This book could be seen as a collection of short stories with each character narrating (Anna, Omeir, Zeno, Seymour, and Konstance) a different time (15th C, the 1950s, Korean War, 2020, and the future) and place (Constantinople, Idaho, and Outer Space) in a connected story.  What links all the people, places, and time periods is Antonius Diogenes writes a story (Cloud Cuckoo Land) around the first century C.E. narrated by Aethon. He longs to be turned into a bird so that he can fly to a utopian paradise.  The different people, time periods, and places were all a bit overwhelming to me.  Then one of the people in Bookclub said to watch for the owl and it would all start connecting.  She was right!  Another said to watch for the librarians and what they recommend to the characters as well as what the characters find in libraries.  This really does make sense!  And yet another said to pay attention to the healing power of storytelling, not just for those they read the story to but also the storyteller themselves!  The best lessons are learned through the sharing of stories and experiences.  I am so thankful not just for books but also bookclubs and buddy reads so we can share.