Library Book Clubs for Everyone
It’s always a good day to read a book.
Almost every library has a book club where readers all read the same book each month, then meet to share their interpretations and opinions. This is an enjoyable activity and gives purpose to reading. Cody Addy, Executive Director of the Newcomerstown Public Library, has several book clubs organized in their library for groups of all ages.
Some book clubs are very specific like the one in Newcomerstown, where they have the Cookbook Club. While the club had a break in activity, it returned in 2025. This Cookbook Club is basically a book club for the ladies who love to try new recipes, socialize, and have good dishes to sample. This is an adult club for those 18 years and older and meets in the Library Annex from 4-5 on the third Wednesday of the month. It is led by Brei Fechuch, Public Services Manager.
Each date has a theme where participants choose recipes from the given theme and share their experience. Participants need to bring a prepared dish and the recipe to the meeting. They have simple themes, such as “Southern Cooking,” where the idea was to make a dish that originates from the south to more challenging themes such as our “Red, White, and Blue” in July.
In August, their theme was “A Taste of Your Name,” where attendees prepared a dish that starts with the first letter of their first name. Participants have so much fun with this program that they have asked to do it weekly! Stop by the library and register for these interesting and tasty meetings filled with bunches of goodies.
Sometimes, the group has a special speaker or workshop that will give them ideas on subjects related to food and herbs. One meeting each person in the group made their own Fire Cider, a natural remedy for colds. Another workshop was Eating the Mediterranean Way.
They also have a Teen Recipe Club (Grades 6-12), which meets after school at 4:00 on Wednesday. Brie and Kalli Fox work together on this program. The initial idea for this club was to teach teens a skill that they could utilize throughout their life. They learn about and prepare new recipes, then sample their creations. Here the library provides all the ingredients and each teen makes their own dishes following the given recipe. They use a microwave or air fryer to prepare their dishes.
It’s a chance to learn how to prepare simple snacks at home or prepare something when parents happen to be away or busy. Even though the recipes are simple, Library Director Cody Addy feels that it leads the teens to more responsibility, self-reliance, and ultimately helps support their growth into adulthood.
In the past, they have also held a Gardening Club, where the kids and teens learn how to garden from seed to harvest, utilizing a garden at the library. Once harvested, the kids got to take the food home to their families. Teaching the children and teens new skills brings joy to the staff.
Book Clubs are also held at the Junior and Senior High Schools. They choose a book, read a certain portion of the book for the following meeting, and then discuss the plot, characters, and sometimes play games relating to the story.
There is also a program, Library Club, at the West School involving their L.E.A.D. Afterschool Program. At this club, they read a book together and follow it up with a craft that reinforces what they have read in the book.
Of course, they also have a regular Book Club being led by Janet Tedrow, Public Relations and Program Manager, which meets from 1-2 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The monthly book can be found on a table in the lobby, where you can check out the book or an audio version if you prefer.
For questions on any of these book clubs, call Janet or Brei at 740-498-8228. You can register in person or over the phone.
There’s a book related club for everyone here at the Newcomerstown Public Library. Check out the library in your area to find out all the wonderful possibilities they hold within their walls. If you like books, you’re sure to find something that will brighten your life.
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