Join NYPL and WNYC's Virtual Book Club by Moriah Shtull, CommunicationsApril 3, 2020

Book cover of Deacon King Kong and headshot of James McBride

The New York Public Library and WNYC — two indispensable New York institutions — are partnering to host a virtual book club to bring New Yorkers together and foster community during an unprecedented time of social separation.

Presented as part of “Get Lit,” the monthly book club from WNYC’s weekday arts and culture show All of It, the partnership debuts with a group reading experience of James McBride’s new book, Deacon King Kong, a hilarious and deeply human tale set in 1969 Brooklyn.

Host Alison Stewart and the Library will accompany readers throughout April, providing touchpoints on-air and on social media at @allofitwnyc and @nypl.

Borrow the book (and more than 300,000 others) for free through the Library’s e-reader app SimplyE, available for iOS and Android devices.

Join McBride, Stewart, and readers everywhere on Thursday, April 30 at 7 PM for a live stream conversation and audience Q&A.

McBride is the author of The New York Times bestseller and National Book Award winner, The Good Lord Bird, as well as the bestselling novels Song Yet Sung, Miracle at St. Anna, and the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Color of Water. He is also a saxophonist and composer who teaches music to children in the housing projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn, where he was born. He is a Distinguished Writer In Residence at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU.

Logos for NYPL and WNYC

 

Get Started With SimplyE

Hand holding phone with SimplyE on screenNew York Public Library cardholders can gain access to an array of digital resources for all ages, including e-books, audiobooks, databases, and more.

If you don’t have an NYPL library card, New York State residents can apply for a digital card through the Library’s SimplyE app (available on the App Store or Google Play). Once you’ve received your barcode and PIN, explore SimplyE to discover hundreds of thousands of e-books, plus visit our website to find many more digital resources.

Patrons 13 years and older can apply for their own library cards. Patrons 12 and under will need a parent or caregiver to create an account. Note: These accounts cannot be restricted to only children’s materials.

After registering, it may take a few hours to receive your barcode in order to access the Library’s digital resources. Once you sign up for a card through SimplyE, you will need to select a home library after your barcode has been emailed to you. Log into your account and click on Settings to set your Preferred Pickup location.

If you have further questions about how to use SimplyE, please contact Ask NYPL.

View all posts by Moriah Shtull

Comments

Patron-generated content represents the views and interpretations of the patron, not necessarily those of The New York Public Library. For more information see NYPL's Website Terms and Conditions.

Virtual book club

Submitted by Renee Soloway (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 12:16pm

I’d like to join the club but the book Deacon King Kong is not available on simply E

Hi Renee. I just opened up

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 6, 2020 - 4:58pm

Hi Renee. I just opened up SimplyE, chose NYPL and the book was right at the top. I see two book covers. The first one says all copies are checked out, but the second says it is available. If you still are having trouble, contact us here: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/help/email-us

Hi, have you ever tried

Submitted by Maureen Bodnar (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 5:31pm

Hi, have you ever tried OverDrive? It's an app that allows you to access more than one library. I use it combined with Kindle and I never wait for a book.

Virtual Book Club

Submitted by Sonia (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 6:06pm

I'm interested in joining the virtual book club. Thank you

Hi Sonia! It's very easy to

Submitted by Moriah Shtull on April 27, 2020 - 4:31pm

Hi Sonia! It's very easy to join the virtual book club. Read the book, and then on Thursday, April 30 at 7 PM, there will be a live video stream with Alison Stewart and James McBride. Details can be found here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

Do I need to do more to be a

Submitted by Esther Tessler (not verified) on May 22, 2020 - 4:03pm

Do I need to do more to be a part of the book club

Nothing to sign up for. You

Submitted by Carrie McBride on May 26, 2020 - 9:35am

Nothing to sign up for. You can find the book on our app, SimplyE, and then tune in for the discussion.

Deacon king king e-book

Submitted by Annica Davis (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 6:59pm

I want to join the book club of WNYC’s “All Of It” “get lit” segment, and read deacon King Kong. Please help. My library card number is XXXXXXXXXX Thank you. Annica Davis

Hi Annica! I see you have a

Submitted by Moriah Shtull on April 27, 2020 - 4:32pm

Hi Annica! I see you have a library card - are you able to download the e-reader application SimplyE on your device? You can access the book for free through there. Then on Thursday, April 30 at 7 PM, there will be a live video stream with Alison Stewart and James McBride. You don't have to register or enroll in anything. Just have access to internet that evening. Details can be found here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

Deacon king kong

Submitted by Annica Davis (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 7:01pm

Please send ebook and enroll me in get lit book club.

Deacon King Kong

Submitted by Edward Collins (not verified) on April 10, 2020 - 11:13am

Attempting to join the virtual book club

Hi Edward! Are you able to

Submitted by Moriah Shtull on April 27, 2020 - 4:35pm

Hi Edward! Are you able to download the e-reader application SimplyE on your device? You can access the book for free through there. Here's a link to download the app: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/simplye Then on Thursday, April 30 at 7 PM, there will be a live video stream with Alison Stewart and James McBride. No registration necessary! Details can be found here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

Book club

Submitted by Samantha (not verified) on July 18, 2021 - 7:57am

I would like to join

Hi Samantha, You can find the

Submitted by Carrie McBride on July 20, 2021 - 3:34pm

Hi Samantha, You can find the current book and more information here: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub

I would like to join the

Submitted by Doris Schweickert (not verified) on April 18, 2020 - 11:06am

I would like to join the audio book is not available for my phone at the present time, can I join after it becomes available ?

Anyone can stream the book

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 20, 2020 - 10:33am

Anyone can stream the book discussion. The book is currently available on the SimplyE app. https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/simplye

Book Club

Submitted by Caryn J. Bailey (not verified) on April 28, 2020 - 7:21pm

NYPL member

Hi Caryn! Are you looking to

Submitted by Moriah Shtull on April 29, 2020 - 6:09pm

Hi Caryn! Are you looking to join the book club event tomorrow evening? Details can be found here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

join book club

Submitted by Gaby Heyman (not verified) on May 26, 2020 - 2:51pm

Hi- I would like to join the virtual book club and was wondering if still happening. Are you using a new book now? Looking forward to hearing from you

Hi Gaby, The next book

Submitted by Carrie McBride on May 26, 2020 - 3:05pm

Hi Gaby, The next book discussion is tonight. More info here: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub

I would like to join this

Submitted by Malleswari (not verified) on October 26, 2020 - 11:47am

I would like to join this virtual book club.

The next "meeting" is

Submitted by Carrie McBride on October 26, 2020 - 3:31pm

The next "meeting" is Wednesday, October 28. More info here: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub

WNYC’s Virtual Book Club

Submitted by Barbara L Miller (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 12:36pm

Thanks so much! Count me in! Barbara. Miller

See you there, Barbara!

Submitted by Moriah Shtull on April 27, 2020 - 4:38pm

See you there, Barbara!

Simply E

Submitted by Mary Ellen (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 12:48pm

I’ve taken two books out with simply e but I don’t know how to return them or get more could you help me navigate on SimplyE Thank you

Hello. You can find

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 6, 2020 - 4:52pm

Hello. You can find instructions for returning SimplyE books here: https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/03/16/return-digital-materials You can get more help with SimplyE here: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/help/email-us

Book for book club

Submitted by Adea Mandulo (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 1:03pm

Hi. I have an author whose works I’d like to submit as future picks for this venue. Please advise.

Hi Adea! Please reach out to

Submitted by Moriah Shtull on April 27, 2020 - 4:40pm

Hi Adea! Please reach out to Ask NYPL - they'll be able to point you in the right direction: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/help/email-us

Deacon King Kong

Submitted by Dee (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 1:43pm

Deacon King Kong book discussion is a great idea. Love James McBride. Thanks for helping to keep us all sane during this time. Question: I checked out the book. But I don't see information about how to access the discussion on April 30 at 7pm. How do we do that?

Hi Dee. Good question, I will

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 7, 2020 - 9:21am

Hi Dee. Good question, I will add more information to the post. There will be a live stream on YouTube on the 30th. Find the link here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

BOok club

Submitted by Catlin Preston (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 2:15pm

There are not enough copies for me to read one right now. How can that be?

Are you using the SimplyE app

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 6, 2020 - 4:55pm

Are you using the SimplyE app? I just opened mine up, chose NYPL and the book was right at the top. I see two book covers. The first one says all copies are checked out, but the second says it is available. If you still are having trouble, contact us here: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/help/email-us

Looking for Deacon King Kong

Submitted by Jordana Jacobs (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 3:15pm

Hi, I'd like to join the NPR/ NYPL book group for James McBride's Deacon King Kong. I heard on the radio that ebooks are available through NYPL for free. I must downloaded the SimplyE but wasn't able to find the novel. I'm hoping I can read it on my kindle. Thanks, Jordana

Hi Jordana. I just opened my

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 6, 2020 - 4:56pm

Hi Jordana. I just opened my SimplyE app up, chose NYPL and the book was right at the top. I see two book covers. The first one says all copies are checked out, but the second says it is available. If you still are having trouble, contact us here: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/help/email-us

How do we sign up for the

Submitted by Krystal (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 5:40pm

How do we sign up for the virtual Q&A?

Hi Krystal. No need to sign

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 7, 2020 - 11:34am

Hi Krystal. No need to sign up. It will be streaming live on the 30th. You can find more info here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

Libby

Submitted by Kim Banker (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 7:37pm

I use libby and was wondering how it is different that the ebook app that you use.

Hi Kim! SimplyE displays our

Submitted by Moriah Shtull on April 30, 2020 - 9:56am

Hi Kim! SimplyE displays our full ebook collection. Libby is an Overdrive app so it will only display ebooks from Overdrive.

Question about the book discussion

Submitted by Betty Galarza (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 8:02pm

How do I sign up for all the reading events including the book discussion on 4/30? Is there a registration?

Hi Betty. The book discussion

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 7, 2020 - 11:35am

Hi Betty. The book discussion will be streaming live on the 30th. Hope you can join. You can find more info here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

How to sign in, to sign out book

Submitted by Elizabeth Ross (not verified) on April 6, 2020 - 10:28pm

I downloaded the app. Began the book borrowing process by typing my library card number on the first line. Pin: What are you asking for here? A password?

Hi Elizabeth. Yes, your PIN

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 7, 2020 - 9:32am

Hi Elizabeth. Yes, your PIN is like a password. If you have a physical library card you would have assigned a PIN to it when you got your card. If you applied for a digital card through SimplyE, you would have chosen a PIN then.

how to gain access yo participate in online book discussion

Submitted by judi (not verified) on April 7, 2020 - 1:45am

How does one gain access to online book club discussion April 30,2020 at 7P.M. for participation ? Thank-you very much!

Hi Judie. There will be a

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 7, 2020 - 10:53am

Hi Judi. There will be a live stream on YouTube on the 30th. Hope you can join! Find the link here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

Book club

Submitted by Gwendolyn Williams (not verified) on April 7, 2020 - 10:28am

I’m a parent coordinator at middle school in Brooklyn. I’m interested in inviting the families of my school join the book club. What are steps to sign up? Best Gwendolyn Williams

Hi Gwendolyn. No need to sign

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 7, 2020 - 3:50pm

Hi Gwendolyn. No need to sign up. The book is available via the SimplyE app (NYS residents can apply for a NYPL digital card via the app as well). You can tune in on the 30th for the discussion. More info on that here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

Virtual book club

Submitted by Lenore (not verified) on April 7, 2020 - 11:42pm

Hi - how do I sign up for the Virtual Book Club? Thanks

Hi Lenore. No need to sign up

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 8, 2020 - 9:49am

Hi Lenore. No need to sign up. You can read the book via the SimplyE app and then join the streaming book discussion on the 30th. You can find the link here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/get-lit-with-all-of-it-james-mcbride/

Virtual Book Club

Submitted by Laura (not verified) on April 8, 2020 - 4:48pm

Hi, I seem to be having the same issue like others in which I cannot see the book for the VC listed. I tried searching it on the page with no luck. Please help. Thanks!

Hi Laura. In the SimplyE app,

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 8, 2020 - 5:14pm

Hi Laura. In the SimplyE app, if you tap on the Library building icon in the upper left and choose The New York Public Library, you should see this book right at the top. Still having trouble? You can get help here: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/help/email-us

Thank you

Submitted by Laura (not verified) on April 9, 2020 - 9:53pm

Thank you for your assistance. It worked! I had to go to “manage account” and then added NYPL to my list. Got the book. Yay!

Great!

Submitted by Carrie McBride on April 10, 2020 - 10:02am

Great!

New Book?

Submitted by Angela (not verified) on April 29, 2020 - 6:33pm

Hi! This was great! Will there be a new book each month?

Hi Angela, our next virtual

Submitted by Carrie McBride on May 1, 2020 - 9:45am

Hi Angela, our next virtual book club book announcement is here: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub

Please more books like this

Submitted by Kendal (not verified) on May 7, 2020 - 6:34pm

It was one of the most entertaining and enjoyablE books I’ve picked up in some time. I LOVE James McBride and this hit the spot!! Please keep this book club going! Is there only 1 Rec at a time? I’m not so excited about my dark Vanessa.

May Book for Virtual Book Club

Submitted by Samantha Fletcher (not verified) on May 28, 2020 - 3:57pm

I see that Deacon King Kong was the April book for the virtual book club that met April 30. Which book will be the focus for June?

Hi Samantha,

Submitted by Carrie McBride on May 29, 2020 - 9:35am

Hi Samantha, We've just announced the June book: The Glass Hotel, a novel by Emily St. John Mandel. https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub Hope you can join us.

NYPL BOOKS CLUBS

Submitted by Nadia M Wechsler (not verified) on September 22, 2020 - 5:24pm

HOW DO I FIND ACTIVE NYPLY AND/OR NYPL/NPR VIRTUAL BOOK CLUBS? PLS ADVS. THANK YOU

Hi Nadia, You can find

Submitted by Carrie McBride on September 23, 2020 - 10:16am

Hi Nadia, You can find information about our virtual book club here: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub Also, many branches have their own online book discussions. You can search for them on our events page: https://www.nypl.org/events/calendar/online

October book selection for NYPL

Submitted by JANET MERRILL (not verified) on September 25, 2020 - 9:52pm

How to find October book selection for virtual book club. What is it if you know yet?

Hi Janet, Thanks for your

Submitted by Carrie McBride on September 28, 2020 - 9:51am

Hi Janet, Thanks for your interest. It hasn't been announced yet, but when it is you can find it at this link: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub

i would like to enjoy your

Submitted by melissa (not verified) on November 17, 2020 - 3:11pm

i would like to enjoy your book club i love to read to book

Hi Melissa, Find more info

Submitted by Carrie McBride on November 18, 2020 - 9:51am

Hi Melissa, Find more info here about the current book and when the discussion takes place: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub

Virtual Book Club

Submitted by Bianca Cosme (not verified) on January 21, 2021 - 4:12pm

How do I join the virtual book club? Id love to join

Hi Biana, There's nothing to

Submitted by Carrie McBride on January 22, 2021 - 10:04am

Hi Biana, There's nothing to sign up for. You can find information about the current book and upcoming discussion (on Jan. 27) here: https://www.nypl.org/virtualbookclub

Howdy from Texas! So, we have

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on January 26, 2021 - 4:00pm

Howdy from Texas! So, we have a brand new book release at ConRoca Publishing titled "Hunting Snipes +four." The book is an anthology of five stories from author David Martin Anderson (general fiction; ages 16+) that would fit perfectly as a literary tome for your readers and their discussion groups. One of the five stories (Orson Welles and the Lindsay Park Redemption) is all about Brooklyn in 1938; Brooklyn Historical Society, NYC Parks, and your library assisted Mr. Anderson last spring in his research. What say you?

The brooklyn library

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on April 30, 2021 - 8:52pm

The brooklyn library overdrive home page has a link to the book they're reading along with information and a link to access their virtual book club online. This would be useful for the nypl overdrive page as well. I wound up searching google and it's still very confusing how this works. I did stumble across this page https://www.wnyc.org/shows/all-of-it/get-lit and apparently you can view it on youtube and don't need to download the app?

The NYPL and WNYC Virtual

Submitted by Carrie McBride on May 3, 2021 - 10:48am

The NYPL and WNYC Virtual Book Club titles are listed at the top of NYPL's Overdrive page: https://nypl.overdrive.com/