CARP – While kids were safely back in their classrooms yesterday (Sept. 3), a group of avid book readers were celebrating another momentous occasion at the Carp branch of the Ottawa Public Library.

“On Sept. 3 the Carp Book Chat members met at Carp branch to discuss Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill,” librarian Lori Fielding said. “However, this was not just any book chat. September marked 20 years that members of the local community have met to discuss a variety of books and meet and talk to authors. Twenty years times 12 meetings a year adds up to a lot of books – 240 to be exact.”

Fielding, has been to most of these meeting and has read most the books.  

“A core group of about a dozen people attend Book Chat regularly, but the program is open to everyone who likes to read and discuss books,” she said. 

The next book being discussed is The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.  

“Avid readers are welcome to attend,” Fielding said.

The full list of titles is available on the Ottawa Public Library’s website here.