Book Discussion Groups

All library book discussion groups meet in the library's Conference Room (unless otherwise noted) and light refreshments are usually served.

Would you rather start your own book club with friends? Check out the Book Club To Go Kits, which include 10 paperback copies of a book, discussion questions, and more!

Registration


Advance registration is required for teen book discussions. Please call 703-248-5034 (TTY 711) or stop by the Youth Services Desk for more information.

Available Copies of Books


A limited number of paperback copies of discussion books are available on a "first-come, first-serve" basis at the Circulation Desk or (for teen discussion groups) at the Youth Services Desk. You can also search our online catalog for any of the titles.

Great Books Foundation Discussion Series


A "Great Books" discussion concentrating on literary classics (both traditional and modern) meeting at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.* Open to all and no registration required.
  
Next Discussion:
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 7 p.m.
Demosthenes
By Plutarch
                                                                
View the complete schedule (with book selections) for 2017-2018.

*Note: In August, November, December, and January, this group only meets once a month (on the 2nd Tuesday).
Plutarch's Lives (book cover)

Teen Book Club


A monthly discussion group for grades 9 through 12. Registration required; limited copies of the book are available at the Youth Services Desk each month. For more information please call 703-248-5034 (TTY 711) or stop by the Youth Services Desk.
 
Next Discussion:
Thursday, August 16, 2018 at 7 pm
Mortal Engines
By Philip Reeve
Mortal Engines (book cover)

Thursday Evening Book Group


A general book discussion held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm. Books are usually selected by the group 3 to 6 months in advance and alternate between fiction and nonfiction. Open to all and no registration required.
    
Next Discussion:
Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Commonwealth
By Ann Patchett
                                   
Visit the Thursday Evening Book Group website, which lists a complete schedule (with book selections) of upcoming discussions as well as additional info about the group.
Commonwealth (book cover)
Middle School Book Club
 A discussion group for grades 6 through 8 held during the school year. Registration required; limited copies of the book are available at the Youth Services Desk each month. For more information please call 703-248-5034 (TTY 711) or stop by the Youth Services Desk.

NOTE: The Middle School Book Club is on hiatus until September 2018.
  
Previous Discussion:
Thursday, May 10, 2017 @ 7 pm
A Bone from a Dry Sea
By Peter Dickinson

The Bone Dry Sea (book cover)

Senior Book Discussion Series


A general book discussion geared toward seniors and held roughly every 6 weeks from September through June, usually on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Focuses on a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles selected in advance (over the summer) by the group. Open to all and no registration required.

NOTE: The Senior Book Discussion Series is on hiatus until September 2018.  

Previous Discussion:
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts
By Joshua Hammer
                          
View the complete schedule (with book selections) for the 2017-2018.

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu (book cover)