Books Discussions March 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.

 

The Emperor of Gladness

The Happy Hour Book Group will meet at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. on Wednesday, March 11 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. In The Emperor of Gladness, Vuong explores themes of chosen family, resilience, and second chances through the unlikely friendship between Hai, a young man at a crossroads, and Grazina, an elderly widow facing dementia. Blending tenderness and grit, the story examines how love, labor, and human connection shape our lives and offers a powerful reflection on survival, community, and hope. 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tyranny: Lessons from the 20th Century 

The History Book Group will meet on the second floor of the library on Thursday, March 19 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the second half of On Tyranny: Lessons from the 20th Century by Timothy Snyder. On Tyranny examines how democratic societies have failed in the past—and what those histories can teach us today. Drawing on examples from twentieth-century Europe, historian Timothy Snyder outlines recurring patterns that have led to the erosion of democratic institutions. Concise and accessible, the book offers historical context and practical insights aimed at helping readers understand how freedoms are gained, lost, and preserved over time. 

 

 

 

 

The Seven O’Clock Club

The Friday Book Group will meet on the second floor of the library on Friday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland. In The Seven O’Clock Clubfour strangers brought together by personal loss join a mysterious weekly support group that promises healing and a fresh start. As trust slowly builds, they begin to share their stories and discover unexpected connections that challenge what they thought they knew about themselves and one another. Thoughtful and uplifting, the novel explores grief, resilience, and the courage it takes to move forward.  

 

 

 

 

 

Future Tense Fiction: Stories of Tomorrow

The Speculative Short Fiction Group will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss stories 6-10 from the “Future Tense Fiction: Stories of Tomorrow” anthology.  Zoom link for discussion available on library website. “Future Tense Fiction is a collection of electrifying original stories from a veritable who’s-who of authors working in speculative literature and science fiction today. Brimming with excitement and exploring new ideas, by turns terrifying and heart-wrenching, hilarious and optimistic, this is a collection that ushers in a new age for our world and for the short story. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alien Clay

The Speculative Fiction Book Group will follow at approximately 6:30 p.m. via the same Zoom link to discuss Alien Clay by Adrian TchaikovskyAlien Clay delivers a sweeping sci-fi adventure set on Kiln, a distant prison planet hiding the remnants of an ancient civilization. When political prisoner and scientist Arton Daghev uncovers clues about the planet’s mysterious past, he must navigate a brutal prison regime and a dangerous ecosystem to survive. Blending suspense, discovery, and big-idea storytelling, the novel explores survival, power, and humanity’s place in a vast and unknown universe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted: February 26, 2026