We love bookgroups!

What great book has your group read lately?

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. Click here for information about our LGBTQ Teen Book Group, or here for information about our Smart Girls Read @PPL book club. For library bookgroups for Adults and resources for your own book group, read on! Contact the Main Library Readers Advisory Desk at 207-871-1700 x705 or hartsig@portlandpubliclibrary.org with any questions.

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Resources for your own 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.”

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Peaks Island Branch First Tuesday Book Group

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

First Tuesday Book Discussion meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 pm in the Community Room, across the hall from the Peaks Island Branch Library. 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. First Tuesdays Book Discussion is supported by the Friends of the Peaks Island Branch Library, who purchase extra copies of the books when needed.

Readers are encouraged to call (766-5540), email (peaks@portlandpubliclibrary.org) or come into the library to reserve copies of the books. If you have trouble finding an available copy of the book in the Portland library system, please contact us. Often we can locate a book through MaineCat.

Upcoming meetings in 2016:

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

Riverton Branch Library

Riverton Book Group

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

The Riverton Book Group 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.

Readers are encouraged to call (797-2915), email (riverton@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.

Upcoming Meetings in 2016:

• October 13 – The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
• November 10 – The Witches by Stacy Schiff
• December 8 – The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

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

Riverton Book Group Booklist 2010-Present
Riverton Book Group Booklist 2001-2009

Main Library

Friday Night Book Club

Third Friday of each month
The Atrium, Main Library
5:45pm – 7:00pm

Friday Night Book Club is for those interested in reading and discussing a diverse range of  fiction and nonfiction titles written within the last twenty years. The group meets the third Friday of every month with discussions led by library staff members. Friday Night Book Club is a social event where readers will have a chance to socialize before the discussion begins at 6pm. Join us and bring a friend!

Upcoming meetings in 2016

• October 21- The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race, edited by Jesmyn Ward
• November 18- The Kindness of Enemies, by Leila Aboulela 
• December 9- Time to be festive. Make note: December’s meeting of the Friday Night Book Club will gather on December 9 (the second Friday of the month) at LFK, located downtown at the corner of State St and Pine St.  Open meeting, no specific title to discuss; bring a book you love to recommend. We’ll meet at LFK for this group at 6:30 instead of 6!
• January 20, 2017- One-in-a-Million Boy, Monica Wood
• February 17, 2017- The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead (There is a long waiting list on this popular Oprah pick. Place your holds today!)
• March 17, 2017- The Dovekeepers, by Alice Hoffman 
• April 21, 2017- Upstream: Selected Essays by Mary Oliver

True Story: A Nonfiction Book Club

• September 15 – Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 by Hunter S. Thompson
• October 20 – Lab Girl by Hope S. Jahren
• November 17 – Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• December 15 – The Bad-ass Librarians of Timbuktu by Joshua Hammer

Readers are encouraged to call the Readers’ Advisory desk (871-1700 x705), email (hartsig@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.

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.dpuf