TOPSHAM — A new book discussion series kicks off at Topsham Public Library next month and continues through March.

The Maine Humanities Council selected the 25 Foreside Road literature hub to offer “Let’s Talk About It,” a free reading and conversation program provided through the council’s Maine Center for the Book, in cooperation with the Maine State Library.

The five-part series, dubbed “Re-Imagining the American Family,” debuts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance begins the series.

“Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel will be covered on Dec. 6; “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” by Roz Chast on Jan. 10; “What the Living Do” by Marie Howe on Feb. 7; and “Brothers and Keepers” by John Edgar Wideman on March 14.

Participants can call the library at 725-1727 to borrow the program’s books. Log onto mainehumanities.org or call the council’s Portland office at 773-5051 for more information on the program.

The Maine Humanities Council will provide a scholar, Rebecca Nisetich of the University of Southern Maine, to facilitate the discussions.

“Exploring ideas and issues through literature has a unique and fun way of creating community,” Nicole Rancourt, director of Let’s Talk About It, said in an Oct. 17 press release. “We find that there is great interest among adults in getting together to discuss what they’ve read with others. Having a discussion leader who is both excited about the readings and skilled in facilitating can help to deepen this experience.”

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.