Book Groups
The Library runs or supports several book groups. We are also delighted to supply books for the many independent book groups in Shetland.
Reading Sets for Book Groups
Here is a list of some of our books available in five or more copies.
Most of our Shetland books are also available in multiple copies.
Multi-user eBooks and eAudiobooks
If you want to start your own group, we can help with books to borrow and space to meet. Several self-run groups use the library.
Hurricane Book Group
Hurricane Book Club is a hybrid book club that takes place in-person at the Lerwick Library and online on X (formerly Twitter). It is run jointly with publishers Pan Macmillan and Falkirk, Glasgow and Shetland Libraries.
2024 is the ninth season of the group, and we will be meeting in the Library on the following dates to discuss the following titles:
Thursday 22 February, 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Other Women by Emma Flint
Thursday 25 April, 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
The Wild Coast by Lin Anderson
Thursday 20 June, 6.00pm - 7.00 pm
The Way of the Hermit by Ken Smith
If you would like more details, search for @HurricaneBkClub on X or contact catherine.jeromson@shetland.gov.uk
‘Never Judge a Book by it’s Movie’
Our new monthly Monday evening book group, discussing books and their movie adaptations.
The group meets on the first Monday of the month 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm in the Lerwick Library Activities room upstairs.
If you would like to join this group, please sign-up at the Library – places are limited.
The meeting dates and books being discussed are as follows:
Monday 8 April - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Monday 6 May - I am Legend by Richard Matheson
Open Book
Shared reading and creative writing sessions. Held online via Zoom. In the sessions we'll be reading stories and poems aloud and using them to inspire our own writing in a gentle, guided session led by Siún Carden and Jen Hadfield. Free. Ages 16+ spaces limited - email the library to sign up: shetlandlibrary@shetland.gov.uk
Held on the following Tuesdays: 14 May - meets from 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Saturday Slaughters
Our crime reading group was inspired by Orkney Library.
The group normally meets on the second Saturday of the month, from 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm. If you are interested in joining, please contact Marghie at the Library on marghie.west@shetland.gov.uk
Next meetings and what we're reading
- Saturday 11 May 2024 - Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi
- Saturday 8 June 2024 - A Winter Grave by Peter May
- Saturday 13 July 2024 - The Fall by Gilly MacMillan
South Mainland book group
This is another independent group which meet on the last Wednesday of each month at the Sumburgh Hotel for 7.30pm
New members are welcome - contact helenmquirk@gmail.com
South Mainland 2024 reading list
Weekend Book Group
Our Saturday Book Group discussing recently published or popular titles.
The group meets on the first Saturday of the month, 2.00 pm - 3.00pm, in the Lerwick Library Activites room.
The meeting dates and books being discussed are as follows:
- Saturday 6 January - Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Saturday 3 February - Still Life by Sarah Winman
- Saturday 2 March - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
- Saturday 6 April - The Bookseller of Inverness by S. G. MacLean
- Saturday 4 May - The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
- Saturday 1 June - The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
- Saturday 6 July - End of Story by Louise Swanson
- Saturday 3 August - Runaway by Harlan Coben
If you would like more details about the group, please contact catherine.jeromson@shetland.gov.uk