Book Groups

Book Clubs and organizations now have the ability to check out the current year’s One Book One Lincoln finalists, in a special format. For each title, the Book Club in a Bag will contain 10 copies of that book as well as some starter discussion questions. Book Club in a Bag selections will be able to be checked out for 8 weeks but with no renewals. You can find out what titles are available in the Book Club in a Bag program by searching in the library catalog under Title: Book Club in a Bag. New titles will be added to this service on an annual basis.

The B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Books) Clubs are designed for people who like to gather with fellow book-lovers to discuss whatever they’ve been reading and enjoying lately, without the pressure of assigned reading. Each meeting is “themed,” so participants can select a title that matches the monthly theme.

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St.
4th Floor Auditorium
Third Wednesday of every month (except as noted), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
402-441-8530

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
First Monday each month, 2:00-3:00 p.m. (subject to change)
402-441-8560

Gere Book Talks are happening! Please join us on the first Monday of each month from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Gere for a casual book discussion group. You don't need to read a specific book or have anything particular prepared. A library staff member will start off the group by talking about something they've been reading and find interesting, then each group member will have an opportunity to tell the group about something they are reading. Don't want to talk? That's fine - come and listen! This is a spectacular opportunity to get ideas for books you may not already know about, and to spread the word about books you love.

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St.
4th Floor Auditorium
Last Thursday of every month, January through October, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
402-441-8530

A specific mystery novel (or author) is selected in advance for discussion during each meeting. After the discussion, attendees may share a round robin of whatever else they've been reading in the past month (emphasizing mysteries). Since our theme is “Death and Desserts,” (i.e., the murderer got their “just desserts”), any and all participants are encouraged to bring a dessert (cookies, cake, pie, tarts, brownies, bars, cream puffs, etc.) to share with the other group members. (Decaf Coffee and juice will be provided.)

(formerly The Nebraska History Book Club)
Hosted by the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St.
4th floor Conference Room
4th Friday of most months (check our events calendar for exceptions), noon-1:00 p.m.
402-441-8516 or heritage@lincoln.ne.gov

The group for the discussion of books by Nebraska authors or with a Nebraska history theme. A specific novel, story collection or non-fiction title is selected in advance for discussion during each meeting.

Eiseley Branch
1530 Superior Street
2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
402-441-4250

Do you love true crime and local mysteries? Join us for all things criminal the second Tuesday of every month to discuss current crime obsessions and indulge your darker reading interests. There will not be assigned reading for this program. Instead, Library staff will regale you with tales of murder, thievery and other “true crimes” on an assigned topic, and attendees will be invited to share what they have enjoyed in that reading genre.

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
Third Monday each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (fourth Monday if the third Monday is a holiday)
402-441-8560

Do you love reading and talking about fiction, but feel like you don't have much time to read? Have you tried book clubs in the past, but never found time to finish the whole book before the meeting? Are you interested in exploring speculative writing and other genres, but don't know where to start? Join us once a month for "Short and Strange," where we'll read short stories and novellas that will inspire lively discussion. Registration is preferred, but drop-ins are welcome. Registrants will receive a reading list in advance.