Veterans Book Groups

Maryland’s veterans connect through humanities discussion.

After a successful launch ten years ago, Veterans Book Groups return for 2025.

At Maryland Humanities, we know that the humanities can play an important role in articulating the unique issues and concerns faced by veterans. Using literature to discuss service fosters connection, reduces feelings of isolation, and provides a safe context in which to explore issues regarding military service.

Veterans Book Groups aim to bring veterans of all eras together to talk about military experiences and returning to civilian life while providing an informal, supportive environment for discussion.

Readings range from classics to contemporaries – that means Herman Melville to Khaled Hosseini and everywhere in between! Syllabi vary, but all groups read the full gamut of literature including memoirs, novels, poetry, short stories, and essays.

Here’s a selection of titles, some of which are read by our Veterans Book Groups.

Groups gather regularly in Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s Counties.

Check below for details on discussions near you!

  • Baltimore County - Towson Library

    Fourth Mondays of the month, January to May 2025
    January 27, February 24, March 24, April 28, and May 19, 2025
    6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

    (Please note the date for the May gathering is the third Monday because of the Memorial Day holiday).

    In-person at:
    Baltimore County Public Library, Towson Branch
    320 York Road
    Towson, MD 21204

    Led by Dr. Karen Arnold, former visiting professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, this book group is open to current service members and veterans from all eras. Participants should plan to attend all five sessions. Dinner and materials are provided. Registration is required.

    Registration: Please call the Towson Branch at 410-887-6166 to register.

    PREVIEW THE SYLLABUS   Get Directions

  • Harford County - Bel Air Library

    Second Wednesdays of the Month, January to May 2025
    January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, and May 14, 2025
    6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

    In-person at:
    Harford County Public Library, Bel Air Branch
    100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue
    Bel Air, MD 21014

    Led by Dr. Karen Arnold, former visiting professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, this book group is open to current service members and veterans from all eras. Dinner and materials are provided.

    Register here beginning Monday, December 2, 2024: https://programs.hcplonline.org/event/12233734

    PREVIEW THE SYLLABUS   GET DIRECTIONS

  • Howard County - Central Branch

    First Sundays of the Month from February to June 2025

    February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, and June 1, 2025
    1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

    The Howard County Veterans Book Group will be virtual.

    Led by David Owens, United States Naval Academy, Class of 1994, this book group is open to current service members and veterans of all eras. Participants should plan to attend all five sessions. Materials are provided. Registration is required.

    Register here: https://bit.ly/VbgHCLS-2025 

    PREVIEW THE SYLLABUS    GET DIRECTIONS

  • Prince George's County - Montpelier Arts Center

    Third Tuesdays of the Month, January to May 2025
    January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, and May 20, 2025
    7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    The Prince George’s County Veterans Book Group will be held in person at:
    Montpelier Arts Center
    9652 Muirkirk Road
    Laurel, MD 20708

    Led by Dr. Karen Arnold, former visiting professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, this book group is open to current service members and veterans from all eras. Materials are provided. Participants should plan to attend all five sessions. Registration is required.

    Register by calling 301-377-7800. More registration information to come soon!

    PREVIEW THE SYLLABUS   GET DIRECTIONS

  • St. Mary's County - Lexington Park Library

    First Saturdays of the Month, February to June 2025
    February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, and June 14, 2025
    2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    The St. Mary’s County Veterans Book Group will be held at:
    St. Mary’s County Library, Lexington Park Library
    21677 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Blvd.
    Lexington Park, MD 20653

    Led by Vietnam Veteran, Author, and College of Southern Maryland Professor, Wayne Karlin, this book group is open to current service members and veterans from all eras, as well as their spouses, children, and other family members. Participants should plan to attend all five sessions. Materials are provided. Registration is required.

    **Please note the last meeting in June is on the second Saturday of the month, on June 14.**

    Register here: https://stmalib.libnet.info/event/11838125

    PREVIEW THE SYLLABUS   Get Directions

Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and presented locally in partnership with the Baltimore, Harford, Howard, and St. Mary’s County public libraries and Montpelier Arts Center. The program was created by the Maine Humanities Council to promote understanding of the military experience and to support returning veterans.

  • “[In Veterans Book Group,] I considered other perspectives both of other service members and others who did not serve.”

    Veterans Book Group participant

  • It was an interesting thing to do. The process of digging through photos, souvenirs, copies of old orders, and other memorabilia was meaningful after 43 years…I was impressed with all of the students I met.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant

  • “I feel more connected to history.”

    ​Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • We were enabled to go into the community and get information from real people. Also, the assignment was pretty subjective so we were able to take it in any way we liked. We led the projects and each one is so different from the next.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • It’s different from other projects because I actually got to interact with someone and get information from something other than a history book.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • “Being a part of the group provided me with a safe area to revisit my thoughts and feelings on my experience during the war.”

    Veterans Book Group participant

  • “I met some great people, read books I might never have otherwise, [and] had great discussion.”

    Veterans Book Group participant

  • “The enthusiasm, and preparedness of your students was impressive. I have spoken about them at different forums, as the leaders of a new generation of Americans, who will study the past, so, not to repeat the mistakes.”

    ​Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant

  • “This oral history experience was amazing. I learned so much and will never forget this. I LOVED IT, I was super skeptical at first. I felt like we had a lack of planning but I think everything went so great.”

    ​Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • I didn’t know that with history came such unique stories and experience.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • “This was the first time I felt comfortable admitting that I was a female Viet Nam vet!”

    Veterans Book Group participant

  • “Again it was a wonderful experience with your students and a great project for them. To see and talk to real Vietnam vets is important to get real stories. You have a lot of work to do but it is a really worthwhile experience for the students “as well” as us Vietnam vets.”

    ​Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant

  • “[In Veterans Book Group,] I learned a different way to explain combat experience to one who has never been in the service.”

    Veterans Book Group participant

  • We were really moved by the testimony of the veterans and impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the students.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, parent

  • Thank you once again for the opportunity for me to share with your students a little about my Vietnam experiences. What you are doing is very special and I hope you will be able to continue this fine effort.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant
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