Despite how much I wish it were true, the idea that librarians get to read books at work all day is a myth.  The next best thing, and this is quite true, is that we get to talk about books so much during our work day.  One of the most fun and rewarding ways to do so is in the book group setting (we’ve got 4 on-going groups at UDPL).

I’m lucky to be the facilitator for the Bookworms, a group that meets the first Thursday of each month. I inherited the group from a dedicated and wonderful group leader who moved out of the area.  The group members are intelligent, engaged, friendly, and love to read. These people are serious readers, and by that I mean that they are willing to give most any genre a try, whether it’s Sci-Fi, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Classics, Graphic Novels…basically, you name it and this group will read it.  That my job entails discussing a fascinating mish-mash of books with community members still wows me.

Right now, as I write this, I realize that I’ve got two weeks left to finish reading the acclaimed Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, the March book.  Mantel’s vivid novel is a detailed fictionalized biography of Thomas Cromwell, who rose to prominence in the oft studied and much re-imagined court of Henry VIII.  The timing for this read is ideal, as I’m also looking forward to the TV mini-services adaptation of Wolf Hall, which begins airing April 5th on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater.  I know I’ll enjoy the screen version that much more because I’ll have the benefit of discussing the book with the group first and so I’ll get to hear all of their sharp insights and ideas, things I might not have “caught” or thought of during my own solitary reading of the book.

After Wolf Hall, in April we’ll be reading the post-apocalyptic, anarchic graphic novel classic, V for Vendetta by Alan Moore.  As you can see, I really wasn’t kidding when I said this book group is all about variety.  If that sounds like your cup of tea, join us, or consider one of the other great library book groups.  Or, go ahead and form your own book group, outside of the library.  All you need is a place to meet, some great titles, and good company.  And if you need books or suggestions, stop by/email/call/Facebook us—like I said, talking about and connecting readers and books all day is what we love to do.