Calendar

Kids' Books for Everyone (O'Neill)

O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140

People of all ages who enjoy children's books can read and discuss together. In April we will read the book The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, then meet for pizza and discussion. Copies of the book are available at the O'Neill Branch. This book group will meet in person at the O'Neill Branch. Please register below.

Great Books Book Group (Main/Virtual)

Main Library, Curious George Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

This week's selection: Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness Reading Interests: We concentrate on Great Books in the following areas: a long novel over the summer, two sections of poetry and short stories, a book of the Bible, a Shakespeare play, an ancient and modern drama, a work of science, a smaller work of fiction, an even smaller work of fiction, and a rotating mix of politics, philosophy, and religion. Authors read in the past five years include Dickens, Keats and Yeats, O'Connor and Munro, Ecclesiastes, Sophocles and August Wilson, Darwin, Austen, Duras, The Federalist Papers, and Arendt. How to get the print book: Copies of the reading are set aside at the Main Library. Visit the Main Library at 449 Broadway during current service hours and a staff member can help you get a copy. How to register: Registration is required. Click the registration link below to register. This is a hybrid event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. For more information, contact Drew Griffin (dgriffin@cambridgema.gov)

Cookbook Book Group (Boudreau)

Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

April Selections: Coconut & Sambal; Fire Islands; and The Indonesian Table. Join friends and neighbors for a potluck! Try a recipe and bring your results or thoughts to share and discuss with other cooks. All experience levels welcome! No need to bring a dish to join. Books will be available for pick up at the Boudreau and Collins Branches. This event will take place indoors at the Boudreau Branch (245 Concord Ave). For more information contact Liz at edanner@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4017.

Magic Tree House Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)

O'Connell Branch, 48 Sixth St., Cambridge, MA 02141

Our Magic Tree House book group for kids ages 5-10 meets the first Friday of the month. Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app. Our April book is Thanksgiving on Thursday. This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event. Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019. For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.

O'Neill Branch Book Group (O'Neill)

O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140

April Selection: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer A book discussion group for adults at the O'Neill Branch Library, reading a mixture of fiction and nonfiction. Past titles include Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Cherokee America by Margaret Verble. Print copies are available for pickup at the O'Neill Branch Library. This month's book selection is also available as an e-book and as a digital audiobook through https://minuteman.overdrive.com/ and as a digital audiobook through https://www.hoopladigital.com/. For any further information, please contact Emily Hurley at ehurley@cambridgema.gov

Romance Book Group (Main)

Main Library, Teen Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

This month's book: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang Audience: Teens and Adults. If you read romance (or want to start), this group is for you! Reading Interests: This group will explore the burgeoning genre of contemporary romance. Example selections include: Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola and Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner. How to get the print book: Copies of the print book are set aside at the Main Library Q&A Desk on the ground floor. Visit the Main Library at 449 Broadway during service hours and a staff member can help you check out a copy. How to get the e-book or digital audiobook: This month’s book is available as an e-book and digital audiobook through both Libby, and as a digital audiobook through Hoopla. We'll meet in the Teen Room on the first floor of the Main Library. For more information, contact Susannah at sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov.

Boudreau Branch Book Group (Boudreau/Virtual)

Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

April title: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. This book group will meet virtually and in person at the Boudreau Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event. How to get the print book: Copies of the print book will be set aside at the Boudreau Branch (245 Concord Ave; current hours). How to get the e-book: This month’s book is available as an audiobook and e-book through Overdrive/Libby. For more information, call 617-349-4017 or email Liz Danner at edanner@cambridgema.gov. The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.

Parent/Child (Ages 10-13) Book Group (Main)

Main Library, Curious George Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

Join us for a lively discussion of a great book in person at the Main Library. Pizza is provided. For ages 10-13 and a parent or caregiver. Both caregiver and child should read the book before the discussion to participate. For a copy of the book, stop by the Children’s Room or call 617-349-4038. Registration is required — only one registration is needed per family. This month, we're reading: Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder (HarperCollins, 2007). For questions about parent/child book group, please email hsaxton@cambridgema.gov.

Contemporary Book Group (Main)

Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

This month's book: The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende Reading Interests: The group concentrates on fiction and narrative nonfiction. Some past selections include: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters, and Beautiful Country: A Memoir by Qian Julie Wang. How to get the print book: Copies of the print book are set aside at the Main Library. Visit the Main Library Q&A Desk at 449 Broadway during service hours and a staff member can help you check out a copy. How to get the e-book or digital audiobook: This month’s book is available as an e-book and digital audiobook through OverDrive or the Libby app. How to register: Click the registration link below to register. Registration is encouraged but not required. For more information, contact Susannah Borysthen-Tkacz (sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov).

Adult Book Group (O'Connell)

O'Connell Branch, 48 Sixth St., Cambridge, MA 02141

April selection: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel Reading Interests: We read mostly contemporary Fiction and Non-Fiction, with forays into older works and classics. Past selections include Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, and An Immense World by Ed Yong. How to get the print book: Copies of the book and audiobook are set aside at the O'Connell Branch. Visit during open hours and a staff member can help you check out a copy. Click here for O'Connell Branch Hours. How to get the ebook or digital audiobook: This month’s book is available as an ebook or digital audiobook through Libby. This book group meets in person at the O'Connell Branch. No registration is needed; drop-ins welcome! For more information call 617-349-4019 or email Abby at aclinger@cambridgema.gov.

Great Books Book Group (Main/Virtual)

Main Library, Curious George Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

This week's selection: William Shakespeare, Hamlet Reading Interests: We concentrate on Great Books in the following areas: a long novel over the summer, two sections of poetry and short stories, a book of the Bible, a Shakespeare play, an ancient and modern drama, a work of science, a smaller work of fiction, an even smaller work of fiction, and a rotating mix of politics, philosophy, and religion. Authors read in the past five years include Dickens, Keats and Yeats, O'Connor and Munro, Ecclesiastes, Sophocles and August Wilson, Darwin, Austen, Duras, The Federalist Papers, and Arendt. How to get the print book: Copies of the reading are set aside at the Main Library. Visit the Main Library at 449 Broadway during current service hours and a staff member can help you get a copy. How to register: Registration is required. Click the registration link below to register. This is a hybrid event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. For more information, contact Drew Griffin (dgriffin@cambridgema.gov)

Valente Branch Book Group (Valente)

Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141

Join the Valente Branch for their new book group! This group will meet monthly to discuss a mix of fiction and nonfiction books. The April selection will be Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad. How to get the print book: Copies of the book are available at the Valente Branch Library. How to get the e-book or digital audiobook: This month’s book is available as a digital audio and e-book through https://minuteman.overdrive.com/. No registration is required. The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.

Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Group (Main)

Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

This Month's Read: Children of Time, by Adrian Tchaikovsky Reading Interests: The group concentrates on science fiction and fantasy. An advanced reading schedule is published each fall. Example selections include: Neuromancer by William Gibson and The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Requirements: A love of speculative fiction and a desire to talk about books. The group is friendly and informal. How to get the print book: Copies of the print book are set aside at the Main Library Question and Answer desk on the ground floor. Visit the Main Library at 449 Broadway during service hours and a staff member can help you check out a copy. E-books and digital audiobooks are available on Libby or Hoopla. We'll meet in the Rossi Room on the ground floor of the Main Library. For more information, contact Carrie at csauder@cambridgema.gov

Boudreau Branch Mystery Book Group (Boudreau/Virtual)

Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

April Title: A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George. This book group will meet virtually and in person at the Boudreau Branch. We will discuss current and classic mystery titles. Please register below if you would like to attend via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event. How to get the print book: Copies of the print book will be set aside at the Boudreau Branch (245 Concord Ave; current hours). How to get the digital version: Copies of the audiobook and ebook are available through Libby. For more information, call 617-349-4017 or email Liz Danner at edanner@cambridgema.gov. The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.

[GROUP FULL] Books Not Binaries Reading Group (Main)

Main Library, Curious George Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

Join us for a book discussion and hangout each month as we read books that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ experience. All readers age 10-13 welcome! Registration is required. For questions, email hsaxton@cambridgema.gov. This month we're reading Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith (HarperCollins, 2019). Copies of the book are available at the Main Library Children's Desk. Pizza will be provided!