Book lovers don’t need to let COVID-19 social distancing keep them from sharing their opinions and feelings about books with other readers.
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will offer an online option for book-club meetings this fall – all book-club meetings will take place online through Zoom/WebEx so that readers can interact with others in real time and participate from the comfort and safety of home!
Fort Bend County Libraries’ book clubs represent a wide variety of books and genres. Book clubs that were previously specific to particular branches can now be enjoyed by readers all across the library system.
Books can be requested by calling the libraries, or by placing them on hold in the online catalog. They can be picked up from the libraries through FBCL’s Books & More! Curbside Pick-Up service. Digital versions of some books are also available for download from FBCL’s eLibrary.
Because the book club meetings will be livestreamed over the Internet via Zoom/WebEx, participants should register for the meetings by going to the FBCL website – www.fortbend.lib.tx.us – click on “Classes and Events,” and register for the book club meetings of their choice. A link to the Zoom/WebEx sessions will be emailed to all who have registered.
The schedule of book club meetings in December is as follows:
- Wednesday, December 2, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm – Cinco Ranch Branch Library Literary Lunch League Book Club
The book to be discussed is Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune, written by Bill Dedman.
· Saturday, December 5, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – Talk Back Book Club
The book to be discussed is The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, written by Alexander McCall Smith.
· Tuesday, December 8, 2:00-3:00 pm – Mission Bend Book Club
The book to be discussed is The Aviator’s Wife, written by Melanie Benjamin.
- Wednesday, December 9 – Book Talk (pre-recorded video)
In FBCL’s Book Talk series, library staff give a synopsis of a featured book and share their thoughts on it. Hear about books that might not have been on your radar – you may discover a new favorite! In this episode, hear about Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, written by Susanna Clarke. A link to the video will be posted on FBCL’s online calendar on the designated date, and it can be viewed at any time.
· Thursday, December 10, 1:00-2:00 pm – Sugar Land Book Break
The book to be discussed is Educated, a memoir written by Tara Westover.
· Thursday, December 10, 1:30 pm – Novel Expectations Book Club
The book to be discussed is Clock Dance, written by Anne Tyler.
- Thursday, December 10, 4:00-5:00 pm – Sienna Subtext: Graphic Novel & Animé Club. The book to be discussed is Marvel Noir: Spider-Man, created by David Hine. (This title is available in print; call the library to check availability.)
- Monday, December 14, 3:00-4:00 pm – Sienna Book Club
The book to be discussed is Artemis, written by Andy Weir. (This title is available on OverDrive or in print. Please call the library to check on availability of print copies.)
- Monday, December 14, 7:00-8:00 pm – University Branch Book Club
The book to be discussed is The Immortalists, written by Chloe Benjamin.
- Tuesday, December 15 – “First Colony Reads” Book Talk (pre-recorded video)
In FBCL’s Book Talk series, library staff give a synopsis of a featured book and share their thoughts on it. Hear about books that might not have been on your radar – you may discover a new favorite! In this episode, hear about some recommended favorites from the staff at the First Colony Branch. A link to the video will be posted on FBCL’s online calendar on the designated date, and it can be viewed at any time.
- Wednesday, December 16 – Book Talk (pre-recorded video)
In FBCL’s Book Talk series, library staff give a synopsis of a featured book and share their thoughts on it. Hear about books that might not have been on your radar – you may discover a new favorite! In this episode, hear about The Last Mrs. Parrish, written by Liv Constantine. A link to the video will be posted on FBCL’s online calendar on the designated date, and it can be viewed at any time.
· Thursday, December 17, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm – Book Break Book Club
This month, readers may discuss the book of their choice (no self-published titles, please).
- Friday, December 18 – “Author of the Month” Book Talk (pre-recorded video)
In FBCL’s Author of the Month series, learn more about your favorite authors, or hear about new authors and discover something fresh and exciting to read! In this segment, Brandon Solomon from the Missouri City Branch talks about Albert Camus, a French novelist, dramatist, and essayist who was deeply affected by the plight of the French during the Nazi occupation of World War II. A link to the video will be posted on FBCL’s online calendar on the designated date, and it can be viewed at any time.
· Saturday, December 19, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – Heavy Inks Graphic Novels Book Club
The book to be discussed is Batgirl, Volumes 1 and 2, created by Cameron Stewart. (This title is available on hoopla or in print. Please call the library to check on availability of print copies.)
- Monday, December 21, 3:00-4:00 pm – Booked on Crime Mystery Book Club
The book to be discussed is Christmas Cake Murder, written by Joanne Fluke. (This title is available on hoopla, OverDrive, and in print. Please call the library to check on availability of print copies.)
- Wednesday, December 23 – Book Talk (pre-recorded video)
In FBCL’s Book Talk series, library staff give a synopsis of a featured book and share their thoughts on it. Hear about books that might not have been on your radar – you may discover a new favorite! In this episode, hear about Scrublands, written by Chris Hammer. A link to the video will be posted on FBCL’s online calendar on the designated date, and it can be viewed at any time.
The book club meetings are free and open to the public. Registration is required for the book club meetings so that a link to the Zoom/WebEx sessions can be emailed to all who register. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” and find the program on the date indicated. Participants may also register by calling Fort Bend County Libraries’ Communications Office at 281-633-4734.