Tables of Content

“Tables of Content” is a dinner party, fundraising event for the Norwich Public Library — books, food, and new friends! A roster of local hosts sign up to throw an intimate dinner based on a book of their choice; guests RSVP and choose which dinner to attend based solely on the book and dinner descriptions. The mystery hosts are revealed the week of their dinner!

This year’s Tables of Content dinners are happening on: Saturdays, September 27th and October 4th. Tickets are $100/person and benefit NPL. Tickets can be purchased right up to the week of the last dinner – select your top 3 book choices; assignments will be made in the order that purchases come in. More information about signing up to attend will be coming soon!

If you are interested in hosting, please fill out this survey:

You can read more about being a host in the F.A.Q. below or HERE.

F.A.Q.

What does a dinner host do?

The first rule of Tables of Contents is to keep the fact you are hosting a secret!

  • Choose the date that works best for you (August 27 or October 4).
  • If you want, find a co-host. This can be really fun and helps with workflow
  • Select a book as your dinner theme (Here’s a list of past books. You’ll see that they run the gamut!)
  • Write a short blurb that describes your dinner & the book.. We use this blurb to advertise the dinners. Here are some examples from 2024.
  • You choose how many people you wish to host. Four is a nice minimum but the maximum is up to you!
  • Host the dinner & take photos if you can for us to share.
  • Fill out a post-dinner survey— we want to hear about your experience and any suggestions you might have. 
How do people register?

Dinner attendees choose their party by book title only. Hosts & guests are revealed one week before the dinner.

What about dietary restrictions?

As host you choose what you are serving. In some cases, past hosts have offered a vegetarian option but that’s completely up to you.  The more information you can have in your dinner description, the better.

I’m not a gourmet cook – does it matter?

No! What is most important is the atmosphere of community around the table.

Do we really need to talk about the book?

Books are meant to be jumping-off points for a delicious meal and thoughtful conversations. In past TOC dinners, some folks spend a lot of time talking about the book, in other dinners not so much. It’s really up to you and the folks around the table.