Book Groups

Brown Bag Mystery Readers is a member-led Book Group. A programs team member is on hand to make announcements and support the group.

This readers' group focuses on mystery, thriller & suspense novels. Born as a lunch-time book discussion club, members would bring their 'brown bags' filled with their lunches and sit down together for lively discourse and a brief moment of respite. This tradition stands today. BBMR members meet on the second Monday of every month at noon at 12pm.

Book selections are chosen through a nomination process involving members every few months, and meeting dates around holidays are subject to change. BBMR meetings take place in the Boardroom on the 4th floor.

Click here to view the schedule for 2026!

Want to be added to the mailing list so you can keep up to date with this book groups' announcements and reminders? Email Kiran at kkaur@milibrary.org!

World Literature is a member-led Book Group. A programs team member is on hand to make announcements and support the group.

We meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 5pm. Book selections are chosen through a nomination process involving members every six months, and meeting dates around holidays are subject to change. Our hybrid meetings take place in the 4th Floor Board Room at Mechanics' Institute and virtually on Zoom.

Click here to view the schedule for 2026!

Want to be added to the mailing list so you can keep up to date with this book groups' announcements and reminders? Email Kiran at kkaur@milibrary.org!

Contemporary Translated Works Book Group runs in collaboration with Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum, a non-profit independent library in Seattle, WA and is co-sponsored by the Center for the Art of Translation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that champions literary translation.

This book group meets hybrid and monthly at 12pm, on-site at Mechanics' Institute & on Zoom, to read and discuss contemporary works originally written in languages other than English or pertaining to the art of translation. By engaging with diverse voices and perspectives, members gain insight into different cultures, ideas, and storytelling traditions.

Click here to view the schedule for 2026!

Want to be added to the mailing list so you can keep up to date with this book groups' announcements and reminders? Email Kiran at kkaur@milibrary.org!