You're Invited to the Teacups & Tomes Book Club!

Beginning on October 1, we will be reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and discussing chapters as we go along. At the end of the month, Hannah and I will co-write a (possibly long!) post.

Classic novels are treasures that can bring friends together and spark conversations to fascinate people of all ages.

Substack is a wonderful place for people who love reading to gather and exchange these ideas. As my friend Hannah Elizabeth and I were discussing, we were struck with the idea of starting a book club for classic literature.

It was decided that Hannah and I will be co-hosting the Teacups & Tomes book club, in which we revisit old favorites and search them for treasure: quotes, bold characters, and unforgettable scenes.

We will be taking turns; the book club will “live” at my Substack first. On November we move on to hers. December, it will come back to mine, et cetera. I’m excited, because we start in just a few days!

Beginning on October 1, we will be reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and discussing chapters as we go along. At the end of the month, Hannah and I will co-write a (possibly long!) post. In it, we will pool our thoughts about the story and prompt discussion questions.

Whether you comment on these posts or not, we invite you bookworms and nostalgic readers to join us. It is a real treat to revisit this masterpiece written by such a fascinating author. The novel itself has an amazing ‘birth story;’ oh, to have been peering over her shoulder as she penned those words!

For context as you read this story, I encourage you to research the life of Mary Shelley and the society in which she lived. It was a different world, and it will help spark discussions to send us down many rabbit holes.

While I will be hosting Frankenstein on Top of the Page, our book for November has been selected. It is Little Women, and Hannah will be hosting the read-along on her own Substack. We are excited to spend the colder month huddled up in blankets, catching up with the March sisters.

If you don’t have a copy of Frankenstein, go and grab one now, or find it online; I’m sure there are places where it is available for free in the public domain. I can’t wait to begin this journey, and if you decide to join us, I can’t wait to get to know you!

After I’ve read Frankenstein, I will write a series of articles about Mary Shelley, similar to those I’ve been doing about Beatrix Potter. Both were amazing women and both lived different lives, but they shared a love for literature. They both wrote stories that I am certain will live forever.

Hannah and I will catch you on October 1! I’m so excited to revisit this classic; there is nothing like a good Gothic novel!

Are you going to join us? Have you read Frankenstein before? Comment and introduce yourself!