WWII Lives: The American Library Reading Group

The WWII Lives book club focuses on the American Library’s extensive collection of biographies of WWII soldiers based in East Anglia. WWII Lives is a new book club that will focus on the American Library’s extensive collection of memoirs and biographies of veterans of WWII, especially those of the 2nd Air Division of the US Army Air Forces. Our aim is to increase awareness of the AML’s holdings and to offer attendees a unique opportunity to explore in depth the fascinating lives of some of the men and women with first-hand experience of WWII and ‘The Friendly Invasion.’ The group is open to everyone aged 12 and up, and we do hope you will join us. The initial meeting in October 2026 introduced the reading group, its format, the following meeting’s theme, and gave members a chance to get to know each other and choose their books. Following the introductory event, the reading group will meet bi-monthly on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 11am-12.30pm in the American Library’s meeting room. At these meetings, we will discuss the month’s theme and highlights of the biography selected by each member, as well as choosing our books for the next meeting. Anyone wishing to join the group in between meetings would be welcome to stop by the reception desk at the American Library in the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library and choose a book from a curated selection prepared by the group’s facilitators. In June 2027, we will cap the year off with a social gathering with refreshments, recorded music of the 1940s, a display of biographies, and items and ephemera from the AML archive. We will also premiere our brand-new primary subject information cards annotated by club members and a large print copy of all the WWII-related biographies in our holdings. Our meetings in 2026-27: · 10 October 2026 – Introductory event and initial book selection · 14 November – Letters Home · 9 January 2027 – Pilots, Crews & Support · 13 March – Escape, Evasion & POWs · 8 May – From Film Star to B-24 Pilot: Jimmy Stewart · 12 June – Final gathering and exhibition of information sheets with added detail, archive items, ephemera, and a list of biographies held by AML If you have any questions about the WWII Lives book club, email us at [email protected] with a message marked for Rachael or Toby or leave a message on 01603 774747.