Welcome to The Read Well Book Club! I’m so glad that you’re here. I host a book club online with the intent of exploring books that will make you think. If you’re interested in attending, it’s just $9 a month. Here’s what you need to know:
Location: Online (meetings are recorded for members to watch later if they can’t attend live)
Time: Tuesday evenings at 6:30 MST / 8:30 EST
Membership Fees: $9 / month
Reading Calendar (With Quick Links)
11/26/2024 to 1/21/2025 – Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
1/21/2025 to 1/28/2025 – Recommendations Week
1/28/2025 to 2/4/2025 – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
2/4/2025 to 2/18/2025 – Recommendations Week
2/18/2025 to 3/25/2025 – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
3/25/2025 to 4/1/2025 – Recommendations Week
4/1/2025 to 6/10/2025 – Behave by Robert Sapolsky
Detailed Reading Schedule
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Edition: Tolstoy, Leo. Anna Karenina. Oxford University Press, 2014.
Reading Pace: 20 pages / day
Dates: 11/26/2024 to 1/7/2025
Online Meetings Held: Tuesday at 8:30 EST –Click here to join
“Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy is a masterpiece of Russian literature, often hailed for its complex narrative and deep exploration of human emotion and society. The novel unfolds in the aristocratic circles of 19th-century Russia and follows the tragic love story of Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky. Parallel to their story runs the tale of Konstantin Levin, a landowner grappling with his own philosophical and existential questions. Tolstoy’s work is renowned for its rich character development and thoughtful commentary on issues ranging from politics and religion to family and fidelity.
Reading “Anna Karenina” is a deeply rewarding experience due to its intricate narrative structure and its exploration of timeless themes such as love, jealousy, faith, and social change. Tolstoy’s ability to dissect his characters’ motivations, coupled with his insights into human nature, makes this novel an essential exploration of the moral struggles that define the human condition.
Three questions to consider while you read:
- The famous opening line of the novel states, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” How does this proclamation set the stage for the family dynamics explored in the novel? Do you agree with Tolstoy’s assertion?
- Consider the contrasting characters of Anna and Levin. What do their different life choices and outcomes say about the moral and social codes of their time? How do these two characters embody the central concerns of the novel?
- Discuss the role of fate and free will throughout the novel. How do characters’ perceptions of fate influence their decisions and the course of their lives? Is Tolstoy suggesting that fate is a force beyond their control, or do they have agency over their destinies?
Recommendations Week
Dates: 1/7/2025 to 1/14/2025
Join us for an evening of discussion where members talk about books they’re reading, updates to life, and announcements for the club. This is an opportunity to connect with friends, enjoy your favorite beverage, and relax.
Online meeting held: 1/14/2025 at 8:30 EST – Click here to join
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
Edition: Pirsig, Robert. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Mariner Books, 2005.
Reading Pace: 20 pages / day
Dates: 1/14/2025 to 2/4/2025
Online Meetings Held: Tuesday at 8:30 EST –Click here to join
“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig is a blend of a philosophical text and a narrative journey. It recounts a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by the author and his son across the United States, which becomes a profound personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. The book explores the concept of “Quality,” a term Pirsig uses to denote excellence and deep value, through a series of philosophical discussions framed by the trip and maintenance of the motorcycle itself.
The book is worth reading not only for its innovative approach to philosophy—making complex ideas accessible and relevant through everyday activities—but also for its exploration of how we can create meaningful lives through the pursuit of Quality. Pirsig’s narrative encourages readers to think about the relationship between technology and quality of life, the meaning of knowledge, and the importance of mindfulness.
Three questions to consider while you read:
- Pirsig introduces the idea of “Quality” as something central to human experience but difficult to define. How do you understand Quality in the context of the book, and how do you perceive it in your own life?
- Pirsig discusses the concept of being “stuck” as a moment of opportunity in problem-solving and life. Can you think of a moment when being stuck led to a breakthrough or deeper understanding in your own experience?
- The journey in the book is both a physical and metaphysical one. How does the motorcycle trip facilitate the philosophical explorations in the book? Do you think the journey would have impacted the father and son differently if it were undertaken by different means?
Recommendations Week
Dates: 2/4/2025 to 2/11/2025
Join us for an evening of discussion where members talk about books they’re reading, updates to life, and announcements for the club. This is an opportunity to connect with friends, enjoy your favorite beverage, and relax.
Online meeting held: 2/11/2025 at 8:30 EST – Click here to join
Jane Eyre by Charlote Brontë
Edition: Brontë, Charlotte, and Stevie Davies. Jane Eyre. Penguin Classics, 2008.
Reading Pace: 20 pages / day
Dates: 2/11/2025 to 3/11/2025
Online Meetings Held: Tuesday at 8:30 EST –Click here to join
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë is a classic novel that remains a significant work in the canon of English literature. This story follows the experiences of its heroine, Jane Eyre, from her painful childhood through to her adulthood as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets the mysterious Mr. Rochester. As a novel, it is celebrated not only for its depth of character development and emotional power but also for its exploration of themes such as social criticism, morality, and the struggles for gender and social equality.
“Jane Eyre” is worth reading for its rich narrative voice, compelling plot, and its early feminist themes, which challenge the status quo of Victorian society. The psychological and moral growth of Jane provides a powerful model of integrity and complex humanity. The novel also offers a sharp critique of the classist, patriarchal values of the 19th century, making it both a captivating story and a thoughtful examination of historical social issues.
Three questions to consider while you read:
- Jane Eyre struggles with her need for both autonomy and love throughout the novel. How does Brontë reconcile or complicate these desires in Jane’s character and life choices?
- “Jane Eyre” is often described as a Gothic novel. What elements of the Gothic genre are present in the story, and how do they enhance the themes or emotional impact of the narrative?
- The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester is central to the story. How does their relationship evolve, and what does it reveal about the social and moral values of the era? In what ways is their relationship progressive, and in what ways is it problematic?
Recommendations Week
Dates: 3/11/2025 to 3/18/2025
Join us for an evening of discussion where members talk about books they’re reading, updates to life, and announcements for the club. This is an opportunity to connect with friends, enjoy your favorite beverage, and relax.
Online meeting held: 3/18/2025 at 8:30 EST – Click here to join
Behave by Robert Sapolsky
Edition: Sapolsky, Robert M. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books, 2018.
Reading Pace: 10 pages / day
Dates: 3/18/2025 to 5/27/2025
Online Meetings Held: Tuesday at 8:30 EST –Click here to join
“Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst” by Robert Sapolsky is a comprehensive exploration of human behavior. This work is about the biological roots of our actions, examining how neurons, hormones, genes, and evolution contribute to the complexities of human behavior. Sapolsky, a professor of biology and neurology, integrates research from various scientific fields to explain why humans do what they do, from moments before an action takes place back to the evolutionary forces that shaped our species.
“Behave” is worth reading for its multidisciplinary approach that offers insights into the biological underpinnings of behavior that are often overlooked in more psychological or sociological discussions.
Three questions to consider while you read:
- Sapolsky discusses how the brain’s frontal cortex influences our decision-making and social behavior. How does this information affect your understanding of personal responsibility and free will?
- The book explores the role of genetics and environment on behavior. Discuss some examples Sapolsky uses to illustrate this interaction. How does this complex relationship shape our understanding of human nature?
- Sapolsky integrates the study of hormones like testosterone and cortisol in explaining behaviors such as aggression and stress responses. What are some surprising or notable effects of these hormones that the book discusses? How do these insights affect your view of such behaviors?
Stay tuned for future book announcements on this page!