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Our focus on crime fiction continues this week with Jacqueline Winspear, the author of the Maisie Dobbs series, who ruminates on the nature of book clubs --- and how one particular encounter she had with several reading group members illustrates the power of story.

Today we venture into new territory with mystery scribe and guest blogger Craig Johnson, who has crafted a humorous story about a book club on the range. "It's fiction," says Craig, "but very well could have happened in my neighborhood. I live in UCross Wyoming, pop. 25."

Murder and mayhem is the theme this week on the ReadingGroupGuides.com blog, to tie in with Thursday's annual Edgar Awards sponsored by Mystery Writers of America (MWA). Starting us off today is Joanne Sinchuk, the owner of Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore in Delray Beach, Florida, who talks about the three mystery-themed book clubs she facilitates.

Regular contributor Jamie Layton shares some of the highs and lows of her reading group's selections...and why she might consider breaking some book club rules.

Four years ago guest blogger Liz Engl's book club met with another group to compare notes, and here she tells us how their December get-together became an annual tradition...and why. Living on an island in the middle of the Niagara River in Western New York, midway between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, provides residents with a unique, somewhat secluded, environment --- the perfect spot for book clubs to thrive.

Some novels like The Kite Runner and Middlesex have become book club phenomenons because of the rich and varied material they provide for discussions, but ReadingGroupGuides.com contributor Esther Bushell shines the spotlight on some lesser-known titles that can make for conversations that are just as compelling.

Anita Diamant's The Red Tent has long been a reading group favorite. BookClubGirl.com's Jennifer Hart shares why, years after reading it, she still vividly recalls her group's discussion of the Biblical-themed novel.

National Library Week came to a close on April 19th, but as Barbara A. Genco, one of our guest bloggers, pointed out, libraries should be celebrated year round --- and we'll be hearing from librarians on a regular basis. In this post, Kathryn Andrews, a librarian from Warrenton, Virginia, shares what some of the area's library book clubs are reading --- and how being close to the U.S. capital plays a part in inspiring lively discussions.

In celebration of National Library Week (April 13-19), we've invited librarians to share their insights about book clubs. Today's guest blogger is Polly Thompson Wolf, who wears many hats at the Culver Union-Township Public Library in Culver, Indiana, including working with the library's book club, Hooked on Books. Here she shares some ideas for centering reading group discussions on an author or theme rather than a single title.

In celebration of National Library Week (April 13-19), we've invited librarians to share their insights about book clubs.