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70. School of the Arts Book Club


  • Athenaeum Music & Arts Library 1008 Wall Street La Jolla, CA, 92037 (map)

June 11: Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr (2022)

July 9: James by Percival Everett (2024)

Anna DiMartino

Tuesdays, 4–5:30 PM
June 11, July 9, August 6
La Jolla Studio
$10/15 for each session

Are you an avid reader or would you like to read more? Would you like to read more thoughtfully? Are you intellectually curious and longing to be with a group of like-minded folks?

We engage in lively and thought-provoking discussion on award-winning (or nominated) literature, primarily fiction. Wine and snacks provided.

June 11: Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr (2022)

From the author of the award-winning Fugitive Colors and The Unbreakables, a gripping tale of a young, ambitious journalist embroiled in an international art scandal centered around a Nazi-looted masterpiece—forcing the ultimate showdown between passion and possession, lovers and liars, history and truth.

“An exuberant and propulsive thriller laced with sex, art, and history. Lisa Barr has created an unforgettable story that forces readers to question where the line should be drawn between the pursuit of justice and the hunt for revenge.”—Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Secret of Clouds

July 9: James by Percival Everett (2024)

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view

"Genius"—The Atlantic • "A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own."—Chicago Tribune • "A provocative, enlightening literary work of art."—The Boston Globe • "Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."—The New York Times

When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

While many narrative set pieces of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.

Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a “literary icon” (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.

August 6: TBA

Learn more about the art instructor.

Read feedback from past students.

Immediately after you register, look for a confirmation email and receipt. In the week preceding the class start date, you will receive another email with more details.

Masks optional. If you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, please stay home. Please note that our policy may change as new guidelines and recommendations become available. The safety of our students, faculty, and staff continues to be our highest priority.