by Cathy Cooney

If you’re looking for something cool to do inside on hot summer days, you could always start a book club! And if you do, Ames Public Library has a Book Club Collection to help (though you don’t have to be in a book club to borrow books from it).

Our Book Club Collection highlights titles across a variety of genres that are great for discussion. For each title in the collection, we have several copies of the physical book (usually 12 or more) plus a copy of every other format that’s available—which may include audiobook, large print, e-book, and e-audiobook. Physical items check out for 6 weeks instead of the usual 3, so they’re also ideal if you’re traveling and don’t want to take the time to renew your item.

The Book Club Collection also functions as a sort of large-scale staff picks section, with things our librarians have specifically chosen to include, so it can be a smart place to look if you’re just trying to choose your next great read.

We’ve just added a dozen new titles to the Book Club Collection. Here’s just a taste of what you can find:

“The Bullet Swallower” by Elizabeth Gonzalez James blends Western and Gothic themes. The reader follows the misdeeds of legendary outlaw Antonio in 1895 and the struggles of his grandson Jaime in 1964 Hollywood as he reckons with his family’s past.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt has been perpetually popular and is told from two points of view: a 70-year-old woman dealing with grief, and her best friend, a giant Pacific octopus.

“Half American” by Matthew Delmont describes the experiences of African Americans during the World War II era, both in the military and as civilians.

“Chain-Gang All Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah describes a dystopian America in which incarcerated prisoners compete as gladiators to earn their freedom.

“The Celebrants” by Steven Rowley follows a group of friends who, after the death of one of them, begin holding “living funerals” to celebrate the others.

The other new titles for 2024 are:

• “A Living Remedy” by Nicole Chung,
• “Age of Vice” by Deepti Kapoor,
• “Family Lore” by Elizabeth Acevedo,
• “Life and Other Love Songs” by Anissa Gray,
• “Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw” by Eddie Ndopu,
• “True Biz” by Sara Nović, and
• “Woman of Light” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine.

Check them out on the second floor of Ames Public Library!