We Love Book Groups!

Please note: all programs at the library (both public and private) have been cancelled for the time being in order to help protect the community. ALL regularly scheduled book group meetings between 3/14/20 and 4/13/20 have been cancelled. Thank you! 

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.

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Riverton Branch Library

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!

Upcoming Meetings in 2020:

Please note: The April 2020 meeting to discuss Code Girls has been cancelled. 

• May 14: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
• June 11: The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel
• July 9: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
• August 13: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
• September 10: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
• October 8: Fascism by Madeleine Albright
• November 12: The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
• December 10: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

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

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Peaks Island Kennedy-Carter Family Community Center & Branch Library

First Tuesday Book Group

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

This group meets in the Peaks Island Community Room, across the hall from the Library.  Meetings are September through June, with a moderator for each discussion.  The book group is supported by the Friends of the Peaks Island Branch Library.

Upcoming meetings in 2020: 

• May 5: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

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!

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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 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.

Upcoming Meetings in 2019: 

• To be determined

Many Voices Teen Book Group

Last Saturday of each month, September-May, Main Library, 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!

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.

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