Good Reads, Stimulating Conversation at Library Book Clubs

The following information was submitted by Claire Greene of Readers’ Services at the Des Plaines Public Library.

As the days shorten and the air cools, my first instinct tends towards hibernation; a warm blanket and a long book are exactly what the winter months call for in the Chicago area.

Of course the Des Plaines library has books in abundance and a staff of Readers' Advisory associates ready and eager to make recommendations to any interested party.

Two programs, which are perhaps lesser-known, are our Tuesday morning and Thursday evening book discussion groups. These discussions revolve around carefully selected titles, which are meant to be both interesting and thought-provoking. The setting is a casual one where readers exchange ideas about the books and a whole array of other topics.

There are still copies available for both November groups. The Tuesday morning club will meet at 10 a.m. on Nov. 6 and discuss Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks, which takes place in Puritan New England and follows the friendship of a young native man and the daughter of a Calvinist minister.

November's Thursday evening group is a little bit special--it will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 and discuss Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina García. The discussion will include authentic Cuban desserts and the chance to video chat online, or Skype, with the author. We'll also have a visit from Esther Santana, associate professor of Spanish at Northeastern Illinois University.

To register for either program stop by the Readers' Services Desk on the third floor of the library or register at our events calendar page.

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