Directory of Services
Plainsboro Library Book Discussion Kits
Everything you need to start a book club—without the planning headache.
Starting a book club should be about the conversation—not chasing down copies, writing discussion questions, or managing logistics.
Plainsboro Public Library’s Book Discussion Kits make it easy to start or sustain a book club with minimal planning and maximum impact. Each kit is thoughtfully prepared to support meaningful discussion and smooth coordination, so your group can focus on reading, sharing, and connecting.
What’s Included
Each Book Discussion Kit contains:
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Multiple copies of the same title
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An author biography and book summary
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Curated discussion questions
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Read-alike recommendations to keep the conversation going
One kit. One checkout. Multiple copies ready to share with your group.
How It Works
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Kits are available to Plainsboro Library cardholders (library barcode beginning with 29303)
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One person checks out the kit on behalf of the group
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Kits are loaned for 6 weeks, with one renewal available
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Each book is numbered to help group leaders track copies
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One kit checkout at a time per library card
When finished, return the entire kit, with all materials included, directly to the circulation desk. Please do not return kits in the book drop.
Care, Loss & Replacement
Book Discussion Kits are shared community resources and should be handled with care.
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Fees for damaged items vary depending on the extent of damage
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Items not returned after the initial loan period and any approved renewal may be considered lost and billed for replacement.
Replacement costs may include:
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Carry bag: $25
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Entire Book Discussion Kit: $250
Kit includes:
6 paperbacks, 4 hardcovers, 1 large-print edition, 1 audio CD, and an information packet
Available Book Discussion Kits
Our Book Discussion Kits include a thoughtfully selected collection of titles designed for engaging group discussion, with more added over time.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
by Shelby Van Pelt
A warm, quietly witty novel about unlikely connections, grief, and second chances, set in a small coastal town and anchored by an unforgettable octopus observer. Thoughtful, accessible, and rich with discussion potential.
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The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
by James McBride
A richly layered story of race, community, and justice set in a small American town, where a decades-old mystery reveals the power of collective care and moral courage. Deeply human and historically grounded, this novel invites thoughtful discussion about identity, belonging, and social responsibility.
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The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
A reflective and imaginative novel about regret, choice, and the many lives we might have lived. As one woman explores alternate versions of her life, the story raises big questions about happiness, purpose, and what it really means to live well.
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Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
Set in the 1960s, this sharp and entertaining novel follows a brilliant chemist who becomes an unlikely TV cooking star while challenging the limits placed on women in science and society. Smart, funny, and deeply relevant, it sparks conversation about gender, ambition, and self-determination.
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All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
A beautifully written World War II novel following a blind French girl and a German boy whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Exploring fate, morality, and human resilience, this story offers rich ground for discussion about war, compassion, and survival.
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The Devil in the White City
by Erik Larson
A gripping blend of history and true crime that contrasts the wonder of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with the dark story of a serial killer who used it as cover. Fascinating and unsettling, it raises questions about ambition, deception, and the cost of progress.
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The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
by David Grann
A riveting true story of shipwreck, survival, and mutiny in the 18th century, where competing narratives challenge the idea of truth itself. Fast-paced and deeply researched, it invites discussion about leadership, loyalty, and whose stories get believed.
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Educated
by Tara Westover
A powerful memoir about growing up in a survivalist family and the life-changing pursuit of education. Honest, intense, and thought-provoking, it sparks conversation about identity, family loyalty, and what it means to define your own future.
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Demon Copperhead
by Barbara Kingsolver
A gripping, first-person coming-of-age story that follows a boy named Damon “Demon” Fields as he navigates the foster care system, crushing poverty, and the opioid epidemic in rural Virginia.
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The Correspondent
by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent is a captivating novel told through letters, drawing readers into an intimate world of reflection, revelation, and human connection. As personal exchanges unfold, hidden truths emerge and relationships deepen, reminding us of the enduring power of words to bridge distance and shape lives. A thoughtful and engaging read, perfect for meaningful discussion.
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The Things We Leave Unfinished
by Rebecca Yarros
What happens when a love story left unfinished decades ago begins to shape a new romance in the present? In The Things We Leave Unfinished, Rebecca Yarros beautifully intertwines two unforgettable stories of love, loss, sacrifice, and second chances. As past and present collide, the novel explores the power of forgiveness, the weight of family history, and the courage it takes to move forward while honoring the past.
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Theo of Golden
by Allen Levi
How do our experiences shape who we become, and where do we truly belong? In Theo of Golden, Levi explores self-discovery, identity, family, relationships, and the search for acceptance as Theo navigates life’s uncertainties. Join us for a thoughtful discussion of this poignant, character-driven novel and its themes of growth, resilience, and belonging.
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All the Colors of the Dark
by Chris Whitaker
1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges–Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake. Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.
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Additional titles will be added as new kits are released.
Want to Learn More?
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Questions about Book Discussion Kits? Visit the library or call 609-275-2898
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Have a suggestion for a future book club title? Submit a book request
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Interested in joining the Library’s Book Club? Sign up here
