In this online community, alumni can connect with each other and enjoy books related to lifelong learning, professional development, social issues and more. There is no cost to participate – just get a copy of the book to enjoy!
“Being in the Winthrop Virtual Alumni Book Club encourages me to read books I might not have been exposed to otherwise. Members vote on upcoming books to read, and the reading pace is realistic with our busy schedules. It is also a treat to attend the virtual author discussions and interact with other alumni through the online community. You are able to participate as much or as little as you like!”
-Pat Plexico Boutwell ’84
The current book is "The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony" by Annabelle Tometich.
When journalist Annabelle Tometich picks up the phone one June morning, she isn’t expecting a collect call from an inmate at the Lee County Jail. And when she accepts, she certainly isn’t prepared to hear her mother’s voice on the other end of the line. However, explaining the situation to her younger siblings afterwards was easy; all she had to say was, “Mom shot at some guy. He was messing with her mangoes.” They immediately understood. Answering the questions of the breaking-news reporter—at the same newspaper where Annabelle worked as a restaurant critic––proved more difficult. Annabelle decided to go with a variation of the truth: it was complicated.
The reading period is March 14-May16.
Click here to read a summary and reviews for it.
Join the Virtual Alumni Book Club by signing up at www.pbc.guru/winthrop.
Below is our reading schedule for 2025, which is a 10-week reading period for each book. This allows members time to read the book, participate in the discussion and choose if they will participate in the next reading selection.
Book 1: "Pets and the City" by Dr. Amy Attas. Reading period, Jan. 3 - March 7.
Book 2: "The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony" by Annabelle Tometich. Reading period, March 14 - May 16.
Book 3: "The Overnight Guest" by Heather Gudenkauf. Reading period, May 23 - July 25.
Book 4: Reading period, Aug. 2 - Oct. 4.
Book 5: Reading period, Oct. 11 - Dec. 13.
Winthrop has partnered with PBC Guru to manage our book club. PBC Guru manages professional book clubs for companies and alumni associations and will be moderating the group to help make this program a great experience for all participants.
Members will connect through a private online forum where people can discuss the current book and network with each other. Joining the book club is completely free for alumni and friends. You are responsible for obtaining your own copy of each book. The group will spend two months on each book, so you'll have plenty of time to read. There will be five books throughout the year and you can join or leave any book discussion you like.
Joining the book club will introduce you to Winthrop alumni and friends across industries, generations and geographies, while accommodating your engagement when and where you are most comfortable.
Improve your mind, gain wisdom, keep up with a constantly changing world and nurture a thirst for knowledge through the discussion, reflection and sharing of perspectives with likeminded people in a safe platform.
Research has proven that when we read we become mentally stronger. From improving on focus and concentration, to developing stronger analytical thinking skills, to reducing stress, to reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer's later in life, the health benefits derived from reading are innumerable.
PBC Guru will provide 3 book selections that alumni will vote on for each reading period. Participants are sent a link to vote in the online forum. Voting occurs about in the first few weeks of the previous reading period to allow 3-4 weeks to obtain the next book.
The sign-up page will include a description of how the book club works, answers to frequently asked questions, and information about the first book. The sign-up page will still be open for new participants throughout the year.
For each book, PBC Guru sends out e-mails with content that prompt discussions in the online forum. An e-mail may include a link to a review, article, podcast, Ted Talk, video, or quote. Other specialty e-mails provide a way to announce the vote for the next book, communicate with discussion leaders, and send out periodic surveys.
The online forum is where book club members can introduce themselves, discuss the book and learn from other participants. Participants log in with the username and password that they created during the sign-up process.
Alumni can join the book club at any time and do not have to participate in every reading session. If you have questions please contact the Winthrop Alumni Association at alumni@winthrop.edu. We look forward to reading with you!
