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Book Groups

Lincoln City Libraries offers several Book Talk and Book Discussion Groups for adult readers. All of the groups listed below are free and open to the public. Simply drop in at one of our gatherings, or call the branch location where the meeting is taking place if you have additional questions.

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St. (4th Floor Auditorium)
Third Thursday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Everyone likes being read to, so why should kids have all the fun? With Adult Story Time sessions, we invite you to join us for an evening of live readings (from short stories, essays, novel fragments, poetry, play scenes, song lyrics, etc.), music with a Nebraska connection, and take-away adult coloring sheets, crafts, and reading lists.

 

Date Theme
January 16, 2025 New Beginnings
February 20, 2025 Love in Many Forms

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.

Bethany Branch
1810 North Cotner Blvd.
Friday mornings, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
402-441-8550

Bethany BookTalks welcomes everyone for a morning of good books. Since 2001, speakers have presented a group of books, sometimes with a theme and sometimes not. These informal presentations allow for good conversation as well. The Bethany BookTalks group meets most Friday mornings, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Bethany BookChats are informal discussions about what the participants have been reading recently. 

Date Program Description
December 27, 2024 Bethany BookChat
January 10, 2025 Bethany BookTalk
January 17, 2025 Bethany BookTalk
January 24, 2025 Bethany BookTalk
January 31, 2025 Bethany BookTalk
February 7, 2025 Bethany BookTalk
February 14, 2025 Bethany BookTalk
February 21, 2025 Bethany BookTalk
February 28, 2025 Bethany BookTalk

 

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

Date Theme
January 15, 2025 Reading Prompt: A book with a character's name in the title.
February 19, 2025 Reading Prompt: A book with an unforgettable first line.

 

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, although general discussion about mystery fiction may follow the discussion of the selected title. 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.)

Date Program Description
January 30, 2025

In January, the Just Desserts mystery discussion group will read and discuss the first four volumes in Elle Cosimano's "Finlay Donovan" series, starting with Finlay Donovan is Killing It (participants can read any one or more of the four books). After this, attendees will share a round robin of whatever else they've been reading recently (emphasizing mysteries).

February 27, 2025

In February, the Just Desserts mystery discussion group will read and discuss the 2023 stand-alone historical suspense thriller The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear. After the discussion, attendees will share a round robin of whatever else they've been reading in the past month (emphasizing mysteries).

 

(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.

Date Program Description
No meeting in December  

 

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.

Date Topic
January 14, 2025 Crimes of the 1980s
February 11, 2025 Crimes of Passion

 

Eiseley Branch
1530 Superior Street
4th Thursday of the month, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
402-441-4250

Can't get enough true crime podcasts and documentaries? Join us to deep dive True Crime in books! We'll explore topics such as crimes of the past, restorative justice, and more. Bring your favorite stories to share and get ready to discuss all things criminal.

Date Topic
July 25, 2024 Restorative Justice

 

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