Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Book of Genesis—History, Tradition, and Myth

DATES CHANGED: Wednesdays: April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.

Gilbert and Sullivan

Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!

View Flyer

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

Will the Center Hold? Part II (of II)

Mondays:, May 12 and 19, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price for EACH of two parts: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by Stan Roden
The central theme of these two separate courses (NOTE: participants may enroll in either Part I or Part II, or both) will be to examine and discuss pending or recently decided major legal cases involving constitutional rights, civil and human rights, and the environment. The course will begin with two premises: (a) Few people understand the enormous power of “common law judges,” and (b) Many people believe that the US legal system is beyond their comprehension, which it is not. These classes will pinpoint cases in the trial and appellate courts (mostly federal, but states also) and examine the judicial decision-making process and approaches used by the judges and justices on a variety of legal challenges, with special emphasis on core constitutional and environmental issues.

View Flyer

Gilbert and Sullivan

Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!

Will the Center Hold? Part II (of II)

Mondays:, May 12 and 19, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price for EACH of two parts: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by Stan Roden
The central theme of these two separate courses (NOTE: participants may enroll in either Part I or Part II, or both) will be to examine and discuss pending or recently decided major legal cases involving constitutional rights, civil and human rights, and the environment. The course will begin with two premises: (a) Few people understand the enormous power of “common law judges,” and (b) Many people believe that the US legal system is beyond their comprehension, which it is not. These classes will pinpoint cases in the trial and appellate courts (mostly federal, but states also) and examine the judicial decision-making process and approaches used by the judges and justices on a variety of legal challenges, with special emphasis on core constitutional and environmental issues.

Gilbert and Sullivan

Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!

Art and Spirituality in Japan and China: Works from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Thursday, May 22, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

More details to come

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

Save the date for our annual fall picnic. More details to come.

Presented by Meg Kruszewska.

More details to come.

Presented by Bob Muller.

More details to come.

Please note that there is no class on Tuesday, Sept. 23 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

Presented by Norah Dunbar.

More details to come.

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

Presented by Scott DeVine.

More details to come.

Presented by Bob Muller.

More details to come.

Please note that there is no class on Tuesday, Sept. 23 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

Presented by Bruce Phillips via zoom. This course will be offered free of charge.

More details to come.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Presented by Stan Roden.

More details to come.

Presented by Holly Lohuis.

More details to come.

Presented by Stan Roden.

More details to come.

Presented by Bob Muller.

More details to come.

Please note that there is no class on Tuesday, Sept. 23 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

Presented by Norm Cohen.

More details to come.

Presented by Bob Muller.

More details to come.

Please note that there is no class on Tuesday, Sept. 23 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

Presented by Edward Finegan.

More details to come.

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

Presented by Norm Cohen.

More details to come.

Presented by Edward Finegan.

More details to come.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Presented by Bee Bloeser.

More details to come.

Presented by Norm Cohen.

More details to come.

Presented by Simon Williams

More details to come.

Presented by Pat McKinley.

More details to come.

Presented by James Glissom

More details to come.

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

Presented by Simon Williams

More details to come.

Presented by Pat McKinley.

More details to come.

Presented by Norm Cohen.

More details to come.

Presented by Ray Kwasnick

More details to come.

*Please note— this course will take place on four non-consecutive Mondays

Presented by Simon Williams

More details to come.

Presented by Steve Daniels.

More details to come.

Presented by Ray Kwasnick

More details to come.

*Please note— this course will take place on four non-consecutive Mondays

Presented by Bruce Phillips.

More details to come.

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

Presented by Simon Williams.

More details to come.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

Presented by Simon Williams.

More details to come.

Presented by Ray Kwasnick

More details to come.

*Please note— this course will take place on four non-consecutive Mondays

Presented by Simon Williams.

More details to come.

Presented by Ray Kwasnick

More details to come.

*Please note— this course will take place on four non-consecutive Mondays

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).