PBC Guru is partnering with Dartmouth to bring you a virtual book club that will feature a book every quarter, culminating with a virtual live discussion with the author and a Dartmouth expert. Topics and genres will range broadly—from fiction to self-help to history to science and the arts. Book club members connect through a private forum where participants discuss the current book and network with one another as they read over the months before the live author event.

The book club will have a moderator from Professional Book Club (PBC) Guru who manages the online discussion forum. The moderator will pose questions to the book club, share relevant articles, and facilitate conversation about topics in the book. 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.

Joining is completely free; you just need a copy of the book (paper or digital) to enjoy. You choose whether and how often you want to engage online on the platform.

1. Hear from Dartmouth authors and experts on topics and books of interest to you: Meet Dartmouth community members interested in fascinating topics and read the latest books by alumni and others. Hear from faculty about new research. Gain author insights on their latest books and discuss key points or themes with others.
2. Connect with fellow alumni, parents, and friends: Our book club will introduce you to alumni and others across industries, generations, and geographies—and maybe reconnect you with old friends—all while gaining different perspectives as you read and discuss thought-provoking books.
3. Have fun exploring ideas and perspectives with others: Enjoy the lifelong learning and intellectual challenge of engaging with others in the Dartmouth community on topics of importance to you!

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 quarter. The texts selected will take an average of nine hours to read cover to cover which equates to about one to two hours of reading each week.

Will there be any in-person book club meetings?

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.

How do I get the books?

You can get the books for free at your local library or purchase them.

How do book club discussions work?

The book club will have a moderator from Professional Book Club (PBC) Guru who manages the online discussion forum. The moderator will pose questions to the book club, share relevant articles, and facilitate conversation about topics in the book. 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 virtual book club, so you can easily connect with fellow alumni and friends. During our sign up 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?

PBC Guru is a book club management company that works with businesses, alumni associations and professional societies. We are teaming up with PBC to put this program in place for Dartmouth alumni, faculty and staff. You can check out their website at www.pbc.guru if you want to see more of what they do.

What if my question isn't answered?

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