Discussion Groups

Thursday Evening Book Discussion Group

This book discussion group began in 1996 as the "Books of the Century" book discussion group, choosing books from the New York Public Library's Books of the Century exhibit and book.  Beginning in the Fall of 2000, the group expanded its choices.  Participants are expected to read at least part of the selected works.  The library will help locate copies of the books.  There is no fee, but please register to reserve your space.

Book discussions occur from 7-8:30 pm on the first Thursday of every month,  October through May (please note the slightly different time!).  Call 215-723-9109 x1 for more information.  

October 2, 2008: Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett, 1989.
November 6: The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov, 1944.
December 4: The Razor’s Edge, by W. Somerset Maugham, 1944.
January 8, 2009:   Women of Sand and Myrrh, by Hanan al-Shaykh, 1988.
February 5: Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, 1986.
March 5: Left to Tell, by Immaculee Ilibagiza, 2006.
April 2:  The Guide, by R. K. Narayan, 1958.   
May 7: People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks, 2008.

"It's a Mystery" Book Discussion

Interested in discussing mystery, murder, and intrigue?  This group meets on the second Wednesday of the month, 2:30-4:00 pm.  Join us for an afternoon of mystery.  Limited copies of each book are available at the Indian Valley Public Library. Call the library Reference Desk at 215-723-9109 x1 to register.

August 13, 2008:  Gentlemen and Players, by Joanne Harris (2006)

September 10 , 2008:  War and Peas, by Jill Churchill (1996)

October 8, 2008 :  The Virgin of Small Plains, by Nancy Pickard (2006)

November 12 , 2008:  Still Life, by Louise Penny (2006)

December 10, 2008:  The Savage Garden, by Mark Mills (2007)

Socrates Cafe

These are one-and-a-half hour, informal conversations that anyone is welcome to join.  The format is simple and gives everyone who wants it a chance to speak.  It's also fine to simply listen.

These conversations will be held on the third Tuesday morning of each month, from 10:00 - 11:30 am, at the library, and on the first Sunday of the month, from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm.

The founder of Socrates cafés, Christopher Phillips, dreamed of dragging philosophy out of cobwebbed ivory towers and back into the streets – or at least public places – where Socrates practiced the art. "It's a dialogue, where people discover their unique philosophical perspectives and world views as they lock hearts and minds with other people."  He regards these cafes as  "nurturing the fourth R" – reasoning.

We will follow these "Tips for a Great Conversation"

• Suspend judgment as best you can
• Listen … with respect
• Seek to understand rather than persuade
• Invite and honor diversity of opinion
• Speak what has personal heart and meaning
• Go for honesty and depth without going on and on

The topics will emerge from the interests of the participants.  For more information, read Socrates Café, or go to the Society for Philosophical Inquiry. We are also using guidelines from Conversation cafe.