We Love Book Groups!

Join one of our ongoing book groups for children, teens, or adults!  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.

Main Library Book Groups

Smart Girls Read @ PPL 

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

The Sam L. Cohen Children’s Library 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.

Upcoming Meetings in 2019: 

• March  9- Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson

Book Group for Homeschoolers!

Upcoming Meetings in 2019:

• February 21: The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
• March 21: Orphan Island by Laurel Synder

Many Voices Teen Book Group

Last Saturday of each month
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Many Voices at PPL Teen is a book group with two purposes:

1. To recognize 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.
2. To create a space for the diverse teen voices in our own community to share the books that excite and engage them.

This group is open to all teens ages 12-19 interested in exploring diversity through contemporary YA fiction. Each month is a free-choice read based on a unique theme, chosen by the book group members. We meet in the Teen Library on the last Saturday of the month to share about our reading and look forward to seeing you!

Please contact the teen staff at teens@portlib.org or call us at (207) 871-1700 x773 with any questions or if you need help finding a book for this month’s topic!

Upcoming meetings in 2019:

• February 23: To All the Books We’ve Loved Before
• March 30: Theme TBD
• April 27: Theme TBD
• May 25: Theme TBD

Main Library Book Group for Adults

• We are on hiatus for now! Check back here for updates, or try our Riverton or Peaks Island book groups for adults in the meantime.

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 2019:

• February 14: The Soul of America
• March 14: Killers of the Flower Moon
• April 11: There There
• May 9: Fahrenheit 451
• June 13: The Bright Hour
• July 11: A Gentleman in Moscow
• August 8: Between the World and Me
• September 12: The Hate U Give
• October 10: Frankenstein
• November 14: Destiny of the Republic
• December 12: The Stars Are Fire 

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

Peaks Island Branch Library

Peaks Island First Tuesday Book Group

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

This group meets in the Community Room across the lobby from the Peaks Island Branch Library. In July and August, the group meets 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. The 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 2019: 

• February 5: Killers of the Flower Moon
• March 5: The Woman Who Smashed Codes
• April 2: Before We Were Yours
• May 7: Monkey Beach
• June 11: Tragedy Plus Time

Peaks Island Middle School Book Club

Third Tuesday of each month
5:30 p.m.

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 2019:

• TBD

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