Archive: Folger's Virtual Book Club
Resources from Past Sessions
The Folger Book Club started in August 2020 during the pandemic, as book lovers from across the country sought opportunities for connection, conversation, and community. The first book discussed was Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, a post-apocalyptic novel focused on a troop of traveling Shakespearean actors. Led by emma poltrack, the Folger Book Club is now entering its seventh season, 2026/2027. Sessions generally occur on a monthly basis, with breaks in July and January.
Although the Book Club is virtual, the Folger occasionally holds in-person events such as this pop-up Book Fair in 2024. Photo by Ben Lauer.
Book Club picks range from historical fiction to adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays; they feature a variety of genres and include BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors who are responding to Shakespeare and creating compelling narratives that connect to the past. Before selecting a book, the Folger checks its availability at independent bookstores, in public library collections, and as audio books. Books are also available through the Folger Shop, where purchases support the Folger.
After each Book Club session, you can find the discussion questions and additional resources like blog posts about Folger collection items that connect with the book; these resources are freely accessible for anyone to use. Explore the Book Club seasons below to browse the book titles; click through a book title to find more information and associated resources.
2025/2026 Season
Folger Book Club: 'The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf' by Isa Arsén
Folger Book Club: 'Queen Hereafter' by Isabelle Schuler
Folger Book Club: 'Well Met' by Jen DeLuca
Folger Book Club: 'Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries' by Heather Fawcett
Folger Book Club: 'You Dreamed of Empires' by Álvaro Enrigue
Folger Book Club: 'A Haunting on the Hill' by Elizabeth Hand
2024/2025 Season
Folger Book Club: 'Queen B' by Juno Dawson
'The Death I Gave Him' by Em X. Liu
Folger Book Club:
'The Death I Gave Him' by Em X. Liu
by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Folger Book Club: 'Twelfth Knight'
Folger Book Club: The Tower by Flora Carr
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Folger Book Club:
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Folger Book Club: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
Folger Book Club: Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
Edith Holler by Edward Carey
Folger Book Club: Edith Holler by Edward Carey
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Folger Book Club: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Folger Book Club: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
2023/2024 Season
Folger Book Club: The Latinist
Folger Book Club: The East Indian
Folger Book Club: Immortal Longings
Folger Book Club: Daughters of the Deer
Folger Book Club: Homegoing
Folger Book Club: The Weird Sisters
Folger Book Club: Beheld
Folger Book Club: Warm Bodies
The Personal Librarian
Folger Book Club:
The Personal Librarian
Folger Book Club: Wolf Hall
2022/2023 Season
Folger Book Club: The Daughter of Time
Folger Book Club: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Folger Book Club: A Tip for the Hangman
Folger Book Club: Booth
About 'Black Cake' by Charmaine Wilkerson
An extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch, Black Cake is the December 2022 Folger Book Club selection.
About 'Ramón and Julieta' by Alana Quintana Albertson
Introductory information on our November 2022 book club selection, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet set amongst warring taco restaurants.
About 'Shadowplay' by Joseph O'Connor
Introductory information on our October 2022 book club selection, a peek into the Victorian theatre, Shakespearean performance, and the writing of Dracula.
About 'Learwife' by J. R. Thorp
Introductory information on our September 2022 book club selection, a unique perspective on Shakespeare’s epic tragedy.
2021/2022 Season
About 'Love in Color: Mythical Tales Around the World, Retold' by Bolu Babalola
The Folger’s virtual book club, Words, Words, Words continues on Thursday, June 2 with a discussion of ‘Love in Color’ by Bolu Babalola. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this collection of contemporary takes on global myths.
About 'Vinegar Girl' by Anne Tyler
The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Thursday, May 5 with a discussion of ‘Vinegar Girl’ by Anne Tyler. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this contemporary take on Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’.
About 'If We Were Villains' by M. L. Rio
The Folger’s virtual book club continues with a discussion of ‘If We Were Villains’ by M.L. Rio. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this twisty thriller about Shakespeare students at…
About 'The King at the Edge of the World' by Arthur Phillips
The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Thursday, March 3 with a discussion of ‘The King at the Edge of the World’ by Arthur Phillips. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this tale of espionage and…
About 'The Weight of Ink' by Rachel Kadish
The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Thursday, February 3 with a discussion of Rachel Kadish’s ‘The Weight of Ink.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this time-traveling scholarly mystery.
About 'All's Well' by Mona Awad
The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Monday, December 6 with a discussion of Mona Awad’s ‘All’s Well.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this dark mash-up of Shakespeare’s ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ and ‘Macbeth.’
About 'The Porpoise' by Mark Haddon
The Folger’s virtual book club, Words, Words, Words continues on Thursday, November 4 with a discussion of Mark Haddon’s ‘The Porpoise.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this innovative reimagining of Shakespeare’s ‘Pericles.’
About 'Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch' by Rivka Galchen
The Folger’s virtual book club, Words, Words, Words continues on Thursday, October 7 with a discussion of Rivka Galchen’s ‘Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch.’
About 'We That Are Young' by Preti Taneja
The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Thursday, September 2 with a discussion of Preti Taneja’s ‘We That Are Young.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this rich retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear.’
About 'The Last True Poets of the Sea' by Julia Drake
The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Thursday, August 5 with a discussion of Julia Drake’s ‘The Last True Poets of the Sea.’
2020/2021 Season
About 'Sweet Sorrow' by David Nicholls
The Folger’s virtual book club continues on Thursday, June 3 with a discussion of David Nicholls’ ‘Sweet Sorrow.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this tragicomic novel the Washington Post called “a tale of first love that hits all…
About 'Circe' by Madeline Miller
The Folger’s virtual book club, Words, Words, Words continues on Thursday, May 6 with a discussion of Madeline Miller’s Circe. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this award-winning novel about a fascinating figure from…
About ‘A Bright Ray of Darkness’ by Ethan Hawke
The Folger’s virtual book club, Words, Words, Words continues on Thursday, April 1 with a discussion of Ethan Hawke’s ‘A Bright Ray of Darkness.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this compelling story of…
About 'Hag-Seed' by Margaret Atwood
The Folger’s virtual book club, Words, Words, Words continues on Thursday, March 4 with a discussion of Margaret Atwood’s ‘Hag-Seed.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this innovative retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest.’
About ‘The Moor’s Account’ by Laila Lalami
The Folger’s virtual book club returns for 2021 on Thursday, February 4 with a discussion of Laila Lalami’s ‘The Moor’s Account’. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this Pulitzer Prize-finalist.
About ‘Hamnet’ by Maggie O’Farrell
Folger Public Programs closes out our book club series for 2020 on Thursday, December 3, with a discussion of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this moving account of marriage, motherhood,…
About ‘License to Quill’ by Jacopo della Quercia
Folger Public Programs celebrates bonfire night with our virtual book club, Words, Words, Words. On Thursday, November 5, we will be discussing Jacopo della Quercia’s License to Quill. We’ve compiled some introductory information on this James Bond-inspired Shakespeare thriller.
About ‘I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem’ by Maryse Condé
Folger Public Programs continues on Thursday, October 1, as we welcome friends from all around the world to discuss Maryse Condé’s ‘I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem.’ To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this…
About ‘The Shakespeare Requirement’ by Julie Schumacher
On Thursday, September 3, we will be welcoming friends from all around the world to discuss Julie Schumacher’s The Shakespeare Requirement. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory information on this satiric look at the follies and…
About 'Station Eleven' by Emily St. John Mandel
Kicking off next Thursday, we will be welcoming friends from all around the world to discuss Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven as part of a new virtual book club. To get ready for the conversation, we’ve compiled some introductory…