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)
2/25/2025 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
Jane Eyre by Charlote Brontë
Edition: Brontë, Charlotte, and Stevie Davies. Jane Eyre. Penguin Classics, 2008.
Reading Pace: 20 pages / day
Dates: 2/25/2025 to 3/25/2025
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: 3/25/2025 to 4/1/2025
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: 4/1/2025 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: 4/1/2025 to 6/10/2025
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!