The Classics Book Group of SMAAUW was started in 2002 by Gay Carpenter, one of the founding members of the Smith Mountain branch of AAUW. The members wanted a book club that would explore “the Classics” – titles that were on the lists of Great Books of the Western World and the Penguin Classics Series. They would meet at each other’s homes to choose which books to read and then volunteer to research and lead a discussion of a particular title.
Gay Carpenter was an intrepid leader and literary guide from 2002 to 2013. In 2014, a newly joined SMAAUW member, Maria Meleis, was asked if she would take the reins from Gay and carry on with the Classics Book Group. To the retired librarian and former French and English literature major, it seemed like a match made in heaven. Maria has been our wonderfully wise and innovative study group leader since taking those reins ten years ago!
This group meets to discuss classic literature selected by the group. Meetings are held at 1:30 pm on the 3rd Wednesday in even numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, December) throughout the year.
Titles for the coming year are voted on in December with members volunteering to lead discussions or play host to the meeting.
Any SMAAUW member interested in joining the group is welcome.
For questions, please contact Maria Meleis at mariam.sml17@gmail.com
Our 2024 Topic: Children’s Literature
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Golden Age of Children’s Literature – 19th Century
Caldecott Award Picture Books – 20th Century
Newbery Award Chapter Books – 20th Century
Field Trip to Hollins University Children’s Literature Department