WNYC and the New York Public Library have joined forces for a virtual book club

New Yorkers may have to remain physically apart right now, but we can still all come together through literature.

WNYC and the New York Public Library have joined forces to launch a virtual book club for New Yorkers during this time of self-isolation. Presented as part of "Get Lit," the monthly book club from WNYC's weekday arts and culture show All Of It, the book club's first pick is James McBride’s award-winning novel Deacon King Kong, a New York Times bestseller that takes place in the Brooklyn projects of the late 1960s.

Throughout the month, participants will be able to follow touchpoints on the book as they're shared on the social handles @allofitwnyc and @nypl. Club host, WNYC journalist Alison Stewart, will also continue the conversation on-air. 

There will even be a virtual "meeting" at the end of the month! (Sadly, this does mean you'll have to supply your own wine.) On April 30 at 7pm, James McBride will join Stewart for a live-streamed conversation on his novel and to take questions from those following along at home. 

Want to get your hands on this month's read? New Yorkers can download the library’s e-reading app SimplyE to borrow the book (as well as browse the institution's selection of 300,000 other free e-books available on the app. This bad boy could keep you busy for a long time.) If you don't have a library card, you can even apply for one directly within the app and immediately start borrowing.

Happy reading! On a related note, this would also probably be a great excuse to get a fancy cheese board delivered. (But you didn't really need an excuse, did you?)