Book Discussion Group 2025-2026

Book Discussion Group 2025-2026

Meets on the  3rd Wednesday of the month at 4:30 pm 

Zoom Only

You must register for the upcoming season (November onwards) in order to get email reminders

The books we discuss which are recommended by group members may be on any subject, whether fiction or non-fiction. The discussions, led by a group member, will focus on the theme, character development and quality of writing.

If you enjoy reading books of substance and discussing with peers, you will definitely enjoy this group.

November 19: Apeirogon by Colum McCann. The story of a Palestinian and a Jewish Israeli, each of whom has lost a daughter in the conflict. Discussion led by Bob Maisel.

December 17: The Aviator and the Showman by Laurie Gwen Shapiro. The story of Amelia Earhart and George Putnam and the relationship that created her legend. Discussion led by Neil Stein

January 21: Fluke by Brian Klass. A discussion of how unexpected or random events can lead to important happenings and outcomes. Discussion lead by Doug Zipes.

February 18: The Big One. By Michael Osterholm and Mark Olshaker. A description of a fictional pandemic with a discussion of how it happens and what is needed to have a positive effect on its outcome. Discussion lead by Howard Gilbert

For this meeting only the group will meet at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center at 4:00. In person only, No Zoom

March 18: The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance. by Rebecca Clarren. The story of Jews coming to the United States to settle land in the Dakotas. It deals with the concepts of Native American loss and the government land programs to bring European settlers to this previous native American land.  Discussion lead by Larry Goodman

April 15: The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly. Fiction. This is a recent book in the Lincoln Lawyer series. The protagonist is pursuing a case on behalf of a mother whose daughter was murdered by her ex-boyfriend at the behest of an AI companion. The book does a deep dive into the creation of algorithms and AI influencers and personalities.  Andy Radding to review.

May 20: The Wizard of the Kremlin by Guiliano da Empoli. A fictional representation of historical Russian thought up to the present. Expect an interesting but unsettling read. Steve Yussen to review.

June 17: Antisemitism: An American Tradition by Pamela Nudell. Reviews this topic's ebb and flow in America using examples since the European settlement in the 1600s. Mark Chodosh to review.

July 15: Strangers in Time by David Baldacci. Well known author. A novel set in London during the blitz.  Neil Stein to review.

August 19: Legacy of Lies by Lew Paper. A fiction book dealing with the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. The author presented this book at our Jewish Book Festival. Howard Gilbert will review.

September 16: Hotel Ukraine by Martin Cruz Smith. Again a well known author. Fiction. The last book in a series, the first of which was Gorky Park. Set in Russia and Ukraine during the current Ukraine war. Political Intrigue. Larry Goodman to review.

For more information contact Howard Gilbert