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January, 2026
January, 2026
Orbital, by Samantha Harvey
Orbital, by Samantha Harvey
WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024 • A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
**New York Times Book Review Book Club Pick**
**Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show Book Club Pick**
Winner of the 2024 Hawthornden Prize
Shortlisted for the 2024 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction
Shortlisted for the 2024 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction
Shortlisted for the 2024 Climate Fiction Prize
One of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of 2024
A singular new novel from Betty Trask Prize-winner Samantha Harvey, Orbital is an eloquent meditation on space and life on our planet through the eyes of six astronauts circling the earth in 24 hours
"Ravishingly beautiful." — Joshua Ferris, New York Times
A slender novel of epic power and the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, Orbital deftly snapshots one day in the lives of six women and men traveling through space. Selected for one of the last space station missions of its kind before the program is dismantled, these astronauts and cosmonauts—from America, Russia, Italy, Britain, and Japan—have left their lives behind to travel at a speed of over seventeen thousand miles an hour as the earth reels below. We glimpse moments of their earthly lives through brief communications with family, their photos and talismans; we watch them whip up dehydrated meals, float in gravity-free sleep, and exercise in regimented routines to prevent atrophying muscles; we witness them form bonds that will stand between them and utter solitude. Most of all, we are with them as they behold and record their silent blue planet. Their experiences of sixteen sunrises and sunsets and the bright, blinking constellations of the galaxy are at once breathtakingly awesome and surprisingly intimate.
Profound and contemplative, Orbital is a moving elegy to our environment and planet.
About
About
Each month, we embark on a new literary adventure, exploring a captivating book together. Our monthly discussions are engaging and varied — we gather at the library with snacks, sip tea at members' homes, enjoy outdoor picnics, visit restaurants, and sometimes watch a movie related to the book. These gatherings are more than just discussions — they’re a chance to spark curiosity, deepen friendships, and share some laughs.
Reading or finishing a book is optional! Whether you've finished every page, are halfway through, or are just curious to hear others' perspectives, you're welcome to join us. Our discussions blend structure and spontaneity: we take turns sharing our thoughts, followed by lively debates and reflections on the questions and themes the book inspires. It’s a warm, inclusive space where ideas flow freely, connections grow, and fun is always on the agenda.
January 2026 to June 2026 Books:
January 2026 to June 2026 Books:
January 29, 2026: Orbital, by Samantha Harvey
February 26, 2026: The Sun Does Shine, by Anthony Ray Hinton
March 26, 2026: These Silent Woods, by Kimi Cunningham Grant
April 30, 2026: Solito A Memoir, by Javier Zamora
May 28, 2026: Missing Person, by Patrick Modiano
June 25, 2026: Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women, by Hetta Howes
Short url of the club homepage: http://tinyurl.com/pvwc-bookclub
Club Goal:
Club Goal:
We read books and share our reading experiences to enrich our lives, gain knowledge, keep up mental stimulation, connect with and learn from each other, and just simply relax and have fun!
We invite you to join us on this wonderful journey of self-discovery, making friends, and learning about the world through reading and sharing.
Book types: classic literature, science fiction, popular science, award-winning literature, and No political books.
Meeting Frequency: 1 book/month
Meeting: 1 PM - 2:30 PM, last Thursday of each month, at PV Library private room.
Format: Casual. You do not need to finish the book to participate in the discussion; if you find it difficult to finish a book, we understand - everyone has a different taste, and some times a book just does not work for you; no worries, you are still welcome to come and hear what others have to say about the book and why or why not they like it.
Movies: We may choose to view movies of the books we read before discussion.
Member Recommendations: Members are encouraged to recommend their favorite book to the club. While we are a small group, members could recommend up to 3 books
Moderator: Members of the club volunteer and take turns to be moderators for the monthly discussion.
Vote: A new poll will be posted on the Vote for Next Book page in June and December. Each voting period will choose 6 months' book.
Online Summaries: If you are not able to attend the monthly meeting, we encourage you to check out our Discussion Summary page to see what has been talked about.
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