Jan 03, 2022
Do you love those spirited family meal-time discussions so flaunted in movies and TV during the holidays? Do you wish you could bring that energy to your book club? If so, you’ll love our book club picks for January; we’re going nonfiction! Choosing a nonfiction title is sure to spark a lively discussion on a timely topic. And if it doesn’t, then pose this question... nonfiction is better than fiction for a book club selection – discuss!
This month in eBook try the nonfiction title Precious Cargo by Craig Davidson. A Canada Reads book in 2018 Davidson’s book describes his evolving relationship with the kids on the school bus he drove while trying to make it as a writer. He delves into how each child struggled physically as well as emotionally and socially and how slowly but surely, they changed his life. Share and discuss this moving, important and true story about how we see and treat people with special needs in our society.
In eAudio we have One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet by Richard Wagamese. Writing of neglect, abuse, and loss of identity, Wagamese recalled living on the street, going to jail, drinking too much, feeling rootless and afraid, and then the feeling of hope he gained from connecting with the spiritual ways of his people. One Drum welcomes listeners to unite in ceremony to heal themselves, and bring harmony to their lives and communities.
Our nonfiction French eBook for January is Amours, délices, et orgues by François Dompierre. This autobiography offers a look at the musician’s journey and the people who influenced him along the way.
This brings us to our nonfiction audiobook pick for the month – Vieillir avec panache by Jocelyne Robert. Written during the pandemic, this book is an invitation to change the perception society has about aging and to find joy in this time of life. The narrator is actress Marie Tifo.
Suggestions and Resources for a successful online Book Club
In order to have your Book Club take place online you can try creating Facebook groups, or using various social media channels to discuss books. Or you could try meeting live via online video conferencing tools. The following tools are free:
- Google Hangouts provides free video/chat/voice conferencing and does not have a time limit
- Jitsi is a free open source video conferencing tool
- In French, there is a platform built by Les libraires that allows book clubs to meet online! You can request to create your own club, or there are groups that are already running that you can join.
- All book clubs, including the current book club picks and comments, are visible to anyone accessing the site Le Regroupement des éditeurs franco-canadiens is offering a monthly book club called D’un océan à l’autre – here is more information (in French only), and the books available at OPL!
Finding eBooks and eAudiobooks for your Book Club
- Always Available eAudio from OverDrive – many great Book Club reads in this list
- Books with 100 simultaneous checkouts -- this new format offered by publishers to libraries lets your whole book club borrow a book at once!
- Always Available ebook Classics from Duke Publishing
- OPL streaming eBook and eAudio collections
- Some French publishers OPL purchases from through Cantook Station offer many loans of the same title at once. You can search the Cantook platform for these publishers and make your choice. Participating publishers include Gallimard, Actes Sud, Rivages, POL, Flammarion, and Payot
- Radio-Canada offers free “Always Available” French eAudio - stream from the ICI Première website or download the Radio-Canada OHdio app.
- D'un océan à l'autre | club de lecture 2021
Contact OPLs InfoService 613-580-2940 if you need help accessing these titles and resources
Hosting and Discussions
If you would like discussion questions for your book, here is a list of 40 Great Book Club Discussion Questions from Book Riot. They work for any book.
Here are some great tips about how to host an online book club from Bustle Magazine: 10 Tips For Hosting A Digital Book Club