Social: Longform Article Reading Club

Short Read, Deep Dive
Saturday, 1/31/2026
10:00 - 11:30
Virtual Library

United States

Register

Discuss a longform magazine or newspaper article with a group of longreads fans in this new monthly club from the Magazines and Newspapers Center. It’s like a book club, but instead of books we discuss periodical articles of approximately 10,000 words in length, which take about an hour to read.   

To participate, read the month's selection ahead of time, then join the discussion at the appointed time and location.  

The agenda of the meeting includes round-robin introductions, a forty-five minute discussion utilizing the shared inquiry method, and then a final twenty minutes to share any other thoughts the article brought up for you.  

Typically, selections can be investigative journalism, creative writing, personal essay or another genre, as long as it was originally published in a periodical.  

January 2026 Selection 

“The Last Words on the Bridge” by William Langewiesche. A recording salvaged from three miles deep tells the story of the doomed El Faro, a cargo ship engulfed by a hurricane. Vanity Fair, April 2018, pp. 92-98; 131-137. 

Saturday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the SFPL Virtual Library (register on Zoom)

Access options:

February 2026 Selection 

"Jenisha From Kentucky" by Jenisha Wells. I came to New York sure of one thing—that no one could ever know my past. The Atlantic, October 2023, pp. 26-40. 

Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.* at the Ortega Branch Library, Program Room 

(*note changed time)

Access options:

March 2026 Selection

"The Dementia Paradox/The Mother Who Changed: A Story of Dementia" by Katie Engelhart. A bitter family dispute hinged on an impossible question: When cognitive decline changes people, should we respect their new desires? New York Times Sunday Magazine, May 14, 2023, pp. 20-27; 44.

Saturday, Mar. 28, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the SFPL Virtual Library (register on Zoom) 

Access options:

Spotlight

What's News

Programs that highlight how the library's vast periodicals collection can help you dig deeper in your research, expand your horizons and stay informed.

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.