Book Discussion Groups

COVID-19 Update: Library Closed

In response to COVID-19, the library is closed until further notice. All library programs and events - including offsite library programs - are also cancelled.. Learn more... 

Discussions Now Meeting in Temporary Location

Unless otherwise noted, all discussion groups will meet in the library’s temporary location at 601 S. Oak St. until the the expanded and renovated library at 120 N. Virginia Ave. reopens in May 2021.

Upcoming Book Discussions

Date & Time Discussion
CANCELLED
Thursday, April 2
@ 2 pm
 New Yorker Discussion Group
Article to Be Determined
[meets @ FC Senior Center]
CANCELLED
Thursday, April 9
@ 7:30 pm
 Thursday Evening Book Discussion
Disappearing Earth
by Julia Phillips
CANCELLED
Tuesday, April 14
@ 7 pm
 Great Books Foundation Discussion Series
Planning and Democracy
by Friedrich A. Hayek
Thursday, April 16
@ 7 pm
TBD
 Middle School Book Club
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Tuesday, April 21
@ 10:30 am 
TBD
 Tuesday Morning Book Discussion
Becoming
by Michelle Obama

Book Discussion Group Descriptions

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.

  • View the complete schedule (with book selections) for 2019-2020.
  • In November and December this group only meets once a month (on the 2nd Tuesday).

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.

The New Yorker Discussion Group

Enjoy reading The New Yorker but wish you had someone to chat about it with? Drop into the monthly New Yorker reading group to share your thoughts on what you’ve read in a variety of articles. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 2-3 pm. Pick up the articles at the senior center or at the circulation desk of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library. A librarian will coordinate the discussions.

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.

Tuesday Morning Book Discussion

A general book discussion 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.

General Information

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

Registration

Advance registration is required for the Middle School Book Club. 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.

Have Your Own Book Club?

Thinking about starting 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!