African Literature Discussion Group will meet on Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30 pm in Room A to discuss An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina of Rwanda, a memoir by the real manager of the Hotel Collines during the genocide. Info contact: Anne Serafin at 617-527-1072. The group explores the rich variety of writings from Africa.

Children's Book Writers Groups will meet on Monday, May 7 at 7:00 pm in Room A and Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00 pm in Room A. Pre-registration is required. Monday group contact: Lisa Robinson (617-244-6687). Wednesday group contact: Karen Day (617-244-4830). The groups are for writers who have work in progress.

Contemporary Books Discussion Group will meet on Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 pm in Room A to discuss Fifth Woman by Henning Mankell. In June they will read The Gospel of Judas by Simon Mawer. Info contact: Marilyn Miller at 617-332-4225.

The Fiction Writing Group will meet on Tuesday, May 1 at 7:00 pm in Room A. Pre-registration is required, space is limited. Info contact: Anne Ipsen, Ph.D. at Anne@AnneIpsen.com or 617-916-9662. The group is for serious writers pursuing publication. Each month two members submit a 15-25 page draft from a short story or novel to be read and critiqued by the class.

Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00 pm in Room A. Info contact: Ginny Audet at NewtonGenealogyClub@gmail.com. The purpose of the club is to share information on records and approaches for starting or extending participants' genealogical research. Novices and experienced researchers are both welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring records and problems from their own research for discussion.

Great Books Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:15 pm in Room A to discuss On Evil by Maimonides. Info contact: Abra Rosenzweig at 617-964-4064. Members read and discuss books from the Great Books Foundation (most of which are available at the library).

Playwrights Group will meet on Tuesday, May 1 at 7:00 pm in Room B. Info contact: Ray Goldberg at raymgoldbergatty@rcn.com or 617-795-0056. The group is for those who have a commitment to writing and/or reading plays. Bring your original works to read and share critiques in a supportive and honest manner.

Sequences: A Women’s Forum will meet on Wednesday, May 9 at 10:00 am in Room A. Info contact: Robin at 617-965-2178. The group is led by Robin Mayer Stein, poet and journalist. Spark your creativity in an inspiring, intergenerational group for women. Read, converse and write in response to poems, essays and personal stories. Meet interesting people while savoring literary treats.

Short Story Discussion Group will meet on Monday, May 14 at 7:30 pm in Room A to discuss The Management of Grief by Bharati Mukerjee and A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler. Both stories are from The Story and Its Writer, 4th edition, edited by Ann Charters, Bedford St. Martin, 1995. Info contact: Dotty at drgonson@comcast.net or 617-547-3833. The group is led by Dotty Gonson and Frannie Moyer, both of whom taught at Newton South High School.

Singing Group will meet on Saturday, May 5 at Noon in Druker Auditorium. Info contact: Miriam Simen at 617-244-6705. The group is for singers of all levels who enjoy singing classical and popular music.