ADULT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Book Club

February's Good Read: Noah's Compass by Anne Taylor

The Paso Robles City Library Book Club invites interested readers to join them on February 16 at 7:00pm in the Library Story Hour Room for a mentally stimulating discussion of this month’s chosen title, Noah's Compass by Ann Tyler.

From the incomparable Anne Tyler, a wise, gently humorous, and deeply compassionate novel about a schoolteacher, who has been forced to retire at sixty-one, coming to terms with the final phase of his life. Liam Pennywell, who set out to be a philosopher and ended up teaching fifth grade, never much liked the job at that run-down private school, so early retirement doesn’t bother him. But he is troubled by his inability to remember anything about the first night that he moved into his new, spare, and efficient condominium on the outskirts of Baltimore. All he knows when he wakes up the next day in the hospital is that his head is sore and bandaged. His effort to recover the moments of his life that have been stolen from him leads him on an unexpected detour. What he needs is someone who can do the remembering for him. What he gets is—well, something quite different. We all know a Liam. In fact, there may be a little of Liam in each of us. Which is why Anne Tyler’s lovely novel resonates so deeply.

The Adult Book Club at the Paso Robles Library can broaden your horizons even if you plan to take your vacation at home this year! The Book Club has been meeting regularly for over ten years, reading both popular literary fiction and non-fiction titles.

Favorite recent titles have included Cellophane by Maria Arana, Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde and Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. Members of our group select the titles to be read by majority vote, and we always try to pick titles that most members have not read. One of the best reasons to join our group is to read titles you might not otherwise have chosen for yourself.

The Paso Robles Library Book Club has been meeting for over a decade, but we still always love to see new faces! Please join us for a mentally stimulating discussion beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Story Hour Room the third Thursday of each month. Call Karen Christiansen at 237-3870 for more information, or download a flyer to see what title we will be reading next. Download the Book Club Flyer.

Book Group Reading Kits

Attention All Book Group Members!

Reading Group Kits include ten copies of a proven title and laminated discussion questions - all in a handy book bag for easy transportation. These kits have been in such demand that this year the Library has more than doubled its collection size! Designed to aid local book groups, Reading Group Kits ensure that each member has a copy of the title to read and that the discussion is thought provoking. Kits check out for six weeks to give groups plenty of time to read and discuss the title before they must be returned.

If you are a member of a book group, visit the Paso Robles City Library soon to choose your group’s next title! For more information about Reading Group Kits, contact Karen Christiansen, Adult Services Librarian, at 237-3870.

Download a list of Book Group Kit titles.

Adult Collection

The Paso Robles City Library offers users a broad range of materials:

Fiction (including special sections for Mysteries, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Westerns, and Young Adult)

Non-fiction (including special California collections and Career and Educational Test books)

Books on Tape (audio cassettes) or CD

Large Print (including both fiction and non-fiction)

Paperbacks (including both fiction and non-fiction and Young Adult)

Reference (including special sections for encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, maps, auto repair manuals, and government documents)

Video Cassettes (fiction and non-fiction)

Local History

Microfilm (local newspapers and other special items)

Microfiche (back issues of periodicals and a wide selection of phone books from other areas)

Pamphlets

Newspapers

Investment Aids (including Value Line and the Weiss Ratings)

Periodicals (current year plus two past years)

Braille Institute Library Talking Books

Music Audio Cassettes

Music CDs

DVDs

New Books

Rental Books are bestsellers that are in high demand, often having a waiting list of 100 or more; if you don’t want to wait, pay the $2.00 rental fee for a one-week rental.

Spanish Language (including reference, fiction, non-fiction, paperbacks, AV materials, magazines)

See more Activities in our Recreation Services Department!