When does Anna's Book Talk take place?

The meeting takes place on December 10, 2026, from 5 PM.

Where does the book club take place?

Anna's Book Talk takes place in the rooms of the Public Library Anna Seghers in Mainz.

Which book will be discussed?

The focus will be on the novel The Second Greatest Love by Ruth-Maria Thomas.

Is registration required?

No, registration is not required according to the event information.

What is The Second Greatest Love about?

The novel tells the story of Michelle and Henry, whose love relationship is shaped by different social origins, financial security, and contrasting life realities.

Is there information on an entry price?

No confirmed ticket price is indicated for the event.

Ruth-Maria Thomas reads in Mainz 2026

Name: Anna's Book Talk: The Second Greatest Love
Start: 2026-12-10T17:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-12-10T17:00:00+01:00
Location: Öffentliche Bücherei - Anna Seghers

Anna's Book Talk: A literary evening about love, freedom, and social differences

The Public Library – Anna Seghers invites you to the next Anna's Book Talk on December 10, 2026. The focus of the book club meeting will be on Ruth-Maria Thomas' novel The Second Greatest Love, a contemporary love story about origins, dependency, and the question of what price a carefree life carries.

A novel between East and West

Ruth-Maria Thomas tells the story of Michelle and Henry, whose life worlds could hardly be more different. Michelle grows up in East Germany, struggling with financial burdens and searching for a new beginning. Henry comes from a wealthy background and has never had to worry about money. Their love thus leads right into societal tension fields: social origin, economic security, and personal freedom shape the relationship as strongly as the feelings of both characters.

Literary quality and social discourse

The Second Greatest Love combines a gripping love story with a precise study of social circumstances. The novel looks at aspirations for advancement, fears of decline, and the invisible differences that can separate people even within a partnership. Thomas works with lively dialogues, psychological precision, and a language that connects emotional closeness with social analysis.

About the author Ruth-Maria Thomas

Ruth-Maria Thomas was born in 1993, grew up in Cottbus, and studied at the German Literature Institute in Leipzig. Her debut The Most Beautiful Version was published in 2024 and was nominated for the German Book Prize, among other awards, and won the Ulla Hahn Prize. The Second Greatest Love is her second novel and continues her engagement with origins, gender roles, and social power dynamics.

Reading atmosphere in the book club

Anna's Book Talk creates space for focused reading, personal impressions, and communal cultural discourse. The intimate atmosphere of the library invites discussions about characters, narrative perspectives, and the linguistic artistry of the novel. Registration is not required.

Visitors can look forward to an inspiring literary evening about a novel that confronts romantic feelings with social realities. Those wishing to explore The Second Greatest Love together with other literature enthusiasts and contribute their interpretations will find the right place at Anna's Book Talk.