The Vicious Circle: Mystery and Crime Stories by Members of the Algonquin Round Table edited by Otto Penzler.
Tuesday, June 10
The legendary figures of the “Algonquin Round Table”-a group of New York City writers and critics from the 1920s, many affiliated with the New Yorker- who met regularly for lunch at the Algonquin Hotel, were famous for their wit, sophistication and sarcasm as well as their drinking.  They included Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, George S. Kaufman and S.J. Perelman, among other leading lights. Otto Penzler has collected mystery and crime stories written by a number of them, which shows them at their witty and clever best. Hosted by Daniel Polvere. Please reserve by Saturday, June 7.  Cocktails at 6pm, followed by dinner and discussion at 7pm. $35*

River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler
Tuesday, July 8
In 1996, 26-year-old Peter Hessler arrived in Fuling, a town on China's Yangtze River, to begin a two-year Peace Corps stint as a teacher at the local college. Along with fellow teacher Adam Meier, the two are the first foreigners to be in this part of the Sichuan province for 50 years. Expecting a calm couple of years, Hessler at first does not realize the social, cultural and personal implications of being thrust into such a radically different society. Hosted by Judith Fleming. Please reserve by Saturday, July 5.  Cocktails at 6pm, followed by dinner and discussion at 7pm. $35*