Veni, Vidi, Legi!
The book club newsletter of the Batavia Public Library
2026 - no. 15 (Spring/Summer)

Greetings!

Welcome back to our spring/summer issue of Veni, Vidi, Legi! - the Library's newsletter specifically for Book Clubs. (It means "I came, I saw, I read" in Latin.) Twice a year we will bring you articles, websites, and other items we hope your book club will find interesting and helpful. Enjoy!
 
Please be aware that our website was redesigned and the new address has been changed to https://www.bataviapl.org/
 
 

Our current selection of Book Club Kits available for checkout 
 
Book Clubs in the News
Is reading your favourite hobby? A new era of book clubs is reshaping how we read
theconversation.com, April 15, 2026
 
"Reading is experiencing a resurgence among Gen Z and millennials, many of whom are actively seeking alternatives to 'doomscrolling' and the mental fatigue associated with constant social media use. In North America ..."
 
 
Americans still opt for print books over digital or audio versions; few are in book clubs
pewresearch.org, April 09, 2026
 
"Digital books have grown in popularity over the past decade, but more Americans still read books in print than in digital formats. Overall, 75% of U.S. adults say they have read all or part of at least one book in the past 12 months..."
 
 
 
 
 
Creating accessible spaces: How Next Chapter Book Club serves the disabled community in Columbus and beyond
thelantern.com, April 15, 2026
 
"For those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Next Chapter Book Club, or NCBC, offers a save space for these individuals to build community and strengthen their literacy skills..."      
 
 
Book Club Tidbits
  • Easy ways to improve your book club conversations
     
  • Books the biggest and most interesting book clubs are reading in April, and they're all ones you can join online!
  • More than 2 decades worth of Oprah's Book Club titles
  • The best historical fiction so far this century, per BookRiot
     
  • For the mystery and thriller lovers, TIME has this list to peruse 
 
Batavia Public Library's 2026 Tournament of Books has come to a close. 
 
And the winner is ...
2026 WINNER
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
 
 

RUNNER UP
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rounding out the Final Four
Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Find all sixteen titles for this year and previous years on our Tournament of Books page.
 
 

Food...Don't Forget the Food!
Is there anything that isn't vastly improved by melting cheese in it, over it, or under it? This Baked Brie in Puff Pastry takes only a few ingredients and is a cinch to make. Bon Appetit!
 
 
As an alternative to that dairy brie, try this plant-based Olive Tapenade that will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long). 
 
 
Bread, butter, honey, sugar, vanilla and salt are all the ingredients needed to make this wonderful Honey Butter Toast dessert. Mmmm!
 
 
And Now for Something Light ...

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Batavia Public Library
10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia, Illinois 60510
630-879-1393
bataviapl.org