Reading Groups

The Literary Sex Lives of James Baldwin with Channelle Chevelle Russell

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3 Sessions Wednesdays, 6:30 pm EDT - 8:00 pm EDT February 4 to March 18, 2026

The Center for Fiction

The ‘With Books’ option includes the titles required for this group at a 10% discount from our Bookstore.

Meeting Dates:
2/4, 2/25, 3/18
In Person at The Center for Fiction

Turning our attention to the terrain of Baldwin’s fiction, this reading group explores questions of sexuality, race, and American culture in Giovanni’s Room and Another Country. Over the course of three sessions, we will pay special attention to the ways race, gender, and sexuality converge or split in Baldwin’s constructed literary worlds. This group is perfect for those unfamiliar with Baldwin, as well as those who want to deepen their engagement with one of America’s foremost writers and thinkers.

Reading List:

Session I: Giovanni’s Room
Session II: Another Country (first half: pages 1–227)
Session III: Another Country (second half: pages 228–end)

What to read in advance of the first meeting: Participants should read Giovanni’s Room in its entirety in advance of the first meeting.

What to expect from this reading group: After a brief preamble and launch of discussion from the instructor, this course will be organic and participant-driven with light structuring, time-managing notes on significant themes and scenes from the instructor (as needed).

Pricing inclusive of sales tax if applicable.

Led by

Channelle Chevelle Russell

Channelle Chevelle Russell

Channelle Chevelle Russell is a writer studying English & Comparative Literature at Columbia University. When not in the library plying through volumes of cultural theory, Channelle can be found taking much-needed walks through the park and working on her first novel. Channelle has held previous positions at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and earned her graduate degree in Creative Writing from Scotland’s University of St Andrews. She studied Black diasporic literature and history at Emory University and writes the newsletter Girl Uninterrupted.

About this series

Reading Groups

Whether you’re looking to catch up on great novels or you’re interested in exploring a new writer or literary period, our reading groups offer high-level literary discussion led by experts in the field.

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