Beyond the Binding | PA Book Club

Sat, Oct 18 · 15:00 EDT

🎭📚 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 New Jersey 179, Lambertville, NJ, US

📚 STORY SEEKERS: Sweeney Todd meets Sweeney Todd, the musical

The Concept: What happens when you read a book and then experience something connected to it? Join us to find out! We'll all read Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street: The String Of Pearls by Prest, then gather for Sweeney Todd, the musical at Music Mountain Theater to see how the story translates beyond the page. Afterward, we'll compare notes over food and drinks at Under the Moon in Lambertville, NJ.

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Details for you:
STEP 1: BUY your ticket for Sweeney Todd
🎭 Sweeney Todd

• When: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 3PM ET
• Venue: Music Mountain Theater
• Address: 1483 NJ-179, Lambertville, NJ 08530
• Phone: (609) 397-3337
• Total investment: $35 ticket + book + your meal = great conversation with fellow book lovers!

STEP 2: RSVP | Once you've secured your ticket, RSVP here to reserve your discussion spot. Limited to 10 members

STEP 3: READ the book
📚 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street: The String Of Pearls by Thomas Peckett Prest

• Available: $11.99 Amazon
• Pages: 276

STEP 4: The Event! Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 3PM ET
🎭 Sweeney Todd at Music Mountain Theater

• Address: 1483 NJ-179, Lambertville, NJ 08530
• Phone: (609) 397-3337

🍽️ Post-Event Gathering at Under the Moon

• Address: 23 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ 08530
• Phone: (609) 397-1710
• Menu

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About the Book
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street: The String Of Pearls by Thomas Peckett Prest
The String of Pearls: A Romance is the title of a story first published as a penny part serial 1846-47. The main antagonist of the story is the infamous Sweeney Todd, "the Demon Barber of Fleet Street", who here makes his literary debut.
Reading connection: Reading "The String of Pearls" - the original 1846-47 Victorian penny dreadful that created the Sweeney Todd legend - allows you to experience the dark, sensational source material that inspired all later adaptations, including Sondheim's musical, giving you insight into how the story evolved from Gothic serial fiction to Broadway stage.

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About the Event
Sweeney Todd at Music Mountain Theatre
Be sure to purchase the Saturday, October 18th 3PM showing
Attend the dark, witty and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun!

Note: This production contains depictions of murder, violence, and dark themes that may be unsettling for younger or sensitive audiences.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Purchase your ticket FIRST, then RSVP on Meetup. Don't RSVP here until you have your ticket secured!

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LET'S TALK ABOUT...
To get us started:

• Character transformation: How did Sondheim and Wheeler reimagine Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett from Prest's original characters - what personality traits, motivations, and relationships changed, and how do these changes affect our sympathy for the characters?
• Victorian social critique vs. modern themes: Compare Prest's commentary on 1840s London's class divisions, urban corruption, and justice system with Sondheim's focus on alienation, revenge, and moral decay - what does each version say about its era's anxieties?
• Storytelling across mediums: How does the episodic, cliffhanger structure of the original penny dreadful serial compare to the musical's dramatic arc, and which medium better serves the story's themes of obsession and descent into madness?
• Your own reactions, questions, and observations!

🌟 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS

• Experience stories in multiple dimensions
• Meet fellow literature enthusiasts
• Gain deeper appreciation for both mediums
• Enjoy thought-provoking conversation over great food

***

QUESTIONS?
Check our Rules of Engagement before signing up. Message Heather with any questions.
See you there!

Fri, Oct 24 · 17:30 EDT

📚 STORY SEEKERS: Profiles in Ignorance meets Andy Borowitz Live

The Dinky Bar & Restaurant, 94 University Place, Princeton , NJ, US

📚 STORY SEEKERS: Profiles in Ignorance meets Andy Borowitz Live
Ever wonder how a political satirist's zingers land differently on the page versus on stage? We're finding out by reading Andy Borowitz's Profiles in Ignorance before seeing him perform live at McCarter Theatre. Pre-show discussion and appetizers at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen.

Details for you:
STEP 1: BUY your ticket for Andy Borowitz
🎤 Andy Borowitz: An Evening of Sanity

• When: Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 7:30 PM ET
• Venue: McCarter Theatre - Matthews Theatre
• Address: 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 258-2787
• Total investment: $49-94 ticket + book + your meal = great conversation with fellow book lovers!
• Tickets are selling fast!

STEP 2: RSVP | ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Purchase your ticket FIRST, then RSVP on Meetup. Limited to 6 members
STEP 3: READ the book
📚 Profiles in Ignorance: How America's Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber by Andy Borowitz

• Available: $11.30 Amazon
• Pages: 336

STEP 4: Join us for the Events! Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 5:30 PM ET
🍽️ Pre-Show Gathering at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 5:30 PM ET

• Address: 94 University Pl, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 423-2188
• Menu

🎤 Andy Borowitz: An Evening of Sanity at McCarter Theatre 7:30PM ET

• Address: 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 258-2787

About the Book
Profiles in Ignorance: How America's Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber by Andy Borowitz
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER * WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER
Andy Borowitz, "one of the funniest people in America" (CBS Sunday Morning), brilliantly chronicles our embrace of anti-intellectualism in American politics, from Ronald Reagan to Dan Quayle, from George W. Bush to Sarah Palin, to its apotheosis in Donald J. Trump. This "wittily alarming polemic tracks the evolution of American politics from grounds for gravitas to festival of idiocy" (The New York Times).
Reading connection: Reading Borowitz's satirical analysis of political devolution prepares you to appreciate how his written humor translates to live performance, showing you the craft behind his biting wit and helping you understand the real events that inspired his most outrageous satirical takes.

About the Event
Andy Borowitz: An Evening of Sanity at McCarter Theatre Be sure to purchase the Friday, October 24th 7:30 PM showing
Join celebrated satirist and creator of The Borowitz Report, Andy Borowitz, for an evening of sharp comedy, candid conversation, and audience Q&A. Known for his biting wit and timely insights, Borowitz delivers a hilarious—and much-needed—break from the chaos of the world.

Books will be available before and after the event. Andy will be in the lobby for a meet and greet and book signing after the show.
LET'S TALK ABOUT...
To get us started:

• Satire vs. reality: How does Borowitz use humor to make serious political critiques more digestible, and which examples from the book felt more like satire versus actual documented events - where's the line between comedy and journalism?
• The evolution of political intelligence: Trace Borowitz's argument about the decline from Reagan to Trump - do you agree with his timeline and examples, and what factors does he identify as contributing to this "dumbing down" of American politics?
• Comedy as social commentary: Compare how Borowitz's written satire in the book translates to his live performance style - which medium is more effective for political criticism, and how did seeing him in person change your perspective on his written observations?
• Your own reactions, questions, and observations!
• We are making an exception on No Political Discussion for this event, please be respectful of everyone's thoughts, point of view, and opinions

🌟 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS

• Experience stories in multiple dimensions
• Meet fellow literature enthusiasts
• Gain deeper appreciation for both mediums
• Enjoy thought-provoking conversation over great food
• Make connections and friendships

QUESTIONS?
Check our Rules of Engagement before signing up. Message Heather with any questions.
See you there!

Sat, Nov 1 · 17:30 EDT

📚 STORY SEEKERS: Touched with Fire meets 300 Paintings

The Dinky Bar & Restaurant, 94 University Place, Princeton , NJ, US

📚 STORY SEEKERS: Touched with Fire meets 300 Paintings
Ever wonder about the connection between creative genius and mental health? We're exploring this fascinating link by reading Kay Redfield Jamison's Touched with Fire before experiencing 300 Paintings - where comedian Sam Kissajukian shares his manic journey of creating 300 paintings in six months. Pre-show discussion and appetizers at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen.

Details for you:
STEP 1: BUY your ticket for 300 Paintings
🎨 300 Paintings

• When: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 7:30 PM ET
• Venue: McCarter Theatre - Matthews Theatre
• Address: 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 258-2787
• Total investment: $36-97 ticket + book + your meal = great conversation with fellow book lovers!
• LIMITED ENGAGEMENT - one week only!

STEP 2: RSVP | ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Purchase your ticket FIRST, then RSVP on Meetup. Limited to 6 members

STEP 3: READ the book
📚 Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament by Kay Redfield Jamison

• Available: $9.65 Amazon
• Pages: 384

STEP 4: Join us for the Events! Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 5:30 PM ET
🍽️ Pre-Show Gathering at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 5:30 PM ET

• Address: 94 University Pl, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 423-2188
• Menu

🎨 300 Paintings at McCarter Theatre 7:30 PM ET

• Address: 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 258-2787

About the Book
Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament by Kay Redfield Jamison
The definitive work on the profound and surprising links between manic-depression and creativity, from the bestselling psychologist of bipolar disorders who wrote An Unquiet Mind.
One of the foremost psychologists in America, "Kay Jamison is plainly among the few who have a profound understanding of the relationship that exists between art and madness" (William Styron).
The anguished and volatile intensity associated with the artistic temperament was once thought to be a symptom of genius or eccentricity peculiar to artists, writers, and musicians. Her work, based on her study as a clinical psychologist and researcher in mood disorders, reveals that many artists subject to exalted highs and despairing lows were in fact engaged in a struggle with clinically identifiable manic-depressive illness.
Reading connection: "Touched with Fire" explores the scientific and historical connections between manic-depressive illness and artistic creativity, providing psychological context for understanding Kissajukian's "manic whirlwind" of creating 300 paintings and how mental health states can fuel extraordinary creative output.

About the Event
300 Paintings at McCarter Theatre Be sure to purchase the Saturday, November 1st 7:30 PM showing
Direct from a critically acclaimed off-Broadway run – LIMITED ENGAGEMENT, one week only!
In 2021, Sydney comedian Sam Kissajukian quit standup, rented an abandoned cake factory, and spent six months in a manic whirlwind, creating 300 large-scale paintings, unknowingly documenting his mental state through the process. In this hilarious, fascinating, and wildly original show, Kissajukian brings audiences on a rollercoaster ride that explores the ties between art, mental health, and creativity.
Stay after the show to meet Sam and view his incredible paintings in a curated lobby exhibition.

LET'S TALK ABOUT...
To get us started:

• The creativity-madness connection: What evidence does Jamison present for the link between manic-depressive illness and artistic achievement - which historical examples were most compelling, and do you find her scientific arguments convincing?
• The treatment dilemma: Explore Jamison's discussion of whether medication might diminish creativity - what are the ethical implications of this debate, and how should society balance artistic genius with individual wellbeing?
• Patterns of manic creativity: According to Jamison's research, what characteristics define manic creative periods versus "normal" creative work - how does she describe the intensity, productivity, and quality of art created during different mental states?
• Your own reactions, questions, and observations!

🌟 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS

• Experience stories in multiple dimensions
• Meet fellow literature enthusiasts
• Gain deeper appreciation for both mediums
• Enjoy thought-provoking conversation over great food
• Make connections and friendships
• View Kissajukian's actual paintings in the lobby exhibition

QUESTIONS?
Check our Rules of Engagement before signing up. Message Heather with any questions.
See you there!

Sat, Nov 15 · 15:00 EST

📚 STORY SEEKERS: The Lost Bookshop meets Bristol Books & Bindery

Bristol Books & Bindery, 129 Mill Street, Bristol, PA, US

📚 STORY SEEKERS: The Lost Bookshop meets Bristol Books & Bindery
‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’
Ever wondered why independent bookshops feel magical? We're discovering the answer by reading Evie Woods' bestselling The Lost Bookshop before exploring the charming Bristol Books & Bindery. Post-bookshop discussion over wood-fired pizza at Itri Wood Fired.
Details for you:
RSVP: pay the $3 signup fee via venmo and rsvp here on Meetup
Payment Methods: Venmo only @HRiccardi

• Include "Lost Bookshop Nov 15" in payment notes
• Include your Meetup name

READ the book
📚 The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

• Available: $14.99 Amazon (or support your local indie bookshop!)
• Pages: 444

JOIN us Saturday, November 15, 2025 3:00 PM ET
📚 Bookshop Visit: Bristol Books & Bindery 3:00 PM ET

• Address: 407 Mill Street, Bristol, PA 19007
• Phone: (215) 785-2110
• Meet outside the bookshop entrance at 3PM

🍕 Post-Bookshop Discussion at Itri Wood Fired Pizza 3:30-4:00 PM ET

• Address: 310 Mill Street, Bristol, PA 19007
• Phone: (215) 458-8419

Total investment: $3 signup fee + book ($15) + your meal = a magical afternoon with fellow book lovers!
About the Book
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
A novel with elements of bibliophilia, magical realism, fantasy, historical fiction, and romance. #1 Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times bestseller that has sold over a million copies.

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found… For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives. But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

Reading connection: Reading about a magical bookshop that transforms lives prepares you to experience the real magic of independent bookshops like Bristol Books & Bindery—where every visit can lead to unexpected discoveries and connections.
About the Meetup
Bristol Books & Bindery is a beloved independent bookstore and classic bindery in the heart of historic Bristol Borough. We'll explore the shop, discover new titles, and experience firsthand why bookshops hold such power in our lives and imaginations.
Afterward, we'll gather at Itri Wood Fired (just down Mill Street) for wood-fired pizza and discussion about how the book's themes connect to our bookshop experience.

LET'S Discuss...
conversation starters:

• Bookshops as sanctuaries: How does Woods portray bookshops as transformative spaces, and did visiting Bristol Books & Bindery evoke similar feelings of discovery and possibility that the characters experienced?
• Finding your own story: The book explores how Martha, Henry, and Opaline move from being "side characters" to protagonists of their own lives—what does this mean, and how do books and bookshops facilitate that transformation?
• The magic of independent bookshops: Compare the magical elements in Woods' fictional bookshop with the real experience of browsing an indie bookstore—what makes these spaces feel special versus online shopping or chain stores?
• Your bookshop memories: Share your own "lost bookshop" story—a time you discovered a special bookshop or found an unexpected book that changed something for you.
• Your own reactions, questions, and observations!

🌟 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS

• Experience a book about books in the perfect setting
• Support a local independent bookshop
• Meet fellow book lovers
• Discover new reads and hidden gems
• Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizza and great conversation
• Make connections and friendships

QUESTIONS?
Check our Rules of Engagement before signing up. Message Heather with any questions.
See you there!