What we’re about
This group is operated by the James Blackstone Memorial Library.
A book club geared towards 20-30 somethings! We’re venturing outside your mom's living room & bringing a book club to you! Books & Brews currently meets at the library (758 Main St) the last Wednesday of every month. All books provided by us so it's 100% free.
BYO drinks and snacks. We are on the lookout for a new venue to move to (we were hosted by Thimble Islands Brewery until they closed in May 2025), but until then, we'll meet in the library's auditorium. Come have some fun & get lit…erary at Books & Brews!
Books & Brews is part of our meetup group Everyday Adventurers. Be sure to check out our main page for more fun events!
Upcoming events
1
November Book Discussion
James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford, CT, USHello Books & Brews! For our next meeting, we'll be discussing The House of My Mother by Shari Franke. You can read all about it below, and if you'd like copies of the books we'll have some available at the Reference Desk of the James Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford.
The House of My Mother by Shari Franke
Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.As the family’s YouTube notoriety grew, so too did Ruby’s delusions of righteousness. Fueled by the sadistic influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, together they implemented an inhumane and merciless disciplinary regime.
Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Utah in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo online of a police car outside their home. Her caption had one word: “Finally.”
For the first time, Shari will reveal the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt’s cultish life coaching program, “ConneXions.” No stone is left unturned as Shari exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares for the first time her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother’s cruelty.
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*Due to Thimble Island Brewery's closure, our discussions are being held in the Blackstone Library auditorium* We're asking that everyone continue to RSVP if you intend on joining us so we can keep an eye on the headcount for the meeting. New members always welcome!
10 attendees
Past events
102
