We love book groups!

Join one of our ongoing book groups at our branches, or let us help your 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 Branch Library

Peaks Island First Tuesday Book Group

First Tuesday of each month
7:00pm – 8:00pm

This group meets in the St. Christopher’s Church Community Room (during renovations). In July and August, meet at T.E.I.A. Clubhouse. There is a moderator for each discussion. Once a year the Fifth Grade Class from Peaks Island Elementary School joins the adults to discuss a specially chosen book. Our book group is supported by the Friends of the Peaks Island Branch Library, who purchase extra copies of the books when needed.

Upcoming meetings in 2018: 

• June 5 – The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, by Wes Moore
• July 3 – The Last Days of Night, by Graham Moore
• August 7 – Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah
• September 4 – The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu and Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts, by Josh Hammer
• October 2 – The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead

For a list of books in the library catalog that The First Tuesday Book Group has recently read, click here.

Peaks Island Middle School Book Club

Third Tuesday of each month
5:45 p.m.

These meetings take place at the Brackett Memorial Church Hall (during renovations).

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!

Upcoming Meetings in 2018:

• May 15

Riverton Branch Library

Riverton Book Group

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 hearty mix of fiction and nonfiction, both contemporary and classic. The Riverton Book Group is always open to new members, so stop by to share or listen.

Upcoming Meetings in 2018:

• June 14 – Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
• July 12 – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
• August 9 – We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
• September 13 – The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
• October 11 – Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
• November 8 – Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
• December 13 – Still Life by Louise Penny

For a complete list of books that the Riverton Book Group has read, check out these links:

Riverton Book group Booklist 2018-Present
Riverton Book Group Booklist 2010-2017
Riverton Book Group Booklist 2001-2009

Main Library

Main Library Book Group

Third Tuesday of each month
5:30pm – 6:30pm

The Main Library Book Group for adults meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and discussion is facilitated by a staff member. Selections include a thoughtful mix of fiction and nonfiction. The Main Library Book Group is always open to new members, so stop by to share or listen.

We’ll also have a special focus every other month on Karl Ove Knausgaard’s My Struggle series, starting in November and continuing in 2018.

Upcoming Third Tuesday book group discussions:

• June 19, 2018 – Settled in the Wild: Notes from the Edge of Town, by Susan Hand Shetterly

“Settled in the Wild takes us into the woods and along the shorelines mudflats, and paths of rural Maine…like Annie Dillard and Mary Oliver, Susan Hand Shetterly takes a magnifying glass to the wildness that remains.”

Author Paul Doiron has chosen Maine author Shetterly’s captivating Settled in the Wild as one of the Maine Humanities Council’s Read ME books for summer 2018. Join us as we discuss this thoughtful, remarkable nature memoir, and for this discussion, bring along your thoughts on other favorite works of writing where nature, the wild, science, and people come together! We’ll offer our own recommendations of new and classic nature memoirs and science writing from Portland Public Library’s collections.

• August 21, 2018 – Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe – with Alicia Harding
• October 16, 2018 – TBD
• November 13, 2018 (note date change) – TBD
• December 18, 2018 – TBD

Upcoming Third Tuesday My Struggle discussions:

• May 15, 2018 – My Struggle Book 4: Dancing in the Dark by Karl Ove Knausgaard
• July 17, 2018 – My Struggle Book 5: Some Rain Must Fall by Karl Ove Knausgaard
• September 18, 2018 – My Struggle Book 6 by Karl Ove Knausgaard

Smart Girls Read Book Group

Main Library

First Saturday of each month
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The Sam L. Cohen Children’s Library will be hosting a monthly book club for girls ages 9-12. 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.

Smart Girls Read @ PPL will be facilitated by the Children’s Library staff. Please contact the Children’s Desk to find out the book of the month and to get assistance procuring a copy! 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.

Upcoming Meetings in 2018: 

• June 2 – Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Book Group for Homeschoolers!

Main Library

Third Thursday of each month
10:30 am – 11:15 am

If you have children that are interested in joining the book group or you have any questions, please contact Jerri  at 871-1700 ext.707 or blatt@portlib.org.

Upcoming Meetings in 2018:

May 17 – The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Many Voices Teen Book Group

Main Library

Third Saturday of each month
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

The Many Voices Teen Book Group recognizes the need for all teens to see themselves mirrored in the books on our shelves, and to use fiction as a window into other lives, cultures, and worldviews beyond their own.This book group welcomes all teens to the discussion about some of the most diverse (and best) teen books published in recent years.

Upcoming meetings in 2018:

• May 19 – Beast by Brie Spangler

This group is open to all teens ages 12-19 interested in exploring diversity through contemporary YA fiction, and is a safe space for everyone, regardless of race, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental disability. Discrimination, hate speech, and harassment will not be tolerated.

Please contact Harper at chance@portlib.org or call us at (207) 871-1700 x773 with any questions or if you would like to borrow a copy of the month’s book. We meet in the Teen Library at the Main Library from 2:30-3:30pm on the 3rd Saturday of every month and look forward to seeing you!

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.”

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