We Love Book Groups!

Join one of our ongoing book groups for children, teens, or adults at Riverton, Peaks, and the Main Library. We can also help your own book group with book sets you can borrow, reading ideas, advice on book group strategy, or extra copies to supply you.

Readers are encouraged to call the Reader’s Advisory desk (871-1700 x705), email (readersadvisory@portlandpubliclibrary.org), or come into the library to reserve copies of the books. If you have trouble finding the book in the Portland library system, please contact us and we can locate a book through MaineCat.

_____________________________________________________________

Peaks Island Kennedy-Carter Family Community Center & Branch Library

Peaks Island Book Group

Tuesdays (see specific dates below) 7:00pm – 8:00pm

This group is currently meeting on Zoom. Please contact the Peaks Island Branch at peaks@portlandpubliclibrary.org for a meeting link. Meetings have a moderator for each discussion, and the book group is supported by the Friends of the Peaks Island Branch Library.

September 14, 2021 – The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson

October 12 – My Antonia by Willa Cather

November 9 – A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende

December 14 – Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

January 11, 2022 – No Man’s Land by Wendy Moore

February 8 – Martin Marten by Brian Doyle

March 8 – Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad

April 12 – The Vanishing Half  by Brit Bennett

May 10 – The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

June 14- Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Peaks Island Middle School Book Club

Fall 2021 – Day and Time TBA

We’ve discovered that readers this age love to read books (lots of books!) and to share what they are reading with others. Unlike other book groups, there is not a specific book that everyone reads each month. Instead, everyone comes together to share what they are currently reading, a favorite book, or to make recommendations and have something good to eat while enjoying each other’s company.

Everyone who is in middle school (public, private, or homeschooled) is welcome to join in the discussions as listeners or contributors. Please join us!

Contact Peaks Island with questions about their book groups.

_____________________________________________________________

Main Library Book Groups

Blurb Club

Every other Thursday, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Congress Square Park (Rain location: Mechanic’s Hall)

Check our calendar for exact dates.

Hear about a book! Talk about the book you’re reading! Let’s get together and talk about books! Join us every other Thursday at noon in Congress Square Park for Blurb Club, an informal book discussion in which participants share a bit about a book they are currently reading or have recently read, and get a chance to hear similar book recommendations from other participants. Sharing is encouraged but not required; the shy are welcome here.

Blurb Club is hosted by Portland Public Library, Friends of Congress Square Park and Mechanics Hall.

Contact Becca Starr, starr@portlib.org, with questions.

Smart Girls Read @ PPL – currently on hiatus

Second Saturday of each month, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The Sam L. Cohen Children’s Library at the Main Library (5 Monument Square) will be hosting and facilitating a monthly book club for girls ages 9-12. The Smart Girls Read @ PPL book club will provide a forum where girls can explore what’s on their minds: what’s really important to them as well as strengthening their sense of self. The books they read act as catalysts to spark critical conversations about the roles of girls and women in the past, and examining the girl culture of today. All you need to participate is a desire to voice your opinion, a willingness to listen to others, an interest in reading and discussing books.

Relation-Ship-It Teen Book Group

Meets monthly: check our calendar for exact dates.

Relation-Ship-It is a book group for teenagers where we discuss LGBTQ relationships through Young Adult Fiction.

Relation-Ship-It focuses on a new book each month with two virtual meetings per month on Zoom and an opportunity for in between discussion on Discord. Teens can sign up to join for all three books or just the books they are interested in. The group is open to any interested teen and new members can join at any time, though there will be a sign-up deadline for each book. New copies of each book will be provided free of charge to participating teens.

The book group is a partnership between Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM), Through These Doors (TTD), and the Lewiston & Portland public libraries.

_____________________________________________________________

Riverton Branch Library

This book group is currently on hiatus. Check back for updated information soon.

Second Thursday of each month, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

The Riverton Book Group for adults meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month and discussion is facilitated by a staff member. Selections include a robust mix of fiction and nonfiction, both contemporary and classic. All titles selected for this group are available in regular print, large print, and audiobook CD, and library staff is happy to request a copy for you. The Riverton Book Group is always open to new members – stop by to share or listen!

For a complete list of books that the Riverton Book Group has read, check out these links: Booklist 2018-Present | Booklist 2010-2017 | Booklist 2001-2009

Questions? Contact the Riverton Branch.

Portland Public Library is now offering sets of books  that you can borrow for your book group. These sets include multiple copies of the same title, often with large print or audio formats. We’ll keep the sets fresh with new titles throughout the year. What book sets are available? The sets are listed in the library’s catalog under the title  “Portland Public Library Book Discussion Sets.” You can search the catalog by that title or by  “book group sets” or “book club sets.”  Click on “Place a Hold” to be taken to a page where you can view the complete list of titles and select the specific book set that you want. You’ll need to log in to your account to place the hold online. With your library card, you can also call us to request sets (871-1700) or make your request in person at the library. MaineCat users can also request Portland Public Library Book Discussion Sets through MaineCat. Looking for more inspiration or resources to help you start your own book group? Try this list:  “Book Discussion Sets, Books About Books, & Other Resources For Your (Fantastic) Book Group.” – See more at: https://www.portlandlibrary.com/life-of-the-library/#sthash.L9JYtq1m.dpuf

Portland Public Library is now offering sets of books  that you can borrow for your book group. These sets include multiple copies of the same title, often with large print or audio formats. We’ll keep the sets fresh with new titles throughout the year. What book sets are available? The sets are listed in the library’s catalog under the title  “Portland Public Library Book Discussion Sets.” You can search the catalog by that title or by  “book group sets” or “book club sets.”  Click on “Place a Hold” to be taken to a page where you can view the complete list of titles and select the specific book set that you want. You’ll need to log in to your account to place the hold online. With your library card, you can also call us to request sets (871-1700) or make your request in person at the library. MaineCat users can also request Portland Public Library Book Discussion Sets through MaineCat. Looking for more inspiration or resources to help you start your own book group? Try this list:  “Book Discussion Sets, Books About Books, & Other Resources For Your (Fantastic) Book Group.” – See more at: https://www.portlandlibrary.com/life-of-the-library/#sthash.L9JYtq1m.dp