Book Groups

All Santa Monica Public Library locations host regular book discussions. The Library also hosts occasional special book discussions, such as for the annual citywide reading program, Santa Monica Reads.

Check the online calendar of events for the book group discussion dates and titles.

Fairview Branch

Classics Book Group
Meets the second Saturday of the month at 11:00am in the Fairview Branch Community Room. This book group discusses literary classic titles from around the world.

Main Library

Main Library Book Group
Meets the third Monday of the month at 7:00pm in the 2^nd floor Community Meeting Room. This book group alternates between fiction and nonfiction titles on a monthly basis.

Montana Avenue Branch

Montana Branch Book Group
Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm in the Montana Branch Community Room. This book group discusses a mix of fiction and nonfiction titles, often on topics chosen from current events.

Montana Mystery Book Group
Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm in the Montana Branch Community Room. This book group discusses domestic and international titles in the mystery genre.

Ocean Park Branch

Ocean Park Book Group
Meets the first Saturday of the month at 11:00am in the Ocean Park Branch Community Room. This book group discusses notable fiction and nonfiction titles.

Ocean Park Fiction Winners Book Group
Meets the third Saturday of the month at 11:00am in the Ocean Park Branch Community Room. This book group discusses prize-winning fiction titles.

Ocean Park Mystery Book Group
Meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm in the Ocean Park Branch Community Room. This book group discusses domestic and international titles in the mystery genre

Pico Branch

American Stories Book Group
Meets the third Saturday of the month at 1:30pm in the Pico Branch Annex. This book group focuses on titles that illustrate the diversity of voices that make up the American experience.

*** Coming Soon ***

Book Group in a Box

A Book Group in a Box kit contains everything your book group needs to enjoy reading and discussing your next book. Unless otherwise noted in the catalog, each kit contains 9 copies of a title, with one copy being large print. Additionally, the kit contains two information sheets: 1. Discussion Questions & Author Biography 2. How to Facilitate a Book Group & Book Group FAQ.

View a printable list of book group titles with summaries

Print a blank 'Check Out' list for your book group

Discussion Questions & Author Biography for 'Book Group in a Box' Titles:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Home Fire by Kamila Shamson
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
In The Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Borrowing Policy

Any Santa Monica Public Library card holder in good standing may borrow a Book Group in a Box kit. Kits may be placed on hold and transferred for pickup at the card holder’s preferred library location.
Requests for Book Group in a Box kits can be made through the library catalog, by phone or in person. Kits are held for pickup at Will Call for 7 days.
The Book Group in a Box kit will be checked out on the library card of the person placing and picking up the hold. This card holder is responsible for the Book Group in a Box kit and all of its contents.
The loan period is 6 weeks. Overdue fines of $.25 a day/$10 maximum will apply to kits returned after the due date.
Book Group in a Box Kits may not be renewed.
Check contents before returning the Book Group in a Box kit. The replacement cost of a book is $15 per copy, and the replacement cost of a kit is $150.

Book Group in a Box FAQ:

One of my group members forgot to return their book - who is responsible?
The person who borrows a Book Group in a box kit is completely responsible for the return of the kit and all of its contents.
Can my group members return their copies to the library?
No, the entire Book Group in a Box kit must be returned at the same time.
What if a book is lost?
If your group loses a book, you may either replace it with a new copy of the book or a $15 replacement fee will be billed for the lost book.
May I place a hold on a Book Group in a Box from the Library catalog?
Yes, all Book Group in a Box kits can be requested using the library catalog. Call Telephone Reference: 310-434-2608 if you need assistance placing a request.
What if my group needs more copies than are in the Box?
Use the library catalog to request more individual copies of a title as needed.
What if I lose the Information Sheet Folder in the Box?
Notify the Library that the folder has been lost. A $10 replacement fee will be billed for the lost Information Sheet Folder.
Someone in my group prefers audiobooks, how can I help them?
Use the library catalog to find the title in different formats.
Can my book group suggest titles for the Book Group in a Box Collection?
Submit a Suggestion Form through our web page and let us know your ideas!