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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 for several hours each day. - UK National Archives

Italians with white mice - In the 1820s/1830s Italian men were wandering the streets of London & other cities as organ grinders, accompanied by boys with trained monkeys and mice who performed tricks. - Literature Network Forums

Palate cleansers: