Book Groups

Lincoln City Libraries offers several Book Talk and Book Discussion Groups for adult readers. All of the groups listed below are free and open to the public. Simply drop in at one of our gatherings, or call the branch location where the meeting is taking place if you have additional questions.

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St. (4th Floor Auditorium)
Third Thursday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Changing to a quarterly schedule in 2026

Everyone likes being read to, so why should kids have all the fun? With Adult Story Time sessions, we invite you to join us for an evening of live readings (from short stories, essays, novel fragments, poetry, play scenes, song lyrics, etc.), music with a Nebraska connection, and take-away adult coloring sheets, crafts, and reading lists.

Date Theme
December 18, 2025 Books We'd Love to Give as Gifts
January 15, 2026 Open theme -- readers' choice! (This session will be held in the 4th Floor Conference Room.)

 

Book Clubs and organizations now have the ability to check out the current year’s One Book One Lincoln finalists, in a special format. For each title, the Book Club in a Bag will contain 10 copies of that book as well as some starter discussion questions. Book Club in a Bag selections will be able to be checked out for 8 weeks but with no renewals. You can find out what titles are available in the Book Club in a Bag program by searching in the library catalog under Title: Book Club in a Bag. New titles will be added to this service on an annual basis.

Bethany Branch
1810 North Cotner Blvd.
Friday mornings, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
402-441-8550

Bethany BookTalks welcomes everyone for a morning of good books. Since 2001, speakers have presented a group of books, sometimes with a theme and sometimes not. These informal presentations allow for good conversation as well. The Bethany BookTalks group meets most Friday mornings, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Bethany BookChats (held June through August, and December) are informal discussions about what the participants have been reading recently. 

Date Program Description
January 2, 2026 No session this week.
January 9, 2026 Wyatt kicks off 2026 with his “Year in Books!”
January 16, 2026 Making her booktalk debut, Bethany’s own, Lucy, shares what she’s been reading lately.
January 23, 2026 Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors curator, Deb, will talk about the Heritage Room’s mission and some of the contemporary Nebraska authors she enjoys.
January 30, 2026 “Once upon a time…” Nancy and Pam share their favorite children’s books from 2025.

 

The B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Books) Club is designed for people who like to gather with fellow book-lovers to discuss whatever they’ve been reading and enjoying lately, without the pressure of assigned reading. Each meeting is “themed,” so participants can select a title that matches the monthly theme.

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St.
4th Floor Auditorium
Third Wednesday of every month (except as noted), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
402-441-8530

Date Theme
December 17, 2025 Reader's Choice! Share your favorites from the last year or just something you think others will enjoy.
January 21, 2026 A book with a periodic element in the title - for example, Gold, Silver, Chlorine, Salt (sodium chloride) ....
February 18, 2026 An unconventional love story.
March 18, 2026 Let's celebrate the Oscars with our favorite page-to-screen adaptations!
April 15, 2026 A title featuring a sibling relationship.
May 20, 2026 In celebration of our 25th season of One Book One Lincoln, we will be sharing and discussing titles that have been past finalists of the program! 
June 17, 2026 A book set at a hotel, motel or resort.
July 15, 2026 A title involving social media.

 

Anderson Branch
3635 Touzalin Avenue (Fremont St. & Touzalin Ave.)
Wednesdays, January 14 through February 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Join us for Early Reader Book Club, for kids in grades K-2nd who are just beginning to read on their own. Once a week for six weeks, we'll introduce awesome books for emerging readers, read together as a group, and do an activity! Caregivers are encouraged to stay and participate with their child.

 

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
First Monday of each month, 2:00-3:00 p.m. (subject to change)
   (The September 2026 session will be held on September 14 instead of September 7 due to the Labor Day holiday.)
402-441-8560

Gere Book Talks are happening! Please join us on the first Monday of each month from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Gere for a casual book discussion group. You don't need to read a specific book or have anything particular prepared. A library staff member will start off the group by talking about something they've been reading and find interesting, then each group member will have an opportunity to tell the group about something they are reading. Don't want to talk? That's fine - come and listen! This is a spectacular opportunity to get ideas for books you may not already know about, and to spread the word about books you love.

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St.
4th Floor Auditorium
Last Thursday of every month, January through October, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
402-441-8530

A specific mystery novel (or author) is selected in advance for discussion during each meeting. After the discussion, attendees may share a round robin of whatever else they've been reading in the past month (emphasizing mysteries). Since our theme is “Death and Desserts,” (i.e., the murderer got their “just desserts”), any and all participants are encouraged to bring a dessert (cookies, cake, pie, tarts, brownies, bars, cream puffs, etc.) to share with the other group members. (Decaf Coffee and juice will be provided.)

Date Program Description
 

No sessions in November or December
January 29, 2026

SPECIAL 200th MEETING CELEBRATION!!
In January, the Just Desserts mystery discussion group celebrates its 200th meeting with a special theme: All participants are encouraged to share "The book that made you become a mystery or thriller fan". After this, attendees will share a round robin of whatever else they've been reading recently (emphasizing mysteries).
February 26 2026

The group will read and discuss the "McKenzie" series by author David Housewright, set in St. Paul, MN. Participants are encouraged to read any of the 22 volumes in the series-to-date. These will be discussed in broad, general terms, as group members will have read differing titles.

March 26 2026

The group will read and discuss the 2024 thriller/suspense novel The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley, a stand-alone novel.

April 30 2026

Just Desserts mystery discussion group members are encouraged to read any one or more of the three mystery novels in the "Zig and Nola" series by Brad Meltzer (The Escape Artist [2018], The Lightning Rod [2022], or The Viper [2026]). These will be discussed in broad, general terms, as group members will have read differing titles.

May 28 2026

The Just Desserts mystery discussion group will hold our traditional annual "Series Share" session -- all attendees are encouraged to read the 1st or 2nd entry in ANY NEW mystery/suspense/thriller series which has launched in the past two years (2024-2026). Each attendee will get a chance to share their thoughts on what new series they sampled, and whether they recommend it.

June 25 2026

The group will read and discuss the 2025 stand-alone suspense thriller The Intruder by Freida McFadden.
July 30 2026

The group will have a special reading theme, rather than a specific author or title. Participants are asked to talk about a mystery book that reflects a personal interest of their own -- a hobby, their home town, their birth place, a favorite vacation spot, a major event. Everyone will report on both the book and what their personal connection is to that specific book.
August 20 2026 (One week earlier than usual due to schedule conflicts)

The group will read and discuss the 2021 stand-alone suspense thriller Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister.
September 24 2026

The group will read and discuss the "Peter Diamond" detective series by British author Peter Lovesey. Participants are encouraged to read any of the 22 volumes in the series-to-date. These will be discussed in broad, general terms, as group members will have read differing titles.
October 29 2026

In October, as is traditional, the group will revisit an older "classic" author – all attendees are encouraged to read ANY one or more of the twelve novels or four short story collections featuring Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, written by Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957). Each attendee will get a chance to share their thoughts on whichever title(s) they sampled.

 

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
First Wednesday of the month,  6:30 - 7:30 pm
402-441-8560

Join us for the discussion of books with themes relevant to the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to book discussion and socializing, the group will also serve as a source of support and safety for all members. A specific novel, story collection or non-fiction title is selected in advance for discussion during each meeting, although general discussion about LGBTQ+ literature may follow.

Date Theme or Titles
January 7, 2026 Less by Andrew Sean Greer
February 4, 2026 Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
March 4, 2026 Kids Books: Grandpa’s Pride by Harry Woodgate; The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess; I am Jazz! by Jessica Herthel
April 1, 2026 Double Feature! Carmilla (the classic) by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu; and Carmilla: The First Vampire (the modern) by Amy Chu
May 6, 2026 Passing by Nella Larsen

Information about this group has been moved to the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors page.

Eiseley Branch
1530 Superior Street
2nd Wednesday of every month, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
402-441-4250

Do you love true crime and local mysteries? Join us for all things criminal the second Wednesday of every month (except as noted) to discuss current crime obsessions and indulge your darker reading interests. There will not be assigned reading for this program. Instead, Library staff will regale you with tales of murder, thievery and other “true crimes” on an assigned topic, and attendees will be invited to share what they have enjoyed in that reading genre.

Date Topic
November 12, 2025 Family Ties
No meeting in December
January 14, 2026 Killer Women
February 11, 2026 Crimes of Passion
March 11, 2026 19th Century Crimes
April 8, 2026 Hollywood Homicides
May 13, 2026 Medical Malpractice
June 10, 2026 Crimes Against History
July 8, 2026 Maritime Crimes
No meeting in August
September 9, 2026 Campus Crimes
October 14, 2026 Cornhusker Crimes
No meeting in November or December

 

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
Third Monday of each month, 5:00-7:30 p.m.
402-441-8560

This program explores movies based on stories in our collection. Attendees are encouraged but not required to read the book before we watch the film. Refreshments will be provided.

Date Movie
TBD TBD

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
Second Wednesday of each month (except as noted), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
402-441-8560

Do you miss the chills and thrills of spooky season? Do you long to be haunted year-round? Then join us once a month for a ghoulishly-good book club where we will discuss creepy characters and petrifying plot twists!

Date Program Theme
December 10, 2025 Horrible Holidays
January 14, 2026 New Year, Ancient Evil
February 11, 2026 Romance is Dead

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
First Monday of each month (second Monday if the first Monday is a holiday), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
402-441-8560

Do you love talking about what you've read, but don't have a lot of reading time? Are you interested in speculative fiction and other non-mimetic genres? Join us for lively discussion about intriguing (and less-time-intensive!) reads. Registration is preferred, but drop-ins are welcome. Registrants will receive a reading list in advance.

Walt Branch
6701 South 14th Street
Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
402-441-4460

Enjoy refreshments from The Mill, a book swap and peace to read in silence.

South Branch
2675 South Street
Second Wednesday of each month January through May, 3:45-4:15 p.m.
402-441-8570

Join us after school the 2nd Wednesday of the month for book chats, snacks, and fun!

 

Eiseley Branch
1530 Superior Street
2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Changing to the 2nd Wednesday of the month in October, 2025
402-441-4250

Can't get enough true crime podcasts and documentaries? Join us to deep dive True Crime in books! We'll explore topics such as crimes of the past, restorative justice, and more. Bring your favorite stories to share and get ready to discuss all things criminal.

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Contact Us

Lincoln City Libraries
136 South 14th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-441-8500