Explore book clubs, author readings & more.
Do you love to talk about what you’re reading? Join a book club to share your thoughts and hear what others have to say about books that spark discussion, curiosity, and debate! Discover new “Books to Talk About” and join a community of booklovers at NVDPL. Simply read the book and join us at the meeting!
Register online for the time and location that’s most convenient for you to receive meeting instructions and information in advance of the discussion! Join us every month or just for the meetings you prefer. If you miss a meeting but still want to discuss the book, you can also join us at a different time or location. Click here to see all six Books to Talk About book clubs.
Copies of the next book will be available to pick-up from Capilano Library. All books are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Copies are also available in other formats, such as print, ebook, audiobooks, and more. Ask staff to help you find a copy!
2021-2022 Schedule for the Capilano Thursday Afternoon Book Club:
Petra by Shaena Lambert
September 16 at 2:00pm (Online via Zoom)
Inspired by Petra Kelly, the original Green Party leader and political activist who fought for the planet in 1980s Germany, Canadian author Shaena Lambert brings us a captivating new novel about a woman who changed history and transformed environmental politics. Petra is an exploration of love, jealousy, and the power of social change. A woman capable of founding a new and world-changing politics and taking on two superpowers, Petra still must grapple with her own complex nature and a singular and fatal love. Learn more.
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
October 21 at 2:00pm (Online via Zoom)
Inspired by a handful of old postcards sent by Uncle Leroy nearly a hundred years earlier, Bird and Mimi attempt to trace Mimi’s long-lost uncle and the family medicine bundle he took with him to Europe. By turns witty, sly and poignant, this is the tale of one couple’s holiday trip to Europe, where their wanderings through its famous capitals reveal a complicated history, both personal and political. Learn more.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
November 18 at 2:00pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
Gifty is a fifth-year candidate in neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine studying reward-seeking behavior in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother, Nana, was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose after a knee injury left him hooked on OxyContin. Her withdrawn mother is living in her bed. Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith and grappling with the evangelical church in which she was raised, whose promise of salvation remains as tantalizing as it is elusive. Will Gifty find her answers in science or religion? Learn more.
Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui
January 20 at 2:00pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
In this non-fiction book, Vancouver-born Globe and Mail journalist Ann Hui undertakes a road trip from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland in an attempt to discover the origin and enduring popularity of Canadian "chop suey" style Chinese restaurants that seem to exist in every city and even in most tiny towns. During her research, she also discovers hidden history within her own family. Both parts are equally engaging, and full of surprises for both Hui and the reader. Learn more.
And the Birds Rained Down by Jocelyne Saucier
February 17 at 2:00pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
Tom and Charlie have decided to live out the remainder of their lives on their own terms, hidden away in a remote forest in northern Ontario, their only connection to the outside world a couple of pot growers who deliver whatever they can’t eke out for themselves. Their story is intertwined with a young photographer who is seeking stories from survivors of the catastrophic forest fires that swept Northern Ontario early in the century. A meditation on aging and self-determination, And the Birds Rained Down, originally published in French as Il pleuvait des oiseaux, was a 2015 Canada Reads nominee and the winner of the Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, the first Canadian title to win this honour. The book has since been adapted into a film. Learn more.
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
March 17 at 2:00pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
A propulsive, richly entertaining novel about the adventure-seeking Dolan brothers, the enemies who threaten them, and the women who reveal to them an unjust world on the brink of upheaval. Set in Spokane, Washington at the beginning of the 20th century, this novel offers a stunning, kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation grappling with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams. Featuring an unforgettable cast of cops and tramps, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers. Learn more.
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
April 21 at 2:00pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
The stories that make up How to Pronounce Knife focus on characters struggling to find their bearings in unfamiliar territory, or shuttling between idioms, cultures, and values. Thammavongsa is a master at homing in on pivotal moments - moments of exposure, dislocation, and messy feeling that push us right up against the limits of language. Winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize (2020) and the National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2020). Learn more.
This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life As a Man by Lorimer Shenher
May 19 at 2:00pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
Local author Lorimer Shenher candidly discusses his late-in-life journey of transitioning from female to male. In this memoir, he recounts his childhood in Alberta where he excelled at sports but struggled with his gender identity, his move to Vancouver to join the VPD, and his experiences as the first detective assigned to the case of serial killer Robert Pickton. Shenher’s writing is thoughtful, plain-spoken, and draws the reader in. Learn more.
Location:
Thursday, May 19, 2022 - 2:00pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 5 -12. Sessions are 15 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Stop by the Children's Desk or call Lynn Valley Library to register: 604-984-0286, ext. 8141.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Thursday, May 19, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 6 -12. Sessions are 20 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Call Capilano Library to register: 604-987-4471, ext. 8175.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Friday, May 20, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Are you in Grade 3 and would like to join a virtual book club? If your answer is yes, then Super Kids Book club is for you! Bring a book you have read and share the story with everyone attending. If you need a recommendation, below are a few suggestions. Register for the dates you can attend and a Zoom link will be emailed 2 or 3 day to you before we meet on that date.
What you'll need to attend: a computer with microphone (or headphones) and webcam.
February 27 Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli
March 27 Books by Andrew Clement
April 24 Books by Betty G. Birney
May 22 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Register online or call 604-929-3727, ext. 8166 to register.
Location:
Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 4:00pm
Do you love to talk about what you’re reading? Join a book club to share your thoughts and hear what others have to say about books that spark discussion, curiosity, and debate! Discover new “Books to Talk About” and join a community of booklovers at NVDPL. Simply read the book and join us at the meeting!
Register online for the time and location that’s most convenient for you to receive meeting instructions and information in advance of the discussion! Join us every month or just for the meetings you prefer. If you miss a meeting but still want to discuss the book, you can also join us at a different time or location. Click here to see all six Books to Talk About book clubs.
Copies of the next book will be available to pick-up from Capilano Library. All books are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Copies are also available in other formats, such as print, ebook, audiobooks, and more. Ask staff to help you find a copy!
2021-2022 Schedule for the Capilano Tuesday Evening Book Club:
This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life As a Man by Lorimer Shenher
September 28 at 7:30pm (Online via Zoom)
Local author Lorimer Shenher candidly discusses his late-in-life journey of transitioning from female to male. In this memoir, he recounts his childhood in Alberta where he excelled at sports but struggled with his gender identity, his move to Vancouver to join the VPD, and his experiences as the first detective assigned to the case of serial killer Robert Pickton. Shenher’s writing is thoughtful, plain-spoken, and draws the reader in. Learn more.
Petra by Shaena Lambert
October 26 at 7:30pm (Online via Zoom)
Inspired by Petra Kelly, the original Green Party leader and political activist who fought for the planet in 1980s Germany, Canadian author Shaena Lambert brings us a captivating new novel about a woman who changed history and transformed environmental politics. Petra is an exploration of love, jealousy, and the power of social change. A woman capable of founding a new and world-changing politics and taking on two superpowers, Petra still must grapple with her own complex nature and a singular and fatal love. Learn more.
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
November 23 at 7:30pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
Inspired by a handful of old postcards sent by Uncle Leroy nearly a hundred years earlier, Bird and Mimi attempt to trace Mimi’s long-lost uncle and the family medicine bundle he took with him to Europe. By turns witty, sly and poignant, this is the tale of one couple’s holiday trip to Europe, where their wanderings through its famous capitals reveal a complicated history, both personal and political. Learn more.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
January 25 at 7:30pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
Gifty is a fifth-year candidate in neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine studying reward-seeking behavior in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother, Nana, was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose after a knee injury left him hooked on OxyContin. Her withdrawn mother is living in her bed. Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith and grappling with the evangelical church in which she was raised, whose promise of salvation remains as tantalizing as it is elusive. Will Gifty find her answers in science or religion? Learn more.
Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui
February 22 at 7:30pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
In this non-fiction book, Vancouver-born Globe and Mail journalist Ann Hui undertakes a road trip from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland in an attempt to discover the origin and enduring popularity of Canadian "chop suey" style Chinese restaurants that seem to exist in every city and even in most tiny towns. During her research, she also discovers hidden history within her own family. Both parts are equally engaging, and full of surprises for both Hui and the reader. Learn more.
And the Birds Rained Down by Jocelyne Saucier
March 22 at 7:30pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
Tom and Charlie have decided to live out the remainder of their lives on their own terms, hidden away in a remote forest in northern Ontario, their only connection to the outside world a couple of pot growers who deliver whatever they can’t eke out for themselves. Their story is intertwined with a young photographer who is seeking stories from survivors of the catastrophic forest fires that swept Northern Ontario early in the century. A meditation on aging and self-determination, And the Birds Rained Down, originally published in French as Il pleuvait des oiseaux, was a 2015 Canada Reads nominee and the winner of the Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, the first Canadian title to win this honour. The book has since been adapted into a film. Learn more.
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
April 26 at 7:30pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
A propulsive, richly entertaining novel about the adventure-seeking Dolan brothers, the enemies who threaten them, and the women who reveal to them an unjust world on the brink of upheaval. Set in Spokane, Washington at the beginning of the 20th century, this novel offers a stunning, kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation grappling with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams. Featuring an unforgettable cast of cops and tramps, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers. Learn more.
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
May 24 at 7:30pm (In Person & Online via Zoom)
The stories that make up How to Pronounce Knife focus on characters struggling to find their bearings in unfamiliar territory, or shuttling between idioms, cultures, and values. Thammavongsa is a master at homing in on pivotal moments - moments of exposure, dislocation, and messy feeling that push us right up against the limits of language. Winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize (2020) and the National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2020). Learn more.
Location:
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 7:30pm
Are you a book-loving teen who wants to get volunteer hours for improving the library?
Then the Teen Advisory Group is for you! We are a council of enthusiastic, kind teens who meet monthly to make the library a better place. The TAG tackles everything from décor and displays to offering insight on teen collections and library policies. Plus, there’s food!
TAG is for humans grades 8-12. Note: this event takes place in person.
Registration required. Register online or email Jessie at hawkesj@nvdpl.ca for info.
Proof of full vaccination is required to attend in-person programs for participants aged 12+. Patrons who are 19 and older must also show a piece of valid ID.
Location:
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Habiba is the author of a new book #Black in School, which is a compelling first person account in diary format of the racism she experienced while relocating to Halifax from Toronto during high school. Habiba is an author, speaker, and public health advocate who resides in Nova Scotia.
This program is best for teens grades 7-12.
This presentation will be presented over Zoom in a joint event with North Vancouver City Library, IMPACT North Shore, and the North Shore Restorative Justice Society. Registration required.
Click this link to register online.
Questions? email Jessie at hawkesj@nvdpl.ca for info.
Location:
Thursday, May 26, 2022 - 9:30am to 10:30am
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 5 -12. Sessions are 15 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Stop by the Children's Desk or call Lynn Valley Library to register: 604-984-0286, ext. 8141.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Thursday, May 26, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 6 -12. Sessions are 20 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Call Capilano Library to register: 604-987-4471, ext. 8175.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Friday, May 27, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 5 -12. Sessions are 15 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Stop by the Children's Desk or call Parkgate Library to register: 604-929-3727, ext. 8166.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Monday, May 30, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Join BC picture book author Nikki Bergstresser for a virtual presentation on Zoom!
Nikki will share her book ‘Lila Lou’s Little Library’ and will talk about what it’s like to be an author. Nikki’s picture books inspire readers to use kindness to create change. Visit nikkibergstresser.com to find out more.
This presentation is geared to students in grades K-3. Members of the public may also register to attend the virtual presentation via Zoom. Registrants will receive a Zoom link by email prior to the event. Nikki is excited to answer your questions – please email questions to Rachel Brown at brownr@nvdpl.ca.
This presentation is kindly sponsored by CWILL (Children’s Writers and Illustrators of British Columbia Society) cwillbc.org
Registration required. Register online, call 604-984-0286, ext. 8141, or email Rachel Brown at brownr@nvdpl.ca for more information.
Location:
Wednesday, June 1, 2022 - 9:30am to 10:00am
Join us for an evening with Stephen Hui and hear about 55 fun-filled hikes and nature walks near Vancouver, field-tested by parents and kids from his new book, Best Walks and Nature Hikes with Kids in and Around Southwestern British Columbia.
The best thing about hiking with kids is appreciating nature as a whole family. And those outings are more fun when everyone is well prepared. Bestselling guidebook author Stephen Hui has carefully chosen 55 trails for kids of a variety of ages and skill levels.
With highlights ranging from a ghost town near Whistler to tide pools and sandy beaches in northern Washington and from limestone caves and old-growth trees on the Sunshine Coast to beaver lodges in Manning Park, these family-friendly adventures are designed for discovery. Detailed trail descriptions, colour photos and maps, and fun facts help you explore safely, have fun and learn a bit about the plants, animals, and places you’ll see along the way.
Stephen Hui has been hiking, backpacking, and scrambling in British Columbia’s Coast Mountains for 30 years.
Hui is the author of Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, a new guide to 55 fun trails. His first two books, 105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia and Destination Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, were #1 B.C. bestsellers. Visit 105hikes.com.
Registration required. Register online or call 604-984-0286, ext. 8144.
This event will take place in the Community Meeting Room at Lynn Valley Library.
Location:
Wednesday, June 1, 2022 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Do you love to talk about what you’re reading? Join a book club to share your thoughts and hear what others have to say about books that spark discussion, curiosity, and debate! Discover new “Books to Talk About” and join a community of booklovers at NVDPL. Simply read the book and join us at the meeting!
Register online for the time and location that’s most convenient for you to receive meeting instructions and information in advance of the discussion! Join us every month or just for the meetings you prefer. If you miss a meeting but still want to discuss the book, you can also join us at a different time or location. Click here to see all six Books to Talk About book clubs.
Copies of the next book will be available to pick-up from Parkgate Library. All books are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Copies are also available in other formats, such as print, ebook, audiobooks, and more. Ask staff to help you find a copy!
2021-2022 Schedule for the Parkgate Wednesday Evening Book Club:
Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui
October 6 at 7:30pm
In this non-fiction book, Vancouver-born Globe and Mail journalist Ann Hui undertakes a road trip from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland in an attempt to discover the origin and enduring popularity of Canadian "chop suey" style Chinese restaurants that seem to exist in every city and even in most tiny towns. During her research, she also discovers hidden history within her own family. Both parts are equally engaging, and full of surprises for both Hui and the reader. Learn more.
And the Birds Rained Down by Jocelyne Saucier
November 3 at 7:30pm
Tom and Charlie have decided to live out the remainder of their lives on their own terms, hidden away in a remote forest in northern Ontario, their only connection to the outside world a couple of pot growers who deliver whatever they can’t eke out for themselves. Their story is intertwined with a young photographer who is seeking stories from survivors of the catastrophic forest fires that swept Northern Ontario early in the century. A meditation on aging and self-determination, And the Birds Rained Down, originally published in French as Il pleuvait des oiseaux, was a 2015 Canada Reads nominee and the winner of the Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, the first Canadian title to win this honour. The book has since been adapted into a film. Learn more.
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
December 1 at 7:30pm
A propulsive, richly entertaining novel about the adventure-seeking Dolan brothers, the enemies who threaten them, and the women who reveal to them an unjust world on the brink of upheaval. Set in Spokane, Washington at the beginning of the 20th century, this novel offers a stunning, kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation grappling with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams. Featuring an unforgettable cast of cops and tramps, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers. Learn more.
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
February 2 at 7:30pm
The stories that make up How to Pronounce Knife focus on characters struggling to find their bearings in unfamiliar territory, or shuttling between idioms, cultures, and values. Thammavongsa is a master at homing in on pivotal moments - moments of exposure, dislocation, and messy feeling that push us right up against the limits of language. Winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize (2020) and the National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2020). Learn more.
This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life As a Man by Lorimer Shenher
March 2 at 7:30pm
Local author Lorimer Shenher candidly discusses his late-in-life journey of transitioning from female to male. In this memoir, he recounts his childhood in Alberta where he excelled at sports but struggled with his gender identity, his move to Vancouver to join the VPD, and his experiences as the first detective assigned to the case of serial killer Robert Pickton. Shenher’s writing is thoughtful, plain-spoken, and draws the reader in. Learn more.
Petra by Shaena Lambert
April 6 at 7:30pm
Inspired by Petra Kelly, the original Green Party leader and political activist who fought for the planet in 1980s Germany, Canadian author Shaena Lambert brings us a captivating new novel about a woman who changed history and transformed environmental politics. Petra is an exploration of love, jealousy, and the power of social change. A woman capable of founding a new and world-changing politics and taking on two superpowers, Petra still must grapple with her own complex nature and a singular and fatal love. Learn more.
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
May 4 at 7:30pm
Inspired by a handful of old postcards sent by Uncle Leroy nearly a hundred years earlier, Bird and Mimi attempt to trace Mimi’s long-lost uncle and the family medicine bundle he took with him to Europe. By turns witty, sly and poignant, this is the tale of one couple’s holiday trip to Europe, where their wanderings through its famous capitals reveal a complicated history, both personal and political. Learn more.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
June 1 at 7:30pm
Gifty is a fifth-year candidate in neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine studying reward-seeking behavior in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother, Nana, was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose after a knee injury left him hooked on OxyContin. Her withdrawn mother is living in her bed. Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith and grappling with the evangelical church in which she was raised, whose promise of salvation remains as tantalizing as it is elusive. Will Gifty find her answers in science or religion? Learn more.
Proof of full vaccination is required to attend in-person programs for participants aged 12+. Patrons who are 19 and older must also show a piece of valid ID.
Location:
Wednesday, June 1, 2022 - 7:30pm
Meet Richard Van Camp!
Join Richard Van Camp on June 2 or June 7 for an hour of reading, storytelling and a Q&A.
Richard is a Dogrib Tłı̨chǫ writer of the Dene nation from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is the author of 26 books including board books for babies such as Little You and We Sang You Home, and the graphic novel Three Feathers (also a feature film). His writing has been influenced by the tradition of oral storytelling.
A presentation for all ages from this enchanting Indigenous storyteller, sponsored by Public Library InterLINK. Please note presentations will not be recorded.
Registration required to receive link. Register on this page for the Thursday, June 2 event, or here for the Tuesday, June 7 event. Teachers, please indicate how many students will be joining you by reserving one "space" for each student on the registration form.
Location:
Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 9:30am to 10:30am
Looking for a book club with a digital twist? Join us at Libby Book Club! We pick top reads from the Libby app by OverDrive and discuss them every month on Zoom.
Register online to receive meeting instructions and information in advance of the discussion. Join us every month, or just for the meetings you prefer. Copies of these titles are available as both eBooks and audiobooks in Libby. Contact info@nvdpl.ca if you need help getting a copy.
2021-2022 Schedule for Libby Book Club:
The Year of the Runaways by Sunjeev Sahota (September 9 at 10:30am)
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (October 7 at 10:30am)
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee (November 4 at 10:30am)
The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery (December 2 at 10:30am)
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders (January 6 at 10:30am)
The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro (February 3 at 10:30am)
The Center of Everything by Jamie Harrison (March 3 at 10:30am)
All Systems Red by Martha Wells (April 7 at 10:30am)
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis (May 5 at 10:30am)
Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticaat (June 2 at 10:30am)
We're hosting this virtual program on Zoom. Register online to receive a link to join the meeting. What you'll need to attend: A computer with microphone (or headphones) and webcam, or your smartphone/tablet.
Location:
Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 10:30am to 11:30am
Kids! Get your hands on the newest book and read it first!
Advance Reading Copies are books that haven’t even been published yet. In this club, you will have the chance to read and review brand new books that haven’t even hit the shelves! You’ll get an exclusive sneak peek at unpublished books and choose one to take home and review. At each meeting, we’ll discuss the books we’ve read.
Books will be available for pick up at Lynn Valley, Capilano and Parkgate libraries.
Registration required. Register online or call 604-984-0286, ext. 8184.
This meeting will take place on Zoom. What you’ll need: A computer with microphone (or headphones) and webcam for Zoom; or your smartphone/tablet. We will email you the Zoom link in advance of the event.
Location:
Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 5 -12. Sessions are 15 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Stop by the Children's Desk or call Lynn Valley Library to register: 604-984-0286, ext. 8141.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Join local author Lorimer Shenher to discuss his works, life experience, and writing process.
Lorimer is the author of That Lonely Section of Hell: The Botched Investigation of a Serial Killer Who Almost Got Away and This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life as a Man. That Lonely Section of Hell details his experiences battling jurisdictional infighting and incompetence as a detective trying to convince the RCMP to pursue serial killer Robert Pickton as the primary suspect in Vancouver’s missing women cases. This One Looks Like a Boy (one of NVDPL’s official book club selections for 2021-2022) is Lorimer’s candid memoir about his gender journey from small town Alberta to finding a life, love, and identity in Vancouver.
Both of his non-fiction books have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, BC Book Prizes Hubert Evans Award, and the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-fiction. During a 27-year career with the Vancouver Police Department, Lorimer worked as a detective in the Homicide / Missing Persons, Financial Crime, Undercover Operations, Strike Force (high risk surveillance team), and Prostitution Task Force units. Lorimer was also a founding member of the Major Crime Section Forensic Interview & Interrogation Team. Lorimer’s writing has appeared in numerous publications including the Globe & Mail, the Walrus, and Canada’s National Observer. He has also worked in audio and video documentary for the BBC, CBC, APTN, ABC Sports Television, and other media outlets.
With financial assistance from The Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers' Union of Canada.
Please note that this session will take place over Zoom. You will need a microphone and speakers, or a headset, in order to take part in the session.
Registration required. Register online to receive a Zoom invite prior to the session. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 604-987-4471, ext. 8175.
Location:
Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 6 -12. Sessions are 20 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Call Capilano Library to register: 604-987-4471, ext. 8175.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Friday, June 3, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 5 -12. Sessions are 15 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Stop by the Children's Desk or call Parkgate Library to register: 604-929-3727, ext. 8166.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Monday, June 6, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Meet Richard Van Camp!
Join Richard Van Camp on June 2 or June 7 for an hour of reading, storytelling and a Q&A.
Richard is a Dogrib Tłı̨chǫ writer of the Dene nation from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is the author of 26 books including board books for babies such as Little You and We Sang You Home, and the graphic novel Three Feathers (also a feature film). His writing has been influenced by the tradition of oral storytelling.
A presentation for all ages from this enchanting Indigenous storyteller, sponsored by Public Library InterLINK. Please note presentations will not be recorded.
Registration required to receive link. Register on this page for the Tuesday, June 7 event, or here for the Thursday, June 2 event. Teachers, please indicate how many students will be joining you by reserving one "space" for each student on the registration form.
Location:
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - 9:30am to 10:30am
Do you love to talk about what you’re reading? Join a book club to share your thoughts and hear what others have to say about books that spark discussion, curiosity, and debate! Discover new “Books to Talk About” and join a community of booklovers at NVDPL. Simply read the book and join us at the meeting!
Register online for the time and location that’s most convenient for you to receive meeting instructions and information in advance of the discussion! Join us every month or just for the meetings you prefer. If you miss a meeting but still want to discuss the book, you can also join us at a different time or location. Click here to see all six Books to Talk About book clubs.
Copies of the next book will be available to pick-up from Parkgate Library. All books are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Copies are also available in other formats, such as print, ebook, audiobooks, and more. Ask staff to help you find a copy!
2021-2022 Schedule for the Parkgate Tuesday Afternoon Book Club:
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
October 5 at 2:30pm
The stories that make up How to Pronounce Knife focus on characters struggling to find their bearings in unfamiliar territory, or shuttling between idioms, cultures, and values. Thammavongsa is a master at homing in on pivotal moments - moments of exposure, dislocation, and messy feeling that push us right up against the limits of language. Winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize (2020) and the National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2020). Learn more.
This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life As a Man by Lorimer Shenher
November 2 at 3:00pm
Local author Lorimer Shenher candidly discusses his late-in-life journey of transitioning from female to male. In this memoir, he recounts his childhood in Alberta where he excelled at sports but struggled with his gender identity, his move to Vancouver to join the VPD, and his experiences as the first detective assigned to the case of serial killer Robert Pickton. Shenher’s writing is thoughtful, plain-spoken, and draws the reader in. Learn more.
Petra by Shaena Lambert
December 7 at 3:00pm
Inspired by Petra Kelly, the original Green Party leader and political activist who fought for the planet in 1980s Germany, Canadian author Shaena Lambert brings us a captivating new novel about a woman who changed history and transformed environmental politics. Petra is an exploration of love, jealousy, and the power of social change. A woman capable of founding a new and world-changing politics and taking on two superpowers, Petra still must grapple with her own complex nature and a singular and fatal love. Learn more.
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
February 1 at 2:30pm
Inspired by a handful of old postcards sent by Uncle Leroy nearly a hundred years earlier, Bird and Mimi attempt to trace Mimi’s long-lost uncle and the family medicine bundle he took with him to Europe. By turns witty, sly and poignant, this is the tale of one couple’s holiday trip to Europe, where their wanderings through its famous capitals reveal a complicated history, both personal and political. Learn more.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
March 1 at 2:30pm
Gifty is a fifth-year candidate in neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine studying reward-seeking behavior in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother, Nana, was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose after a knee injury left him hooked on OxyContin. Her withdrawn mother is living in her bed. Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith and grappling with the evangelical church in which she was raised, whose promise of salvation remains as tantalizing as it is elusive. Will Gifty find her answers in science or religion? Learn more.
Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui
April 5 at 2:30pm
In this non-fiction book, Vancouver-born Globe and Mail journalist Ann Hui undertakes a road trip from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland in an attempt to discover the origin and enduring popularity of Canadian "chop suey" style Chinese restaurants that seem to exist in every city and even in most tiny towns. During her research, she also discovers hidden history within her own family. Both parts are equally engaging, and full of surprises for both Hui and the reader. Learn more.
And the Birds Rained Down by Jocelyne Saucier
May 3 at 2:30pm
Tom and Charlie have decided to live out the remainder of their lives on their own terms, hidden away in a remote forest in northern Ontario, their only connection to the outside world a couple of pot growers who deliver whatever they can’t eke out for themselves. Their story is intertwined with a young photographer who is seeking stories from survivors of the catastrophic forest fires that swept Northern Ontario early in the century. A meditation on aging and self-determination, And the Birds Rained Down, originally published in French as Il pleuvait des oiseaux, was a 2015 Canada Reads nominee and the winner of the Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, the first Canadian title to win this honour. The book has since been adapted into a film. Learn more.
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
June 7 at 2:30pm
A propulsive, richly entertaining novel about the adventure-seeking Dolan brothers, the enemies who threaten them, and the women who reveal to them an unjust world on the brink of upheaval. Set in Spokane, Washington at the beginning of the 20th century, this novel offers a stunning, kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation grappling with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams. Featuring an unforgettable cast of cops and tramps, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers. Learn more.
Proof of full vaccination is required to attend in-person programs for participants aged 12+. Patrons who are 19 and older must also show a piece of valid ID.
Join us through Zoom.
Time: 2:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nvdpl.zoom.us/j/82608971941?pwd=SVloZEZ0QVYwY2lRSzdhVGFpSEJ3dz09
Meeting ID: 826 0897 1941
Passcode: 487663
Location:
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - 2:30pm
Do you love to talk about what you’re reading? Join a book club to share your thoughts and hear what others have to say about books that spark discussion, curiosity, and debate! Discover new “Books to Talk About” and join a community of booklovers at NVDPL. Simply read the book and join us at the meeting!
Register online for the time and location that’s most convenient for you to receive meeting instructions and information in advance of the discussion! Join us every month or just for the meetings you prefer. If you miss a meeting but still want to discuss the book, you can also join us at a different time or location. Click here to see all six Books to Talk About book clubs.
Copies of the next book will be available to pick-up from Lynn Valley Library. All books are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Copies are also available in other formats, such as print, ebook, audiobooks, and more. Ask staff to help you find a copy!
2021-2022 Schedule for the Lynn Valley Wednesday Afternoon Book Club:
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
October 13 at 2:30pm
A propulsive, richly entertaining novel about the adventure-seeking Dolan brothers, the enemies who threaten them, and the women who reveal to them an unjust world on the brink of upheaval. Set in Spokane, Washington at the beginning of the 20th century, this novel offers a stunning, kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation grappling with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams. Featuring an unforgettable cast of cops and tramps, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers. Learn more.
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
November 10 at 2:30pm
The stories that make up How to Pronounce Knife focus on characters struggling to find their bearings in unfamiliar territory, or shuttling between idioms, cultures, and values. Thammavongsa is a master at homing in on pivotal moments - moments of exposure, dislocation, and messy feeling that push us right up against the limits of language. Winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize (2020) and the National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2020). Learn more.
This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life As a Man by Lorimer Shenher
January 12 at 2:30pm
Local author Lorimer Shenher candidly discusses his late-in-life journey of transitioning from female to male. In this memoir, he recounts his childhood in Alberta where he excelled at sports but struggled with his gender identity, his move to Vancouver to join the VPD, and his experiences as the first detective assigned to the case of serial killer Robert Pickton. Shenher’s writing is thoughtful, plain-spoken, and draws the reader in. Learn more.
Petra by Shaena Lambert
February 9 at 2:30pm
Inspired by Petra Kelly, the original Green Party leader and political activist who fought for the planet in 1980s Germany, Canadian author Shaena Lambert brings us a captivating new novel about a woman who changed history and transformed environmental politics. Petra is an exploration of love, jealousy, and the power of social change. A woman capable of founding a new and world-changing politics and taking on two superpowers, Petra still must grapple with her own complex nature and a singular and fatal love. Learn more.
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
March 9 at 2:30pm
Inspired by a handful of old postcards sent by Uncle Leroy nearly a hundred years earlier, Bird and Mimi attempt to trace Mimi’s long-lost uncle and the family medicine bundle he took with him to Europe. By turns witty, sly and poignant, this is the tale of one couple’s holiday trip to Europe, where their wanderings through its famous capitals reveal a complicated history, both personal and political. Learn more.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
April 13 at 2:30pm
Gifty is a fifth-year candidate in neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine studying reward-seeking behavior in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother, Nana, was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose after a knee injury left him hooked on OxyContin. Her withdrawn mother is living in her bed. Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith and grappling with the evangelical church in which she was raised, whose promise of salvation remains as tantalizing as it is elusive. Will Gifty find her answers in science or religion? Learn more.
Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui
May 11 at 2:30pm
In this non-fiction book, Vancouver-born Globe and Mail journalist Ann Hui undertakes a road trip from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland in an attempt to discover the origin and enduring popularity of Canadian "chop suey" style Chinese restaurants that seem to exist in every city and even in most tiny towns. During her research, she also discovers hidden history within her own family. Both parts are equally engaging, and full of surprises for both Hui and the reader. Learn more.
And the Birds Rained Down by Jocelyne Saucier
June 8 at 2:30pm
Tom and Charlie have decided to live out the remainder of their lives on their own terms, hidden away in a remote forest in northern Ontario, their only connection to the outside world a couple of pot growers who deliver whatever they can’t eke out for themselves. Their story is intertwined with a young photographer who is seeking stories from survivors of the catastrophic forest fires that swept Northern Ontario early in the century. A meditation on aging and self-determination, And the Birds Rained Down, originally published in French as Il pleuvait des oiseaux, was a 2015 Canada Reads nominee and the winner of the Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, the first Canadian title to win this honour. The book has since been adapted into a film. Learn more.
Location:
Wednesday, June 8, 2022 - 2:30pm
Settle in with a cuppa home brew and chat with other book folk!
All are welcome to the Afternoon Tea Book Club. Whether you are well-seasoned in book clubs or have never been in one, we invite you to participate. Drop-in, registration not required.
This month we’re reading The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles.
Paris, 1939. Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all: Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; her adored twin brother Remy; and a dream job at the American Library in Paris, working alongside the library's legendary director, Dorothy Reeder. But when World War II breaks out, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear -- including her beloved library.
Pick up the book at the library and join us for a good discussion at Cates Park. If you need help locating a copy of the book, call your local branch.
No registration required. Call 604-929-3727, ext. 8166 for more information.
This month, we're meeting at Cates Park/Whey-ah-Wichen (4141 Dollarton Hwy) at the covered shelter by the boat launch/jetty.
Bring a mug of hot or cold tea and a lawn chair if you’d like really comfortable seating!
Location:
Thursday, June 9, 2022 - 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Paws 4 Stories is a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Community Service that is designed to assist in helping to improve reading skills of children.
In this program, children have the opportunity to read to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Reading to a therapy dog can be motivating and especially beneficial for children who are hesitant or anxious about reading.
Ages 5 -12. Sessions are 15 minutes in length - children can sign up for a maximum of 2 sessions each.
Registration required. Stop by the Children's Desk or call Lynn Valley Library to register: 604-984-0286, ext. 8141.
Registration is first-come, first-served, though priority will be given to those who have not participated before.
Masks are not required, but they are welcome and encouraged as we transition away from COVID restrictions.
Location:
Thursday, June 9, 2022 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
