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We know many of you take part in home book clubs because we help you find the books.

We can still do that.

I imagine many of you are reading more now that we are all home more. Perhaps you have thought:

I wish I could talk to someone about what I am reading.

Well you can and we are here to help.

How do we come together to booktalk?

You can discuss face to face virtually using videoconferencing software like Zoom or Google Hangouts.

Or try a discussion through text using message boards or chat apps. 

1.  Videoconferencing.

The library uses Zoom for our virtual book discussions. Zoom works great for us. There are free and paid versions.

The free version limits groups of more than two to 40 minutes (but there is no rule that someone couldn’t set up a second zoom meeting).

Google Hangouts is free and simple to use even if It does not have all the features of zoom. The only drawback is everyone must have a google account.

2.  Message Board and Chat Bookclubs.

Two of the most popular sites are Goodreads and Facebook Groups.

One benefit of this is not everyone needs to be available at the same time.

If you want to try this  out, I recommend the BookBrowse discussion boards. Many groups create a group chat through their phones messaging app.

3.  Where do I get books when libraries are closed?

Ebooks are your best choice right now.

The library offers ebooks and eaudiobooks from Overdrive through the Libby app and through the Digital Library of Illinois website and also from Hoopla.

Hoopla books are all always available making them the best choice if multiple copies are needed. Hoopla even has a book club recommendations section.

Overdrive offers multiple copies of classics and certain books they are promoting.

Another option is to pick a theme rather than a title, something like political biography or WWII fiction and have each member pick a book from their shelf or download an ebook of their choosing. 

4.  Looking for a book club? Join ours!

We have several groups that meet at different times. I’m sure one will match with your schedule and taste. We have the following discussions coming up:

Thursday May 14 at 7:30pm
They Will Drown in Their Mothers' Tears by Johannes Anyuru

Tuesday May 19 at 10am
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

Wednesday May 20
(with the Des Plaines History Center) The Accident of Color by Daniel Brook

Tuesday June 2 at 10am
Little Gods by Meng Jin

Let us know how you are adapting your book clubs in the comments.

Here are a few fantastic discussable books for your book club that are available now: 

The Alice Network

by Kate Quinn

An American Marriage 

by Tayari Jones

The Book Woman Of Troublesome Creek 

by Kim Michele Richardson

Little Fires Everywhere

by Celeste Ng

The Lost Book Of Adana Moreau 

by Michael Zapata

The Mountains Sing 

by Quế Mai Phan Nguyễn

The 7 1/2 Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle 

by Stuart Turton