Breaking News: You’ve Been Booked!

Check out our new book club for teens and tweens at the Cold Spring Branch!

You’ve Been Booked is hosted by Danielle Heiert, the adult/teen services programmer at our Cold Spring Branch. This book club, which is open to ages 11-19, is designed to engage in interesting discussions about age-appropriate books from all types of genres. This is the perfect place for teens and tweens to socialize with like-minded peers, excitedly talk about books (a specialty here) or build better reading habits!

Come and join Heiert every third Monday of the month at 3 pm starting Aug. 18. The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid is the first book of many to be read in this book club. This group is offered both in person and virtually, so you can attend in whichever format works best for you.

We sat down with Heiert to learn more about You’ve Been Booked.

What was the thought process behind this book club?

Heiert: I used to have a similar book club at the middle school, but I have a lot of teens who are homeschooled that attend programs at the library. So, I really wanted to create a teen book club that was open to teens of all ages that wasn’t restricted to the school they went to or if they were homeschooled.

Why do you think this is valuable?

Heiert: Book clubs are a great way to practice critical thinking and offer a place for all ages to socialize. Teens, especially, need more fun spaces outside of their school, extracurricular activities, and work. I want teens to have a place to socialize and feel productive.

Also, talking about books with other people is a great way to help with reading comprehension. So even if they didn’t like the book or they struggled to read it, teens may still enjoy talking about those books with other people.

What types of books do you plan on reading, and how are you picking the books?

Heiert: The kids will pick the books that we read! I’m going to give them an informational packet on several books – some of which I choose and others that they suggest – and they get to decide which books sound most interesting to them.

What book will you begin the book club with?

Heiert: Anyone who knows me knows that I love Percy Jackson, and Rick Riordan is still one of my favorite authors to this day. In the middle school book club, The Lightning Thief was always the book they kept relating everything back to. I think it’s a very accessible book in general, too. So, I wanted to give them something that they may be a little familiar with, but was also kind of new.

What are you most excited about?

Heiert: Teens get so excited when they talk about things that they’re interested in. So, I’m really excited to see their passion for these books and reading in general. I’m excited to share my passion with them, as well.

If people are unsure if they should attend, what would you say is something about the group that is definitely worth coming for?

Heiert: I would say that if you’re unsure, just try it out! If you don’t enjoy it, it’s totally okay. My book clubs are always open to everyone. If you want to read the book but not attend the book club or just talk to me afterward about the book, then that’s also totally fine. I will say, though, that these book clubs are super fun and not formal: we’re all friends there. Also, one of the things we do that I really like is starting the meetings with some Blooket trivia relating to that month’s book. If they don’t have a personal device to bring for this, we have some that they can use if they register for it!

 

We cannot wait to see you there this Monday, Aug. 18. Happy reading!

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