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Located in Chatham, Illinois

Book Clubs

BIAGB Book Club

Bring your lunch and your love of reading to this midday book club. Each month, we discuss a different book in a welcoming and relaxed environment. From bestselling fiction to compelling non-fiction, there’s always something new to explore. For a complete list of the books we've read, click here.

When: Third Wednesday of each month at 12:00 PM
Where: Library Conference Room

Book cover of The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker.May 21

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

"It's never the disasters you see coming that finally come to pass - it's the ones you don't expect at all," says Julia, in this spellbinding novel of catastrophe and survival. Luminous, suspenseful, unforgettable, The Age of Miracles tells the haunting and beautiful story of Julia and her family as they struggle to live in a time of extraordinary change.

Woman on the stairs in the New York Public Library Grand StaircaseJune 18

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

A New York Public LIbrary superintendent's wife reevaluates her priorities upon joining a woman's suffrage group in 1913, decades before her granddaughter's efforts to save an exhibit expose tragic family secrets.

July 16

One Summer, America; 1927 by Bill Bryson

Bryson chronicles the events and personalities of the summer of 1927, when Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic, Ruth closed in on the home run record, Capone tightened his grip on bootlegging, the first true "talkie" was filmed, and Americans in general attempted and accomplished outsized things

A black woman in late 19th century dress styling hair of a seated white woman in late 19th century dress August 20

Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule by Jennifer Chiavernini

Julia Grant, beloved as Ullyses S. Grant’s wife and the First Lady, grappled with a profound and complex relationship with Jule, the slave who was her namesake. While Julia spoke out for women -- Union and Confederate -- she continued to hold Jule as a slave behind Union lines. Upon the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Jule claimed her freedom and rose to prominence as a businesswoman in her own right.

Hooked On Books

Whether you’re into contemporary fiction, historical drama, or page-turning mysteries, Hooked on Books is perfect for readers who enjoy a wide variety of genres. Join us for lively evening discussions that dive deep into each month’s featured title. For a complete list of the books we've read, click here.

When: Second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM
Where: Library Conference Room

Book cover of Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.June 11

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

11-year-old Reuben Land and his family journey across the frozen Badlands of the Dakotas in search of his fugitive older brother. Charged with the murder of two locals who terrorized their family, Davy has fled, understanding that the scales of justice will not weigh in his favor. But Reuben, his father, Jeremiah - a man of faith so deep he has been known to produce miracles - and Reuben's little sister, Swede, follow closely behind the fleeing Davy.

Book cover of The Caretaker by Ron Rash.July 8

The Caretaker by Ron Rash

Told against the backdrop of the Korean War as a small Appalachian town sends its sons to battle, is a breathtaking love story and a searing examination of the acts we seek to justify in the name of duty, family, honor, and love.

Book cover for Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom.August 13

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom

Inspired by a true story, Crow Mary follows a young Crow woman who, after marrying a white fur trader in 182, finds herself caught between cultures in a violent, changing world. When Mary bravely rescues kidnapped Nakota women after a massacre, her act of defiance sets off a chain of events that tests her marriage, identity, and strength across decades of frontier life in North America.

Outer Edge

Explore new worlds and daring adventures with Outer Edge, our book club dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, and horror lovers. From epic space operas to magical realms, we celebrate the imagination in every form. For a complete list of the books we've read, click here.

When: Third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM

Where: Library Galleries B&C

Book cover of She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan.

June 26

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

In 14th-century China, a clever girl assumes her dead brother's identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate.

Book cover of The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager.July 17

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

Fifteen years after her three campmates vanished without a trace, Emma Davis returns to Camp Nightingale - this time as an art instructor - to seek closure. But as old memories resurface and new girls go missing, Emma finds herself at the center of a chilling mystery that threatens to reveal the camp's darkest secrets and the truth about that long-ago summer night.

Book cover of Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood.August 21

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey–with the help of the green-eyed Children of Crake–through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride.