Books on Tap

Want to sample a variety of books and meet at a local restaurant to discuss the story? The Books on Tap book club offers readers a chance to meet on the first Monday of each month, except in September, at 6pm at Lil Beaver Brewery (5 Finance Drive in Bloomington) and discuss the novel selected for that month. There is no obligation to buy any food, but participants are welcome to order food. People can join a book club at any time and do not have to attend previous book club meetings to participate. We are happy to have you whenever you can attend!

Upcoming book club meetings are listed to the right. Click on the date you would like to attend to register online. You may also register by calling 309.590.6168 or by visiting us in person at the library Help Desk on the second floor.

The Library receives extra print copies of book club books leading up to the date of the meeting. To reserve one of the extra print copies of the next title to be discussed, contact the Help Desk by phone at 309.590.6168 or by email to reference@bloomingtonlibrary.org. Digital copies of each title (eBook or eAudiobook) may also be available through the Libby or Hoopla Apps. 

January 6, 2025

 Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

"Tiny Beautiful Things" is a collection of responses from the advice column written by the online personality, Dear Sugar, now known as author Cheryl Strayed. This book brings her wisdom to many more readers. Rich with humor, insight, compassion, and absolute honesty, this book is a balm for everything life throws our way.

February 3, 2025

 Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

Bern Hendricks has just received the call of a lifetime. As one of the world’s preeminent experts on the famed twentieth-century composer Frederick Delaney, he is asked to authenticate a newly discovered work presumably composed by Delaney. Slowly, Hendricks begins to suspect the composer might have stolen his famous symphony.

March 3, 2025

 When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

The Mass Dragoning happened in 1955, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales, and talons; left a trail of fiery destruction in their path; and took to the skies. Was it their choice? What will become of those left behind? Why did Alex’s beloved aunt Marla transform but her mother did not? Alex doesn’t know. It’s taboo to speak of. But Alex wants to find out.

April 7, 2025

 Between Two Moons by Aisha Abdel Gawad

It's the holy month of Ramadan, and twin sisters Amira and Lina are about to graduate from high school in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. On the precipice of adulthood, they plan to embark on a summer of teenage revelry, trying on new identities and testing the limits of what they can get away with while still under their parents' roof. But the twins' expectations of a summer of freedom collide with their older brother's return from prison, and his mysterious behavior threatens to undo the delicate family balance.

May 5, 2025

 They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

This is a graphic novel memoir for George Takei, best known for his role in Star Trek and as an activist. Takei recounts firsthand what is was like in 1942, where at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, every person of Japanese descent on the west coast was rounded up and shipped to encampments behind barbed wire.

June 2, 2025

 Leg: The Story of a Limb and the Boy Who Grew from It by Greg Marshall

This is a hilarious and poignant memoir of Greg Marshall as he grapples with family, disability, and sexuality. He recounts stories about his mom clacking away at her newspaper column between chemo treatments, and his dad's experience living with ALS.

July 7, 2025

 How Can I Help You by Laura Sims

No one knows Margo’s real name. They have no reason to suspect that she is, in fact, a former nurse with a trail of countless premature deaths in her wake. She has turned a new page, so to speak, and the library is her sanctuary, a place to quell old urges. That is, at least, until Patricia, a recent graduate and failed novelist, joins the library staff. Patricia quickly notices Margo’s subtly sinister edge. When a patron’s death in the library bathroom gives her a hint of Margo’s mysterious past, Patricia can’t resist digging deeper.

August 4, 2025

 Random Acts of Medicine: The Hidden Forces that Sway Doctors, Impact Patients, and Shape Our Health by Anupam B. Jena

Does timing, circumstance, or luck impact your health care? This groundbreaking book reveals the hidden side of medicine and how unexpected—but predictable—events can profoundly affect our health. Is there ever a good time to have a heart attack? Why do kids born in the summer get diagnosed more often with A.D.H.D.? How are marathons harmful for your health, even when you're not running? This book explores those questions and more.

October 6, 2025

 A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens by Raul Palma

Hugo Contreras’s world has shrunk. Since his wife died, Hugo’s debt from her medical bills has become insurmountable. One day, Hugo’s nemesis calls. Alexi Ramirez is a debt collector, and Hugo assumes this call is just more of the same. Except this time Alexi is calling because his house is haunted. Alexi proposes a deal: If Hugo can successfully cleanse his home before Noche Buena, Alexi will forgive Hugo’s debt. Hugo reluctantly accepts, but there’s one issue: Despite being a babaláwo, he doesn’t believe in spirits.

November 3, 2025

 Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in. When her family is struck by tragedy, Daunis puts her dreams on hold to care for her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team. After Daunis witnesses a shocking murder that thrusts her into a criminal investigation, she agrees to go undercover. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.

December 1, 2025

 Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Charlie's life is going nowhere fast. A divorced substitute teacher living with his cat in a house his siblings want to sell, all Charlie wants is to open a pub downtown, if only the bank will approve his loan. Then his long-lost uncle Jake dies and leaves his supervillain business (complete with island volcano lair) to Charlie. But becoming a supervillain isn't all giant laser death rays and lava pits. Uncle Jake had enemies, and now they're coming after Charlie.