TDAC Member Book Club
TDAC invites our members to deepen their connection to each exhibition through thoughtful reading and conversation. Meeting at The Dalles Art Center on the final Thursday of each of our eight 2026 exhibits, the club provides a welcoming space to explore books selected to complement each show’s theme. Because exhibits run for six weeks, members will have a full six-week window to complete each title.
In partnership with The Dalles-Wasco County Public Library, ample copies of each book will be stocked in advance. As a result, this program is completely free for individuals who are members of both TDAC and the Library. Join us throughout the year as we connect art, ideas, and community one exhibition and one great book at a time!
Membership will be verified upon registration. Click here to renew your TDAC membership, or to become a new member!
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The Overstory
by Richard Powers
March 5 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with Elemental: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Spirit
A sweeping, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that examines the profound interconnection between humans and the natural world. Through its richly layered stories and arboreal symbolism, the book mirrors the exhibit’s exploration of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit as forces that shape our lives. Its themes of growth, resilience, and ecological awareness offer a resonant literary companion to the artwork on view.
We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson
April 16 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with Strange and Unusual
A quietly haunting novel that blurs the boundaries between innocence, menace, and the uncanny. Its intimate, unsettling atmosphere reflects the exhibit’s embrace of the mysterious and the unexpected, inviting readers to examine how perception, secrecy, and psychological tension shape our understanding of the world. This classic work offers a compelling literary lens through which to experience the exhibition.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
May 38 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with The Way We See It
Their Eyes Were Watching God explores self-discovery, autonomy, and the evolving lens through which we come to understand ourselves and others. Through Janie Crawford’s journey, the novel examines perception, identity, and the power of personal vision, making it a resonant companion to The Way We See It, an exhibit rooted in expanding and reframing how we interpret the world around us.
The Secret Lives of Color by Kassie St. Clair
July 9 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with Kaleidescopia
The Secret Lives of Color uncovers the stories, histories, and hidden meanings behind the hues that shape our visual world. Its joyful exploration of color as culture, science, and emotion mirrors the vibrant patterning and layered symbolism of Kaleidoscopia, making it a perfect literary companion to an exhibit grounded in color, pattern, and perception in motion.
Braiding Sweetgrass
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
August 20 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with Marwin Begaye
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass blends Indigenous knowledge, ecology, and storytelling to illuminate the reciprocal relationships that sustain life. This meditation on kinship, gratitude, and the living world beautifully complements Marwin Begaye’s use of birds, pattern, and Diné symbology; both inviting viewers and readers to consider how culture, land, and connection shape our shared experience.
Olga Dies Dreaming
by Xóchitl González
October 1 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with Raíces: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Xóchitl González’s Olga Dies Dreaming follows a pair of New York–based Puerto Rican siblings as they navigate family, cultural identity, and the legacies that shape them. Its lively, emotionally layered portrait of heritage, both celebrated and complicated, pairs seamlessly with Raíces, an exhibit dedicated to exploring the depth, diversity, and creative power of Hispanic cultural roots.
Interview with the Vampire
by Anne Rice
November 12 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with Mark Nilsson: 50 Years of Art
In celebration of Mark Nilsson’s 50th Anniversary exhibit, TDAC’s Book Club will read Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, published in 1976 and celebrating its own 50th anniversary in 2026. Set against a gothic, atmospheric backdrop, the novel explores themes of time, memory, mortality, and artistic obsession, making it a fitting companion to an exhibition that reflects on five decades of creative evolution. With its introspective tone and enduring cultural impact, the book invites readers to consider how art, identity, and legacy are shaped across generations.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
December 17 | 6-8pm
In conjunction with the Holiday Artisan Market
Paired with our Holiday Market, The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan is a charming, feel-good romantic comedy celebrating books, second chances, and the magic of the season. Set against a festive backdrop, this cozy novel embraces the warmth, whimsy, and hopeful spirit of the holidays, making it the perfect lighthearted read to close out the year together.
