Book Discussion Groups at the Clarendon Hills Public Library
The Clarendon Hills Public Library hosts 2 book discussion groups on a monthly basis in the adult seating area of the library. New members are always welcome! See descriptions below of when we meet and what we are reading. For more information, contact librarian Christina at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 630-323-8188.
Books are made available one month before the discussion date for groups hosted here at the library as well as for book discussion groups throughout Clarendon Hills. Books are labeled and shelved behind the library’s front desk.
GAME'S AFOOT MYSTERY BOOK DISCUSSION
Meets the third Monday of the month except December at 7:00 p.m. (Note change for February 2024 meeting)
For nineteen years this group has read all genres of mystery and crime fiction; from cozies and amateur detectives to police procedurals, legal thrillers and classic noir. Discussion titles are chosen on a quarterly basis and suggestions from group members are welcomed. So far the group has never read the same author twice.
What We Will Be Reading
Jan. 15, 2024
Portrait of a Thief
A Chinese American art history major at Harvard, Will Chen is offered a (very illegal) chance to reclaim five priceless treasures China lost centuries ago and assembles a team of fellow students, chosen for their skills and loyalty, to help him on his mission--and make history.
UPCOMING BOOK DISCUSSONS:
Dec. 2023: No Meeting
Jan. 15, 2024: Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
Feb. 26, 2024: The Housekeepers by Alex Hay
THURSDAY NIGHT READERS
Meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
The group focuses on reading across genres, featuring both contemporary and classic novels, histories and biographies.
What We Are Reading
Dec. 14, 2023
The Book of Hope
Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams explore through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue one of the most sought after and least understood elements of human nature: hope. Drawing on decades of work that has helped expand our understanding of what it means to be human and what we all need to do to help build a better world, the book touches on vital questions, including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? What is the relationship between hope and action? While discussing the experiences that shaped her discoveries and beliefs, Jane tells the story of how she became a messenger of hope, from living through World War II to her years in Gombe to realizing she had to leave the forest to travel the world in her role as an advocate for environmental justice. And for the first time, she shares her profound revelations about her next, and perhaps final, adventure.
UPCOMING BOOK DISCUSSONS:
Jan. 11, 2024: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Feb. 8, 2024: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Information for Book Clubs in the Greater Clarendon Hills Community
We want your book club to be successful and are happy to assist your group with potential book discussion picks, questions that prompt good conversation, and author biographies! Contact us if you need help with any of your book club needs. Speak to us before assigning a particular book to your group, so we may inform you about title availability in various formats and ensure that there are sufficient copies of your title (or suggest alternatives if there are not).
