It’s a busy time of year but consider taking a break from all the work of making the holiday bright and join other villagers to talk about books. There are a surprising number of book-related events taking place in the next week:

On Friday, December 16, there is a READ & REFLECT BOOK DISCUSSION at the Dole Branch of the Oak Park Library.  Over lunch (noon to 1 PM) the group will discuss the book Global Girlfriends: How One Mom Made it Her Business to Help Women in Poverty Worldwide. The book is by Stacey Edgar and is about how one woman used the concept of fair trade to help women in developing countries earn a living through their artistic abilities.

On Saturday, December 17, the Historic Book Club meets at Pleasant Home from 10 am to noon. The book list for this group reflects books from the turn of the 20^th Century which was when the historic house was the center of high society in the village. I checked out the website for more information (www.pleasanthome.org) but this event wasn’t listed.  However, on Sunday, December 18, you can attend a performance of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens at 4:30 PM.  The cost is $12 and reservations are recommended. It’s about a book and might send you back to the original to read or re-read.

Also on Saturday, December 17, the MYSTERY DISCUSSION GROUP meets at Centuries and Sleuths Book Store in Forest Park from 2-3 PM.  Call the store for more information 708-771-7243.

The Polar Express movie is playing at the Lake Theater on Saturday, December 17.  The free showing starts at 10am. Then stop by The Book Table or Magic Tree Book Store and buy a copy of the book. It’s a wonderful read.

River Forest Library is sponsoring the FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE BOOK CLUB on Sunday, December 18 from 2-4 PM.  They will be discussing The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements. Call 708-366-5205 for more information.

And finally, on Tuesday, December 20, the MAZE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP at the Maze Branch of the Oak Park Library is talking about The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie over lunch (noon to 1PM). It’s BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch).

Enjoy!