How It Works

We have partnered with the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College to create an online book club for Mount Holyoke alums. Book club members will connect through a private forum to discuss the current book and network with each other. Joining is completely free; simply find a copy of the book to enjoy! The book club will read one book every two months so that you'll have plenty of time for each book.

Our March to May Selection:

Cover image for current book

By Her Own Design:

The Story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best-Kept Secret

by Piper Huguley

The Books

Below are a few examples of the kind of books the group may read. We will vote between several options each period and select a book based on reader interests.

Cover image for example book entitled
Cover image for example book entitled
Cover image for example book entitled
Cover image for example book entitled
Cover image for example book entitled
Cover image for example book entitled

Frequently Asked Questions

How often will books be read, what is the time commitment and what are the expectations?

We plan to start the book club by reading one book every two months. The texts selected may be about lifelong learning and personal growth or could be novels and other books. Expect the books to take an average of nine hours to read cover to cover. If you have between one and two hours a week to read, you should be fine.

Will there be any in-person meetings of the book club?

No. The book club will be entirely online. You can participate anywhere you have internet access and on days and times that are convenient to you.

Is there any cost to participate?

Participation is free for all alums!

How do I get the books?

Participants can get books for free at their local library or purchase them.

How do book club discussions work?

The book club will have a moderator from PBC Guru who manages the forum where discussions occur online. The moderator will pose questions to the book club, share relevant articles and facilitate conversations about topics in the books. Members will be encouraged to post and share as well. This format allows for ongoing conversation and makes it easy for readers to connect with each other through the forum.

How do I make a forum profile?

We're using a private forum to host the online book club so it's easy to connect with fellow alums. During our signup process, you will enter the information to auto-generate your free profile. After you complete the sign up, we'll send you a link to the forum and you can begin to post right away!

What exactly is PBC Guru and what do they have to do with the book club?

Professional Book Club (PBC) Guru is a book club management company that works with businesses, alumni/ae associations and professional societies. The Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College is partnering with PBC to put this program in place for alums. You can check out their website at www.pbc.guru if you want to see more of what they do.

I've already signed up. How do I log in?

If you are already a member, you can click here to log in.

What if my question isn't answered?

Feel free to send an email to info@pbc.guru and we will be happy to help.