Readers' Services

Reading books at Arlington Heights Memorial Library

Our staff love talking about books and authors and helping you discover your next great read. Browse our book lists or request a personalized list of recommended books to get started. Check out our resources for your own book group and view the library book discussion calendar.

We get hundreds of new books every month. And every month, we send out new lists with interesting, thought-provoking, hot or just-plain-fun books in many different genres. Click the link below and under “What to Read,” select the lists you'd like to have delivered to your email. 

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Browse Our Book Lists

2021 National Book Awards Longlist

Fiction Finalists
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Stories of Afghanistan

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Portrait of a Soldier--Books

In honor of Illinois servicemen and servicewomen who have lost their lives in the line of duty after 9/11
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View and explore all our lists!

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Let Us Recommend Your Next Book

Do you want to receive a curated list of recommended books? Complete our Book Me form with your reading preferences and we will send you a list of books you might like.

Complete Form

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Staff Picks

Learn about the titles our staff have read and liked!

Razorblade tears
Posted by Alisa S on Saturday, September 18, 2021

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Crosby is a moving, but brutally violent novel about revenge and redemption, as two ex-cons set out to get justice for their murdered sons. Ike is Black, a former gang member who now lives a respectable life; married and

See more staff reviews

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Library Book Discussions

Join our book discussions online as we remain socially distant.  The following groups will meet virtually.  Please register and you will receive a link to attend the discussion online. 

Mystery Group - Classic and contemporary mysteries. 

Novel Experience - Popular fiction. 

Science Fiction - Classic and contemporary science fiction. 

Books and Brews - Popular nonfiction. 

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Page Turners Discussion Group

Do you like discussing books, authors and all things reading-related? Join the AHML Page Turners Adult Readers Discussion Group on Facebook! We welcome all group members to ask questions, offer insights and discuss reading interests. 

Join Today!

Homeland Book Discussion

Upcoming Book Discussions and Events

Sign up to receive a monthly email listing the upcoming month's book discussions.

Book Discussion Emails

 

VIRTUAL: Favorite Things Fall Edition
, , – /Zoom Event

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VIRTUAL ESL Book Discussion: Threading My Prayer Rug
by Sandra Cisneros
, , – /Zoom Event
Books and Brews Book Discussion: Braiding Sweetgrass
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
, , – /See Description for Location

Register

View full calendar ›

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For Your Book Group

We have sets of books that you can check out for your book group.

Check out these online resources for book reviews and helpful tools for your own book group.

  • Meet our Book Experts

    With so many library items to choose from, let our expert staff help you select the perfect book, movie or music. Learn more about what our Info Services Advisors recommend.

    Alisa


    Being a Reader's Advisor is a dream job for this former English Lit major. I love reading books, discussing books, listening to audiobooks, matching readers with books...well, you probably get the picture. My favorite genres are literary fiction, psychological suspense, mysteries and memoirs. Lately I've been branching out into other types of nonfiction as well. And I love a great beach read, even in the dead of winter. 

    Alisa's Reviews  •  Alisa's Lists

    Joan


    One of my earliest literary memories is receiving a hardcover Little House on the Prairie for Christmas. I was about 10. I haven’t been without a book by my side since then. Whether it’s discovering an exciting novel by a new author or peeking into lives through a memoir, I still love the anticipation of opening that first page of a good book. My favorite genres are literary fiction, historical fiction, new fiction, memoirs, and social and political nonfiction.

    Joan's Reviews  •  Joan's Lists

    Jon


    I am a middle-aged male who likes short walks on the beach and reading. My favorite genres are mystery, suspense and thriller, and nonfiction.

    Jon's Reviews  •  Jon's Lists

    Lucy


    With such a wide variety of styles within the fiction genre, I find myself gravitating to it first. A strong storyline within a novel is important. My next favorite genre is memoirs, especially listening to them on audiobook when read by the author. Cozy mysteries are my guilty pleasure. I also enjoy watching documentaries and binge-watching television series.

    Lucy's Reviews  •  Lucy's Lists

    Sherri


    I love romances of all kinds because I can count on a happy ending, which is not always true in real life. I enjoy stories that make me laugh, take me to faraway places and tell the stories of ordinary people’s lives while showing us important events in our past. My favorite genres are historical fiction, contemporary romance, women’s fiction and psychological suspense.

    Sherri's Reviews  •  Sherri's Lists


    Additional Resources

    Booklist

    More than 120,000 book reviews.


    BookPage

    Monthly magazine highlighting new book releases and author interviews. Current freely available issues available online for January 2020-present. Also visit their YouTube channel for additional features and interviews.


    Books & Authors

    Recommends books for readers. Explore by author/title/genre. Reviews included.


    Video Tutorial

    NoveList Plus

    Find fiction/nonfiction based on your interests. 

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    Video Tutorial