About OUR Community Reads
The Council Bluffs Public Library proudly announces the theme for OUR Community Reads 2026: “Coming Together.” OUR Community Reads, sponsored by the Council Bluffs Public Library Foundation, and in partnership with organizations from around our community, aims to raise awareness of a community or regional challenge through a book selection that supports community discussion, awareness, and action. This year’s theme focuses on the community of Council Bluffs and the organizations, individuals, and stories that make us unique.
This year, our three books are The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore, Posted by John David Anderson and Rise of the Balloon Goons by Troy Cummings.
During OUR Community Reads, we invite the Community to read one of three titles and participate in events throughout March and April.
Past OUR Community Reads Titles
2025 - Adult Fiction: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
2025 - Young Adult: Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
2025 - Kids: My Kingdom of Darkness by Susan Tan
2024 - Adult Nonfiction: Riverman by Ben McGrath
2024 - Young Adult: Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer Holm
2024 - Kids: Ocean! Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty
2023 - Adult Fiction: The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
2023 - Ault Non-Fiction: A Culinary History of Iowa: Sweet Corn, Pork Tenderloins, Maid-Rites & More by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
2023 - Young Adult: Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
2023 - Kids: Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
2022 - Adult Non-Fiction: Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration by Sarah Dykman
2022 - Young Adult: The Way of the Hive: A Honey Bee’s Story by Jay Hosler
2022 - Kids: Señorita Mariposa by Mister G, Illustrated by Marcos Almada Rivero
Upcoming Events
Our Community Reads 2026: Coming Together
Help us kick off Our Community Reads 2026: Coming Together! This is a family-friendly, all-ages community event to celebrate reading, crafting, and what makes this community special.
We invite you to join us for a book discussion of our 2026 Our Community Reads title, Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore.
Lucy Gilmore, author of OUR Community Reads 2026 title Lonely Hearts Book Club, joins us for an author talk and Q&A. Book signing to follow.
OUR Community Reads Challenge
OUR Community Reads Beanstack Challenge
March 1-April 30
Two ways to play!
1. Log every day you read or listen to a book for at least 15 minutes; and/or
2. Complete the activities listed under each Activity Badge.
For every reading and activity badge you complete, you will earn 10 raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes!
This challenge will be available to patrons of all ages.
To get ready, use the link to create or update your account and come back to enroll in the challenge on March 1.
Where to Get the Book
In addition to the copies you can find on the shelf and place a hold on, the Library has multiple copies of The Lonely Hearts Book Club available for checkout through the Reference Desk. Throughout our One Community Reads, copies will be available for checkout with a three week loan period. Please contact the Reference Desk to check on availability.
Digital copies of The Lonely Hearts Book Club can be found as an e-book and e-audiobook through Libby by OverDrive and as an e-book through Hoopla Digital.
Digital copies of Posted can be found as an e-audiobook through Libby by OverDrive and as an e-book through Hoopla Digital.
Digital copies of Rise of the Balloon Goons can be found as an e-book through Libby by OverDrive and as an e-book through Hoopla Digital.
Through a generous grant to the Council Bluffs Library Foundation from the Iowa West Foundation, every second grader from the Council Bluffs Community School District, Lewis Central Community School District, and Saint Albert Catholic Schools will get the book Rise of the Balloon Goons and every sixth grader from the Council Bluffs Community School District and Lewis Central will get the book Posted.
Author Visits
Lucy Gilmore, author of The Lonely Hearts Book Club will be joining us on Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m. in Meeting Room B.
The two youth authors – Troy Cummings and John David Anderson will speak to students at schools in Council
Bluffs during March and April.
Library Discussions
Want to participate in a book discussion but don’t want to organize and plan one? Join us for our Library-led books discussion in April.
Book Discussion: The Lonely Hearts Book Club Book Discussion
Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A.
