300 W. Merrill St. Birmingham, MI 48009 | (248) 647-1700

 Book Clubs & ELL Talk Time

Reading becomes an even richer experience when it’s a shared one. Our book clubs are a great way to get readers of every age more comfortable discussing key themes in books. Whether you’re a new reader or a seasoned one with lots of favorite authors, we’ve got a place for you. Read on for more information on our many book club offerings.

Location - View Map

300 W. Merrill St.
Birmingham, MI 48009

Library Hours

Monday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

November 27: Close at 5:30 p.m.

November 28: Thanksgiving, closed

November 29: Closed

 

For Youth

Beyond the Book – Grades 1 to 3

Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

Monthly nonfiction book club for children in grades 1 to 3. Grown ups must stay in the Library during the program. Please email Rosemary at rosemary.isbell@baldwinlib.org to register.

November 14: We Are Grateful: Ostaliheliga by Traci Sorell

December 5: If You Were a Kid Docking at the International Space Station by Josh Gregory

January 9: Pets Around the World by Brenna Maloney

February 13: Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina by Lea Lyon

Adventures in Books – Grades 1 to 3

Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.

Monthly after school book club for children in grades 1 to 3. Grownups need to stay in the Library during the program. Please email Syntha at syntha.green@baldwinlib.org to register.

November 13: The Secret of the Jade Bangle by Linda Trinh

December 18: Big Foot and Little Foot by Ellen Potter

January 8: Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

February 12: Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton

Who? What? Where? – Grades 4 to 6

Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

Nonfiction book club reading books from the Who Was? What Was? Where Was? series. Meets once a quarter. Grownups must stay in the Library during the program if children are ages 10 and younger. Please email Rosemary at rosemary.isbell@baldwinlib.org to register.

November 7: Where is the Grand Canyon? by Jim O’Connor

January 23: What Do We Know About Atlantis by Emma Carlson Berne

Books and Bagels – Grades 4 to 6

Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Monthly book club for children in grades 4 to 6. Grownups must stay in the Library during the program if children are ages ten and under. Please email Susan at susan.dion@baldwinlib.org to register.

November 26: Control Freaks by J.E. Thomas

December 17: Forever Twelve by Stacy McAnulty

January 28: Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

February 25: Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott

Mother/Daughter Book Club – Grades 4 to 6 and their moms

Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Monthly book club for grades 4 to 6 and their moms. Please email Susan at susan.dion@baldwinlib.org to register.

November 12: Finally Seen by Kelly Yang

December 10: Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

January 14: Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? by Leslie Connor

February 11: President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winston

Kids Graphic Novel Book Club – Grades 3 to 6

Mondays at 4:15 p.m.

Monthly book club for children in grades 3 to 6. Grownups must stay in the Library during the program if children are ages ten and under. Please email Josh at josh.campeau@baldwinlib.org to register.

November 18: Squished by Megan Lloyd

December 9: Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

January 6: Sort of Super by Eric Gapstur

February 10: Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne

Kids Cookbook Club – Grades 3 to 6

Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Grades 3 to 6. Choose a recipe from the cookbook to make and bring to share with everyone. Grownups must stay in the Library during the program if children are ages ten and younger. This book club meets once a quarter. Email Syntha at syntha.green@baldwinlib.org to register.

February 3: The Delish Kids (Super-Awesome, Crazy-Fun, Best-Ever) Cookbook by Joanna Saltz

Moms Book Club

Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy a night out at a special book club just for moms that meets every other month. Email Susan Dion at susan.dion@baldwinlib.org to register.

December 4: The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

February 5: All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley

For Teens

Pizza and Pages

First Thursday of Every Month at 7:00 p.m.

Grades 7-12. Facilitated by Elisabeth Phou, Teen Librarian.

The first 10 teens to register will receive a free book, thanks to the Friends of Baldwin Public Library. Pizza will be provided.
Registration required. This book club meets in person. 

December 5: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

January 2: No book- Discuss favorites from the year and suggest some for next!

February 6: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

 

Paperbacks and Snacks

Second Wednesday of Every Month at 7:00 p.m.

Grades 6-8. Facilitated by Haylie May, Teen Librarian.

The first 10 teens to register will receive a free book, thanks to the Friends of Baldwin Public Library. Snacks will be provided.
Registration required. This book club meets in person. 

December 11: The Van Gogh Deception by Deron Hicks

January 15: Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta

February 12: Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

 

Teen Culinary Club 

Meets Quarterly

Grades 7-12.

Teens who register one month in advance of the meeting will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of the cookbook, thanks to the Friends of Baldwin Public Library. Prepare a dish from the selected book and share it with fellow food lovers. This book club meets in person and registration is required. 

January 27 at 7 p.m.: “As Cooked on TikTok” 

For Adults

ELL Talk Time – NEW! Beginning January 7, 2025

Join us to practice English conversation skills. We’ll meet every Tuesday at the library. All levels are welcome. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided.
Attend in person only. No registration is required, simply stop by any Tuesday between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. that works with your schedule!

 

 

Next Non-fiction

Meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Facilitated by Associate Director Librarian Jaclyn Miller. This club will meet virtually on Zoom until further notice. To join the discussion please email Jaclyn at jaclyn.miller@baldwinlib.org

December: No meeting

January 14: A Woman Among Wolves by Diane Boyd

February 11: Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis

Wednesday Afternoon Book Group

Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. and is facilitated by  an Adult Services Librarian. This club meets in person at the library but has a virtual option for those that prefer to Zoom. If you are interested in attending a discussion please email Stuart Sturton at stuart.sturton@baldwinlib.org.

December: No meeting

January 8: City of Veils by Zoe Ferraris

 

 

 

Page to Screen

Is the book always better than the movie? Join in as we discuss a book and a related film each month to decide which was better. Meets the first Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Facilitated by H, Adult Services Librarian. This club meets in person at the library but has a virtual option for those that prefer to use Zoom. If you are interested in attending a discussion please email H at h.jennings@baldwinlib.org

December: No meeting

January 9: Frankenstein 1818 text by Mary Shelley / Frankenstein (R,1994)

February 13: Poor Things by Alasdair Gray / Poor Things (R, 2023)

 

 

Next Popular Reads Book Club

Now meets the first Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Facilitated by Rebekah, Library Director. This club meets in person at Birmingham Next but has a virtual option for those that prefer to Zoom. If you are interested in attending a discussion please email Rebekah at rebekah.craft@baldwinlib.org

November 4: Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu

December 2: Favorite books of the year lunch

3rd Tuesday

Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Facilitated by Adult Services Librarian Suzanne Hathon. This club will meet virtually until further notice. If you are interested in attending a discussion please email Suzanne at suzanne.hathon@baldwinlib.org

November 19: Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah

December: No meeting

January 21: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

February 18: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

Graphic Novels for Grown Ups

Comics aren’t just for kids! Features memoirs, humor, superheroes, and more! Some titles contain mature/graphic content so please read the description before you register. Meets the first Tuesday of every other month at 7:00 p.m. This club meets in person at the library but has a virtual option for those that prefer to Zoom. For more information and registration click the book title or email Jen at jen.hassell@baldwinlib.org

December: No meeting

January 2: Fun Home: a family tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

February 6: Saga by Brian K. Vaughan 

 

Parking

Free Two-Hour Parking in Chester Street Deck

Metered street parking around Library

Free Parking on Sundays

248-647-1700

300 W. Merrill St.
Birmingham, MI 48009

Library Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures:

November 27: Close at 5:30 p.m.

November 28: Thanksgiving, closed

November 29: Closed

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