Book Discussion Groups

The Library has book discussion kits, DIBS (Discussions In BoxeS). These contain a selection of challenging and entertaining discussion book sets plus a binder full of reviews and information about the authors. They have a check-out period of six weeks. Click here to see a list of the available titles.

The Library also sponsors various book discussion groups. The Contemporary Books Discussion Group and the Mystery Book Discussion Group meet monthly, September through May. Newcomers are welcome anytime. Occasionally the Library sponsors book discussions on specific topics. Check our Calendar of Events or our newsletter Pages for information on days, times, and the titles to be discussed in any of our groups.

Contemporary Books Discussion Group

The contemporary group reads both classic and current popular fiction and nonfiction titles which are chosen by a vote of the entire group at the end of each discussion year. The leaders are volunteers from the group who are given supplemental material (author biographies, book reviews, etc.) by the Library liaison. The Library provides the books, which are loaned to the participants. This group offers both afternoon and evening sessions. For a list of books from previous years, click here. (.pdf file)

CONTEMPORARY BOOKS DISCUSSIONS 2011-2012
Meeting Wednesdays Sept.-May
1-2:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.
Malmros Conference Room

 
20 & 21 September 2011
Tuesday Evening: Brazil on the Rise by Larry Rohter
Wednesday Afternoon: Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado

19 October 2011
Afternoon: Brazil on the Rise by Larry Rohter
Evening: Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado

16 November 2011
Afternoon: The March by E.L. Doctorow
Evening: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

21 December 2011
Afternoon: The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Evening: The March by E.L. Doctorow

18 January 2012
Afternoon: The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin
Evening: The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

15 February 2012
Afternoon: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Evening: The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin

21 March 2012
Afternoon: Embers by Sandor Marai
Evening: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

18 April 2012
Afternoon: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloots
Evening: Embers by Sandor Marai

16 May 2012
Afternoon: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Evening: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloots

Mystery Book Discussion Group

The mystery group is lead by the Library liaison. The mysteries to be discussed are chosen for the year based on a theme upon which the group votes. The books may be literary criticism, biographies, or true crime as well as fictional mysteries. The Library provides the books, which are loaned to the participants. For a list of books from previous years, click here. (.pdf file)

MYSTERY BOOKS DISCUSSION
September 2011 to May 2012
Funded by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library
& The Bettendorf Public Library Foundation
Saturdays from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Malmros Conference Room

Global Gathering Brazil

10 September 2011
The Silence of the Rain by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza

8 October 2011
Blood of the Wicked by Leighton Gage

Theme: No Pants Detectives

12 November 2011
The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer

10 December 2011
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman

14 January 2012
In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming

11 February 2012
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

10 March 2012
Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne

14 April 2012
Dog On It by Spencer Quinn

12 May 2012
Death at the Fair by Frances McNamara