Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Northern Connecticut

Harvard-Radcliffe Book Club of Northern Connecticut

Join Us to our First Book Club organized by the Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Northern Connecticut!

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm EST
Where: Zoom link included
Registration type: QuickRSVP

Dear Harvard Alumni,

We are so pleased to announce the Opening of our Fantastic Book Club comprised of Harvard Alumni.
Please register for our first book club event to take place on July 15, 2026, 7:00pm (EST).

Book to read: Midnight Library by Matt Haig

HCNC Members Guidelines
- The Book Club will be held on Wednesdays every other month starting July 15, 2026, 7-8:30pm.
- You may suggest a book and one will be chosen by the club organizers from all submissions on a rotating basis.
- You should aim to finish the book to receive the full benefit of an engaging discussion.
- Use the 50-page rule: if you decide that a book is not interesting to you try to read at least the first 50 page before stopping.
- You can use the Discussion Questions list in the meeting as a guide – please see below.
- Please remember that although not everyone will love the same book each viewpoint is valid and respected.
- The host will moderate the Book Club meeting to ensure everyone has a chance to actively participate.
- We anticipate that we will not have a Book Club meeting on August and December.
- We anticipate to host a holiday party in December for our Book Club members.

Discussion Questions list (suggested)
Initial Impressions & General Reactions
• What was your immediate reaction to the book, and did it change as you read?
• What three words would you use to describe this book?
• Did the book meet your expectations? Why or why not?
• What was your favorite and least favorite part of the book?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate it?

Characters & Motivations
• Who was your favorite character and why? Who did you dislike?
• Could you relate to any of the characters?
• Did you find the characters' actions believable and their motivations clear?
• If you could meet one character, who would it be and why?
• Did any character surprise you?

Plot & Theme Analysis
• What were the major themes of the book, and how were they explored?
• Did you find the plot predictable, or were there unexpected twists?
• What did you think of the ending? Would you have changed it?
• How did the setting (time/place) affect the story?
• Did the author’s writing style enhance or hinder your enjoyment?

Personal Connection & Deeper Meaning
• Did the book change your opinion or perspective on any topic?
• Did you learn anything new from reading this book?
• Did you mark or highlight any specific passages or quotes?
• What do you think the author was trying to convey?
• Would you recommend this book to someone else?
• Has this book affected you in any other way?

Specific Questions for Non-Fiction/Memoirs
• How honest do you think the author was being?
• What did you already know about the subject before reading?
• What questions do you still have after finishing the book?

Suggested books (not in a particular order; I have not read them but they are from reputable publishers, such as Penguin Random House)
Flesh by David Szalay
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
All the Names by Jose Saramago
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

Please contact Simina Gentry at ssimina@aol.com with any questions.

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