The Rye Free Reading Room and Allen Clark launched a new series of literary discussions open to the public in spring 2016. Led by Dr. Mark Schenker, Sr. Associate Dean at Yale College and Dean of Academic Affairs, these talks have been extremely popular, leading to three more on the calendar this spring.

“All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque, one of the great antiwar novels about World War I, is scheduled for Sunday, March 18 from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. A selection of five poems by Robert Frost will be discussed April 15, followed by “Streetcar Named Desire” on May 6.

Remarque’s novel recounts the experiences of a young private in the trenches during World War I, using the soldier’s own crudely simple language to depict the horrors he endured. The Nazis eventually burned the book publicly and stripped him of his German citizenship. Translated into 45 languages, it has sold more than 50 million copies.

The event will be held in the library’s community meeting room. Refreshments and cheeses will be available during and afterwards. A voluntary donation to the Rye Free Reading Room will be requested, between $10 and $15 depending on the number of people attending. Reservations can be made by emailing amcrye@gmail.com.