Who we are…

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We believe that access to quality literature and insightful discussions should be available to everyone, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. That's why we offer free online book discussions facilitated by experienced literary experts. We even provide the books!

Come read with us!

Deep Reading

Delve deeper into the literary canon with deep reading. Engage in nuanced discussions, explore complex themes, and uncover hidden meanings within classic and contemporary works. Our instructors foster critical thinking and encourages a profound appreciation for the written word.

Analysis

Analyze texts – we look closely at how the author uses language, how characters develop, and how the story's themes connect to the real world. It's about understanding the deeper meaning and appreciating the craft of writing

Discussion

Deepening understanding: By engaging in thoughtful conversation, participants gain a richer understanding of the text, exploring nuances, identifying key themes, and uncovering hidden meanings.

Sharing diverse perspectives: Different individuals bring unique backgrounds and experiences to the discussion, leading to a wide range of interpretations and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the text.
Developing critical thinking skills: Discussions encourage participants to analyze the text critically, evaluate arguments, and formulate their own informed opinions.
Building community: Shared passion for literature fosters a sense of community among participants, providing opportunities for intellectual exchange and social connection.

Upcoming Seminars

Learn more

Meet our Facilitators

Facilitator: Christopher Walker

A native of Los Angeles, Christopher has worked as a teacher abroad for more than 20 years. For the past eight years he has worked primarily as a teacher of literature and history to primary- and secondary- school children, including leading instruction for the IB DP English A as well as iGCSE and A-level English. He obtained a B.A. in English, Philosophy, and Political Science from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, and an M.A. in Medieval Celtic Languages and Literature from University College Dublin in Ireland. He lives in Argos, Greece with his Greek wife and their four daughters.

Facilitator: Don Lawson

D. S. Lawson retired as Professor and Dean of the Honors College at California University of Pennsylvania (now called PennWest University—California). His areas of scholarly interest are New Testament and Early Christianity, drama from all periods and cultures, film, and modern/postmodern literature. He published scholarship on Joe Orton, James Merrill, Lanford Wilson, David Storey, Harvey Fierstein, Peter Parnell, and Kevin Killian. For many years, he conducted study tours for American university students in Europe and Africa, and for European students in the USA and Canada. He taught a wide range of seminars: American Drama, Renaissance Drama, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Henry James, Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, Stanley Kubrick, Francois Truffaut, Japanese Cinema, Magic Realism, American Culture in the Great Depression, African American Literature, and the Victorian Serial Novel. He was a four time Fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Facilitator: Elyse Seidner-Joseph

Elyse studied piano at Juilliard, Shakespeare at Penn, and Medicine at Columbia. She was ordained as a rabbi in 2013 and has taught Jewish Bio-Ethics to students in the Aleph Ordination Program. Elyse has facilitated reading groups in multi-faith clergy settings and for Daughters of Abraham, a women’s reading group for Muslim, Jewish and Christian women.

Imagine Your Picture Here!

Interested in facilitating with us? Send us an email and tell us a little about your background and what you would be interested in facilitating.

Facilitator: Tim Ziaukas

Tim Ziaukas is professor emeritus of public relations at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, where he taught journalism and public relations. He holds an M.A. in literature and an M.F.A. in creative non-fiction from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a certificate in Egyptology from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. His scholarly work has appeared in the Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Quarterly, American Journalism: A Journal of Media History, and KMT: A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt, among other journals. His essays on Joyce and Ulysses are in Eire-Ireland: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Irish Studies and The Open Library of Humanities. Currently, he is a regular contributor to Western Pennsylvania History. Tim is married to Christopher McCarrick, professor emeritus, Clarion University of Pennsylvania. They live in Edgewood, just outside of Pittsburgh, with their two cats, an 18-year-old tortoiseshell, Cait (note the Irish spelling) and seven-year-old orange-and-white, Rory (ditto).

Please consider donating

Your generous donation will help us:

Expand our book library and offer a wider range of titles.
Support our talented facilitators and ensure high-quality discussions.
Reach more readers and build a more inclusive literary community.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Donate today and help us cultivate a love of literature.

All donations are tax deductible!