Lit Up: Events with Literary Style

Take an escape with a romance and get to know Maggie North, author of "The Ripple Effect", who will join us for a Zoom discussion of her book. New members are always welcome. You don't have to read the book to join, but it is encouraged.

About the Book:
Burned-out former ER doc Stellar J. Byrd can solve any crisis except her own life. But with her financial prospects dwindling, she’d do anything to stay in her beloved, pricey wilderness town—even take a job as a camp physician at The Love Boat, an unspeakably touchy-feely relationship therapy startup. If there are sing-alongs, she’s calling in sick. What’s worse? Her boss is Lyle “McHuge” McHugh, the sunshiny psychologist she’s masterfully avoided since their disastrous hookup last year. Hardheaded relationship scorekeeper Stellar plans to dodge his pathological generosity from now until September, but after a scathing article puts McHuge's romantic credibility into question, a fake engagement is the only way to salvage the camp’s crumbling public image. It’s strictly business . . . but the more closely they work together, the more Stellar realizes her feelings for McHuge are anything but professional. With competitors hard on their heels and trade secrets at stake, they must find a way to marry his softness with her steel to build a business–and a love–that will last past summer’s end.

NO REGISTRATION. First-come, first-served seating until capacity is reached.
In partnership with the Northern Virginia Board Game Group.
For more information call (703) 228-5715.

This month's selection is "A Half-Built Garden" by Ruthanna Emrys:

On a warm March night in 2083, Judy Wallach-Stevens wakes to a warning of unknown pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay. She heads out to check what she expects to be a false alarm—and stumbles upon the first alien visitors to Earth. These aliens have crossed the galaxy to save humanity, convinced that the people of Earth must leave their ecologically-ravaged planet behind and join them among the stars. And if humanity doesn't agree, they may need to be saved by force. But the watershed networks that rose up to save the planet from corporate devastation aren't ready to give up on Earth. Decades ago, they reorganized humanity around the hope of keeping the world liveable. By sharing the burden of decision-making, they've started to heal our wounded planet. Now corporations, nation-states, and networks all vie to represent humanity to these powerful new beings, and if anyone accepts the aliens' offer, Earth may be lost. With everyone’s eyes turned skyward, the future hinges on Judy's effort to create understanding, both within and beyond her own species.

A limited number of print copies of the selected book will be available at Central Library's 2nd floor Info Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Patrons are also encouraged to place holds on available print or digital copies.

• Jan. 27: "Scorched Grace" by Margot Douaihy
• Feb 24: "Congratulations, the best is over" by R. Eric Thomas
• Mar 24: "The Skin and its Girl" by Sarah Cypher
• Apr 26: "The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers
• May 17: "The Very Nice Box" by Eve Gleichman, Laura Blacket
• June 28: "The Guncle Abroad" by Steven Rowley
• July 19: "One Last Stop" by Casey McQuiston
• Aug 30: "Kissing Girls on Shabbat" by Sara Glass
• Sept 20: "High Risk Homosexual" by Edgar Gomez
• Oct 11: "Interesting Facts About Space" by Emily Austin
• Nov 22: "Lies With Man" by Michael Nava
• Dec.13: Happy Hour Book Swap - Location TBD