After a two-year break, we're serving up a new batch of in-person book clubs fresh from the oven! This June, you can find a book club no matter where you live in the city. Even if you don’t think of yourself as the kind of person who goes to book clubs, there are lots of good reasons to be excited.
Book clubs encourage you to read more. There’s nothing quite like a deadline to keep you motivated—if you are looking for an excuse to finish a book, why not reward yourself with a pleasant conversation to help drive you toward that final page.
Book clubs expand your reading horizons. From historical fiction to Sci-Fi, memoirs to pop science, we curate titles that explore a range of unique perspectives. When you join a book club—even for just one session—you have a chance to discover new books you might have otherwise overlooked.
Book clubs help you make a better connection with the material. While many of us are already fans of reading for pleasure, when you read a book for a book club, you get to dig a little deeper. And you don’t just get to consider your own thoughts about the work, you get to explore other peoples’ interpretations as well.
Book clubs connect you with others in your community. When you attend Book Clubs of EPL, you have a chance to meet other people who are just as passionate about books as you are.
Book Clubs of EPL is a great way to get introduced to a cornerstone of social reading. We choose the titles and organize the meetup. You just need to read the book. And don’t stress over finishing—it’s okay to put a book down. You are still welcome to join the book club and explore why it ended up on your DNF (did not finish) pile!
What’s on the shelf in June
If you are looking for fiction, we have a lot to choose from!
- If you want to explore the private agonies of an ageing butler, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro will be discussed at the Millwoods Branch on Wednesday, June 15.
- If you are looking for a little more political intrigue, you can discuss A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles on Monday, June 20 at the Idylwylde (Bonnie Doon) Branch.
- Interested in the plight of early 20th century orphans? Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline will be discussed at the Riverbend Branch on Thursday, June 23. Or you can chat about Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate at the Whitemud Crossing Branch on Friday, June 24.
- If you wished Anne of Green Gables was set in a rough Italian neighborhood, you can discuss My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante at the Strathcona Branch on Friday, June 24.
We also have plenty of non-fiction works to explore this month!
- Learn about the history of Chinese restaurants in Canada by reading Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui. You can discuss it with others on Tuesday, June 14 at the Idlewyld Branch.
- Curious about your own mortality? On Thursday, June 16 you can join in Conversations about Death and Dying at the Claireview Branch.
- If you want to learn about what it was like to grow up in the twilight of apartheid in South Africa, Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime will be discussed on Wednesday, June 22 at the Londonderry Branch.
- If you loved the movie, we will be revisiting the original novel of Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly at the Lois Hole (Callingwood) Branch on Wednesday, June 22.
- The Last Girl by Nadia Murad explores the aftermath of the rise of Iraq’s Islamic State in 2014. Discuss it on Monday, June 27 at the Capilano Branch.
- Perhaps true crime is more of your jam? Explore the world of Mindhunter by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker at the Castle Downs Branch on Monday, June 27.
- If you want to add a unique perspective on the Alberta Indigenous experience, Mamaskatch by Darrel McLeod will be featured on Thursday, June 30 at the Calder Branch.
And for those of you interested in joining a book club, but are looking to take a more hands-on approach, check out this post on how to start your own book club. When you are ready to go, make sure you explore some of our publicly circulating Book Club kits.
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