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Big Book Club's "What the Whale!"

Our Mission: To read really big books, talk about them online, and cheer each other on when necessary.

Each week librarians Jennie, Megan, Pete and Alex ask and answer questions that come up during our online Sunday night discussion, drop pop-culture references, talk to guest experts, and more.

Previous books: War and Peace (summer 2018); Middlemarch (winter 2019)

The Big Book Club is a production of the Arlington Public Library, Arlington Virginia

Dec 14, 2018

A Big Book Club mini episode: A Rogue by Any Other Name vs. The Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's the first in a new series of mini episodes about reading outside our comfort zones!

Pete challenged Megan to read his very favorite book, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," by Douglas Adams...

Megan challenged...


Nov 27, 2018

Our Mission

To tackle reading the fairly big book, "Middlemarch" while talking about it online (and cheering each other on when necessary).

How to Participate

  • Register now!
  • Start reading by January 7
  • Read approximately 100 pages each week (see reading schedule)
  • Chat online about the book
  • Meetup in person during our two...


Sep 18, 2018

In which we try to figure out how we feel about "War and Peace" and why Tolstoy has such staying power. And Jennie sings ALL the songs.

The Chinese proverb Jennie refers to is often translated as either:


Sep 9, 2018

 

Important Announcements!

Vote now for the Big Book Club's Winter 2018/2019 book! The poll will remain open until the end of October.

The War and Peace Survivors Party is scheduled for Sunday, September 30, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! RSVP if you think you can make it, so we know how many snacks to...


Aug 29, 2018

 

This week's references include:

Waterloo - the upcoming battle in 1815, and the song by ABBA

We think Tolstoy would have liked ABBA's fatalism...

At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah
And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself
Waterloo I...