Meeting throughout the year (except August), our group members select novels written in English that reflect the changes in the world during the twentieth and early twenty first century. Together we consider their significance today and at the time when they were published. The aim is to range widely through the 1900s (and slightly beyond) and to include literature from a variety of cultural backgrounds. We shall start in October by discussing “Beloved” by Toni Morrison(1987). Those who are allocated places should come prepared. In November we shall discuss “The Siege” by Helen Dunmore (2001). Both books were “near misses” from our reading list last year. All the remaining novels for the year (December 2023 to September 2024) are based on members' suggestions which the group votes on in October. Ideally the programme of novels reflects different periods, genres and cultures.