Fourth Friday Book Club in July
Fri, Jul 25, 2025, 2pm
The Fourth Friday Book Club will meet July 25th. The assigned book Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louis Penny, published in 2005.
This is a highly praised mystery. The Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team of investigators of the Surete du Quebec are called to the scene of what initially appears to be a tragic hunting accident. Gamache concludes something more sinister, that the victim was murdered, and off we go to a who-done-it mystery.
From the numerous reviews and accolades this is no ordinary mystery novel. What takes it out of the ordinary, let me summarize from several reviews. Penny succeeds in developing a highly complex, ingeniously devised plot. Beyond a well constructed mystery, the praise is in the writing: as cerebral, wise and compassionate. Not surprisingly the Inspector Gamache series has been the recipient of numerous awards. We have been shy of murder mysteries. Still Life fits the bill for a very satisfying reading experience.
Everyone is welcome to join in the FOURTH FRIDAY BOOK CLUB II meetings!
If you have questions or suggestions for future book selections, please contact Dorothy Marden at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
52 Loaves: One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust by William Alexander will be the selection for discussion when the UMRA Book Club gathers via Zoom for its first monthly meeting of 2026.
Developing a sense of identity is a central psychological task of the lifespan. Memories and stories from our personal past, as well as cultural memories and stories in society play key roles in how we develop our identities. This presentation will discuss psychological theory and research on how memories and stories make us who we are.
When you are of Icelandic descent you can trace your ancestors back to around 1200 and sometimes further.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
Here’s another great opportunity to buy discounted tickets and join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gophers when the Women’s Basketball team hosts the Purdue Boilermakers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on February 1.
Join fellow UMRA members for a morning hike in Theodore Wirth Park to celebrate Groundhog Day on Monday, February 2.
UMRA’s special event for this winter will again be a celebration of brighter days and the approaching end of winter. We’ll have food, fellowship, and music provided by Urban Sound, one of the University’s premier student a cappella ensembles.
"One color" is the theme for the meeting of the UMRA Photo Club on Tuesday, February 10.
Family history with Jim Kurle. A tale of Swedish emigration to Dunn County, North Dakota including my grandfather, whose unusual relationship to several churches, and religion in general, was one of the reasons for his emigrating.
UMRA’s Cabinets of Curiosity tour on Thursday, February 12, will offer an inside look into the rich resources of the University Libraries Borchert Map Library. Map Librarian Ryan Mattke will showcase the treasures and innovations of one of the largest map libraries in the U.S.
Well-known Twin Cities-based financial journalist and economics commentator Chris Farrell will be the featured guest for UMRA’s February 17 Living Well Workshop via Zoom. He will discuss why and how the current generation of older Americans is not following the traditional retirement pattern of a relaxed lifestyle.
UMRA's Book Club I will discuss Where Rivers Part: A Story of My Mother's Life. Author is Kao Kalia Yang. Discussion leader is Linda Lindeke.
Renee Alexander’s first job at the Great Minnesota Get-Together was as an intern in 1989. She took over the top job in 2023, following the 26-year tenure of her predecessor.
Growing Up by Russell Baker.
Family history with Michelle Casey.