Women’s Book Club (In Person)

This peer-led Book Club welcomes lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, and questioning women of all ages to join readers in a friendly, thought-provoking discussion related to the month’s book selection.

All book selections emphasize works written by and about women and vary in genre, ranging from non-fiction to poetry to historical literature to romance to science fiction to graphic novels.

• When: 2nd Wednesday, 5-6:30 pm
• Where: The Center Library, 3909 Centre St. San Diego, CA 92103
• Contact: For more information on the group, please contact women@thecentersd.org.
• Phone: ‪(619) 692-2077 x134

February, 2025 Book Selection
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Aging movie star, Evelyn Hugo,  gives a final interview to a young, unknown journalist. The interview tells the tales of the loves, both male and female of Evelyn’s life while also giving a sweeping tale of old Hollywood

March, 2025 Book Selection
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Summary– Sisters Marricat and Constance continue living in their family home after the rest of the family has died from arsenic poisoning. They are shunned by their community and have their lives become upended when cousin Charles comes to check out what the sisters have been up to and what fortune there may be. The story explores themes of isolation, family loyalty and societal judgement.It has been described as a “paean to agoraphobia” and Jackson has said the main characters were fictionalized versions of her daughters. Wow thanks mom. This is the final book published by Jackson, famous for writing the short story “The Lottery”, you know, that famous story with the rocks that terrified us in high school. But Jackson’s work is about so much more than that, so check out this book and come discuss it with us.

April, 2025 Book Selection
Tell Me A Riddle, Requa I and Other Works by Tillie Olsen
Summary–We will read the stories, “Tell Me A Riddle” “Hey Sailor, What Ship? ” “Oh Yes” and “I Stand Here Ironing”. Olsen is known for her stories and for her non-fiction pieces that often highlighted the struggles writers, mostly women writers, go through to find time to practice their craft. Olsen’s works have won numerous awards, including the O. Henry award for “Tell Me A Riddle” . Olson taught at many universities such as Stanford and Amherst. Her writing and reportage works spanned decades from the 1930’s Depression era to the 1950’s Red Scare to Modern Feminism. Not bad for a woman who dropped out of high school and started out working as a waitress and a meat trimmer to help support her writing and her daughter.