SCLD Online Book Club
For Readers Like You
Our Online Book Club offers five book selections per year. For each book, you have around two months to read, comment, and interact with others on this online community forum.
We’ll be reading fiction, nonfiction, and other genres. Adults who are interested in lifelong learning, personal growth, or who want to read for relaxation will find additional content related to the book on the online forum. You can participate in discussions or just gather new information and perspectives without interacting.
Start reading right away!
For each book selection, in-district library card holders can download the eBook version on Freading with no waiting or holds. The current book club title is always available on demand from Freading. Other library card holders and those who prefer reading printed books can place a hold for the title in our catalog or, if preferred, purchase a copy from their favorite bookseller.
Anyone can join the book club at no cost. And with your in-district library card, you will get immediate access to the eBook version of book selections.
If you don’t have a library card, you can get your card online.
Our Online Book Club forum is moderated by Professional Book Club (PBC) Guru, which manages book clubs for libraries, alumni associations, and other organizations. PBC Guru provides additional engaging content that you can explore for each book selection.
Current Book Selection
MARCH–MAY 2023
By Greer Macallister
From the Publisher
A dozen women join a secret 1850s Arctic expedition—and a sensational murder trial unfolds when some of them don’t come back.
Eccentric Lady Jane Franklin makes an outlandish offer to adventurer Virginia Reeve: take a dozen women, trek into the Arctic, and find her husband’s lost expedition. Four parties have failed to find him, and Lady Franklin wants a radical new approach: put the women in charge.
A year later, Virginia stands trial for murder. Survivors of the expedition willing to publicly support her sit in the front row. There are only five. What happened out there on the ice?
Set against the unforgiving backdrop of one of the world’s most inhospitable locations, USA Today bestselling author Greer Macallister uses the true story of Lady Jane Franklin’s tireless attempts to find her husband’s lost expedition as a jumping-off point to spin a tale of bravery, intrigue, perseverance, and hope.
Upcoming Book Selection
MAY–JULY 2023
By Penny Haw
From the Publisher
Must-read historical fiction for fans of Marie Benedict and Tracey Enerson Wood, based on the real life of Britain’s first woman veterinary surgeon.
Aleen Cust has big dreams. And no one—not her family, society, or the law—will stop her.
Born in Ireland in 1868 to an aristocratic English family, Aleen knows she is destined to work with animals, even if her family is appalled by the idea of a woman pursuing a veterinary career. Going against their wishes but with the encouragement of the guardian assigned to her upon her father’s death, Aleen attends the New Veterinary College in Edinburgh, enrolling as A. I. Custance to spare her family the humiliation they fear. At last, she is on her way to becoming a veterinary surgeon! Little does she know her biggest obstacles lie ahead.
The Invincible Miss Cust is based on the real life of Aleen Isabel Cust, who defied her family and society to become Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary surgeon. Through Penny Haw’s meticulous research, riveting storytelling, and elegant prose, Aleen’s story of ambition, determination, family, friendship, and passion comes to life. It is a story that, even today, women will recognize, of battling patriarchy and an unequal society to realize one’s dreams and pave the way for other women in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Benefits of Joining a Book Club
Connect with others
Share your ideas and learn from others about the books you’re reading and the topics covered. Discover new connections in your community to others from different backgrounds and generations.
Continue learning & growing
Gain new perspectives when exposed to books you might not typically read and engaging and thought-provoking online discussions. You’ll have access to dynamic learning and opportunities for personal growth that you can tap into whenever it fits your schedule.
Uncover the health benefits of reading
Reading can reduce stress, help you sleep better, alleviate depression symptoms, help prevent age-related cognitive decline, and may even help you live longer (healthline.com and experteditor.com.au). Reading can also make you smarter and more empathetic to others, increasing your reasoning ability, vocabulary, emotional intelligence, leadership abilities, and creativity (bigthink.com and Harvard Business Review).
If you have questions about how the book club works, check out the Frequently Asked Questions section provided by PBC Guru.
