4 Readings 4 Continents 2026
Virtual Book Club
Organized by the Cervantes Institute libraries in Chicago, Tetuan, Brussels, and Istanbul.
The 2026 cycle is titled "Modern Times" and features a selection of readings that reflect the social landscape of our current era.
In 1936, Charles Chaplin wrote and directed the classic film Modern Times, which depicted the struggles of a working class caught in the gears of industrialization and mass production. Today, 90 years later in 2026, our own "modern times" are defined by hyper-connectivity, relentless competition, and the pressure for constant productivity. Through diverse literary voices, we will explore the challenges and imbalances of the contemporary world.
This club features a specialized moderator, live virtual sessions with the authors, and debates among readers across four continents. The discussion begins asynchronously on the club’s blog during the reading period—starting three weeks before the virtual meeting—guided by a literary expert. The cycle culminates in a live videoconference with the author upon finishing each book.
2026 Reading Program:
Mil cosas by Juan Tallón (March 21 – April 11)
El descontento by Beatriz Serrano (May/June)
Perder el juicio by Ariana Harwicz (September/October)
La suma de los ceros by Eduardo Rabasa (November/December)