Anne of Green Gables Book Club

Join us at the Peoria Historical Society’s Flanagan House to discuss the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery.

The Flanagan House is located at 942 NE Glen Oak Ave. in Peoria.

February 10: Anne of Green Gables

April 14: Anne of Avonlea

June 9: Anne of the Island & Anne of Windy Poplars

August 11: Anne’s House of Dreams

October 13: Anne of Ingleside & Rainbow Valley

December 8: Rilla of Ingleside

The Atlantic Monthly Discussion Group

The Atlantic Monthly Discussion Group meets on the second Monday of the month at 11 a.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch (except in October when we meet on the third Monday.)

Just read the feature article (and other articles suggested by the discussion coordinator ) of the current issue of The Atlantic in print or via Flipster or on the website https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/. Then join us at North Branch and engage in lively and intellectual discussion.

Email: Roberta Koscielski 

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Bibliophiles Book Club

For more information, contact Nancy at 309-231-3263 or email nvarness1967@gmail.com

Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave. 

January 6
A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall
February 3
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
March 3
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
April 7
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting up a
Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
May 5
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
June 2
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
July 7
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
August 4
Martyr! by Keveh Akbar
September 1
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
October 6
North Woods by Daniel Mason
November 3
My Friend Anne Frank: The Inspiring and Heartbreaking True Story of Best Friends Torn Apart and Reunited
Against All Odds by Hannah Pick-Goslar
December 1
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
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Biography & Non-Fiction Book Club

The Biography and Nonfiction Book Club meets the second Sunday of each month (unless re-scheduled because of holidays/weather). We meet at the North Branch of the Peoria Public Library, 3001 West Grand Parkway, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.  New members are always welcome!

For more information, please call Roberta Koscielski at 309-264-1966.

January 11 — Stranger in Shogun’s City: A Japanese Woman and Her World by Amy Stanley

A “captivating” work of history that explores the life of an unconventional woman during the first half of the 19th century in Edo—the city that would become Tokyo—and a portrait of a city on the brink of a momentous encounter with the West.

February 8 — Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life by Jason Roberts
An epic, extraordinary account of the scientific rivalry between Carl Linnaeus and  Georges-Louis Buffon and their obsession in the quest to survey all of life on Earth.
March 8 — A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fadarko
This is a rollicking and poignant account of an epic 750-mile odyssey, on foot, through the heart of the Grand Canyon. Winner of the 2025 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
April 12 — Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by Joy-Ann Reid
In this groundbreaking and thrilling account of two heroes of the civil rights movement, Joy-Ann Reid uses Medgar and Myrlie’s relationship as a lens through which to explore the on-the-ground work that went into winning basic rights for Black Americans, and the repercussions that still resonate today.
May 17 — History Matters by David McCullough
In this posthumous collection of thought-provoking essays—many never published before—Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and bestselling author David McCullough affirms the value of history, how we can be guided by its lessons, and the enduring legacy of American ideals.
June 14 —  Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddharth Kara
Cobalt Red is the searing, first-ever exposé of the immense toll taken on the people and environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by cobalt mining, as told through the testimonies of the Congolese people themselves.
July 12 — The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature by Charlie English
A riveting account of the CIA’s secret program to smuggle millions of books through the Iron Curtain during the Cold War, an indelible reminder that words matter, and that perhaps the most patriotic thing one can do is read.
August 9 — Native Nations: A Millennium in North America by Kathleen DuVal
A magisterial overview of a thousand years of Native American history, from the rise of ancient cities more than a thousand years ago to fights for sovereignty that continue today. Winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction
September 13 — The Wide, Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact, and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook by Hampton Sides
A “thrilling and superbly crafted” account of the most momentous voyage of the Age of Exploration, which culminated in Captain James Cook’s death in Hawaii, and left a complex and controversial legacy still debated to this day.
October 11 — One Nation Under Guns: How Gun Culture Destroys our History and Threatens our Democracy by Dominic Erdozain
This “brilliant and gut-wrenching” takedown of American gun culture argues that the nation’s founders did not intend the Second Amendment to guarantee an individual right to bear arms—and that this distortion of the record is an urgent threat to democracy.
November 8 — Birding to Change the World: A Memoir by Trish O’Kane
In this uplifting memoir, a professor and activist shares what birds can teach us about life, social change, and protecting the environment.
December 13 — Francis, Pope – Hope: The Autobiography
Pope Francis originally intended this exceptional memoir to appear only after his death, but the needs of our times and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope moved him to make this precious legacy available now.
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Boos and Booze Book Club

Join us for a horrifyingly good time every third Wednesday of the month. Love of horror is a must, love of brews is not

Adults only.

New members welcome to join us at 6:30 p.m. at Olympia Sports Bar and Grill. Call (309) 497-2200 for more information.   

January 21 – Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle

February 18 – When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen

March 18 – The Troop by Nick Cutter

April 15 – Uzumaki by Junji Ito

May 20 – The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

Additional titles to be added as chosen by the club.

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Cozy Mystery Book Club

Calling all cozy mystery lovers! Join us for our Cozy Mystery Book Club. Each month, we will read and discuss a cozy mystery, usually the first in a series. These light-hearted mysteries have something for everyone, with amateur sleuths, lots of humor, and a bit of romance. 

Join us 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch on the 3rd Monday of the month.  All are welcome.

Call (309) 497-2200 for more information.   

January 12, 2026: By Book or by Crook by Eva Gates

February 9, 2026: Death of a Kitchen Diva by Lee Hollis

March 16, 2026: Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews

April 20, 2026: Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien

May 18, 2026: Buried in a Book by Lucy Arlington

June 15, 2026: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

July 20, 2026: The Secret Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams

August 17, 2026: Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder by Valerie Burns

September 21, 2026: Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

Film Club

Do you like to watch films and then talk about them? So do we!

Every month, we will show a film from a different genre and then discuss it — just like a book club, but for films. We will meet every last Saturday of the month from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium, lower level 2 of Main Library.

Open to all adults. Call (309) 497-2000 for more information.

January 31: All the President’s Men, directed by Alan J Pakula, rated PG

February 28: One of Them Days, directed by Lawrence Lamont, rated R

March 28: Materialists, directed by Celine Song, rated R

April 25: Monsoon Wedding, directed by Mira Nair, rated R

May 30: Joy Ride, directed by Adele Lim, rated R

June 27: The Bikeriders, directed by Jeff Nichols, rated R

July 25: Get Out directed by Jordan Peele, rated R

August 29: Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuaron, rated R

September 26: Better Off Dead, directed by Savage Steve Holland, rated PG

October 24: The Omen, directed by Richard Donner, rated R

November 28: Blue Velvet, directed by David Lynch, rated R

December 19: The Matrix, directed by Lana and Lily Wachowski, rated R

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Friends of Dorothy

Join us every other month for books rife with queer characters and experiences! Dedicated to representing the wide range of identity and existence of queer people, the Friends of Dorothy Book Club dates, titles, and identities are listed below. Allies are also welcome!

Meetings are held the first Friday of every other month from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch in the Lakeview Room.

Open to all adults.

February 6th – The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin (Queer, Achillean, Sapphic)

April 3rd – The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Jouhkadar (Queer, Nonbinary)

June 5th – Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (Sapphic, Pansexual, Transfeminine)

August 7th – Triple Sec by T. J. Alexander (Sapphic, Pansexual, Polyamorous, Nonbinary)

October 2nd – Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle (Sapphic, Queer)

December 4th – Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (Asexual, Nonbinary)

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Historical Fiction Society

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to discuss a historical fiction title and be transported back in time. We meet at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.

New members are always welcome. 

Questions? Email programming@ppl.peoria.lib.il.us .   

January 7 —The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

February 4 —West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

March 4  —Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

April 1 —I am Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons

May 6 —Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor

June 10 —The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian

July 1 — The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar

August 5 —The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

September 2 —The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson

October 7 —The English Problem by Beena Kamlani

November 4 —The Eights by Joanna Miller

December 2 —Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight

Intercontinental Readers

Intercontinental Readers meets once every three months at Main Library Lower Level 2, Conference Room to discuss books by American and Irish authors. We Skype with members in Clonmel, Ireland.

For more information, email Terry Tate at knttate@mchsi.com

** Please note that meeting times may vary.

December 3, 2025 –

June 4 (11:00 a.m.) – My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor

Based on real events, this beautifully crafted novel follows an Irish priest smuggling allied troops and Jews out of Italy in 1943

September 3 (11:00 a.m.) — My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

A simple hospital visit becomes a portal to the tender relationship between mother and daughter, despite their complicated past.

December 3 (11:00 a.m.) — Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry

Tom Kettle, a retired policeman, is startled out of his retirement reverie of a secluded life by the Irish sea when former colleagues approach him about a case involving a murdered priest. Stirring memories long tamped down, Tom must finally face the demons in his life.

Lattes & Lit Book Club

Join us for a relaxing morning of good drinks and great discussion at Intuition Coffee + Juice, 734 Main St.

We will meet the third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For more information, email programming@ppl.peoria.lib.il.us

January 24: None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

February 21: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

March 21: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

April 18: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

May 16: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

June 20: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

July 18: Cat’s People by Tanya Guerrero

August 15: A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys

September 19: Weyward by Emilia Hart

October 17: Slewfoot by Brom

November 21: Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

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Mature Readers Book Club

The Mature Readers Book Club meets at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave., at 2:15 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month.

Please call us at (309) 370-0067 if you are interested in joining this book club.

January 28 

Boat Baby: A Memoir by Vicky Nguyen

In a memoir where heroism meets humor, NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen tells the story of her family’s daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter with laughter and fierce love. 320 pages

February 25

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

An engaging and evocative novel reminiscent of The Lost Girls of Paris and The Alice Network, The Book of Lost Names is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of bravery and love in the face of evil. 388 pages

March 25

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

A 4-year-old Mi’kmaq girl goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine, sparking a tragic mystery that haunts the survivors, unravels a community, and remains unsolved for nearly 50 years. 307 pages

April 29 

The Postcard by Anne Berest

Winner of the Choix Goncourt Prize, The Postcard is a vivid portrait of 20th-century Parisian intellectual and artistic life, an enthralling investigation into family secrets, and poignant tale of a Jewish family devastated by the Holocaust and partly restored through the power of storytelling. 464 pages [longest book]

May 27

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery romp by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties. 339 pages

June 24

The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar and Dana Marton

A gripping, inspiring novel based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh’s sister-in-law. 356 pages

July 29 

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

When a father goes missing, his family’s desperate search leads them to question everything they know about him and one another–both a riveting page-turner and a deeply moving portrait of a family in crisis from the award-winning author of Miracle Creek. 387 pages

August 26

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back. 352 pages

September 30 

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman’s signature charm, humor, and attention to the poignant details of everyday life are on full display in this funny, moving novel. His most heartfelt and personal tale yet, My Friends is a stunning testament to the transformative, timeless power of art and friendship. 436 pages

October 28

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian—who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true. 341 pages

November 18 (One week early due to Thanksgiving)

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida

Discover this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats in the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation. 297 pages [shortest book]

December 16 (One week early due to Christmas)

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

Three women. One daring mission. This historical novel centers on a group of female spies sent behind enemy lines during WWII. 377 pages

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Read On Book Club

This group focuses on fiction by Black authors. Lincoln Branch Manager Cynthia Smith leads the discussion, which meets the fourth Monday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.. For more information, call 309-497-2601.

January 26th – Friends and Lovers by Eric Jerome Dickey
Lifetime is adapting Eric J. Dickey’s Friends and Lovers as a two-part movie event, starring Naturi Naughton, Simone Missick, Kendrick Sampson, and RonReaco Lee.  This is a contemporary romantic drama exploring how friendship, passion, and forgiveness all collide together.
February 23rd – The Vice President’s Black Wife: the Untold Life of Julia Chinn by Amrita Chakrabarti Myers / Award-winning  historian Myers has recovered the riveting, troubling, and complicated story of Julia Ann Chinn (1796-1833), the enslaved mixed-raced wife of Richard Mentor Johnson, owner of Blue Spring Farm, veteran of the War of 1812, and US Vice President under Martin Van Buren.  Johnson never freed Chinn, but during his frequent absences from his estate, he delegated to her management of his property.  This meant that Chinn, while enslaved, had substantial control over economic, social, financial, and personal affairs.  When the family left the farm, they faced steep steps moving forward, exclusion from town dances, burial in separate graveyards, and much more.
March 23rd – Kin: A Novel by Tayari Jones
Bestselling author of An American Marriage has written a novel that sparkles with wit and intelligence and deep feeling about two lifelong friends whose worlds converge after many years apart in the face of a devastating tragedy.
April 27th – Calling All Blessings: A Heartwarming Novel by Beverly Jenkins
Buried family trauma, self-discovery, and forgiveness in the small fictional town of Henry Adams, Kansas.  Meet Tamar July, town matriarch who is being haunted by dreams of her humiliating wedding day, sixty years ago, when she discovered her intended, Joel Newton, was already married.  Why are these dreams coming to her now?  There are no secrets in Henry Adams, but there’s never a dull moment either.
May 25th – Bad Seeds by Mary Monroe
A warm-hearted generous businesswoman discovers her dark side when she’s betrayed by both the younger man she thought was the love of her life and her best friend she’s always trusted.
June 22nd – Plus Size Player (Book 2) by Danielle Allen
Danielle Allen wowed in Curvy Girl Summer and delivers the next book obsession in the follow up Plus Size Players.  Nina Ford doesn’t like to put all her eggs in one basket.  She works multiple jobs, she enjoys multiple hobbies, and she dates multiple men.  Inevitably, her eggs are bound to get cracked!
July 27th – Grown Women by Sarai Johnson
Four generations of complex Black women contend with motherhood and daughterhood, generational trauma, and the tensions and wounds that divide them as they redefine happiness and healing for themselves.
August 24th – Hunting Ava by Kiki Swinson
In order to save her abducted children, Ava had to crossed one line too many.  Now a high-end criminal turned suburban mom in hiding must fight even more dangerous fallout from her corrupt past and from someone out to destroy her future.
September 28th – I Am Not Sidney Poitier: A Novel by Percival Everett
From his hysterical birth to his unlikely and unofficial adoption by Ted Turner and beyond. This is a novel about belonging, identity, and the divide between poverty and wealth.  Race is an undercurrent, breaking the surface of the story periodically, pulled up by the actions and reactions of other people.  Not Sidney doesn’t think his skin color should matter.  The world tells him otherwise.
October 26th – Murder at the Wham Bam Club by Carolyn Marie Wilkins
A Psychics and Soul Food Mystery – While America’s wealthy celebrates the roaring twenties jazz age, psychic Nola Ann Jackson uses her abilities to help the Black community of Agate, Illinois, fight against crime and corruption.
November & December – Holiday Break.
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Science Fiction | Fantasy Book Club

This group typically meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Lakeview Room of the Peoria Public Library Lakeview Branch (1137 W. Lake Ave. 61614-5935).
This book club is meeting both in person and virtually. If you need a Zoom link, please reach out to Jamie Jones at 497-2110.

January 12 – When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi 

February 9 – Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matthew Dinniman 

March 9 – The Fall by Garth Nix 

April 13 – Methuselah’s Children by Robert Heinlein 

May 11 – The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar 

June 8 – Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky 

July 13 – Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs 

August 10 – The Incandescent by Emily Tesh 

September 14 – Katabasis by R. F. Kuang 

October 12* – Way Station by Clifford Simak and The Old Man’s War (reading wherever you are in the series) by John Scalzi 

November 9 – Working for the Devil by Dante Valentine  

December 14 – Unsouled by Will Wight  

 

*the October meeting is off-site.   

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Sugar & Spice Book Club

If you’ve been on the #spicy side of BookTok, you’ll love this new contemporary romance book club that meets every third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro, 826 SW Adams.

Adults only. 
For more information, email programming@ppl.peoria.lib.il.us

January 20, 2026: Lights Out by Navessa Allen

February 17, 2026: Praise by Sara Cate

March 17, 2026: March Madness! Read any sports-themed romance. 

April 21, 2026: Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

May 19, 2026: Monster Lover May! Read any monster romance.

June 16, 2026: Impact by Nikki Markham

July 21, 2026: The Wrath of Roses by Violet Taylor

August 18, 2026: The Weiner Across the Way by Amy Award

September 15, 2026: Sinner’s Retreat by Laurel Biel

October 20, 2026: Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nacosta

November 17, 2026: Taken by the Bikers by Stephanie Brother

December 15, 2026: Winter of the Owl by Iris Foxglove

The Sherlock Holmes Story Society

This group traditionally meets in the North Branch Seminar Room at 6:30 pm on the 4th Thursday of the month (except for November).

New members are always welcome, whether you’re a seasoned Sherlockian or a newcomer to the canon! Please call 309-497-2110 if you have any questions.

January 22 – “The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist”

February 26 – “The Adventure of the Three Students”

March 26 – “The Adventure of Black Peter”

April 23 – “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans”

May 28 – “The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger”

June 25 – “The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter”

July 23 – “The Adventure of Abbey Grange”

August 27 – “The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot”

September 24 – The Adventure of the Dancing Men”

October 22 – “The Adventure of the Retired Colourman”

November 19* – “The Adventure of Thor Bridge”

December 17* – The Adventure of the Priory School”

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Thrills, Chills & Plot Twists

Are you into mysteries, but whodonits aren’t your thing? Join us for the Thrills, Chills, & Plot Twists Book Club. We will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at McClure Branch, 315 W. McClure Ave.

New members are always welcome. Please call 309-497-2700 if you have any questions.

January 8 – Northwoods by Amy Pease

February 12 – The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen

March 12 – The Wilds by Sarah Pearse

April 9 – California Bear by Duane Swierczynski

May 14 – One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon

June 11 – Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash

July 9 – The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

August 13 – The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass

September 10 – Swiped by L. M. Chilton

October 8 – What Have You Done by Shari Lapena

November 12 – The Gathering by C. J. Tudor

December 10 – Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

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Twelve Tropes of Romance Book Club

Are you a fan of feel good romance novels that take place in modern day? Is there a specific romance trope you love so much you’ll read anything with that trope? Join the Twelve Tropes of Romance Book Club where each month we’ll read a book with a different romance trope. Reader advisory: Different books may rate higher than others on the spicy scale.

Meets the last Monday of every month (except May) at 6:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.

New members are always welcome. Please call 309-497-2200 or 309-497-2143 if you have any questions.

Reader advisory: Some titles may be spicier than others. Ages 18+

January 26, 2026 – Is She Really Going Out with Him by Sophie Cousens (Age Gap)

February 23, 2026 – Sunshine and Spice by Aurora Palit (Fake Dating)

March 30, 2026 – The Second Time Around by Mary Beesley (Love Triangle)

April 27, 2026 – The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (Enemies to Lovers)

May 18, 2026 – Crash Landing by Annie McQuaid (Forced Proximity)

Jun 29, 2026 – Best Men by Sidney Karger (Grumpy/Sunshine)

July 27, 2026 – Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver (Secret Identity)

August 31, 2026 – Anywhere with You by Ellie Palmer (Road Trip)

September 28, 2026 – Happy Ending by Chloe Liese (Friends to Lovers)

October 26, 2026 – Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks (Second Chance)

November 30, 2026 – Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle (The Bet)

December 28, 2026 – Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine (Fish out of Water)

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¡Viva Literatura!

¡Viva Literatura! is a Latinx book club dedicated to representing Latin American literature for Teens and Adults in alternating months. Each book focuses on authors from Latin America or related diasporas, and is available in both English and Spanish.

Book discussions happen on the 3rd Friday of each month at the Main Branch’s Community Room @ 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

The Teen and Adult dates are in the schedule. Questions? Call (309) 497-2000.

January 16th – Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez (Puerto Rico)

March 20th – Dominicana by Angie Cruz (Dominican Republic)

May 15th – The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas (Mexico)

July 17th – The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras (Colombia)

September 18th – The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova (Ecuador)

November 20th – Cantoras by Carolina de Robertis (Uruguay)

Teen Dates:*

February 20th – Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older (Cuba)

April 17th – The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (Dominican Republic)

June 19th – The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes (Mexico)

August 21st – City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende (Chile)

October 16th – Lobizona by Romina Garber (Argentina)

December 18th – We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez (Guatemala)

*This book discussion is intended for a teen audience and adults will not be permitted.

Book cover of The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne
Book cover of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Book cover of Emma By Jane Austen
Book cover of God Help the Child by Toni Morrison

Wordsmitten Book Club

Join us to discuss brilliantly articulated literary classics that have stood the test of time, that elaborate on universal themes of love, morality, adversity, death and offer revelatory insights and clarity to readers of all ages.

Meets the on the fourth Friday of the month from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.

New members (teens & adults) are always welcome. Please call 309-497-2101 for more information.

JANUARY 23 –  Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

FEBRUARY 27 – Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

MARCH 27 – The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

APRIL 24 – A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

MAY 22 – The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

JUNE 26 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

JULY 24 – Scoop by Evelyn Waugh

AUGUST 28 – Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

SEPTEMBER 25 – Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Huston

OCTOBER 23 – The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

No meetings in November or December

Logo for YA Queer Book Club

YA Queer Book Club

Join us each month for a YA book rife with queer characters and experiences! This book discussion is intended for teen audience. Adults will not be permitted.

Meetings are held the third Saturday of every month from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Main Branch in LL1 Classroom A.

Meetings are held the first Friday of every month from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch in the Lakeview Room.

Teen Dates:*

January 2nd – Aces Wild by Amanda Dewitt (Aromantic, Asexual)

March 6th – Cosmoknights, Vol. 1 by Hannah Templer (Sapphic, Transfeminine)

May 1st – Santi and Ander Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa (Queer, Nonbinary)

July 3rd – Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender (Queer, Polyamorous, Genderfluid, Transmasculine)

September 1st – Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (Achillean, Transmasculine)

November 6th – Galaxy: The Prettiest Star by Jadzia Axelrod (Sapphic, Transfeminine)

*These meetings are intended for a teen audience and adults will not be permitted.

Adult Dates:

February 6th – The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin (Queer, Achillean, Sapphic)

April 3rd – The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Jouhkadar (Queer, Nonbinary)

June 5th – Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (Sapphic, Pansexual, Transfeminine)

August 7th – Triple Sec by T. J. Alexander (Sapphic, Pansexual, Polyamorous, Nonbinary)

October 2nd – Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle (Sapphic, Queer)

December 4th – Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (Asexual, Nonbinary)