For book lovers seeking an evening of discussion, insight, and laughter, the Lincoln County Public Libraries offers book discussion groups in the Libby and Troy.

The informal meetings are free and open to all. Refreshments will be provided and no advance registration is necessary. Copies of the featured books are available for 10-day checkout before the scheduled discussion.

In honor of Banned Books Week, the libraries this month will focus on young adult author Chris Crutcher. Crutcher’s novels feature controversial themes and characters, which have resulted in several of his works being banned in communities across the country.

The book group in Libby will discuss Crutcher’s book, “Deadline” on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. The novel focuses on a young man who, at the age of 18, is told he has a terminal illness and has less than a year to live.

In Troy, the group will discuss the novel, “Whale Talk” on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.  “Whale Talk” features intellectually and athletically gifted TJ, a multiracial, adopted teenager, who shuns organized sports and the gung-ho athletes at his high school until he agrees to form a swimming team and recruits some of the school’s less popular students.  

For more information on the book discussion groups, call the Libby Library at 293-2778 or the Troy Library at 295-4040, or visit the Lincoln County Public Libraries’ website at

www.lincolncountylibraries.com (under the events calendar).