Bookclubs 

Whether you join ours or start your own, bookclubs are a great way to meet and chat about your love of reading and all things book related.

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Library Run Bookclubs

Want to join an existing club or start one at your local library? Talk to our friendly staff to see what can be done.

Calliope Library Bookclub

Once a month, bookworms from around the region gather to discuss bookish things and the month’s read in our cosy little library.  The monthly reads for 2024 have been provided so you can come prepared if you are new to the group. Book club runs from 5.30-7pm on the last Tuesday of the month.  All welcome from ages 18+. 

Contact us or call Calliope Library on 4975 8105 if you wish to be added to their group mailing list.

FebruaryHot books: Set in a hot place such as during summer, in a volcano or at the centre of the earth, the desert and/or includes heat in some way such as a steamy romance.

MarchBook Club Set “My family and other animals” by Gerald Durrell

AprilShort Story/Novella: 100 pages or less.  Could be a short book, or a short story within an anthology.

MayAncient History/Mythological Fiction:  Set in the medieval era or earlier.  For example a Greek myth retelling, Roman empire historical fiction, Prehistoric fiction or Arthurian legend.  Some authors who have written in these sub genres include Jean M Auel, Simon Scarrow, Madeleine Miller, Pat Barker, Conn Iggulden or Marion Zimmer Bradley.

JuneAustralian Non Fiction:  Biography or other non-fiction book set in Australia.

JulyYoung Adult Fiction:  Book that features a protagonist aged between 12-20 years (you can find these in the young adult section at the library).

AugustFood Glorious Food: Book featuring recipes, cooking and/or food.  E.g. cozy teahouse or bakery mystery, book about a chef/foodie, or a family saga where food is heavily featured.

SeptemberModern Historical Fiction: set between 1900-2000.

OctoberBook to screen:  something that has been adapted into a film or TV show.

NovemberGraphic Novel:  any comic or graphic novel.

Starting Your Own Bookclub

Already have a group of friends but don’t have enough copies of the book? Members of Gladstone Regional Libraries have access to the 300+ bookclub sets available from State Library of Queensland.

Accessing State Library of Queensland Bookclub Kits

These free kits have 10 copies of the same book in them and are able to be ordered through our Inter Library Loan service.

  • Click here to see the range of titles available
  • We recommend you make a list of 2-3 sets that are marked as having “Items Available” to ensure you get a kit in time for your meeting
  • Write down the Author, Title and kit number to be included in your request e.g. Bookclub set 256 : The eye of the sheep / Sofie Laguna
  • Submit an Inter Library Loan request via our catalogue, online contact form or just give us a call Note: you will need an active membership
  • You’ll receive notification of the kits arrival and the kit is then borrowed like a normal item. Kits are available for a minimum of a six week loan.
  • The borrower is responsible for collecting all of the books in the kit prior to returning the kit.

Questions & Tips

Discussion Questions:

Not sure how to get the discussion going? Try some of these, either as an open floor discussion or going around the group in turn.

  • Did you like the book? What was good/bad about it?
  • Were the characters likeable/believable/relatable?
  • For the person that chose the book, why did you choose it/suggest it? Did it meet your expectations?
  • Would you change the ending? How?
  • How was the writing style? Did it transport you? Make you feel?
  • Did it remind you of a time/place/personal experience/different author?
  • Would you read another by this author?

Tips:

  • Tip for time poor facilitators. Don’t have time to read the whole book? Check out the reviews on https://www.goodreads.com/ and base some questions on both the 5 star and the 1-2 star reviews.
  • Bookclub set didn’t turn up in time? Try choosing a genre that isn’t normally read by your group and everyone reads a random book.
  • Want to spice up your meetings? Try a cookbook club where you choose a style/theme of cooking and everyone prepares a dish (Great for endo of year breakup). 
  • Need more questions? Just Google “Bookclub discussion questions” and the title of the book and see what comes up.

Ben’s Online Bookclub

Ben’s Book Club is a digital book club available exclusively to Australian and New Zealand libraries, hosted by best-selling author Ben Hobson.

As more and more Australian’s read and listen to books on their smartphone or tablet,  Library card holders can now borrow the book chosen for Ben’s Book Club each month with no waiting or holds on the Libby reading app. Libby is the leading digital reading platform for libraries worldwide, created by OverDrive,