KPL Book Club

The Kilbourn Public Library Book Club is open to all adults interested in getting together for informal discussion on selected books. Each month a book is chosen and copies are available here at the library and on the bookmobile for interested readers.  The book club meets at the library on the last Monday evening of the month at 6:30 p.m. and the last Wednesday afternoon of the month at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the featured book.  Coffee and treats are served along with engaging and enjoyable discussion. Copies of the book are available at the library and on the bookmobile. Everyone is welcome. If you can't make any of our meetings, post your comments and thoughts on our Book Club Blog.

For the month of August we will be reading and discussing The Library Book by Susan Orlean. On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in Los Angeles Public Library. The fire was disastrous and consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Award-winning author Susan Orlean begins with an account of this fire and continues to deliver a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling book that manages to tell the broader story of libraries and librarians in a way that has never been done before. We finish out our Summer Book Discussion Events with a discussion of this book on the patio! Join us to enjoy what we hope will be a lovely summer evening on the patio, discussing a book about our favorite place, the library. Monday, August 26 at 6:30pm and Wednesday, August 28 at 1:30pm.

This month we will be reading and discussing Circe by Madeline Miller. This novel is a journey into Greek mythology focusing on the story of Circe, the daughter of Helios,  the sun god. It is a bold and captivating retelling of the goddess's story recasting the most infamous character from the Odyssey and a heroine in her own right. We will be delving into this suspenseful and mesmerizing book on Monday, July 29 at 6:30pm and Wednesday, July 31 at 1:30pm. As part of our Summer Book Discussion Events we will also be offering a sampling of Greek food to enhance the experience. If you are unable to attend the book discussion events in person, please feel welcome to visit our book club blog at kplbookclub.blogspot.com to share your comments and questions about the book.

For the month of June we will be discussing The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. This book is a novel of friendship and redemption in the face of tragedy and loss. It is set in 1980's Chicago and contemporary Paris. The story follows art director, Yale Tishman's career as it flourishes while around him the AIDS epidemic grows. The novel takes us through the heartbreak of the '80's and the chaos of the modern world as our protagonist struggles to find the goodness in the midst of disaster. We will be discussing this book and exploring our creative side with a painting project on Monday, June 24 at 6:30pm and Wednesday, June 26 at 1:30pm. Join us here at the library or participate with fellow readers by sending a comment to our book club blog at kplbookclub.blogspot.com.

For the month of May, we will be reading and discussing The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. This novel follows Arnt Allbright, a former Vietnam War POW, his wife Cora and his daughter Leni as they impulsively move to Alaska to experience the last frontier. While Alaska at first appears to be the answer to family's prayers for a better future, Ernt's mental state deteriorates upon the onset of the long, dark winter. Leni and her mother soon learn that they are on their own in the wilderness. There is no one to save them. In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska, a place of incomparable beauty and danger. We will be discussing this book on Monday, May 20 at 6:30pm and Wednesday, May 29 at 1:30pm. Join us here at the library or participate with fellow readers by sending a comment to our book club blog at kplbookclub.blogspot.com.

For the month of April, we will be reading  The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton. This book is a powerful, revealing story of hope, love, justice and the gift of reading by a man who spent thirty years on death row for a crime he didn't commit. The author, Hinton, was sentenced to death for murder. He spent his years in prison before his release helping his fellow inmates get through their time in prison by talking about their lives, regrets, and ideas. We will be discussing the book twice in April: Wednesday, April 24 at 1:30pm and Monday, April 29 at 6:30pm. Copies of the book are available at the library and on the bookmobile. If you are unable to join us for discussion, please don't miss the online conversation at kplbookclub.blogspot.com. All are welcome!

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