Have you ever read a book that was so good (or bad) or that you loved (or hated) the book’s characters so much that you wanted to talk about it with others who had read it? If so, you’re invited to join a Briggs Lawrence County Public Library book discussion group.

The library sponsors five groups. Each group meets monthly at four Briggs Library branches and the Sybene Senior Center.

The South Point branch library group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. On January 11, they will talk about “Kissing Christmas Goodbye” by M.C. Beaton. In true “cozy mystery” style, Agatha Raison solves yet another murder mystery in the Cotswolds of England in the seventeenth novel featuring the character.

The Ironton evening book discussion group meets the second Thursday of each month. On Jan. 13 at 6 p.m., they’ll discuss “The Black Dahlia,” James Ellroy’s fictionalized account of one police officer’s obsession with investigating the true and still-unsolved 1947 Black Dahlia murder in Los Angeles.

The Ironton library’s afternoon group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. On January 19, they’ll discuss “Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World” by Vicki Myron. “Dewey” is the charming true story of an abandoned kitten that was found in a library book drop and raised in a public library where the library employees and patrons alike were comforted by his presence.

Also meeting the third Wednesday of each month, the Chesapeake branch library group will talk about “Blasphemy” by Douglas Preston at 2:30 p.m., Jan. 19. Science and religion are not original topics in fiction, but in Preston’s best-selling novel, these elements, mixed in with politics and a media frenzy, result in a literal “torch-bearing villagers” climax.

The Proctorville branch library group meets the third Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. On Jan. 20, they’ll discuss “Ellen Foster” by Kaye Gibbons. The title character is an 11-year-old orphan who survives appalling conditions, but through her own efforts, finds a safe haven.

The library also sponsors a group that meets at the Sybene Senior Center in Burlington. This group meets at the center the third Thursday of each month at 12:45 p.m. This month, the group, led by senior services librarian Christine Hunt, will talk about “The Ghost” by Danielle Steel. In the novel, recently divorced and relocated Charles Waterston is able to rebuild his own life while learning about the author of an 18th century diary.

Plenty of copies of this month’s selections are available at the host branches. Most titles are also available in large print or audio versions. Check out a copy and join us in our lively discourse.

Everyone interested in learning to crochet as well as those already experienced at the craft is invited to the Crochet Club at the Chesapeake Branch Library at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Beginners should bring a “G” or “H” hook and yarn. Experienced crafters may bring a current project. For information call (740) 867-3390.

The Briggs Library young children’s program schedule featuring books, crafts, songs, and games for will be resume January 10. The weekly schedule is:

Storytime for ages three to five:

Ironton at 11 a.m. Mondays

Symmes Valley at 4:30 p.m. Mondays

Proctorville at 11 a.m. Tuesdays

South Point at 11 a.m. Wednesdays

Chesapeake at 11 a.m. Thursdays

Toddler Time for up to age three:

Ironton at 11 a.m. Tuesdays