Books Discussions April 2026

Decorah Public Library staff are hosting five book discussions this month. All groups are open to the public and newcomers are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested should call the library at 563-382-3717 to learn more or to reserve a copy of the book. To join any of the groups’ email distribution lists, contact ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org. Multiple copy sets are generously provided by Friends of Decorah Public Library.

For more information, contact Tricia Gunderson (Friday Book Group) or Kristin Torresdal (Happy Hour, History, and Speculative Fiction Book Groups) at 563-382-3717.

 

Wild Dark Shore

The Happy Hour Book Group will meet at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. on Wednesday, April 8 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. In Wild Dark Shore, McConaghy weaves a haunting story set on a remote island at the edge of the world, where a small group of people confront the forces of nature, isolation, and their own pasts. Through richly drawn characters and a tense, immersive setting, the novel explores survival, environmental fragility, and the deep human need for connection. 

 

 

 

 

 

The CIA Book Club

The History Book Group will meet on the second floor of the library on Thursday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss The CIA Book Club by Charlie English. The CIA Book Club tells the remarkable true story of how literature became a tool of resistance and cultural exchange during the Cold War. Drawing on historical accounts and personal narratives, English highlights the power of books to challenge censorship, foster connection, and quietly influence political change. 

 

 

 

 

The Lies They Told

The Friday Book Group will meet on the second floor of the library on Friday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman. In The Lies They Told, Wiseman delivers a gripping historical novel centered on a young woman navigating secrets, betrayal, and survival in the aftermath of war. As hidden truths come to light, the story explores the lasting impact of trauma and the strength required to rebuild a life shaped by loss.   

 

 

 

 

 

Silver in the Wood

The Speculative Short Fiction Group will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh. In this lyrical novella, Tesh reimagines folklore and myth through the story of a reclusive guardian of the forest and the scholar who disrupts his solitude. Blending enchantment with quiet emotional depth, the story explores identity, belonging, and the pull between wildness and human connection. Zoom link for discussion available on library website. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Sorceress Comes to Call

The Speculative Fiction Book Group will follow at 6:45 p.m. via the same Zoom link to discuss A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher. In this darkly imaginative fantasy, Kingfisher blends sharp wit with eerie storytelling as a young woman and her formidable mother arrive unannounced at a country estate, bringing with them secrets and unsettling magic. As tensions rise, the novel explores power, control, and the courage it takes to challenge both. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted: March 31, 2026