There's nothing better than a great book to transport you to new worlds—whether real, imagined, or simply as a much-needed escape from reality. This monthly book group, led by staff at Hummingbird Books, will feature a variety of genres guaranteed to spark lively conversation and connection. If you don’t have a chance to finish the book, that’s okay, come anyway! Books can be purchased at Hummingbird Books in Chestnut Hill (or over the phone a 617-487-5101), an independent, local female-owned and operated store with an extensive collection of adult and children’s books.

Book Group will meet September 11, October 9, November 13, and December 11. Join us for all or individually. All are welcome. Geared towards adults. Preregistration is required.

Questions: adultprog@jccgb.org.

September Book Selection: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (National Jewish Book Award Winner) is an exhilarating, twisted tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.

October Book Selection: One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World by Michael Frank

The remarkable story of ninety-nine-year-old Stella Levi whose conversations with the author over the course of six years bring to life the vibrant world of Jewish Rhodes, the deportation to Auschwitz that extinguished ninety percent of her community, and the resilience and wisdom of the woman who lived to tell the tale.

November Book Selection: Fagin the Thief by Allison Epstein is a thrilling reimagining of the world of Dickens, as seen through the eyes of the infamous Jacob Fagin, London’s most gifted pickpocket, liar, and rogue. Colorfully written and wickedly funny, Allison Epstein breathes fresh life into the teeming streets of Dickensian London–reclaiming one of Victorian literature’s most notorious villains in an unforgettable new adventure.

December Book Selection: TBD

The book selection will be confirmed at the prior month's meeting.

See the full 2025 Hummingbird and JCC Books and Bites Reading List

Photos may be taken during this program and used for promotional purposes, including social media. If you prefer not to have your photo taken, please inform event staff when you arrive.