Book Discussion Group
Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 Theme: “Literary Dublin”
Dublin will be the focus of our readings for the coming year. It is a world city that has served Ireland as the capital, the first port of most invaders, and the exit to England and other parts of the world. Not only was Dublin the most important city in Ireland; it was also the second city—after London—in the British empire. Because of this connection, Irish writers were often Anglo-Irish. Some of these writers spent years of their lives in London or in the western counties. In Irish history, Dublin was often the focus of political movements, such as the Easter Rising 1916 and the fight for independence. To recognize the most famous Irish writer, we are repeating a work read several seasons ago, The Dubliners by James Joyce. We hope you will find the second reading of this classic rewarding.
Each month, a guide will be posted on the website page to prepare you for the discussion of the writer and the selected work.
The Book Discussion Group at the McClelland Library is led by Dr. Joyce East (left), a retired professor of Irish Studies, and Mary Wilber (right), a retired librarian and former member of the Scottsdale Library Board. The group seeks to engage members of our community with the tradition and excellence of all forms of Irish Literature.
Schedule for Fall 2026 – Spring 2027
September 19: James Joyce, “Dubliners” (1914) Study Guide
October 17: Elizabeth Bowen, “The Last September” (1929)
December 5: Anne Enright , “The Wren, the Wren” (2023)
January 30: Roddy Doyle, “Love” (2020)
February 27: Benjamin Black (John Banville), “Christine Falls” (2006/2025)
March 27: Hugo Hamilton, “Speckled People” (2024)
April 24: Christy Brown, “My Left Foot” (1954)
May 29: Maggie O’Farrell, “Land” (2026)
** Availability of texts: We’ve tried to be sensitive to the costs of these works and their availability, but you may want to find a “reading buddy” to share the costs. Most of these will be in local libraries, in bookstores (new and used) and available from on-line sources (Amazon, ABE Books, and Powell’s books). Amazon offers new, used, and Kindle editions for sale. Putting your title in the search engine will usually generate a series of sites for the book.
Meetings will be held in person in the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library Norton Conference Room from 10:30am – 12:30pm.
Meeting Policy: All the meetings are scheduled for the McClelland Library (Norton Room). Masks are not required. We observe the safety protocols of the Irish Center and the City of Phoenix.
Book Discussion Newsletter
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