Batavia Library Unveils New Books Between Bites Programming

BATAVIA, IL — The Batavia Public Library's popular monthy noontime book program, Books Between Bites, is getting ready to kick off a new season.

The 37th season of Books Between Bites will kick off Sept. 18 with Mayor Jeffery Schielke, who is "devoted to finding and noting interesting things about Batavia and its people," the library said. In the season opener, he will discuss some residents and their roles in the writing of a published book.

The series, established in 1987 by the late Lee C. and Betty Moorehead, is held from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month from September to May. The program is free to attend, and no reservations are required.

Take a look at what's on the docket for the 2025-26 Books Between Bites program:

• Oct. 16: Batavian Roger Breisch will discuss "Kuleana: A Story of Family, Land, and Legacy in Old Hawai'i" by Sara Kehaulani Goo.
• Nov. 20: Marnie Mamminga and Mary Parks will share "Songs of the Lake," the third and final book in their Finding Wisdom in Nature series.
• Dec. 18: Jim Benes, a now-retired editor with WBBM News Radio, will talk about his book, "Seasons of Joy: Chicago Celebrates the Holidays," featuring past news articles about Christmas in Chicago.
• Jan. 15: Naturalist Pam Otto will discuss Ken Smith's "The Way of the Hermit: My Incredible 40 Years Living in the Wilderness," which was gifted to her after she retired from the St. Charles Park District.
• Feb. 19: Karl Bruhn will share about "Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time" by David Prera.
• March 19: Lester Munson will discuss Christine Brennan's new book, "On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports."
• April 16: Cynthia Wade will talk about "The Catcher was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg," about the titular man's espionage for the United States.
• May 21: Daniel Russo, the president of the Batavia Public Library Board of Trustees and a senior docent at Geneva's Fabyan Villa Museum, will present "Breaking Architectural Conventions and Societal Norms: a Discussion of Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan.

Books Between Bites is held in the Founders Room on the main level of the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase at Flyleaf Bakery Cafe, located adjacent to the meeting room.