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Reading Guides for Book Discussion
A Reading Guide is a series of questions about a book that helps the readers explore the plot, themes, symbolism, characterization, and other important elements of a book. They are useful to both the individual and to book discussion groups. Many well known publishers maintain reading guide sites, as well as authors, and avid readers. Here are some links for you and your book discussion group.
Be sure to check out our Online Resources for more information about Literature.

OCL Adult Book Discussion Schedule (choose branch under Limit by Location)
If you are interested in joining one of the library’s book discussion groups, please visit the branch where the group meets to register and receive a copy of the next book to be discussed. For information on what books will be discussed at a particular branch, please call the branch or consult the system calendar or events.

Ballantine Reader's Circle
http://www.randomhouse.com/BB/read/
Book selections here are based on things most book groups looked for when choosing a novel: Length (not too long), price (paperbacks), characters that one could relate to, uplifting themes, authors and subjects.

Book Group Corner
http://www.randomhouse.com/resources/bookgroup/
This site covers Bantam, Broadway, Dell and Doubleday books featuring hundreds of provocative, entertaining, thoughtful, and just plain good books to challenge and delight readers.

Houghton Mifflin Reader's Guides
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/
Houghton Mifflin Publishers Find great new fiction and non-fiction books for your reading group!

Oprah's Book Club
http://www.oprah.com/book_club.html
Oprah’s Winfrey’s televised book club, which includes reader’s guides for each selection.

Penguin Putnam Reading Group Guides
http://penguinputnam.com/static/html/readingguides/index.html
Penguin Putnam Publishers Reading Guides site section features over 200 books, in both fiction and non-fiction. in-depth interviews with authors, their biographies, and a brief synopsis of each book.

Reading Resources
http://www.harpercollins.com/readersgroups.asp
HarperCollins Publishers has author interviews, newsletters and up-coming releases, audio books and links to author webpages.

Simon Says Reading Guides
http://community.simonandschuster.com/
Simon & Schuster has email, message boards and discussion guides for you and your book group.

Vintage Reading Group
http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/list.html
Includes a description of fiction, memoir, award winners and bestsellers, with questions, discussion topics, and author biographies.

Books and other guides to good reading
In addition to web sites, the Library also has many Readers Advisory books available. Here are a few titles to get you started:

Genreflecting by Diana Tixier Herald R809.3016 Hera
Sequels by Janet G. & Jonathan F. Husband R809.3 Husb
Teen Genreflecting by Diana Tixier Herald R813.016 Hera
What Do I Read Next? By Gale Research Inc. R808.3 What

Although we would like to do so, the Library is unable to obtain a copy of each and every title requested by Library patrons. If you wish to request a title that does not appear in our catalog, please visit your nearest Library branch, and we will do our best to assist you.

READERS' TOOLS

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Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753 | Tel. 732-349-6200
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