Book Clubs

What’s better than reading a new, exciting book? Reading it with a group and then discussing all your favorite plot twists and nuggets!

We offer several book clubs for varying genres. Let us know which one you are interested in joining by signing up for that group’s notifications.

Adultish Book Club

The Adultish Book Club is a group of bookish people who meet on the last Thursday of every month to discuss the latest book pick at the Saline County Library. They meet in the Upper Commons at the Benton location. The books are picked from genres in both young adult and adult fiction. Group favorites lean towards magical realism, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. They do host in-person/virtual author events so you will meet some of the authors of their book picks. The Adultish Book Club is also planning some fun extra events including a group movie night at the local movie theater later this year.  Anyone interested in joining can ask to join the Adultish Book Club Facebook Group for more information.

2023 Book List for The Adultish Book Club:

January – The Empire of Gold (S.A. Chakraborty)

February – Megan Slays Vampires (Sophie Stern) [Virtual Author Visit on Zoom]

March – Hope Takes the Reins (Jenny McLeod Carlisle) [Local Author Visit In-Person]

April – When the Ice Melts (Ashlyn Ohm) [Local Author Visit In-Person]

May – Twisted Love (Ana Huang) [Virtual Author Visit on Zoom]

June – The Sweet Life (Suzanne Woods Fisher) [Virtual Author Visit on Zoom]

Bonus: The Secret to Happiness (Suzanne Woods Fisher) {Book 2 in series}

July – Neon Gods (Katee Robert) [Virtual Author Visit on Zoom]

Bonus: Beasts of Prey (Ayana Gray) {If All Arkansas Read the Same Book 2023}

August – The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar (Seana Kelly) [Virtual Author Visit on Zoom]

September – Prometheus’ Priestess (Gwyneth Lesley) [Virtual Author Visit on Zoom]

October – Firekeeper’s Daughter (Angeline Boulley)

November – Whip It (Shauna Cross) {Book & Movie Adaptation}

December – Holiday Book Exchange Party {with Local Author Book Club}

Benton Library Book Club

The Benton Library Book Club meets on the second Monday of the month from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Due to Covid restrictions, the club is currently meeting via Zoom. Most liked genres in the club include historical fiction, thrillers (but no horror), unusual and touching stories, well-written books like Killers of the Flower Moon, and books with interesting facts. If you are interested in joining the Benton Library Book Club, email Stacy.

Monday Afternoon Book Club

The Monday Afternoon Book Club meets the first Monday of the month at 1:00 PM at the Saline County Library in Benton in the boardroom. If that Monday is a holiday, they meet on the second Monday. The subjects and genres of books vary widely. If you are interested in joining the Monday Afternoon Book Club, email Susie.

Schedule:

• Jan. 3, 2022 – News of the World by Paulette Jiles
• Feb. 7, 2022 – Girls of Brackenhill by Kate Moretti
• Mar. 7, 2022 – Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
• Apr. 4, 2022 –
• May 1, 2022 – Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
• Jun. 6, 2022 – Still Life by Louise Penny
• Jul. 11, 2022
• Aug. 1, 2022
• Sep. 12, 2022
• Oct. 3, 2022
• Nov. 7, 2022

Local Author Book Club (LABC)

If you love supporting local authors, then this is the book club for you! Local Author Book Club meets on the second Thursday of every other month at 5 PM in the Meeting Room at the Benton Library. They will select books from local authors as well as host local events whenever possible. Those interested can join the Local Author Book Club Facebook Group for more information.

Schedule:

Feb. 9, 2023 – Bernice Runs Away by Talya Tate Boerner (Local Author Event: In-Person)

Apr. 13, 2023 – Murder of Oscar Chitwood in Hot Springs, Arkansas by Guy Lancaster & Christopher Thrasher (Author will attend through Zoom)

Jun. 8, 2023 – Crossroads Book #2: Faith Moves Mountains by Jenny McLeod Carlisle (Local Author Event: In-Person)

Aug. 10, 2023 – With a Heavy Heart by Dr. Sam Taggart (Local Author Event: In-Person)

Oct. 12, 2023 – Climbing Higher Series Book #2 (Ashlyn McKayla Ohm) (Local Author Event: In-Person)

Adultish Book Club Collaboration:

March 30. 2023 – Crossroads Book #1: Hope Takes the Reins (Jenny McLeod Carlisle) (Local Author Event: In-Person)

April 27, 2023 – Climbing Higher Series Book #1: When the Ice Melts (Ashlyn McKayla Ohm) (Local Author Event: In-Person)

Dec. 28, 2023 – Holiday Book Exchange Party with the Adultish Book Club (It will be at 5:45 pm in the Board Room at the Benton Library.)