DEC BOOK CLUB: The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2022

5:30 PM

From one of England’s most celebrated writers, a funny and superbly observed novella about the Queen of England and the subversive power of reading.

When her corgis stray into a mobile library parked near Buckingham Palace, the Queen feels duty-bound to borrow a book. Discovering the joy of reading widely (from J. R. Ackerley, Jean Genet, and Ivy Compton-Burnett to the classics) and intelligently, she finds that her view of the world changes dramatically. Abetted in her newfound obsession by Norman, a young man from the royal kitchens, the Queen comes to question the prescribed order of the world and loses patience with the routines of her role as monarch. Her new passion for reading initially alarms the palace staff and soon leads to surprising and very funny consequences for the country at large.

With the poignant and mischievous wit of The History Boys, England’s best loved author Alan Bennett revels in the power of literature to change even the most uncommon reader’s life.

Email Abby McCall on [email protected] with any questions or to be added to the Book Club email list.

Please invite friends who might also be interested. The more readers the better and so many people are unable to join on any given night that I don’t think we can have too many people. There are lots of book lovers on the island and it’s really nice to bring the group together. Please feel free to forward this to anyone else you can think of. All are welcome.

We generally select the book for the following month at the preceding meeting.

As in the past, feel free to bring your own beverage and, if you feel like it, a hors d’oeuvres to share with the group. I don’t want anyone to feel that they have to show up bearing food but for those who enjoy cooking we’d love it if you bring something to nibble on!

I look forward to the Library Book Club and hope you do as well.

Best wishes,

Abby McCall
[email protected]

For those of you who prefer e-books please avail yourselves of the Library’s app.

SimplyE app/Livebrary
It allows one (one may need a NYS address) to become a member of the New York Library system and borrow digital and audiobooks for free.

Contact Librarian Ann Banks with Library questions [email protected].