Pierson Library

Tuesday Night Book Club: The Frozen River
2026-05-19 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for a discussion of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, a gripping historical mystery inspired by the real life of 18th-century midwife Martha Ballard. Set in Maine in 1789, the novel begins when a man is discovered frozen in the Kennebec River and Martha is called upon to determine the cause of death. A respected healer and keen observer of her community, Martha keeps a detailed diary that soon entangles her in a web of secrets, accusations, and injustice, particularly when her findings contradict those of a powerful local physician. As suspicion deepens and a trial approaches, Martha pursues the truth despite growing personal risk. Richly researched and vividly told, the novel brings to life a courageous woman who defied social conventions to seek justice in a world determined to silence her. Copies are available at the first-floor circulation desk. New members are always welcome!

Exhibitionists Book Club: St. Lucy's Home for Girl's Raised by Wolves
2026-05-26 18:30 - 20:00
When Karen Russel’s debut short story collection fell onto our collective psyches in 2006, it made some lasting alterations to the landscape of literature. A singularly weird and raucous vision. Come with us as we check in on it on its twentieth anniversary and reflect with it in conjunction with Shelburne Museum’s exhibit of On Point: Needlework from the Garthwaite Family Collection. This book/exhibit discussion will take place at the Pierson Library and be facilitated by Shelburne Museum’s Kat Redniss. And mark your calendars for June 4th, when Kat will lead the Exhibitionists on a creative response at our partner’s library in Charlotte. Copies available at the first-floor circulation desk.

Philosophy Book Club: The Second Sex
2026-05-30 14:00 - 15:30
This month our coterie of lay philosophers is tackling a classic work of feminist theory, Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex. Won’t you join us? Copies available at the first-floor circulation desk.

Monday Morning Book Club: Blood of Flowers
2026-06-15 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for a discussion of The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani, a richly imagined historical novel set in 17th-century Persia. The story follows a gifted young carpet weaver whose life is upended after her father’s death leaves her and her mother without a dowry. Traveling to Isfahan to work as servants in the household of a prominent rug designer at the court of Shah Abbas the Great, she discovers her rare talent for carpet design in a male-dominated craft. As her artistry flourishes, she is faced with difficult choices involving love, marriage, and self-determination, forcing her to decide how much she is willing to risk to shape her own future. Copies are available at the first floor information desk. New members are always welcome!

Tuesday Night Book Club: All the Colors of the Dark
2026-06-16 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for a discussion of All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, a sweeping novel that blends suspense, mystery, and an unforgettable love story. Set in 1975 in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, the story unfolds during a time of national upheaval as a series of disappearances casts a shadow over the community. When a local boy named Patch intervenes to save the daughter of a wealthy family, his act of bravery sets off a chain of events that forever alters his life and the lives of those who love him. As secrets emerge and the search for truth deepens, the novel explores the fragile line between hope and heartbreak, and the enduring power of devotion in the face of darkness. Copies are available at the first-floor information desk. New members are always welcome!

Monday Morning Book Club: Master Slave Husband Wife
2026-07-13 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for a discussion of Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo, winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Biography. This gripping true story recounts the extraordinary escape of Ellen and William Craft, an enslaved couple who fled Georgia in 1848 through a daring disguise—Ellen posing as a white, disabled slaveholder and William as her enslaved servant. Traveling more than 1,000 miles by train, carriage, and steamboat, they navigated constant danger while exploiting the era’s rigid assumptions about race, class, and gender. Their successful escape made them prominent voices in the abolitionist movement, but new threats under the Fugitive Slave Act forced them into further flight. At once a history of resistance, a love story, and a reflection on freedom, the book brings to life a remarkable chapter of American history. Copies are available at the first-floor circulation desk. New members are always welcome!

Tuesday Night Book Club: My Beloved World
2026-07-21 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for a discussion of My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor, a candid and inspiring memoir by the first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. Justice Sotomayor traces her journey from a Bronx housing project to the nation’s highest court, reflecting on a childhood shaped by loss, resilience, and a fierce determination to succeed. Copies are available at the first-floor circulation desk. New members are always welcome!
