Worlds of Westport Book Group

Worlds of Westport meets at the Westport Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Saturday, October 10, from 1 PM to 2 PM. It's a monthly book group for adult readers who spend their time in sci-fi and fantasy, and the whole point is to "nerd out" and escape reality one novel at a time. The group cycles through the usual suspects of the genre—aliens, fairies, and wizards—so if you're into world-building and high-concept fiction, this is your crowd.

The venue itself has a bit of a story. The Westport Branch is the oldest and one of the most history-steeped branches in the system, having opened in 1898 as the Allen Library. It joined the public library when Westport was annexed into Kansas City later that same year, which made it the system's first expansion beyond downtown and the Main Library. These days it's a Midtown landmark with free Wi-Fi, an easy-access parking lot, and a spacious meeting room where the group gathers. Beyond the books, it holds a unique collection of children's books, music CDs, and DVDs, and handles things like passport processing, voter registration, and notary services by appointment.

Since the sessions are in person and require an RSVP, you'll want to sign up ahead of time rather than just showing up. The meeting runs from 1 PM to 2 PM on Saturday, October 10, at the Westport Branch, 118 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111.