by Emily B.

One of the best parts of working at the library is getting to talk about books. So, naturally, I was excited to be asked to co-facilitate the virtual book club Eclectic Evenings a few years ago. I quickly discovered how much we learn, not only from the books, but from each other. Piyali, facilitator of the Global Reads and Light but Not Fluffy book groups at our Miller Branch, sums up the magic of book clubs well: “It always amazes me to see how book clubs become a safe space for sharing life’s experiences… Although we meet once a month, it always seems like a reunion of friends. It is a beautiful feeling.”
In our modern world where thousands of books are immediately available (thanks to apps like Libby), perhaps it feels a little radical to join a book club. Sure, it can seem like a time commitment — but think of it more as a commitment to lifelong learning, broadening literary horizons, and connecting with fellow readers. One book club member comments, “books are great learning opportunities for me. They open up my world.”

The opportunity to read outside your comfort zone is often fruitful. Shana says, “One of my favorite things about this book club [Books on Tap] is that it has introduced me to books and authors I probably would not have found on my own.” Even if every book isn’t your cup of tea, it can lead to compelling discussions or a new perspective. Sahana, who facilitates Between the Lines: An Intersectional Book Club, comments that one of their favorite aspects of book groups is hearing the refrain “I wouldn’t have read this if not for book club, and I really liked it!”

At HCLS, book clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Some meet in-person at the library or in the community, others virtually. Many feature a wide array of genres and topics while others carve out their own niche, focusing on graphic novels, music, or sci-fi and fantasy. There’s something for every reader.
For those who want to connect with other readers without the worry of assigned reading, consider Miller’s What’s on your Shelf?. Julie, one of the facilitators, says, “even though we’re not all reading the same book each month, we always learn so much and have a fabulous time.”

In our busy, stressful lives a book club can be a respite from the chaos, and a chance to reflect and grow in a supportive environment. A member of a handful of HCLS book discussion groups, Ellen remarks, “It’s amazing how deep a conversation you can have with people you only see once a month and with whom your primary shared interest is reading.”

Members of HCLS staff-led book clubs recommend some of their favorite reads:

American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal by Neil King: Because it made me look at trees differently. It brought me peace and joy in the ordinary.

A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers: For a book mostly about aliens, it had such introspective tidbits about humanity.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: The book club opened my eyes to the fun of reading dystopian novels, fantasy, and other genres that I would never have selected myself.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger: It’s a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of four runaway orphans.

The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai: This is an historical fiction set in Vietnam. I learned about the history and culture of Vietnam as it follows the Tran family.

Trust by Hernan Diaz: I’ve never read a book like it before. It features four distinct books within a book, lots of twists and reveals that build on each other.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann: It was well researched and well written. Everyone in our group loved it.

Visit the HCLS classes and events calendar to learn more about book club discussion opportunities at any branch and out in the community!

Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch. When she’s not reading, she enjoys puzzling, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.