEwan.  Please join us!  Details are available at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.