At our June 29th meeting, the group discussed Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See. Our group has read several of See's books during our group's 20+ years, and this book did not disappoint. (Other books by this author that we have read include: Island of Sea Women in 2021, Dreams of Joy  in 2012, and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in 2008.) We had a lot to talk about with this book -- we discussed the practice of foot binding, the role of women in the time period, and female friendships. Overall, the group enjoyed the book and rated it the highest of the year so far.

Summary: "A personal and scientific work on trees, forests, and the author's profound discoveries of tree communication"-- Simard illuminates the fascinating and vital truths: that trees are not simply the source of timber or pulp, but are a complicated, interdependent circle of life; that forests are social, cooperative creatures connected through underground networks by which trees communicate their vitality and vulnerabilities with communal lives not that different from our own. At the center of it all, the Mother Trees: the mysterious, powerful forces that connect and sustain the others that surround them. Born and raised into a logging world in the rainforests of British Columbia, Simard writes of her own journey of understanding who we are and our place in the world, and how the Mother Tree nurtures the forest in the profound ways that families and human societies do. -- adapted from jacket

At our May 18th book club meeting, we discussed Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley. The group enjoyed this book and felt that it was "less preachy" than Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books (April 2026). Overall, even though some of the same issues were covered, the group liked Pooley's writing better and felt the characters were more relatable. Overall, the book rated very highly.

Summary: "Sent into an arranged marriage, Tan Yunxian, forbidden to continue her work as a midwife-in-training as well as see her forever friend Meiling, is ordered to act like proper wife and seeks a way to continue treating women and girls from every level of society in fifteenth-century China."

 I almost forgot to post the wrap-up for Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller, so better late than never! We had seven members at our April 27th book group, and most of the group thought the book was funny and topical. The biggest issue for some was that it covered so many issues that it diminished the impact. Also, there were a lot of characters and members had a hard time keeping them straight! Overall though, the book received high ratings.

Our next book club meeting is a week early due to the Memorial Day holiday. The meeting is Monday, May 18th at 3pm at the LME Library. We will be discussing Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley. Books can be picked up at the library desk and the discussion is also available for pickup or here. 

At our March 30th meeting, we discussed The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon. We chose this book as part of our America 250 celebration, and we had a couple of new club members--welcome! Most thought that this was an interesting book, but it could use a better table of contents and an index. The group liked the author's storytelling and commentary. Overall, it was inspiring to see how people have made a difference even through adversity. 

Summary of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books: Beverly Underwood and her arch enemy, Lula Dean, live in the tiny town of Troy, Georgia, where they were born and raised. Now Beverly is on the school board, and Lula has become a local celebrity by embarking on mission to rid the public libraries of all inappropriate books-- none of which she's actually read. To replace the "pornographic" books she's challenged at the local public library, Lula starts her own lending library in front of her home: a cute wooden hutch with glass doors and neat rows of the worthy literature that she's sure the town's readers need. What Lula doesn't know is that a local troublemaker has stolen her wholesome books, removed their dust jackets, and restocked Lula's library with banned books: literary classics, gay romances, Black history, witchy spell books, Judy Blume novels, and more. One by one, neighbors who borrow books from Lula Dean's library find their lives changed in unexpected ways. Finally, one of Lula Dean's enemies discovers the library and decides to turn the tables on her, just as Lula and Beverly are running against each other to replace the town's disgraced mayor. That's when all the townspeople who've been borrowing from Lula's library begin to reveal themselves. That's when the showdown that's been brewing between Beverly and Lula will roil the whole town...and change it forever.

At our February 23, 2026 meeting, we discussed James by Percival Everett. The group liked reading the classic from James' perspective, but it was outside what they regularly read. Group members were interested in what it might be like to read the story from a female perspective. Overall, they rated it highly, but some members probably won't suggest it to others because it is more literary than what they usually read.

Book Summary: "From America's favorite government teacher, a heartfelt, inspiring portrait of twelve ordinary Americans whose courage formed the character of our country. In The Small and the Mighty, Sharon McMahon proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn't make it into the textbooks. Not the presidents, but the telephone operators. Not the aristocrats, but the schoolteachers. Through meticulous research, she discovers history's unsung characters and brings their rich, riveting stories to light for the first time. This is a book about what really made America - and Americans - great. McMahon's cast of improbable champions will become familiar friends, lighting the path we journey in our quest to make the world more just, peaceful, good, and free."

Our book club met on Monday, January 26th and discussed Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. The discussion sheet is here. 

Even though everything was a bit confusing at first, we felt the author deliberately used this as a storytelling device. Most members laughed out loud at times and some shed happy tears at the ending. Overall, it was favorably rated even though it felt foreign at times. (Understandably, since this is a Swedish author whose works are translated.)

Book Summary for James: "From Percival Everett-a recipient of the NBCC Lifetime Achievement Award and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Booker Prize, and numerous PEN awards-comes James, a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river's banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin...), Jim's agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light. Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a "cult literary icon" (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature"--

At our December 8th book club meeting, we discussed our favorite books from 2025, and I shared our 2026 picks. For 2025, our fiction favorites were: The Frozen River, The Berry Pickers, and The Maid. For non-fiction, we enjoyed What the Bears Know and The Art Thief. 

All our past and present titles (all 23 years!) can be found on this MASTER LIST.

“Talk About a Good Book” Book Club Discussion Group

Usually meets last Monday of the month at 3 pm

 2026 (Our 23^rd year)

At our October meeting, we discussed The Replacement Wife by Darby Kane. Most of the group found the book less compelling than our usual book club titles, but it was a quick book to read. We also started voting on our book club picks for next year.

Berry Pickers summary: "July 1962. A Mi'kmaq family from Nova Scotia arrives in Maine to pick blueberries for the summer. Weeks later, four-year-old Ruthie, the family's youngest child, vanishes. She is last seen by her six-year-old brother, Joe, sitting on a favorite rock at the edge of a berry field. Joe will remain distraught by his sister's disappearance for years to come. In Maine, a young girl named Norma grows up as the only child of an affluent family. Her father is emotionally distant, her mother frustratingly overprotective. Norma is often troubled by recurring dreams and visions that seem more like memories than imagination. As she grows older, Norma slowly comes to realize there is something her parents aren't telling her. Unwilling to abandon her intuition, she will spend decades trying to uncover this family secret. For readers of The Vanishing Half and Woman of Light, this showstopping debut by a vibrant new voice in fiction is a riveting novel about the search for truth, the shadow of trauma, and the persistence of love across time."--

At our book group meeting on September 29th, we discussed What the Bears Know by Steve Searles. We welcomed two new book club members, and everyone enjoyed the book. Most felt they learned a lot about bears and how people need to be more accountable for their actions. Overall, it was a highly rated book and held our interest.

 At our August 25th meeting, we discussed Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Our group members were big fans of the book, and everyone enjoyed the discussion. Members liked how the author incorporated history and fiction seamlessly, but gave an author note on how she adjusted this story around the real life of Martha Ballard. I brought pumpkin squares to share.

Sorry I'm late posting on our July 28th meeting! We read The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, and the group enjoyed this novel. They liked the characters, the friendship between Lily and Odile, and the descriptions about life in occupied France. Overall, it was very highly rated!

At our June 30th meeting, we discussed the Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane. It was okay, but we felt it did not have enough substance for book group. Some felt the mystery wasn't very suspenseful, and others thought the title was misleading. Overall, it was a quick and easy read - good for those who just need a beach read.

Our May 19th book club had low attendance, but we had a lot to discuss with The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. This true crime non-fiction work profiles Stéphane Breitwieser, who stole more than 300 art objects from museums, churches, and auction houses over nearly ten years. His narcissistic behavior and the lack of repercussions for his crimes stunned us. Finkel was very thorough and presented the details with startling clarity. 

Book Summary: When they are hired by veteran family court judge Hope Willis to find her missing daughter, Forensic Investigators--a team of renegade investigators comprised of a behaviorist, a techno-wizard, an intuitive, and a former Navy SEAL--must race against time to bring Krissy back alive.

At our book club meeting on April 28th, we discussed The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. The group liked that it was a quick, engaging read. Even though the timeline jumped around a bit, it was still easy to follow since there was only one point of view. All rated it highly.

 At our March 31st meeting, we discussed The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy. It was a well-researched book, but the topic was difficult to read. Some readers had trouble following due to the many individuals included, and others found it difficult due to how the women were treated by their superiors, co-workers, and the organization. However, all felt that this was an important part of history and should be read by all.

Our next meeting is Monday, April 28th at 3pm at LME Library. We will discuss The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. Copies of the book are available at the front desk, and discussion sheets can be picked up or are available online. 

Summary of  The Last Thing He Told Me: "When her husband of a year disappears, Hannah quickly learns he is not who he said he was and is left to sort out the truth with just one ally- her husband's teenage daughter, who hates her."

At our February 24, 2025 meeting, we discussed The Maid by Nita Prose. Most of our readers did not have high expectations, but they all loved the book! It was a quick read, but we liked the mystery and the characters. Overall, our group gave it the highest rating.

Summary: "The New York Times bestselling author of Code Girls reveals the untold story of how women at the CIA ushered in the modern intelligence age, a sweeping story of a "sisterhood" of women spies spanning three generations who broke the glass ceiling, helped transform spycraft, and tracked down Osama Bin Laden. Upon its creation in 1947, the Central Intelligence Agency instantly became one of the most important spy services in the world. Like every male-dominated workplace in Eisenhower America, the growing intelligence agency needed women to type memos, send messages, manipulate expense accounts, and keep secrets. Despite discrimination-even because of it-these clerks and secretaries rose to become some of the shrewdest, toughest operatives the agency employed. Because women were seen as unimportant, they moved unnoticed on the streets of Bonn, Geneva, and Moscow, stealing secrets under the noses of the KGB. Back at headquarters, they built the CIA's critical archives-first by hand, then by computer. These women also battled institutional stereotyping and beat it. Men argued they alone could run spy rings. But the women proved they could be spymasters, too. During the Cold War, women made critical contributions to U.S. intelligence, sometimes as officers, sometimes as unpaid spouses, working together as their numbers grew. The women also made unique sacrifices, giving up marriage, children, even their own lives. They noticed things that the men at the top didn't see. In the final years of the twentieth century, it was a close-knit network of female CIA analysts who warned about the rising threat of Al Qaeda. After the 9/11 attacks, women rushed to join the fight as a new job, "targeter," came to prominence. They showed that painstaking data analysis would be crucial to the post-9/11 national security landscape-an effort that culminated spectacularly in the CIA's successful efforts to track down Osama Bin Laden and, later, Ayman al-Zawahiri. With the same meticulous reporting and storytelling verve that she brought to her New York Times bestseller Code Girls, Liza Mundy has written an indispensable and sweeping history that reveals how women at the CIA ushered in the modern intelligence age"

We just discussed Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone on January 27th. The book discussion guide is available here. It had a mixed reception--several members liked it and others thought there were too many characters and too much going on. Overall, the feeling that the book was a literary exercise kept it lighter even though there were a lot of murders. One group member suggested that it was similar to the book, Killers of a Certain Age, which we read in July 2024.

At our October 28th meeting, we discussed The Wager by David Grann. Even though this book is not very long, there is a lot of information packed into it. It was a bit difficult to follow at times due to the number of ships and events. We felt it would have been helpful to have a listing of statistics about each ship in the squadron, their officers and crew, etc. However, many members felt they gained a better understanding of the perils and hardships of sailors in this era.

Our next meeting will be Monday, November 25th at 3pm at the LME Library. Copies of the book, The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, are available for pickup at the front desk. Discussion sheets can also be picked up or are available here.  

At our September 30 book club meeting, we discussed Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Some readers weren't sure they were going to like it, but everyone enjoyed the book. One participant said that it was her favorite read with book club so far.

The book club will meet again on October 28 at 3pm in the library's large meeting room. We will be discussing the non-fiction book, Wager by David Grann. Copies can be picked up from the front desk and discussion sheets are available.

Summary: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon and The Lost City of Z, a mesmerizing story of shipwreck, survival, and savagery, culminating in a court martial that reveals a shocking truth. On January 28, 1742, a ramshackle vessel of patched-together wood and cloth washed up on the coast of Brazil. Inside were thirty emaciated men, barely alive, and they had an extraordinary tale to tell. They were survivors of His Majesty's Ship the Wager, a British vessel that had left England in 1740 on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain. While the Wager had been chasing a Spanish treasure-filled galleon known as "the prize of all the oceans," it had wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. The men, after being marooned for months and facing starvation, built the flimsy craft and sailed for more than a hundred days, traversing 2500 miles of storm-wracked seas. They were greeted as heroes. But then ... six months later, another, even more decrepit craft landed on the coast of Chile. This boat contained just three castaways, and they had a very different story to tell. The thirty sailors who landed in Brazil were not heroes - they were mutineers. The first group responded with countercharges of their own, of a tyrannical and murderous captain and his henchmen. It became clear that while stranded on the island the crew had fallen into anarchy, with warring factions fighting for dominion over the barren wilderness. As accusations of treachery and murder flew, the Admiralty convened a court martial to determine who was telling the truth. The stakes were life-and-death-for whomever the court found guilty could hang. The Wager is a grand tale of human behavior at the extremes told by one of our greatest nonfiction writers.