Could 2013 Be the Year You Join a Book Club?

Did you resolve to read more in the New Year?

If so, think you can handle one book a month? 

The North Canton Public Library offers several book clubs that typically focus on one book each month. Those include a club for mothers and daughters, people with an interest in social issues and those who love a good mystery, just to name a few.

Book clubs definitely have their benefits, said Christina Weyrick-Cooper, the library's community relations manager who also takes part in the library's book clubs.

"I think you're making a commitment to read the book each month," Weyrick-Cooper said. "Personally, I find I'm paying more attention and thinking about it a little more deeply because I know I'm going to discuss it with the group."

And members do have a say in what books they read. In the book lists below, you'll see the books are set for the next couple months, but they were chosen through discussions within the different book clubs.

The person who picks the book might have more of an interest in the topic, or know more about the subject or author and can help direct the group discussion, Weyrick-Cooper said.

The most difficult part about reading for some people might not be starting a book, but finishing. Book clubs can help with follow-through.

"I would buy books, or I would pick up books and I would never finish them, but you're making that commitment, and you're held accountable by the people in that group," she said. "You want to be a part of the discussion and you don't want to have the ending given away, so it encourages you to start and finish."

Check below for some book clubs that may be of interest to you. The young blood book club is aimed at 20-somethings, and the social issues book club is aimed at young professionals.

All book clubs, except the social issues book club, meet at the library. The social issues book club alternates between the Main Street Grille and the Barrel Room. Call the North Canton Public Library or check its website to see where it meets for each day.

Don't see one you're into? There's also an opportunity to start your own club through the library (and ensure those in your group have access to the books through inter-library loans). 

Or maybe reading isn't your thing. The library also offers knitting groups and art classes (deadline to register for art classes is today).

First Monday Book Chat

First Monday of the month at 2 p.m.

• February 4 The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
• March 4 The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom  
• April 1 The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
• May 6 Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

Readable History Book Discussion

Second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

• January 8 Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz
• February 12 Taking on the Trust by Steve Weinberg
• March 12 Columbine by David Cullen
• April 9 John Quincy Adams by Harlow G. Unger
• May 14 Title To Be Announced

Unforgettable Mysteries Book Club

First Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

• February 7 The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King
• March 7 Time and Again by Jack Finney
• April 4 A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell
• May 2 A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George

Social Issues Book Group

Third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

• January 16 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
• February 20 Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
• March 20 Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
• April 17 Dumbing us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
• May 15 Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation  by John Carlin

Young Blood Book Club

Second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

• January 10 The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
• February 14 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
• March 14 Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson
• April 11 TBD
• May 9 TBD

Mother/Daughter Book Club

For girls in 3rd-5th grades, with their moms
Thursdays, 6:45 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Feb. 14, March 14, April 11
*Pick up the selected book at the Children's Desk