Literary Libations | January Book Club

Join fellow book lovers for Literary Libations, a free monthly book club hosted in the Parlor Room at The Study at Morrison House. Taking place one Wednesday each month, this gathering offers a relaxed and welcoming space to dive into your next read—whether it’s a timeless classic, a trending release, or the latest must-read from BookTok.

Sip on themed cocktails and mocktails inspired by the book of the month, pair them with small plates from The Study’s bar menu, or linger after the discussion to indulge in a seasonal tasting menu.

Literary Libations isn’t a formal, structured discussion—it’s a cozy salon for mingling, exchanging ideas, and diving into new worlds together. Conversation starters and thoughtful prompts will be scattered around the room, but the conversation is all yours to shape.

The epic tale of Janie Crawford, whose quest for identity takes her on a journey during which she learns what love is, experiences life’s joys and sorrows, and come home to herself in peace. Her passionate story prompted Alice Walker to say, “There is no book more important to me than this one.”

When first published in 1937, this novel about a proud, independent black woman was generally dismissed by male reviewers. Out of print for almost thirty years, but since its reissue in paperback edition by the University of Illionois Press in 1978, Their Eyes Were Watching God has become the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature.

With haunting sympathy and piercing immediacy, Their Eyes Were Watching God tells the story of Janie Crawford’s evolving selfhood through three marriages. Light-skinned, long-haired, dreamy as a child, Janie grows up expecting better treatment than she gets until she meets Tea Cake, a younger man who engages her heart and spirit in equal measure and gives her the chance to enjoy life without being a man’s mule or adornment. Though Jaine’s story does not end happily, it does draw to a satisfying conclusion. Janie is one black woman who doesn’t have to live lost in sorrow, bitterness, fear, or foolish romantic dreams, instead Janie proclaims that she has done “two things everbody’s got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.”

Info: The first 15 minutes of the book club will be used for guests to get settled, maybe order a cocktail or small plate from the bar, and allow for wiggle room for anyone running late!

Info: Our local host will welcome you and your fellow book lovers to the space. Following an introduction of the book, our host will pose a question or prompt to ignite discussions amongst the group!

Info: There is no formal ending to our Literary Libations book club. Feel free to sip, mingle and discuss for as short or as long as you'd like!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection, 116 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, United States

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