Book Groups on the Island

Library Book Groups have been flourishing on the Island since October 2002.
The Service has helped set up 11 groups across the Island in Niton, Brighstone, Freshwater, Newport, East Cowes, Shanklin and Sandown.

Libraries are very proud of their partnership with Ottakar’s where a further three groups are held. Ottakar’s host a general fiction group, literary fiction group and a non fiction group on a bi-monthly basis, with members able to enjoy a sociable atmosphere and a glass of wine!

Council Workers have now set up their own book group meeting at County Hall monthly.

Being part of a reading group is for anyone who wants to discuss books with other people. Being a member can help you as a reader get more pleasure out of reading. You can share your love of reading with like-minded people but also take your reading to another level through other people's interpretation of a text and the stimulation of discussion.

Bembridge—Bembridge Library, 3pm, 2nd Tuesday of every month
Brading—3rd Wednesday of every month
Brighstone—Private homes, 2pm, 1st Monday of every month
East Cowes—Yorkie Bar, 2pm, 3rd Thursday of every month
Newport—Lord Louis Library, 5.15pm, 1st Thursday of every month
Niton—Private homes, 2.30pm, 1st Monday of every month
Ryde—Ryde Library, 5pm, 1st Monday of every month
Sandown—Sandown Library, 2pm, 2nd Wednesday of every month
Shanklin—Private homes, 7.30pm, 2nd Wednesday of every month
Ventnor—Ventnor Library, 7pm, Wednesday (contact the library for dates)
Waterstone’s Groups —Waterstone’s Bookshop, Newport, 6.30pm, bi-monthly (contact Library Headquarters for dates)
West Wight –Standard Pub, Freshwater, 6.30pm, 4th Wednesday of every month
Council Book Group (council employees only) – UNISON Lounge, County Hall, 12.30pm, 3rd Monday of every month

Just contact Library Headquarters on 203880, or complete this form.

We will put you in touch with your local reading group. As some groups meet in Private Homes, for data protection reasons, information can not be displayed on this website. For all groups based at libraries on the Island feel free to turn up on the day.

Yes, with pleasure! The library service will provide space at local libraries for Book Groups where space and opening times permit, and will visit private groups to help them get off the ground. The Library Service also loans out set copies of books to groups (six copies of one book per set), provides ideas for groups “next read” and invites Book Groups members to any special events!

The Library Service is happy to be affiliated with any Book Groups on the Island. We will visit groups if requested, provide sets of books, and let groups know about reading related projects.

No, Book Groups are for you as readers. Most groups meet monthly as it suits current members, but we know everyone has personal commitments! We will always let you know the next book that is being read and when you can pick a copy up from your local library.

Book Groups are for anyone who wants to get involved. All groups have read a wide variety of fiction from Maeve Binchy to Jasper Fforde to Jane Austen to Mark Haddon and Phillip Pullman. Some have chosen non-fiction such as Bill Bryson’s Short History of Nearly Everything, others Robert Winston and some biographies of Alistair Cooke and others Samuel Pepys. You don’t have to have finished the book or even liked it! Just come along and say what you think! We guarantee that you won’t like everything that is read, but you may just fall in love with something you would never have considered before! You will of course get your chance to suggest a book to others in the group too.

No, some groups like to read a selection of novels by the same author, or a selection of books from the same genre, biographies about the same person but by different authors. Nothing is set in stone and just depends on individuals in the group.

Also, the Library Service is involved in a national project called Reading Partners. This aims to create a better working relationship between libraries and publishers. One of the aims of this is to have a national tour of authors. Reading Partners also wants to hear from Book Groups who would like to talk to publishers about how they choose their books, how their book group works and lots more!! If you want to know more about Reading Partners, or want to get involved please complete this form.