All patrons and friends of the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library are welcome to join Page Turners, the Library’s book discussion group, which meets at 1:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Currently we are meeting on Zoom.

Our December gathering will focus on the life and work of Phillis Wheatley Peters (c1753-1784), the first African woman and first enslaved person to publish a volume of poetry in English. Wheatley was captured and transported to Boston at age 7, renamed for the slave ship on which she was forcibly confined, and was still enslaved when her poems went to press.  One of the great geniuses of her day, Wheatley Peters holds an important place among New Englanders who shaped the Age of Revolution. Those interested in receiving the packet of readings for this session should contact Sue Lanser (lanser@brandeis.edu).

In January, we will turn to the renowned writer Maryse Condé's award-winning novel I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem (1986) based on the true story of an enslaved woman who was the first to be accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. Condé's riveting novel draws on the few known facts but also reimagines both Tituba's past and her unknown life after her release from prison. The book is available on Minerva as well as in paperback and electronic forms. The French original (Moi Tituba, sorcière noire de Salem) is also readily available.

Page Turners maintains a discussion list for our members, through which you can receive advance background information and preparatory discussion questions. Please contact Sue Lanser (925-6244 or lanser@brandeis.edu) if you would like further information about the group or wish to join our mailing list.