Thank you For Your SupPort
Except for Book Club we will be taking the summer off. Thank you for all of your support. See you in the fall.
Saturday August 29, 2026
The Brittany Ann Tranbaugh Band
Album Release Show - Lucky Broke Girl
Brittany Ann Tranbaugh (pronounced TRAN-baw) isn’t just another singer-songwriter passing through, she’s one of the most compelling emerging voices in Americana right now. Her music hits that rare balance, the kind of instantly memorable, Shania-style hooks you can’t shake, paired with the kind of storytelling depth you’d expect from legends like John Prine or Lucinda Williams. It’s heartfelt, sharp, a little gritty, and completely real.
Since walking away from her day job in 2023, Brittany has gone all in, playing more than 300 shows and touring nationally five times alongside her mentor Carsie Blanton. That kind of road-tested experience shows up on stage. This isn’t a quiet acoustic set, it’s a fully realized performance with a band that knows how to bring songs to life.
And then there’s the album.
Lucky Broke Girl isn’t just a debut, it’s a milestone. Funded by more than 400 fans who believe in what she’s building, recorded in Philadelphia with her band and producer Nick Krill, this record represents years of work, risk, and momentum coming together in one moment. When you’re in the room for an album release show like this, you’re not just hearing songs, you’re part of the story.
The accolades back it up. Song of the Year in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. First place at the Songwriter Serenade. A 2026 American Songwriter Magazine win. Named a “Queer Country Artist to Watch in 2026” by No Depression. But awards only tell part of it, what really matters is how it feels when she takes the stage.
And that’s where you come in.
This show at the Bell Tower Cultural Center isn’t just another date on a tour. It’s a celebration, a launch, and the kind of intimate, high-energy night that people talk about later, wishing they had been there.
If you love discovering artists before they blow up, if you want a night of music that actually connects, if you want to say you were there when this record came to life, this is your moment.
Come be part of it.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Booked at the Bell With Regina Marinelli
Join us at the Book Club at the Bell for an unforgettable discussion of a deeply moving and luminous work of literary fiction:
In the Gloaming by Alice Elliott Dark
Imagine this: A young man returns home to his family’s quiet countryside house, facing the final chapter of his life after a long struggle with illness. What unfolds is not a story of endings alone, but of reconnection—of a mother and son rediscovering one another, of a family navigating love, regret, memory, and grace in the soft, fading light of “the gloaming,” that tender space between day and night.
This isn’t just a story about loss—it’s a meditation on love, forgiveness, and the fragile beauty of human connection. Alice Elliott Dark writes with extraordinary sensitivity and depth, capturing the unspoken emotions that live within families. Through intimate moments and quiet revelations, she reminds us that even in life’s most difficult passages, there is dignity, meaning, and even unexpected joy.
Readers describe it as “heart-wrenching,” “beautifully written,” and “profoundly human.” It’s the kind of story that stays with you—gentle yet powerful, intimate yet universal. It invites us to reflect on our own relationships, the words we say (and don’t say), and the ways we show up for one another when it matters most.
Whether you are drawn to character-driven stories, reflective and emotional writing, or books that explore life’s biggest questions with honesty and grace, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Come share your thoughts: What does it mean to come home? How do families heal, or struggle to? What would you say if you knew time was limited?
When: June 11, 2026
Where: The Bell (cozy setting, great coffee and tea, everyone welcome)
What to bring: Your copy of In the Gloaming and your perspective
No pressure to be an expert—just come ready for a thoughtful and heartfelt discussion.
Programs like this tend to fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot.
We can’t wait to see you there—let’s reflect, connect, and share this beautiful story together.
(If you're new to the group, it’s friendly, welcoming, and always full of meaningful conversation.)
Please consider supporting independent book shops, such as Book & Puppet Co. in Easton.
Thursday July 9, 2026, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Booked at the Bell With Regina Marinelli
Join us at the Book Club at the Bell for an unforgettable discussion of a richly woven and timeless work of world literature:
Midaq Alley by Naguib Mahfouz
Imagine this: In a small, bustling alleyway in 1940s Cairo, life unfolds through the voices of its residents—the baker, the café owner, the matchmaker, the dreamers, and the restless souls longing for something more. Over the course of a single year, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, shaped by tradition, ambition, love, and the quiet pressures of a changing world. Beyond the narrow walls of the alley, opportunity and modernity are beginning to stir, pulling at the hopes and choices of those who live within it.
This isn’t just a story, it’s a vivid portrait of a community and the human condition itself. Naguib Mahfouz masterfully captures the rhythms of everyday life while exploring deeper themes of identity, desire, class, and transformation. Each character brings a unique perspective, revealing how personal dreams and societal change collide in both subtle and profound ways.
Readers describe it as “immersive,” “deeply human,” and “beautifully observed.” But beyond its rich storytelling, it raises enduring questions: How do people navigate change without losing themselves? What drives ambition, and what are its costs? And how do individual lives reflect the larger forces shaping a society?
Whether you love character-driven narratives, cultural exploration, or stories that offer both intimacy and breadth, this is a book that will spark thoughtful and meaningful conversation.
Come share your thoughts: Which character stayed with you the most, and why? How does the setting shape the choices each person makes? What parallels can we draw between that time and our own?
When: July 9, 2026
Where: The Bell (cozy setting, great coffee and tea, everyone welcome)
What to bring: Your copy of Midaq Alley and your perspective
No pressure to be an expert—just come ready for a compelling and engaging discussion. Programs like this tend to fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot.
We can’t wait to see you there—let’s step into the alley together and explore its stories!
(If you're new to the group, it’s friendly, welcoming, and always full of thoughtful conversation.)
Please consider supporting independent book shops, such as Book & Puppet Co. in Easton.
Thursday August 13, 2026, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Booked at the Bell With Regina Marinelli
Join us at the Book Club at the Bell for an unforgettable discussion of a thoughtful and emotionally rich literary novel:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Imagine this: At seventy three years old, Sybil Van Antwerp spends much of her life writing letters, to family, friends, authors, customer service departments, and even to filmmaker George Lucas. A retired attorney with a sharp mind and an often sharper tongue, Sybil is far from the image of a gentle grandmother. She is stubborn, intelligent, wounded, funny, and deeply human. Yet among all the letters she carefully composes, the most personal ones are addressed to someone who will never receive them.
When an unexpected letter from her past arrives, Sybil is forced to confront painful memories, strained relationships, and long buried regrets that she has spent decades trying to keep contained. As her correspondence unfolds, readers slowly uncover the heartbreaks, losses, and choices that shaped her guarded personality and the walls she built around her heart.
This is not simply a story told through letters, it is a deeply intimate exploration of grief, memory, forgiveness, and the quiet ways people try to hold themselves together after loss. Virginia Evans beautifully captures how grief changes a person forever, while also reminding us that healing, connection, and even reinvention are still possible later in life.
Despite its emotional depth, the novel is filled with warmth, wit, and unexpected humor. Sybil’s candid exchanges, whether with famous figures or complete strangers, reveal a woman who is both complicated and captivating. Her letters become windows into a life filled with pain, intelligence, resilience, and ultimately hope.
Readers have described The Correspondent as “moving,” “beautifully written,” and “deeply affecting.” It is a novel that celebrates the power of words, the comfort found in human connection, and the enduring importance of being truly heard.
Whether you love character driven fiction, reflective storytelling, or novels that explore the complexity of relationships and identity, this book promises a meaningful and engaging discussion.
Come share your thoughts:
How do grief and regret shape the people we become?
Can we ever truly move beyond the painful moments of our past?
What role do letters, memories, and unspoken truths play in defining a life?
When: August 13, 2026
Where: The Bell (cozy spot, great coffee/tea, everyone welcome)
What to bring: Your copy of The Correspondent and an open mind!
No pressure to be an expert, just come ready to be engaged and inspired. Spaces fill up for books this thoughtful, so grab a seat while you can.
We can’t wait to see you there, let’s explore this story together!
(If you're new to the group, it's friendly, no judgment, and always full of great discussion.)
Please consider supporting independent book shops, such as Book & Puppet Co. in Easton.
Thursday September 10, 2026, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Booked at the Bell With Regina Marinelli
Join us at the Book Club at the Bell for an unforgettable discussion of a compelling and thought-provoking work of historical fiction:
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
Imagine this: A brilliant young physicist arrives at the Zurich Polytechnic, one of the only women in her program, determined to make her mark in a field dominated by men. There, she meets a fellow student whose name will one day become synonymous with genius—Albert Einstein. But behind the legend lies another story, one often overlooked—the story of Mileva Marić, a gifted scientist in her own right, whose ambitions, intellect, and contributions may have played a far greater role than history has acknowledged.
This isn’t just a story, it’s a powerful exploration of love, ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of brilliance. Marie Benedict brings to life the emotional and intellectual partnership between Mileva and Albert, while also shedding light on the challenges faced by women striving to be taken seriously in a world that often denied them recognition. Through Mileva’s perspective, the novel invites us to reconsider what we think we know about genius, collaboration, and legacy.
Readers describe it as “fascinating,” “eye-opening,” and “deeply moving.” But beyond the historical intrigue, it raises important questions: How many voices have been lost or diminished in the telling of history? What sacrifices are made in the pursuit of greatness? And how do relationships shape, support, or sometimes overshadow individual achievement?
Whether you enjoy historical fiction, stories of remarkable women, or narratives that challenge conventional perspectives, this is a book that will spark meaningful and engaging conversation.
Come share your thoughts: What defines true genius? How should credit be shared in collaboration? What might history look like if more voices had been heard?
When: September 10, 2026
Where: The Bell (cozy setting, great coffee and tea, everyone welcome)
What to bring: Your copy of The Other Einstein and your perspective
No pressure to be an expert—just come ready for a compelling and engaging discussion. Programs like this tend to fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot.
We can’t wait to see you there—let’s step into this remarkable story together!
(If you're new to the group, it’s friendly, welcoming, and always full of thoughtful conversation.)
Please consider supporting independent book shops, such as Book & Puppet Co. in Easton.