The Armchair Travelers Book Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Please call Walteria Library Staff for more information  at 310-375-8418.

Don't Stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk (Published 1965)
Wednesday, July 8,  2026, at 11:00 a.m.

A humorous and chaotic novel about a New York businessman who leaves city life behind to run a failing hotel in the Caribbean. What begins as a dream of paradise quickly turns into a comedy of endless disasters, eccentric guests, and island bureaucracy.

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (English edition, published 2015)
Wednesday, August 12,  2026, at 11:00 a.m.

A gentle, reflective novel about a Parisian bookseller who prescribes books as emotional medicine. After discovering a long-hidden letter from a lost love, he embarks on a journey through France to confront grief, healing, and second chances. An international bestseller and Indie Next selection. 

The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean (Published 1998)
Wednesday, September 9  2026, at 11:00 a.m.

A nonfiction narrative about an eccentric orchid poacher in Florida and the strange, obsessive world of orchid collectors. The book blends investigative journalism, natural history, and meditations on passion and beauty. Finalist for the National Book Award and adapted into the acclaimed film: Adaptation.

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philip Sendker (English edition, published 2012)
Wednesday, October 14,  2026, at 11:00 a.m.

A lyrical novel set partly in Burma/Myanmar about a woman searching for her missing father. Her journey uncovers an extraordinary love story centered on compassion, intuition, and spiritual connection. An internationally acclaimed bestseller.

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips (Published 2019)
Thursday, November 12,  2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Literary fiction set on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula after two young sisters vanish. Through interconnected perspectives, the novel examines fear, gender, isolation, and the ripple effects of tragedy across a community. Finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction and winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez (Published 2014)
Wednesday, December 9,  2026, at 11:00 a.m.

A powerful multi-voiced novel centered on immigrant families living in a Delaware apartment complex. The story explores identity, sacrifice, belonging, and the emotional realities of the American immigrant experience. Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.