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Browse Book Club Sets

What do we get in the set?

Each set contains up to 12 copies of one title and a discussion guide in a tote bag. Most sets are Fiction books and some are popular non-fiction titles.

Sets are convenient because you and your members know that you will all have a copy of the book you are reading at the same time. The library often will not have enough available regularly circulating copies of one title for your book club, and a common complaint from book club members who do not use library book club sets is that it is a struggle and/or expensive to find titles that their members choose.

How do we borrow them?

A registered library user may apply for a book club card on behalf of a reading group. Up to two people may be issued these library cards and they are responsible for the sets borrowed. Requests may be placed on any title in our Book Club Collection (use the Available Now filter to see ones that are checked in). You can have up to 10 requested holds for sets at one time.

You can also browse the sets in person. Most of the sets are housed at the Nanaimo North branch with smaller numbers kept at the Cowichan (Duncan), Nanaimo Harbourfront, and South Cowichan (Mill Bay) branches. Feel free to call ahead of your visit with any questions.

What is the loan period?

Book club sets are available for loan for six weeks. They may be renewed once if there are no other requests, though sets tend to be very popular and have holds on them. Book clubs may borrow a maximum of two titles at one time.

How do we return the set? What are the late fees?

The book club set, containing 12 copies of the book plus the discussion guide, should be returned in the VIRL bag to the circulation desk of your local branch. It is important to return all items together in the bag because the set is not considered returned unless all pieces are there. Often your book club set will not fit it in the library’s book drop, so you will want to make sure you return it to your local branch during regular library hours.

We do not currently have late fees, however, if one or more copies of the book in a set are not returned after 120 days or the item is lost or damaged, there is a replacement cost.

Once I request a set, when will it arrive?

We understand that it can be tricky to ensure you have a set available for your book club meeting. Depending on your location, and how many holds are on a set, it can become difficult to predict when your requested set will arrive. A strategy to best enjoy the benefits of the book club sets is to decide with your group on some possible titles to read and have your authorized book club card holders monitor the progress of your holds, then read which ever set arrives when you need one for a meeting. Some clubs find it useful to suspend their holds on certain titles to ensure that they arrive at a convenient time.

Unfortunately, sets can be delayed for a variety of reasons. Your local branch can help you request a set that is currently available so you are not left without a book selection for your meeting.

How do I go about having my own book club?

Starting and Running a Book Club

Request a book form our catalogue:

Reading between the Wines – The Story of A Traveling Book Club
Running Book Discussion Groups – A How-to-do-it Manual

Online resources:

BookBrowse.com – Getting started, the first meeting, moderating, choosing books and more! Also reading guides by author, title, genre and theme.
Mostly, We Eat! – A book club that has discussed titles over food for almost 20 years, shares their titles, resources and tips for choosing books.

Discussion Guides

NoveList – This database includes reading guides containing author biographies, plot summaries and discussion questions.
BookClubs.ca – The focus here is on Canadian titles and includes reading guides, information about author events, and books in the news.
Reading Group Choices – Here you can search for books by title, author or subject to find book summaries, author biographies and conversation starters for book club discussions.

Online Book Clubs

DAILYLIT – Sign up for free to receive installments of classics, best selling and award winning titles by email. Includes discussion forums.
Oprah’s Book Club – Oprah’s book club selections, questions, author interviews.
booktalk.org – A free book discussion forum and online reading group dedicated to “quality books, good people and great conversations”. Anyone is welcome to join.

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Browse Book Club Sets

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Lion : a…

Speaking our truth…

April Raintree [book…

Unwind [book club…

The fault in…

Code name Verity…

The bite of…

The unlikely pilgrimage…

Wild [book club…

Quiet [book club…

Eating dirt [book…

Coraline [book club…

The magician's elephant…

Nim's Island [book…

Pippi Longstocking [book…

Where the mountain…

Number the stars…

Elijah of Buxton…

Charlie and the…

The graveyard book…

The city of…

The Hunger Games…

The absolutely true…

Half-blood blues [book…

The virgin cure…

Jane Eyre [book…

The namesake [book…

The Sisters Brothers…

The Woefield poultry…

Still Alice [book…

The thirteenth tale…

Bride of New…

Major Pettigrew's last…

Secret daughter [book…

The Finkler question…

The art of…

The best laid…

Summer of my…

A gate at…

Crow Lake [book…

Late nights on…

Pride and prejudice…

Women of the…

Little Bee [book…

Brooklyn [book club…

The cave [book…

The bishop's man…

The hero's walk…

The birth house…