What we’re about
In this group, we'll explore the Stories that Matter in our lives: From the classics of literature, film, even the stories we tell ourselves about our own lives.
We will approach them several different ways.
Deep Reads: We will regularly select a longer text, and spend months working through it, savoring it.
Shorter Works/Films: Other times, we will select a short text or film to consume in one setting.
Stories of Our Lives: Otherwise, we will find ways to connect around the things that make life worth living.
The organizer, Sean Doyle, is the author of Mud and Dreams; Essays on falling deeper in life (https://amzn.to/2xDQSYQ) and taught positive psychology at NCSU for a decade. Whether I intend it or not, every meeting we will draw from the science of happiness, well-being and flourishing. For more info, see www.JohnSeanDoyle.com
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Deep Reads: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Final Session!)Lynnwood Brewing Concern, Raleigh, NC
Over a period of 5 months, we’ll read Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. (roughly 350 pgs/month. We may adjust the pace going forward)
** This month we'll finish the book!
A towering figure in French literature, Hugo was a poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. His works, celebrated for their grandeur and depth, often address social justice, human dignity, and the struggles of the marginalized. Published in 1862, Les Misérables was Dostoyeski’s bedside reading and it remains one of Hugo’s most iconic works, showcasing his extraordinary ability to weave personal stories with broader social and political themes.
Les Misérables is a sweeping narrative that explores themes of justice, redemption, and the enduring power of compassion. Set against the backdrop of post-revolutionary France, the novel follows a diverse cast of characters whose lives intersect in profound and unexpected ways. Hugo’s masterful storytelling captures the complexities of human nature and the societal forces that shape our destinies. This richly layered tale is both a personal and collective journey, offering readers a powerful meditation on the resilience of the human spirit.
Les Misérables addresses questions about morality, duty, and the pursuit of a just society. Hugo’s exploration of these themes remains as relevant today as it was in the 19th century, challenging us to consider our responsibilities to one another and the structures that define our world.
(Thanks ChatGPT for ths summary! haha)
You can find a copy here: If you buy any of the version after clicking on my link, I will get a few pennies to help support the cost of the meetup.
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Want to help support the meetup? A few of you generously asked if you could help support the cost of the meetup. It costs me about $180/year ($90 twice a year) If you would like to contribute $5, $10, $20 or any amount the easiest way is venmo: @JohnSeanDoyle or just reach out to me directly. Thanks for considering it! - Deep Reads: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1st of 2 sessions)Lynnwood Brewing Concern, Raleigh, NC
Over a period of 2 months, we’ll read we will be reading Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.
You can find a copy here: If you buy any of the versions after clicking on my link, I will get a few pennies to help support the cost of the meetup.
This month we will read roughly the first 300 pages - check back for the exact page break down.
Ellison’s groundbreaking novel delves into race, identity, and invisibility in 20th-century America. Told through the eyes of an unnamed African-American narrator, the novel follows his journey from the segregated South to the streets of Harlem as he confronts prejudice, betrayal, and the elusive search for self-definition. Ellison’s lyrical prose and surreal style illuminate the psychological and social challenges of a man rendered “invisible” by the blindness of others.
A cornerstone of American literature, Invisible Man remains strikingly relevant today, speaking to ongoing struggles with systemic racism, political manipulation, and personal agency. First published in 1952, its insights into power, perception, and human dignity continue to provoke thought and conversation. This is more than a novel—it’s a vital invitation to see and to be seen.(Thanks ChatGPT for help with this summary! haha)
[On a personal note, I will be interested in thinking about Levinas' conception of our encounter with the other as we read and discuss the work. Check back for links on background on this topic]
******
Note! Meetup recently doubled the cost of the meetup to about $352/year ($176 twice a year) Want to help support the group? A few of you generously offered. If you would like to contribute $5, $10, $20 or any amount, the easiest way is venmo: @JohnSeanDoyle or just reach out to me directly. Thanks for considering it! - Deep Reads: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (Final session)Lynnwood Brewing Concern, Raleigh, NC
Over a period of 2 months, we’ll read we will be reading Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.
You can find a copy here: If you buy any of the versions after clicking on my link, I will get a few pennies to help support the cost of the meetup.
This month we will finish the book.
Ellison’s groundbreaking novel delves into race, identity, and invisibility in 20th-century America. Told through the eyes of an unnamed African-American narrator, the novel follows his journey from the segregated South to the streets of Harlem as he confronts prejudice, betrayal, and the elusive search for self-definition. Ellison’s lyrical prose and surreal style illuminate the psychological and social challenges of a man rendered “invisible” by the blindness of others.
A cornerstone of American literature, Invisible Man remains strikingly relevant today, speaking to ongoing struggles with systemic racism, political manipulation, and personal agency. First published in 1952, its insights into power, perception, and human dignity continue to provoke thought and conversation. This is more than a novel—it’s a vital invitation to see and to be seen.(Thanks ChatGPT for help with this summary! haha)
[On a personal note, I will be interested in thinking about Levinas' conception of our encounter with the other as we read and discuss the work. Check back for links on background on this topic]
******
Note! Meetup recently doubled the cost of the meetup to about $352/year ($176 twice a year) Want to help support the group? A few of you generously offered. If you would like to contribute $5, $10, $20 or any amount, the easiest way is venmo: @JohnSeanDoyle or just reach out to me directly. Thanks for considering it!
