26 Aug – The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden [International Women’s Equality Day]
Set in 1961 in the Netherlands, this story follows Isabel (Isa), a reclusive caretaker obsessively tending to her late mother’s stately home. As small items go missing and desire stirs beneath suspicion, Isabel’s life unravels. Beneath the quiet surface, buried wartime secrets begin to resurface, forcing Isa to confront both her past and herself. Part romance, detective novel, and historical fiction, The Safekeep delivers tension and intrigue. Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction and Booker Prize shortlist.
🕛 12:00 PM via Zoom: Join Here
UMGC in Europe Book Club Stripes.com article
🎃 31 Oct – The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter Halloween Special
Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber reimagines classic fairy tales with a dark, gothic twist. The title novella is a suspenseful retelling of Bluebeard, following a young, unnamed bride who marries the wealthy and enigmatic Marquis, only to uncover his horrifying secret hidden in a forbidden room. Perfect for Halloween, this collection blends beauty, horror, and the Gothic in chillingly brilliant ways. Come dressed in your Halloween spirit!
🕛 12:00 PM via Zoom: Join Here
09 Dec – 1984 by George Orwell
This classic dystopian novel examines the dangers of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth. Set in Airstrip One (formerly Britain), Orwell’s 1984 follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the Party, as he secretly rebels against the oppressive rule of Big Brother. Through his forbidden love affair with Julia and his work at the Ministry of Truth rewriting history, Winston seeks truth and autonomy in a society where independent thought is a crime.
🕛 12:00 PM via Zoom: Join Here
🕯 27 Jan – The Rest is Memory (International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust)
The Rest Is Memory invites reflection on history’s tragedies and the importance of remembrance, in particular honoring Czesława Kwoka, a 14-year-old Polish Catholic girl from southeastern Poland who was brutally taken to Auschwitz and tragically killed in March 1943. Her story personifies the countless young Polish lives extinguished during the Holocaust, serving as a poignant reminder of Poland’s deep suffering and cultural eradication under Nazi occupation. This discussion honors the victims of the Holocaust and the memory of Czesława’s life.
🕛 12:00 PM via Zoom: Join Here
🐙 18 Mar – Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (STEM & Women’s History Month Special)
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a charming and deeply moving story about an unlikely friendship between Tova, a recently widowed woman working the night shift at an aquarium, and Marcellus, a highly intelligent and delightfully opinionated giant Pacific octopus. Told in part from Marcellus’s own witty and insightful perspective, the novel explores grief, healing, and the surprising ways lives can intertwine. Featuring special guest Dr. Maria Wise, who will share fascinating insights about octopuses and the wonders of marine science — celebrating both STEM innovation and the remarkable achievements of women in science.
🕛 12:00 PM via Zoom: Join Here
06 May – The Hive and the Honey by Paul Yoon (Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month)
In this masterfully crafted collection of seven stories, Paul Yoon transports readers across time periods and continents to illuminate the diverse experiences of the Korean diaspora. With his signature elegance and emotional depth, Yoon explores themes of identity, displacement, migration, loss, and regret, revealing the quiet resilience and enduring humanity of his characters. Each story becomes a poignant meditation on belonging and the invisible threads that connect us across borders and generations.
🕛 12:00 PM via Zoom: Join Here
18 Jun – The Living is Easy by Dorothy West(Juneteenth – NOVEL ONLINE FOR FREE
Set in early 20th-century Boston, The Living is Easy by Dorothy West explores class, family dynamics, and the ambitions of Cleo Judson, a determined and complex woman who is intent on securing a place for herself and her family among the city’s Black elite. Through Cleo’s calculated social maneuvering and strained relationships, West paints a vivid portrait of aspiration, pride, and the personal costs of upward mobility. This book club honors the Federal Holiday of Juneteenth by reflecting on freedom, resilience, and African American history.
🕛 12:00 PM via Zoom: Join Here
Please email jessica.stock@umgc.edu for more information.
Open to everyone, including the UMGC in Europe military community. Stay up-to-date with new readings, discussions, and upcoming events.
UMGC in Europe Book Club Stripes.com article
Please email bookclub-europe@umgc.edu with questions about membership or upcoming events.
