Reading groups

Baldacci reading challenge!

Lots of readers across Dover responded to the challenge: "If you like James Patterson try a David Baldacci book". Comments included:

  • First Family - A pageturner. Very intriguing, totally unpredictable and thought provoking. Will read more of this author and recommend his books
  • Divine Justice - Great plotting! Yes, I would read another one and recommend his books to friends
  • The Sixth Man - Just as exciting as Patterson. Not as gory - preferred it
  • The Camel Club - started disjointedly but slowly characters developed and became real. Pace gradually built to an ingenious end. Compares favourably with James Patterson and Lee Child. Definitely recommend.

 

 

Sisters of Fortune by Jehanne WakeReview by Maidstone Carers Project Book Group

Members' opinions were divided on Sisters of Fortune by Jehanne Wake saying: "Our history buffs thought it was wonderful, absorbing and a joy to read. They admired the writer’s success in combining the life stories of the sisters with the important and significant dates, developments, politics and leading characters of the 19th century.   Others felt there should have been a division of character and history. All agreed it was well written and an easier read than we expected for a historical biography.  The sisters were all clever, charming, cultured and in one case, stunningly beautiful.  We could all feel a TV series coming on!"

 

Postling Book Club – ready readers!

The group had a good fun afternoon when they took part in the Channel 4 money-saving programme, Super Scrimpers, helping to test glasses which can be bought cheaply over the counter.

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest HemingwayMembers were filmed talking animatedly about Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway in the house in Postling where they held their first meeting 8 years ago. They chatted to presenter, Harry Wallop, about the club, reading and the kind of glasses they used.

Carol said: “Afterwards 3 of us were taken to Godmersham Park where there is a school for opticians - a beautiful house so that was another treat. We had a short eye test to ensure our glasses were up to scratch for our needs. Then we had a short interview as to whether we were still happy with the ready readers we had. All in all, it took about 4.5 hours and Harry reckons it will be a 3 minute slot of Superscrimpers - to be shown in March. Excellent fun!”

 

Join an existing group in your area

Reading groups are a great way of meeting people and sharing your views about books. Recently there has been a real surge in their number nationally. They generate exciting debates and may lead you to consider books that you would never have imagined reading.

Reading group outdoorsThere are many reading groups in Kent for you to join and most welcome new readers.
Ask our team or check out the reading group pages being developed on our discussion forum. There are groups for adults, teens and children.

You can find many more virtual readers groups, book clubs, book blogs and discussion forums on the internet, depending on your area of interest or favoured authors.

 

How about starting a reading group?

In Kent we offer a reading group card. This allows the group leader to reserve a set of books and pick them up from their closest library. Have a look at the Reading Group Charter leaflet (PDF 700k) which sets out our commitment to reading groups and what you can expect from us. Some libraries can act as venues, while other groups prefer to operate from members' houses. There is no right or wrong way to do it, just choose what suits you best.

The following film highlights some of the benefits of reading groups to participants.

 

For information about setting up a reading group,  have a chat with a member of staff at your local library or look at some of the followingChildren reading in a library websites: 

 

 

Reading Groups and Online Reservations

Great news! Customers can now reserve more than one copy of the same book from our online catalogue. For each copy you will need to place a separate reservation.

Some books are more popular than others and therefore you will need to order them in advance to avoid disappointment for your group.

 

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Kent Libraries, Registration and Archives

Kent History and Library Centre
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Maidstone
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0300 333 6022

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Fax: 01622 696450

libraries@kent.gov.uk