MCPL Book Clubs: January 2017

[h6]Hatley Book Club: “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout[/h6]

Tues. 1/10. Join us for our monthly book club at MCPL Hatley! For January, we’ll read and discuss “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout. At the edge of the continent, in the small town of Crosby, Maine, lives Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher who deplores the changes in her town and in the world at large but doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to join us! Free and open the the public. For more information, call 715-446-3537. 2:00 p.m. 715-446-3537.

[h6]Edgar Book Club: “The 13th Gift” by Joanne Huist Smith[/h6]

Thurs. 1/12. Join us for our monthly book club at the Edgar Branch! In January, we’ll read and discuss the book “The 13th Gift” by Joanne Huist Smith. After the unexpected death of her husband, Joanne Huist Smith had no idea how she would keep herself together and be strong for her three children--especially with the holiday season approaching. But 12 days before Christmas, presents begin appearing on her doorstep with notes from their “True Friends.” As the Smiths came together to solve the mystery of who the gifts were from, they began to thaw out from their grief and come together again as a family. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to read the book and join us! For more information, call 715-352-3155. 11:30 a.m. 715-352-3155.

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Athens Book Club: “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith[/h6]

Thurs. 1/12. Join our Athens Branch for their monthly book club! In January, we’ll read and discuss “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith. This novel (the first in a series) tells the story of the delightfully cunning and enormously engaging Precious Ramotswe, who is drawn to her profession to help people with problems in their lives. Immediately upon setting up shop in a small storefront in Gaborone, she is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, and follow a wayward daughter. But the case that tugs at her heart (and lands her in danger) is a missing eleven-year-old boy, who may have been snatched by witch doctors. Free and open to the public with no registration required. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to join us! Call 715-257-7292 for more information. 6:30 p.m. 715-257-7292.

[h6]Chat & Challenge Tween Book Club: “Crenshaw” by Katherine Applegate[/h6]

Sun. 1/15. Once a month, tweens are invited to gather together with other tweens to talk about a selected book of the month, then stay and participate in a few fun and crazy “Minute to Win It” challenges! Our selection for the first Chat & Challenge will be “Crenshaw” by Katherine Applegate. Crenshaw is an unforgettable story about a boy whose family has fallen on hard times and his large, outspoken, imaginary cat named Crenshaw. Note to Book Bowl or Battle of the Books participants: Crenshaw is on this year’s list for both programs! This new monthly program happens on Sundays throughout the year. Free and no registration required (though you’ll probably want to read the book first!). Call 715-261-7220 for more information. 3:00 p.m. 715-261-7200.

[h6]Mosinee Book Club: “Lake of Sorrows” by Erin Hart[/h6]

Mon. 1/16. Drop by our Mosinee Branch for a discussion of our monthly book club selection, “Lake of Sorrows” by Erin Hart! “American pathologist Nora Gavin has come to the Irish midlands to examine a body unearthed at a desolate spot known as the Lake of Sorrows. The bog has effectively preserved the dead man’s remains and his multiple wounds suggest he was the victim of an ancient pagan sacrifice known as ‘triple death.’ Nora soon realizes that she is being pulled deeper into the land and all it holds: the secrets to a cache of missing gold, a tumultuous love affair with archaeologist Cormac Maguire, and the dark mysteries and desires of the workers at the site.” The Mosinee Book Club is always looking for new attendees, so feel free to read the book and join in the conversation! Free and open to the public with no registration required. Call 715-693-2144 for more information. 1:00 p.m. 715-693-2144.

[h6]Stratford Book Club: “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier[/h6]

Mon. 1/16. Join us for our monthly book club at MCPL Stratford! For the month of January, we’ll read and discuss “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier. Wounded and disillusioned by the fighting at Petersburg, a Confederate soldier decides to walk back to his home in the Blue Ridge Mountains and to Ada, the woman he loved three years before. At the same time, Ada is trying to revive her father’s derelict farm and to survive in a world where certainties have been swept away. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to read the book and join us! Call 715-687-4420 for more information. 1:00 p.m. 715-687-4420.

[h6]Marathon City Book Club: “The Butterfly and the Violin” by Kristy Cambron[/h6]

Mon. 1/16. Join us for our monthly book club at MCPL Marathon City! The book for January is “The Butterfly and the Violin” by Kristy Cambron. Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl: a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes. Sera crosses paths with William Hanover, and together they slowly unravel the story behind the painting’s subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron, daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich... who risked everything when she began smuggling Jews out of Vienna. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to join us! Free and open to the public, no registration required. Call 715-443-2775 for more information. 5:45 p.m. 715-443-2775.

[h6]Spencer Book Club: “The Beautiful Mystery” by Louise Penny[/h6]

Mon. 1/16. Join us for our monthly book club at our Spencer Branch! The book for January is “The Beautiful Mystery” by Louise Penny. No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. Ironically, for a community that has taken a vow of silence, the monks have become world famous for their glorious voices. When the renowned choir director is murdered, the lock on the monastery’s massive wooden door is drawn back to admit Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the Surete du Quebec. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to read the book and join us! Free and open to all adults, with no registration required. For more information, call 715-687-4420. 6:30 p.m. 715-659-3996.

[h6]Women’s Night Out Book Club: “The Cherry Harvest” by Lucy Sanna[/h6]

Mon. 1/16. Join the Women’s Night Out book club for a lively discussion of the novel “The Cherry Harvest” by Lucy Sanna! The war has taken a toll on the Christiansen family. With food rationed and money scarce, Charlotte struggles to keep her family well fed. When their upcoming cherry harvest is threatened, strong-willed Charlotte helps persuade local authorities to allow German war prisoners from a nearby camp to pick the fruit - unleashing unexpected consequences. No registration is required and new members are always welcome to join the discussion! Call 715-261-7230 for more information. 6:30 p.m. 715-261-7200.

[h6]Spencer Book Club: “The Beautiful Mystery” by Louise Penny[/h6]

Thurs. 1/19. Join us for our monthly book club at our Spencer Branch! The book for January is “The Beautiful Mystery” by Louise Penny. No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. Ironically, for a community that has taken a vow of silence, the monks have become world famous for their glorious voices. When the renowned choir director is murdered, the lock on the monastery’s massive wooden door is drawn back to admit Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the Surete du Quebec. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to read the book and join us! Free and open to all adults, with no registration required. For more information, call 715-687-4420. 1:30 p.m. 715-659-3996.

[h6]Rothschild Book Club: “At the Water’s Edge” by Sara Gruen[/h6]

Wed. 1/25. Join us for our monthly book club at MCPL Rothschild! For the month of January, we’ll read and discuss “At the Water’s Edge” by Sara Gruen. While her brother, Ellis, and his friend try to find the Loch Ness monster in an attempt to get back into her father’s good graces, Maddie is left on her own in World War II-era Scotland and experiences a social awakening. We’re always looking for new attendees, so feel free to read the book and join us! For more information, call 715-359-6208. 11:00 a.m. 715-359-6208.

[h6]Readers of Classic Literature Book Club: “Nine Stories” by J.D. Salinger[/h6]

Wed. 1/25. The Readers of Classic Literature book club meets to discuss Salinger’s collection of short stories. New members are always welcome. 12:00 p.m. 715-261-7200.