Book Clubs
Are you looking for your next read? Want to find a community to talk about literature? The New Orleans Public Library has a book club for you! Choose a day and location that works for your schedule, and browse our upcoming selections. We also have all the resources you need to start your own book club.
Find A Club That Fits Your Schedule
Monday Book Clubs
SciFi/SciFact: Stories and Essays
Explore the universe(s) through a wide range of science/speculative fiction and science-based articles and essays. To register and receive monthly stories, email shortstories@nolalibrary.org.
Meets: Every 3rd Monday 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Location: Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center, 4300 S Broad St.
First Meeting: Monday, September 21
Read & Discuss: “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury & “Existential Risks” by Nick Bostrom
September
- “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury
- “Existential Risks” by Nick Bostrom
October
- “The Jaunt” by Stephen King
- “Why We’ll Never Live in Space” by Sarah Scoles
November
- “And Then There Were (N)One” by Sarah Pinsker
- “The Many-Worlds Theory, Explained” by John Gribbin
Tuesday Book Clubs
Central City Book Salon
Good conversation with fellow readers about a different book each month. Our books represent a diverse range of points of view, addictive storylines, unique characters, and stylish sentences. All are welcome. —Katy, club facilitator
Meets: Every 1st Tuesday of the month 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
Location: Central City Library, Allie Mae Williams Multi-Service Center, 2020 Jackson Avenue, Suite 139, New Orleans, LA 70113
Next meeting: Tuesday, September 1
Read & Discuss: Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein
September
October
November
Byte Sized Short Story Club
Love discussing reading but don’t have time a book club? This no-prep-needed, come-as-you-are club is the one for you! We will listen to an audio version of a short story and discuss after.
Meets: Every Second Tuesday of the month 1 – 2pm
Location: Main Library, 219 Loyola Avenue
First Meeting: Tuesday, September 8
Read & Discuss: “All at One Point” & “Shells and Time” by Italo Calvino
September
- “All at One Point” by Italo Calvino
- “Shells and Time” by Italo Calvino
October
- “Trial by Combat” by Shirley Jackson
November
- “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry
Wednesday Book Clubs
West Bank Book Club
Good conversation with fellow readers and a diverse group of New Orleanians. Join us! —Doug, club facilitator
Meets: Every 1st Wednesday of the month 4 pm – 5:30 pm.
Location: Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive
Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 2
Read & Discuss: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
September
October
November
Who Dun It? Mystery Book Club
The August meeting of Who Dun It will take place at Norman Mayer Library, 3001 Gentilly Boulevard.
A monthly discussion of mystery novels. Read along as we find out “who dun it.” New members are always welcome. — Emma, club facilitator
Meets: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month 5 pm – 6 pm
Location: Nora Navra Library, 1902 Saint Bernard Avenue
Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 19
Read & Discuss: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
August
September
October
Saturday Book Clubs
African American Literature & The Urban Experience
Explore some of the best titles by BIPOC authors. Welcome! —Theresa, club facilitator & cool New Orleanian
Meets: Every 1st Saturday of the month 11 am – 12 pm
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 1611 Fats Domino Avenue
Next Meeting: Saturday, September 5
Read & Discuss: Zetas Til We Die Amber Brown
September
October
November
Bywater Book Club
This month’s book club is rescheduled for August 22.
Meet fellow avid readers, new book characters, and maybe even your new favorite genre. We discuss books of many genres, including historical fiction, romance fantasy, and science fiction. New members are always welcome.
Meets: Every 2nd Saturday of the month 3 pm – 4 pm
Location: Alvar Library, 913 Alvar Street
Next Meeting: Saturday, August 22
Read & Discuss: The Wife Before by Shanora Williams
August
September
October
Teatime Reading Nook: A Short Story Book Club for Busy Folk
Want to join a book club but don’t have time for a big novel? Read selected short stories and have a cozy conversation over tea and cookies. For more information or to receive PDFs of the stories, call or visit Cita Dennis Hubbell Library: 504-596-3113
Meets: Every 3rd Saturday of the month 3 pm – 4 pm
Location: Cita Dennis Hubbell Library, 725 Pelican Avenue
Next Meeting: Saturday, September 19
Read & Discuss: “Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut” by Stephen King
September
- “Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut,” by Stephen King
October
- “Vampires in the Lemon Grove (Title Story),” by Karen Russell
November
- “The Buddhist” by Dorthea Nors
Want to start your own book club?
If you want to start your own book club for your community, here are three resources with book recommendations, discussion questions, and more.
ALA: Book Discussion Groups – The American Library Association’s guide on book clubs has collected lots of valuable resources, both online and print, for establishing and running a book discussion group. The resource guide is divided into 4 categories: (1) general resources, (2) starting a book discussion group, (3) hosting and facilitating, and (4) selecting books. It’s a great reference whether you already have a long-standing group or are thinking of starting one for the first time.
Book Club Chat – Find book recommendations for every season, author Q&As, and discussion question for book club must-reads. Book Club Chat focuses on contemporary fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs.
NoveList Plus – Available with your New Orleans Public Library card, NoveList makes choosing your next book club read easier than ever. You can keep up with the latest hit through their Books with Buzz, or view their Book Club Best Bets under the Quick Links for solid recommendations of both classics and newer literature. You can use their Genre Guides to branch out into unfamiliar genres or even their multiple indices under Discover Novelist to help you search smarter, not harder.