New book discussion groups start in Schaumburg
When you crack open a book (or power up your e-reader), are you escaping into a steamy romance? Searching for clues to figure out “whodunit?” Is your mind ready to wrap around a heinous true crime story, a “foodie” plot or some other fun, lighthearted fiction? Perhaps you prefer books that became movies. Whether you seek passion, murder or anything that hits the best seller lists, you’re likely to find your favorite topics and titles in one of the book discussion groups at the Schaumburg Township District Library. Several new groups have diversified the options, with a couple of them meeting outside the library walls.
Four of the library’s most recent newbies are Books on Tap, Murder by the Book, Happily Ever After and Second Floor Reads (nonfiction), all of which meet quarterly.
Books on Tap will debut at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan 31, at Whole Foods Market, 750 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. This group, aimed at 20- to 30-somethings, includes light appetizers, along with the book discussion. The first book in the series will be “Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously.”
Fans of romance won’t want to miss the Happily Ever After group which meets for the first time at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Conference Room on the second floor of the Central Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. The first title, “Call Me Irresistible,” by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, follows the story of two best friends. One is getting married, while the other fears it will end disastrously and is doing everything possible to ensure those vows are never uttered. Subsequent titles are “If You Could See Me Now,”on Monday, April 29; “Remember Me?” on Thursday, June 27; and “Masque of the Black Tulip” on Monday, Sept. 23.
Murder by the Book, which began in 2012, will kick off the new year with a discussion of “Blackwater” by Kerstin Ekman at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 14, in the Rasmussen North Room of the Central Library. On Thursday, May 16, the classic “Maltese Falcon” will be featured. During the second half of the year, participants will discuss “Cast of Shadows” on Thursday, Aug. 29; and “Sunday Philosophy Club” on Thursday, Oct. 31.
A limited number of loan copies for Happily Ever and Murder by the Book will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Fiction Desk a month prior to each discussion. For information on these groups, contact Helen Stewart at (847) 923-3142 or email hstewart@stdl.org.
Few things go better with a book than a steamy cup of coffee. Enjoy a cup while you meet with other readers in the Read a Latte group which meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Caribou Coffee, 55 W. Schaumburg Road. February’s selection will be “Room” by Emma Donoghue.
Prefer nonfiction? Join Second Floor Reads: Non-Fiction Book Group which meets from 6:30-8 p.m. monthly. This group will begin the year with “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” on Wednesday, Jan. 23, in the Rasmussen North Room. February’s selection will be “The Psychopath Test: A Journey through the Madness Industry.” Loan copies are available on a first-come, first-served basis upon registration. For information about Read a Latte or Second Floor Reads, contact Anna Pederson at (847) 923-3326 or email hstewart@stdl.org.
Library users who prefer an online option for book discussions can participate in virtual book chats through the Goodreads.com page — a social networking site for book lovers. It’s free to join and provides a convenient way to keep track of your reading and discover great ideas for future reading options. Join us online and start the book dialogue rolling. Search for Schaumburg Library at www.goodreads.com.
These are just a few of the book and movie discussion groups available at the Schaumburg Township District Library. For a complete listing, check the library’s Program Guide which is delivered to Schaumburg Township residents, or go to schaumburglibrary.org and click on the “Books, Movies, Music and Games” button.