Books Discussions May 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.

 

A Far-Flung Life

The Happy Hour Book Group will meet at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. on Wednesday May 13 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman. In A Far-Flung Life, Stedman explores love, loss, and the lasting impact of choices through richly drawn characters whose lives are shaped by distance, connection, and the search for belonging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gales of November

The History Book Group will meet on the second floor of the library on Thursday May 21 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss The Gales of November by John Bacon. The Gales of November recounts the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, weaving together survivor accounts, historical context, and maritime history to illuminate one of the Great Lakes’ most enduring mysteries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto

The Friday Book Group will meet on the second floor of the library on Friday May 15 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto by Elizabeth Hyman. This powerful true history highlights the courageous young Jewish women who resisted Nazi occupation, using wit, resourcefulness, and bravery to fight back during one of history’s darkest periods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clarkesworld

The Speculative Short Fiction Group will meet via Zoom on Wednesday May 27 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss 7 short fiction selections from Clarkesworld magazine’s February 2026 issue (233), available for free at clarkesworldmagazine.com. Known for its cutting-edge science fiction and fantasy, Clarkesworld features a range of short stories that explore technology, identity, and the boundaries of imagination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Death of the Author

The Speculative Fiction Book Group will follow at 6:45 p.m. via the same Zoom link to discuss Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor. In this inventive novel, Okorafor blends science fiction and literary storytelling to examine authorship, identity, and the power of narrative in shaping both personal and collective realities.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted: April 27, 2026