Two more chances to discuss those books you read

Summer’s over. And at the moment, I can’t think of two more sad words.

What did we accomplish? Got a bit older. Survived some truly smoke-filled air. Some of us traveled. Others of us spent time in the sun.

And the readers among us did some serious damage to that pile of books that sit next to our beds. The best books I read this summer were:

“The Narrow Road to the Deep North,” by Richard Flanagan.

“The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History,” by Elizabeth Kolbert.

“Stoner,” by John Edward Williams.

I read a number of others, too, though they turned out to be far less memorable. Anyway, I mention reading as a way of listing two book discussion groups that will meet today at Auntie’s Bookstore . Both are open to new members.

The first meets at the store this morning at 11. The book under discussion is “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S.C. Gwynne. The second meets, also at the store, this evening at 7. That group will discuss the book “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair” by Joel Dicker.

For more information, call the store at (509) 838-0206. Or just come on down. Or at least consider it.

Because the only thing sadder than the end of summer is having read a good book but not having anyone with whom you can talk about it. Or, if you prefer, argue.