When a member of an exclusive book club is checked out, spunky librarian Trudell Becket must sort fact from fiction to solve the murder. The Cypress Arete Society is one of the town’s oldest and most exclusive clubs. When assistant librarian Trudell Becket is invited to speak to the group about the library, its modernization, and her efforts to bring printed books to the reading public, her friend Flossie tags along. Flossie has been on the book club’s waiting list for five years, and she’s determined to find out why she’s never received an invitation to join. But not long after Tru and Flossie arrive for the meeting, they’re shocked to find the club’s president, Rebecca White, dead in the kitchen. Rebecca was a former TV actress and local celebrity but was not known for being patient or pleasant. She’d been particularly unkind to the book club’s host for the evening, who also happens to be the mother of Detective Jace Bailey, Tru’s boyfriend. And Rebecca had made it clear that she didn’t think Flossie was book club material. With her boyfriend and one of her best friends wrapped up in a murder, Tru has to work fast to figure out who cut Rebecca’s story short before the killer takes another victim out of circulation....

Is your book club feeling stale or uninspired? Has attendance dropped, or are you struggling to keep your patrons engaged? What you need is a reboot. This resource published in cooperation with ALA's Public Programs Office profiles dozens of successful book clubs across the country.

Writing a new future takes a little time—and a lot of love. Jean Vison never expected to run a book club, until her life took an unexpected turn. Now, with Jean’s husband gone, what began as an off-the-cuff idea has grown into a group of six women who meet the second Tuesday of every month for a potluck supper, for wine and laughter—and for books. There’s Loretta, who deals with the lack of intimacy in her marriage by diving into erotic novels. Dorothy, whose ruffian sons are a never-ending source of stress. May entertains the group with her outrageous dating stories, while Mitzi finds something political to rant about in every book—including Loretta’s trashy romances. Even Janet, with her mousy shyness and constant blush, has helped Jean rediscover the joy in life. So when Jean’s family starts unraveling again—her daughter forced into rehab and her troubled teen granddaughter, Bailey, coming to live with her in the interim—she turns to the book club for comfort and support. And, together, they all, even Bailey, discover that family is what you make of it, especially the family you choose…

A folder that contains a book and other items used to start and run a book club for girls interested in the American Girl dolls and books.

What happens when a real-life book club decides to write their own novel? The result is a fresh, fun story about a group of women who have more in common than just the books they read. Fourth Sunday is the tale of seven women and their journey toward friendship by way of a simple book club. Over time, their friendship grows beyond books, as their lives, relationships, careers, and families become one. The women—Gwen, Natalie, Allana, Brianna, Camille, Destiny, and Adriane—share not only their love of books at these monthly meetings but their life experiences as well. Over two years, the women undergo a number of personal trials as they confront divorce, illness, romantic highs and lows, sexual experimentation, and career challenges. Through good times and bad, their newfound family offers support, encouragement, laughter, and love. Fourth Sunday is an instant book club classic, filled with lively reflections on business and politics, health and happiness, life and literature in all its page-turning glory. It is funny, it is sad, it is thought provoking—but most of all, it is real.

Love curling up with a good book? If so, a book club might be the right fit for you. Find out what it takes to join a book club or start your own, including information on membership, meetings, and activities. Together, you and your fellow members can participate, create, and most importantly, have fun. Take the plunge, join the club, and get involved!