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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

Feb 28, 2019

This week we were joined by guest host Vicky, who loves dogs (she has 3) and books.

We discussed:

The 1834 Poor Law, which ensured that the poor were housed in workhouses, clothed and fed. Children who entered the workhouse would receive some schooling. In return for this care, all workhouse paupers would have to work...


Feb 19, 2019

This week we were joined by guest host Brit, who loves Halloween and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

We discussed:

19 Old Fashioned Compliments We Should Bring Back - Bustle

The origins of Whig and Tory - The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The London Corresponding Society and the Treasonable Practices Act and...


Feb 12, 2019

This week we were joined by Gale, our first guest host. We had a great discussion covering lustful eyes, the invention of stethoscopes, Edith Wharton, reform bills and more.

Shownotes:

Gale mentions authors Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, Edith Wharton and William Makepeace Thackeray ("Vanity Fair") as favorites.

The...


Feb 5, 2019

A Big Book Club mini episode about Marie Kondo and what she actually said.

While recording our January 15 "Ides of Middlemarch" episode, Megan's palate cleansers included the Netflix show, "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo."

Pete mentioned a rumor that's been floating around social media about what Marie Kondo says about...