By Lookout Staff

July 12, 2012 -- If you can't make the Santa Monica Public Library's popular book discussions at a branch near you, you can now take part online.

The library’s new Facebook online book discussion group will offer live book discussions to those with an Internet connection who register with a Facebook account and “Like” the Library’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smpublib.

"Librarians have heard many times from those who would enjoy discussing books with their friends and neighbors, yet are unable to make it to a discussion location due to work, family or other obligations," library officials said.

A book discussion thread will be started by a librarian at 7 p.m. Monday, July 30 to discuss Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "Olive Kitteridge," that chronicle the lives of those in a quiet Maine town using a short story format.

Those wishing to participate can share their thoughts and questions about the book in the comments that follow. 

"Those without a Facebook account will be unable to actively participate in the discussion, but may still follow the discussion thread by simply reading along on the Library’s publicly-accessible Facebook page and refreshing their page to see newly-posted comments," library officials said.

The second book to be discussed will be "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, a memoir of the author’s upbringing in a poverty-stricken, dysfunctional family. The book was this year’s annual Samohi Reads title.

The discussion will take place on Monday, August 27, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. (one half hour earlier than usual).

The discussions are presented free to the public. For more information on this and other public programs, visit www.smpl.org or contact the Santa Monica Public Library at 310.458.8600.