At a Glance
- Library Science is an online reading community founded in 2024 by Kaia Gerber and Alyssa Reeder.
- The club selects books outside typical bestseller lists, highlighting new and underrepresented authors.
- First 2026 pick is Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, a novel about Shakespeare’s family.
Why it matters: The club offers a platform for discovering diverse voices and non-bestseller literature.
Library Science, an online book club launched in 2024 by Kaia Gerber and Alyssa Reeder, has chosen Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet as its first 2026 selection. The club, which curates titles beyond mainstream bestseller lists and emphasizes new and underrepresented authors, also provides interviews with featured writers on its YouTube channel.
Founding and Mission
Library Science was launched in 2024 by Kaia Gerber and Alyssa Reeder. The founders designed the community to help book lovers find their next great read. According to the club’s website, it pinpoints books that are not “on the typical bestseller lists” and showcases stories by new and underrepresented authors.
The mission statement reads: “We don’t claim to be academic, we just love to read,” and “And we deeply believe that there’s no downside to preaching the idea that we often learn the most from the stories that aren’t our own.”
Selection Process and Scope
Since its launch, Library Science has chosen over 60 titles across genres. These titles range from debut authors to nonfiction works by the likes of Jane Fonda. The club’s selection criteria focus on diversity of voice and literary merit rather than commercial popularity.
Readers who want to continue the conversation can watch Gerber’s interviews with featured writers on the Library Science YouTube channel. The channel provides an additional layer of engagement by offering direct conversations with authors.
Featured Title: “Hamnet”
Library Science’s first pick of the year is Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. The novel traces the lives of William Shakespeare and his family as they mourn the death of his young son, Hamnet. It also serves as the inspiration for the Oscar-nominated film of the same name.
The choice of Hamnet aligns with the club’s focus on literary depth and historical perspective, offering members a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and historically grounded.
Community Engagement
Members of Library Science engage through discussion forums, book reviews, and video interviews. The community encourages sharing personal insights and connecting with authors. The club’s online format allows readers from around the world to participate.
The YouTube channel hosts interviews where Kaia Gerber talks with authors about their creative process. These conversations provide context and deepen readers’ appreciation for the selected works.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Library Science founded by Kaia Gerber and Alyssa Reeder |
| March 2025 | Photo of Kaia Gerber featured in club promotion |
| 2026 | First pick of the year: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell |
Key Takeaways
- Library Science curates non-bestseller titles and promotes new and underrepresented authors.
- The club’s mission emphasizes learning from stories outside mainstream lists.
- Over 60 titles have been selected since 2024, spanning multiple genres.
- The 2026 pick, Hamnet, highlights historical narrative and emotional depth.
- Engagement includes discussion forums and author interviews on YouTube.
