Offered in partnership with the McLean County Museum of History, the History Reads Book Club is perfect for readers wanting to learn more about the natural, social, cultural, and political history of Illinois. Titles may include fiction, nonfiction, biographies, and books by Illinois authors.
History Reads meets quarterly in February, May, August, and November. Meetings are at 7pm and are typically* offered both in the Conference Room at the library and online via Zoom. People can join a book club at any time and do not have to attend previous book club meetings to participate.
Those wishing to attend via Zoom need to register in order to receive the Zoom link. Those attending in person do not need to register. Register online at bit.ly/BPLbookclubs You may also register by calling 309.590.6168 or by visiting us in person at the Help Desk on the library’s second floor.
• February 4 - Abe and Fido: Lincoln’s Love of Animals and the Touching Story of His Favorite Canine Companion by Matthew Algeo
• May 6 – Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment by Sandra Steingraber
• August 5 - Reasonable Doubt: A Shocking Story of Lust and Murder in the American Heartland by Steve Vogel
+++ This local true crime story is about the Hendricks family murders, which happened here in Bloomington, IL, in 1983.
+++ Author Steve Vogel will be in attendance to talk about his book.
+++ Although this evening is hosted by the library's History Reads Book Club and True Crime Book Club, anyone can attend.
+++ This session will be offered in person in Community Rooms 1-3 at the library. It will also be livestreamed on the BPL YouTube page at bit.ly/blmlibyoutube.
• November 4 – The Burning of the World: The Great Chicago Fire and the War for a City’s Soul by Scott Berg
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
cmVmZXJlbmNlIHwgYmxvb21pbmd0b25saWJyYXJ5ICEgb3Jn. Digital copies of each title (eBook or eAudiobook) may also be available through the Libby or Hoopla Apps.
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