MGPL Between the Lines Book Group discussion

This is purely voluntary, but if you'd like introduce yourself and answer some questions. Are you a Between the Lines regular or are you joining us for the first time? Is this your first online book discussion?

Hi all! This is Rebecca, your trusty MGPL book discussion leader. I can't wait to catch up with you all via Goodreads, and I want to say thanks for being so flexible and open to new experiences in this...interesting time we're living in. Personally, this is my first online book discussion, both leading and participating, so I appreciate your patience while we figure this out together :)

Hi everyone. My name is Maria. I have been in many book groups at the Morton Grove library. I am a regular at the book discussions and I miss them terribly. I do understand the gravity of the situation and the need for us to be apart for safety. I hope in my heart that this dies down, that fewer people will lose their lives or become infected because we are taking these unprecedented measures. This is my first online book discussion and I am interested in seeing how it goes.

Hello Everyone! My name is James and I also work at the Morton Grove Public Library. Think of me as our intrepid discussion leader's #2; the Robin to her Batman, the Ron to her Harry, the Watson to her Holmes.
I've been reading YA books almost exclusively for the past three years so this will be a nice change of pace. Believe me they have some amazing YA books out there, but it'll be nice to see what other books are out there. Also, this is my first time doing an online book discussion but I think it'll be a lot of fun.

Hello James! It's great to hear from you! It is so nice to welcome you into our discussion. I believe that since you read a lot of or rather mostly YA you will have a truly unique perspective on the matter at hand. Speaking of YA since I (as all of us) am suddenly overwhelmed with free time, was wondering what recent YA books you would recommend for me. I just read It's Kind of a Funny Story, and I absolutely loved it. It was brilliant and reminded me of how much I love YA. I find myself in that section of the library, usually the only adult and I believe the YA is a genre that is underappreciated because there are truly some great YA books out there! I look forward to you joining our group. Finally, if you ever decide to start up that YA book club for adults I will be the first to grab a book!

James wrote: "Hello Everyone! My name is James and I also work at the Morton Grove Public Library. Think of me as our intrepid discussion leader's #2; the Robin to her Batman, the Ron to her Harry, the Watson to..."

I'm making you call me Batman from now on, just so you know ~Rebecca

Hi all. I'm Chris. I usually go to the Tuesday evening Between the Lines book discussion. Before the library closed, I wish I had the chance to check out a bunch of books I've been meaning to borrow. I have a good collection of books I've accumulated over the years at home and a few e-books, but for some reason, a library book has a certain appeal that can't be compared. This is also my first online book discussion. I've tried watching reviews on YouTube and reading comments from other readers, but like my home books vs. a good library book, doesn't have that same feel as a book group. Thanks again for setting this up!

Maria wrote: "Hello James! It's great to hear from you! It is so nice to welcome you into our discussion. I believe that since you read a lot of or rather mostly YA you will have a truly unique perspective on th..."

Definitely check out this amazing YA book called Wilder Girls by Rory Power. It's about an isolated all-girls prep school that succumbs to toxic exposure that's so bad they're quarantined w/o medical aid. It's an incredibly well written story about body issues and relationships wrapped in a sci-fi mystery. I came for the sci-fi and stayed for the relationships. Another YA book that completely floored me was The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves. Another incredibly well written book that starts off with one thing (geek to chic) and ends with another (body dismorphia).
Honorable mentions to: Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles, Slay by Brittany Morris and a really great Graphic Novel, ORACLE CODE BY MARIEKE NIJKAMP.

James wrote: "Maria wrote: "Hello James! It's great to hear from you! It is so nice to welcome you into our discussion. I believe that since you read a lot of or rather mostly YA you will have a truly unique per..."

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I have written them all down and as soon as the library opens I will be checking them all out. I am looking forward to trying something new by reading these books. I take different recommendations from different librarians and eagerly look forward to reading these. Perhaps depending on how long the library is closed I will do a digital check out, I just really prefer the physical copy.

Maria

Chris wrote: "Hi all. I'm Chris. I usually go to the Tuesday evening Between the Lines book discussion. Before the library closed, I wish I had the chance to check out a bunch of books I've been meaning to borro..."

Chris, I absolutely know what you mean. I have a stack of unread books I've been meaning to get to, but have I been reading them? Of course not. Have you tried library ebooks? It's not quite as satisfying as a physical book but that's how I've been doing most of my reading these days. Let me (or any of us) know if you want recommendations! ~Rebecca

I've read a few library ebooks, but I read them on the hoopla app on my phone, so it's a little tedious. My e-reader is a basic kindle, and I don't think it connects to the library apps.

That being said, I can never turn down an offer for a good recommendation! I'll look at the comic books sometimes, and I tried reading the Woman in the Window but didn't get too far.

Chris wrote: "I've read a few library ebooks, but I read them on the hoopla app on my phone, so it's a little tedious. My e-reader is a basic kindle, and I don't think it connects to the library apps.

That bein..."

I read the woman in the window and I really enjoyed it actually. Are you looking for a thriller? I don't know many of those but I would recommend the graphic novel belonging. It was brilliant and it is non fiction which is really interesting. The graphic novel Blankets is a beautiful book with so much emotion. I wish I owned it so I could read it again. When it comes to books I need the physical book. I need that physical touch of turning the pages.

Chris wrote: "I've read a few library ebooks, but I read them on the hoopla app on my phone, so it's a little tedious. My e-reader is a basic kindle, and I don't think it connects to the library apps.

That bein..."

Good news, you can definitely read library ebooks on your Kindle--I also have a very old, pre-kindle fire version that works just fine. You just need Overdrive rather than Hoopla--you can see your options here https://www.mgpl.org/download-stream but basically you'll check out a book through MGPL's Overdrive library, then sign in through you amazon account and read it on your kindle the same way you would a book you'd purchased

Thanks Rebecca! I checked it out and this opens up my selection a thousand-fold.

Maria wrote: "Chris wrote: "I've read a few library ebooks, but I read them on the hoopla app on my phone, so it's a little tedious. My e-reader is a basic kindle, and I don't think it connects to the library ap..."

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried looking for them on hoopla and overdrive but had no luck. I'll be sure to look for them when the library opens. Both look really interesting when I did a search online.