Philadelphia Great Books
64th Annual Spring Institute
Saturday, May 18, 2024
by Zoom

Theme: Memory & Imagination

Please join us for a day of Zoom discussions, two sessions 9:30-11:30 AM and 1:00-3:00 PM with two wonderful novels. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

In the morning, we will discuss The Immense Journey by Loren Eisley. In the afternoon, we will discuss Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. Details are on the Registration Form.

Your $35 fee covers copies of both books, which will be mailed upon receipt of your registration. Please fill out the Registration Form, and send it with your check made out to Philadelphia Great Books Council to:

Anne Cramer
114 Hedgerow Court
Deptford, New Jersey 08096

For more information, contact Anne at (856) 245-7783, cell (856) 761-7339,
or email Anne.

Great Books at Colby and Great Books on Zoom

Visit the Greatbooks at Colby website for more information.

We are delighted that Colby Week will be in-person again this year.

There are also plans for a Zoom MINI-COLBY version.

Look here for future developments.

For more details, yearly book lists
Book Titles by Year


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Colby Flyer 2024 with Registration details.

68th Annual Great Books at Colby College
Waterville, Maine
July 21 - July 27, 2024

We believe just as the examined life is worth living, so too, we all participate in a journey. Join us this July for our annual Great Books at Colby, a lively week of discussions on the traditional and picturesque campus of Colby College.

Our community enjoys reading and discussing Great Books. You can find insights rarely achieved while reading alone. You can connect with fellow book lovers and make lifelong friends, as you enjoy the beauty and splendor of summertime Maine.

Our timely theme is Love & Passion. Come explore the complexities that confront people as they proceed through the vicissitudes of life.

  • Monday: Much Ado About Nothing,
    by William Shakespeare
  • Tuesday: Pride and Prejudice
    by Jane Austin
  • Wednesday: Wuthering Heights,
    by Emily Brontë
  • Thursday: The Age of Innocence
    by Edith Wharton
  • Friday: The Feast of Love
    by Charles Baxter
  • Saturday: Bonjour Tristesse
    by Françoise Sagan

Our week at Colby is now enhanced with the option of staying in air-conditioned dorms at the Alfond Main Street Commons, in downtown Waterville

Registration for 2024 Colby is open.

Junior Great Books at Colby College will not be active in 2024

To discuss individual arrangements for Junior Great Books older children, please contact
John Dalton directly at (610) 608-7711
or Email: agreatbook@aol.com

For more information about Great Books at Colby see Great Books at Colby Summer 2024 In Person

Philadelphia's 54th Great Books Fall Institute
Pendle Hill
338 Plush Mill Road
Wallingford, PA 19086
November 8 - 10, 2024

Theme: Individuation

Readings for discussion Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:

  • Friday Evening: Selected Poems

  • Saturday Morning: Great Expectations
    by Charles Dickens
  • Saturday Afternoon: The Road from Coorain
    by Jill Kerr Conway
  • Sunday Morning: The Joy Luck Club
    by Amy Tan

Details about the books, campus location, fees and schedule are in the Registration Form pdf.
Please return the Registration Form with Deposit check made payable to FALL INSTITUTE to reserve your place. Remaining balance will be due upon arrival.

Pendle Hill, a twenty-four acre Quaker Retreat west of Philadelphia is our new venue.
Cost: has been significantly reduced:

  • Single Occupancy $420
  • Double Occupancy $380
  • Commuters $250

  • Smoking: All rooms and buildings are non-smoking.
  • Alcohol is not served, but BYOB is allowed in individual guest rooms and private rented spaces. We will provide libations for Saturday night’s social activity.
  • Parking and WiFi are complimentary. There are no televisions.
  • Check-In is Friday after 3:00 pm; rooms available after 4:00 pm.
  • Covid: Currently, no Covid restrictions apply. Yet, we will adhere to up-to-date protocol recommendations from the CDC and Pennsylvania.
  • Accommodations: There are six rooming houses. A few rooms have ensuite bathrooms while others share family style.
  • Food: For the most part, the food is made from scratch, with organic fruits and vegetables used extensively. All meals include gluten free and vegetarian and vegan options. The kitchen can offer plain chicken or tofu, boiled eggs, tuna or hummus.

    • View/Print Fall Institute
    Registration Form


    Contact: John Dalton


    For more details, yearly book lists
    Book Titles by Year