Book Pairings: Classic & Contemporary

Adult Book Discussion at College Avenue

Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion on the first Monday* of the month from 1:30 - 3 p.m. New members are always welcome! For the second half of 2026, we will read "pairings": a classic novel, followed by a modern novel that explore similar themes. See below for the dates and pairings!

• July 6^th - Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
  • Originally published: 1868-1869
  • Description from the IndyPL catalog: "Growing up as the Civil War rages, Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy face the challenges and difficulties of life--and, sometimes, each other."
• August 3^rd - March, by Geraldine Brooks
  • Originally published: 2005
  • Description from the IndyPL catalog: "From Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic Little Women , Geraldine Brooks has animated the character of the absent father, March, and crafted a story "filled with the ache of love and marriage and with the power of war upon the mind and heart of one unforgettable man" (Sue Monk Kidd). With "pitch-perfect writing" ( USA Today ), Brooks follows March as he leaves behind his family to aid the Union cause in the Civil War. His experiences will utterly change his marriage and challenge his most ardently held beliefs. A lushly written, wholly original tale steeped in the details of another time, March secures Geraldine Brooks's place as a renowned author of historical fiction." (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, 2006)

For the August meeting, the discussion will encompass both books!

*Meetings in September and November will be on the SECOND Tuesday of the month, due to planned Library closures.

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