The Greater Book Series was started by WTAMU English professor Bonnie Roos and it is open to all members of the community.“With the Greater Book Series we are trying to bring what we do with out classes to the community,” Dr. Jeff Doty, WT English Professor, said.

The Greater Book Series meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Hastings off Georgia. WT English and Philosophy professors prepare lectures on specific historical text or figure.

On Feb. 16, the topic of discussion was Romeo and Juliet and Dr. Doty presented the lecture.  Dr. Doty started his lecture by presenting the group with a discussion on the history of Romeo and Juliet as well as some history of the time period. Then he seemly moved into the text of Romeo and Juliet. Dr. Doty’s lecture slowly turned in to a relaxed educational discussion about the text and Shakespeare’s thought processes while writing his plays.

The Greater Book Series meetings include people of all different age groups, all hoping to get some thing different out of the lecture. WT English major Joshua Adams was one student in attendance.

“The lectures will be something I’ll add to my knowledge tool box, having interaction with people who care about the material is great,” Adams said. “I attend the lectures to hear a bunch of different perspectives.”

Not only do students attend the lectures, 85-year-old retiree Hugh LeClair also joins the discussions.

“Even at 85 I still enjoy learning,” he said.

The Greater Book Series offers people of the community and students an opportunity to come together and explore literature in an environment that is relaxed. The next Greater Book Series Lecture will be March 17 and will focus on the Shakespearian play  Julius Caesar.