Join SHE for a discussion of Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner, a quietly rebellious novel about a woman determined to live life on her own terms. After abandoning the expectations of her family and society, Lolly discovers an unexpected kind of freedom (along with a hint of the supernatural) in the countryside.

Join Old Fox Bibliophiles for a discussion of The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson. Set in 1980s Niagara Falls, this nostalgic coming-of-age story follows twelve-year-old Jake through a summer of ghost stories, strange discoveries, and unexpected secrets.

Fall Festival 2025 on Maryland Avenue. Celebrating years of good old fashioned fun.

Free entry. Free fun. Free parking at Calvert St Garage.

For our October meeting, Versed Fox will be reading John Milton. Considered a towering figure of English literature, Milton is best known for Paradise Lost, an epic poem that explores themes of rebellion, free will, and the nature of good and evil. His rich, powerful verse continues to challenge and inspire readers centuries later.

Join Citizens & Sovereigns for a discussion of The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher, a historical novel set in the Scottish Highlands in 1692. As accused witch Corrag awaits execution, an Irish propagandist seeks to use her story for political ends. Through Corrag’s testimony, the novel explores religious conflict, political power, and the ways history is shaped by those who tell it.

Join What the Fox? for a discussion of Royal Gambit by Daniel O’Malley. This darkly comic, offbeat historical thriller follows the British royal family as a bizarre supernatural threat emerges from within the palace. Strange, suspenseful, and unconventional.

Join SHE for a discussion of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a powerful coming-of-age story about family, faith, and finding freedom. Through fifteen-year-old Kambili’s eyes, Adichie explores the complexities of adolescence, family, and the courage to find your own voice.

Join Old Fox Bibliophiles for a discussion of Sin Killer by Larry McMurtry. Set in the American West during the 1830s, this historical novel follows a young German immigrant as he encounters Native American cultures, settlers, and the harsh realities of a rapidly changing frontier.

[Originally scheduled for Sept. 4] Join What the Fox? for a discussion of Darkwater, W.E.B. Du Bois's bold, genre-defying work blending essays, poetry, prayers, and speculative fiction. Du Bois moves between forms and ideas as he explores race, justice, and the possibility of a more humane and collective future. Darkwater is as radical as it is unexpected. It challenges conventions and invites readers into a powerful, multifaceted vision of social change.

In September, Versed Fox will be reading works by Omar Khayyám. Khayyam is best known for The Rubáiyát, in which his verses blend philosophy, skepticism, and a celebration of life’s fleeting pleasures. His poetry is both contemplative and lyrical, inviting readers to reflect on time, fate, and the mysteries of existence.

Join Citizens & Sovereigns for our book club discussion of Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi, a graphic memoir chronicling Satrapi's coming of age between revolutionary Iran and Europe. As Marjane navigates the challenges of adulthood, she grapples with questions of belonging, freedom, and the expectations placed upon her by family, culture, and society. Persepolis 2 offers a powerful exploration of resilience and self-discovery in a changing world.

Join SHE for a discussion of Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood, the first Phryne Fisher mystery. Set in 1920s Melbourne, this stylish mystery follows the fearless Phryne Fisher as she navigates high society, solves crime, and challenges the expectations placed on women of her era.

Join Old Fox Bibliophiles for a discussion of A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, the second Monk & Robot novella by Becky Chambers. As the robot Mosscap and the tea monk Sibling Dex continue their journey across Panga, they explore questions of purpose, contentment, and what people truly need. This popular science fiction novel is full of warmth and hope. It celebrates curiosity and kindness.

Join Versed Fox in August as we read the works of Czesław Miłosz. A Nobel Prize–winning poet, Miłosz is known for his profound reflections on history, morality, and the human condition. His work grapples with war, exile, and memory while searching for meaning and beauty in a fractured world.

Join Citizens & Sovereigns for a discussion of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Framed as correspondence between a senior devil and his apprentice, the book offers a darkly comic lens on how power operates through temptation, distraction, and subtle manipulation. It raises questions about how societies shape individuals and how individuals, in turn, are steered by systems of belief, authority, and control.

[Cancelled] Remember when we said August? We’re meeting in September instead. Thanks for rolling with the change.

Join SHE for a discussion of Summer Wars by Naomi Novik, a fantasy about family, power, and the consequences of words that shape fate. When Celia’s anger unintentionally curses her brother Argent, she must navigate responsibility, inheritance, and the forces shaping both her family and her world.

In celebration of Chadwick's 40th anniversary, author Priscilla Cummings will join us to share her work and honor this beloved local tradition.

Join Old Fox Bibliophiles for a discussion of Field Guide to Murder, a mystery full of humor, intrigue, and unexpected partnership. When retired anthropologist Harry Lancaster and his caregiver Emma discover a suspicious death in their condominium community, they’re pulled into an investigation filled with secrets, motives, and hidden tensions among their neighbors. A twisty, mystery for readers who enjoy unconventional sleuths.

In July, Versed Fox will be reading the works of Emily Dickinson. A unique voice in American poetry, Dickinson is renowned for her brief yet powerful poems that delve into themes such as death, nature, love, and the inner life with wit and intensity. Her work is both intimate and expansive, inviting readers to experience moments of quiet reflection and startling insight.

Join Citizens & Sovereigns for a discussion of Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell, an incisive look at the Americanization of Hawaii. Vowell traces the story from the arrival of New England missionaries in 1820 to the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani and U.S. annexation, introducing whalers, sugar barons, political schemers, and Hawaiian royalty caught in sweeping cultural and political change. Blending history with dark humor, the book explores how Hawaii was transformed.

Old Fox Books will close early at 2 PM this Saturday so our team can get home before the fireworks (and comfort the scared pups). See you eightish (heavy on the ish) Sunday. Wishing you a happy Fourth of July.

[Cancelled] What the Fox? is taking a brief detour into the bizarre. See you next month!

Join SHE for a discussion of Sunburn, a novel by Chloe Michelle Howarth about a young woman's journey of self-discovery and the challenges she faces in a traditional small town. The novel follows Lucy as her friendship with Susannah evolves into a secret relationship. This challenges expectations around family, femininity, and belonging. Sunburn is an emotional story about the dangers of falling in love and its long-lasting effects.

Join Old Fox Bibliophiles for a discussion of Birding to Change the World, Trish O’Kane’s inspiring memoir about finding purpose, community, and hope through birding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Blending environmental reflection with personal storytelling, O’Kane explores how paying closer attention to the natural world can transform the way we live within it. A thoughtful and uplifting read about resilience, curiosity, and the power of noticing.

For our April gathering, Versed Fox welcomes poet Erin O’Luanaigh, who will read from her debut book, Avail. The event will be followed by an open mic. Erin is a former jazz singer who earned an MFA in Poetry from the University of Florida. Her work has appeared in The Yale Review, AGNI, The Southern Review, and more. She is currently a Steffensen Cannon Fellow at the University of Utah. Join us for an evening of poetry, listening, and sharing.

Join Citizens & Sovereigns for a discussion of Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum, Antonia Hylton's powerful and deeply researched account of one of the last segregated asylums in the United States. Blending personal narrative with archival research, Hylton shines a light on the experiences of Black patients and families that have long been overlooked. Both illuminating and heartbreaking, Madness examines the intersection of race, mental health and systemic inequality, and asks the enduring question of who is seen, heard and cared for.

[Cancelled] No foxes gathering this June. What the Fox? returns in August.

Join us for an evening with authors Michelle Cullen and Judy L. Murray as they discuss the craft of writing, creativity, and what it takes to build a life as a full-time author. Cullen and Murray bring a wide range of experiences to their storytelling, from global adventures and academic research to life on the Chesapeake Bay. Together, they'll share their creative processes, inspirations, and the realities of the writing life. Whether you're an aspiring writer or an avid reader, we are sure you'll find this a really engaging and insightful conversation.

Join us on Thursday, June 04 from 5-7PM for Art on the Avenue, part of Plein Air Week, as Maryland Avenue transforms into a lively evening of art, music, and celebration. Stroll the avenue, meet local artists, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. More details to come—stay tuned!