Book Discussion Group

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         Not all relevant elections take place in November. For example, each May members of the Friends book discussion group cast their ballots for which titles will make the slate of books for the upcoming season.

      And, the votes are in for the 2025-2026 schedule! The chosen titles are listed below, with a brief synopsis of each. They're in no particular order yet, as it will some time to reserve the copies and confirm a timeline, according to Sara Moseley, branch librarian and discussion group facilitator. 

      “We have eight of the nine books identified,” she said. “We'll learn the final title when KDL announces the 2026 ‘On the Same Page’ author, which will be read and reviewed by all book discussion groups throughout the KDL system. This announcement will probably come out around Thanksgiving.”

 The discussion group meets at 10 am in the library on the third Wednesday of the month from September through May. No registration is required.

The Art Thief (Michael Finkel). It tells the unbelievable true story of Stéphane Breitwieser, who stole hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of art from European museums and galleries over nearly a decade. Driven by an insatiable love for art, not profit, Breitwieser's audacious heists and the eventual

dramatic fallout are chronicled in this captivating tale of obsession. Nonfiction, suspenseful, richly detailed, well-researched.

The Waters (Bonnie Jo Campbell). Follows the strong-willed and unconventional Linda in rural Michigan as she navigates a life shaped by the wild landscape and her family's unique history. When a stranger arrives and disrupts their isolated existence, Linda must confront hidden truths and fight to

protect her way of life and the delicate balance of her world. Well-developed characters, leisurely paced, atmospheric, feel-good.

The Thursday Murder Club (Osman, Richard). Four elderly friends in a retirement village meet weekly to discuss unsolved crimes. When a local developer is murdered, the amateur sleuths find themselves in the midst of a real investigation, using their wit and life experience to uncover secrets and catch a killer. Multiple perspectives, well-developed characters, sardonic, moving.

The Midnight Feast (Lucy Foley). A storm traps guests at a remote, luxurious hotel on a tidal island. As tensions rise and secrets surface, a murder occurs during a lavish feast. Told from multiple perspectives, the novel weaves a suspenseful tale of isolation, hidden connections, and the deadly

consequences of long-held resentments among the stranded group. Well-developed characters, menacing, fast-paced, atmospheric.

We Were the Lucky Ones (Hunter, Georgia). Chronicles the true story of the Kurc family, Polish Jews separated at the start of WWII. Through their individual journeys across continents, enduring unimaginable hardships and near-misses, the novel highlights their unwavering determination to survive and reunite against the backdrop of the Holocaust. Biographical fiction, moving, cinematic,

well-researched.

Everything Is Tuberculosis (Green, John). "Everything Is Tuberculosis" explores the history and persistent global impact of tuberculosis, despite it being curable. Through the story of Henry, a young patient in Sierra Leone, Green illuminates the social and economic inequities that allow this disease to remain a leading cause of death. He argues that our choices, not just the bacteria, perpetuate this

crisis. Issue-oriented, inspiring, richly detailed, well-researched.

No Two Persons (Bauermeister, Erica). "No Two Persons" intricately weaves together the lives of ten seemingly disparate individuals connected by a single house over decades. Each chapter reveals a unique perspective and hidden link, exploring themes of memory, connection, and how the spaces we inhabit shape our stories and relationships across time. Short stories, books about books, thoughtful, character driven.

James (Everett, Percival). "James" reimagines Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from Jim's perspective. It vividly portrays Jim's internal thoughts, feelings, and intelligence as he endures the journey down the Mississippi River. The novel offers a powerful and nuanced exploration of race, freedom, and humanity

through Jim's eyes, subverting the traditional narrative. Intricately plotted, moving, suspenseful, witty.

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