The Friends of the Scarsdale Library are beginning a new forum for book group information, book recommendations, and community participation.  We welcome your input and involvement and look forward to transforming this space into a content-rich site. 

Please send information about your book group, such as what you're currently reading, lists of what you've previously read, book selection picks and pans and anything you'd like to tell us about your book group.  Information should be sent to Liz Blagg at lizary@optonline.net and will be compiled and presented on the Friends of the Scarsdale Library site.

We've gathered some preliminary data from several Scarsdale book groups.  Here's what we're reading now:

1. Book Group: Buttermilk Biscuits
Current Book:  Three Junes by Julia Glass
Previous Book and Reaction:  Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. Mixed reaction, with some passionate fans and some who were unimpressed.

2. Book Group:  Afternoon Book Group

Current Book: Death in the Family by James Agee.

Previous Book and Reaction: Hateship, Loveship, Courtship, Marriage, by Alice Munro. Book group found the stories difficult to discuss and did not love this book.
Previous Book and Reaction:  Enduring Love by Ian McEwan. Most liked the book and the group praised the quality of writing and expressed interest in reading of this author's work.
Previous Book and Reaction:  The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Group "didn't love" the book. Discussion was interesting.

3. Book Group: JCC Book Group
Current Book: Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively
Previous Book and Reaction:   The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier &Clay by Michael Chabon. Loved the book. Lively discussion. Literary and historical questions.  Found compelling  despite length.

4. Book Group:  Tuesday Morning Book Group
Current Book: Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz
Previous Book and Reaction: Canone Inverso by Paolo Maurensig. Almost everyone like it. Discussion was excellent. Relatively quick read.

5. Book Group: Life of Pi Group
Current Book: Nickled and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich
Previous Book and Reaction: Life of Pi by Yann Martel.  Loved the book. Wonderful book group discussion.

6. Book Group: The Greenacres Book Group

Current Book: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McGall Smith
Previous Book and Reaction:   The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber. Great read. Excellent discussion.
Previous Book and Reaction:  The Glass Palace, by Amitov Ghosh.  Mixed reactions.  While some liked the book, many strongly disliked it.

7. Book Group: The Friday Book Club

Current Book: John Adams

Previous Book and Reaction: The Life of Pi.  Excellent book club selection that led to a deep and satisfying discussion.

8. Book Group: The Shira Book Group
Current Book:  Balzac and the Little Chinese Mistress by Dai Sijie
Previous Book and Reaction: Nickled and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. Liked it.  Discussion was excellent and intense.

9. Book Group: Friday Morning Book Group
Current Book: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Previous Book and Reaction: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.  Like it, chick book. Good discussion.

10. Book Group: Mother-Daughter Book Group (Young Teens)
Current Book: Hard Love by Ellen  Wittlinger
Previous Book and Reaction: Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals. Liked very much. Lively discussion with guest speaker.

11. Book Group: Fox Meadow Mother-Daughter (7th Grade)
Current Book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
Previous Book and Reaction: Keeping the Moon. Reaction: Well  loved.

Current Book: John Adams

Previous Book and Reaction: The Life of Pi.  Excellent book club selection that led to a deep and satisfying discussion.

8. Book Group: The Shira Book Group
Current Book:  Balzac and the Little Chinese Mistress by Dai Sijie
Previous Book and Reaction: Nickled and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. Liked it.  Discussion was excellent and intense.

9. Book Group: Friday Morning Book Group
Current Book: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Previous Book and Reaction: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.  Like it, chick book. Good discussion.

10. Book Group: Mother-Daughter Book Group (Young Teens)
Current Book: Hard Love by Ellen  Wittlinger
Previous Book and Reaction: Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals. Liked very much. Lively discussion with guest speaker.

11. Book Group: Fox Meadow Mother-Daughter (7th Grade)
Current Book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
Previous Book and Reaction: Keeping the Moon. Reaction: Well  loved.