While it won’t be one of Jay Gatsby’s raucous parties, F. Scott Fitzgerald fans are invited to celebrate the 100th  anniversary of the publication of “The Great Gatsby” in a book discussion on Feb. 26.

The discussion, hosted by Mossey Library staff, will take place at 12:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room and include a pizza lunch and snacks, according to Public Services Librarian Brenna Wade. The discussions are facilitated by Wade but are mostly student-led. 

“It’s really informal,” Wade said. “It’s mostly just a way for people to have lunch and chat about a book. It’s open to anyone. Usually, with the discussions, we get people in there because they like the book, or it’s a favorite.” 

“The Great Gatsby” was published in April 1925. It follows the story of the ambitious Jay Gatsby on a quest to win back the admiration of his long-lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby loses himself in the quest for Daisy’s affection, culminating in the book’s dramatic ending. The work explores the ideas of the “American dream” and the pitfalls of a capitalistic society.

Wade said the library hosts a book discussion once every semester to foster community among the students and professors. It started in 2012 when Suzanne Collins’s “The Hunger Games” came out. Wade said she wanted to capitalize on the popularity of the novel at the time. 

“I try to pair the book discussions with notable anniversaries or things like that,” Wade said. “I did ‘Anne of Green Gables’ last semester for the 150th birthday of L. M. Montgomery. April is the one-hundredth anniversary of ‘The Great Gatsby,’ so I figured that would be a good time to feature it.” 

Freshman Ashlyn Unangst said she is interested in attending the book discussion and admires Fitzgerald’s novel. 

“I think the overarching theme of living in the past is so interesting,” Unangst said. “I also love F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing and how his descriptions are so memorable, like how he describes Daisy’s voice as notes in a song that will never be sung again and being filled with money.” 

Wade said she is not a fan of “The Great Gatsby,” though she can appreciate the work for its impact on American literature. 

“The characters aren’t necessarily good people,” Wade said. “I’m the type of person who likes more idealized characters who uphold high ideals and morals. The characters in this are much more flawed.”

Wade said she hopes those who don’t like the book will attend, too. 

“I am waiting for the day when someone comes in because they hate it, and then we can have a rollicking discussion about it,” Wade said.