Reading has been called the ‘lone voyage’, solitary and private, but for many of us the impulse to share is powerful. We meet every 4 weeks to discuss a shared reading experience, to widen our reading choices and enjoy books together.

There are 7 library based adult reading groups in Portsmouth and the books are supplied by the Library Service.Suggestions of in-print, paperback books are always welcomed.

All members of each group are encouraged, without pressure, to contribute ideas, reactions, to pose questions and give opinions. Anyone is welcome to comment on the books we are currently reading in Portsmouth.

Our Book List

Each reading group member is invited to review the book they are reading for the benefit of other readers around the world. To see a full list of the books we will be enjoying and reviewing, please take a look at our Reading Group book list.

Join us...

If you would like to join one of our reading groups, or would like further information please email libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call us on023 9268 8057.

Independent Reading Groups

If you don't want to join a library based group, you are more than welcome to start your own. For help and advice with this, please contact Jenny Bond on 023 9268 8044 or email libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

What are we currently reading?

Group Contact Details	Author and Title	Cover Art
Central Library Daytime Group Wednesdays 10 - 11.30am Contact: Clare Forsyth 023 9268 8044	The vanishing act of Esme Lennox
Central Library Evening Group Tuesdays 6.30 - 8pm Contact: Gail Brown 023 9268 8044	The wasp factory by Iain Banks and The lost world by Arthur Conan Doyle
Beddow Library Daytime Group Thursdays 10 - 11.30am Contact: Lindy Elliott 023 9268 8058	The road home by Rose Tremain
Beddow Library Evening Group Mondays 6.30 - 8pm Contact: Jackie Painting 023 9268 8041	What I loved by Suri Hustvedt
Cosham Library Evening Group Thursdays 6.30 - 8pm Contact: Pat Garrett 023 9268 8054	The Birthdays by Heidi Pitlor
John Pounds Library Daytime Group Thursdays 9.45 am -11.15 am Contact: Cheryl Missing 023 9229 7072	A short history of tractors in Ukranian by Marina Lewycka
Elm Grove Library Teenreaders Group Wednesdays 5 - 6pm Contact: Dave Percival 07951 341092	A selection of titles from Barrington Stoke
Wetherspoon's Reading Group Wednesdays 6.30 - 7.30pm Contact: Dave Percival 07951 341092	The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany
Kingston Prison Book Group Third Thursday of every month Contact: Wendy-May Jacobs, Prison Librarian This is of necessity a closed group!	The only boy for me by Gil McNeil