Mary Robinson (left), CLPL Adult Services, and author Mary Kubica

“You don’t need to be a member to come.”

“You don’t need to have a library card.”

“You don’t even need to read the book to come.”

These are the comments from enthusiastic attendees of Crystal Lake Library “Bookies” discussion group on March 15.

Led by Mary Robinson, Bookies is part of the library’s Adult Services. The group discusses contemporary and classic books from a wide variety of genres the third Wednesday of every month, barring holidays, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Occasionally, the group hosts a local author. The March Bookies welcomed Mary Kubica, best-selling, local author of “The Good Girl.”

Bookies ask the author questions.

Kubica grew up in Lake Zurich and now lives in Plainfield. She began writing her first novel, “The Good Girl,” shortly after the birth of her first child and “retired” from her job as a history teacher. “I was really shy about writing,” she explained. “I had about 15 manuscripts in various degrees of completion. I just thought it was the right thing to do.”

Kubica explained that she always liked writing, and since she was home, she could dedicate herself to finishing a book. She carved out writing time between naptimes, feedings, and household chores. “The Good Girl” took five years to write.

Unlike many authors who have a network of writer friends and support, Kubica wrote in solitary, not even showing her draft to her husband.

“When I finished, I just thought it was the right thing to do,” she said about seeking an agent. She purchased “Writers’ Guide” and sent out scores of queries. Finally, an agent, who rejected Kubrica’s query two years prior, contacted her about setting in motion the publishing process.

Kubica enjoys attending book clubs and discussion groups.

“The nature of reading is that everyone who reads can respond to what I write differently,” she said. “There’s no right or wrong answer.”

Since “The Good Girl,” Kubica began writing more than one book a year.

“Having a deadline helps,” she laughed.

“The Good Girl” came out in 2015, followed by “Pretty Baby” (2016), “Don’t You Cry” (2016) and “Every Last Lie” (2017.)

Members of Bookies commented on Robinson’s preparedness for each get-together.

“The discussion is guided through Mary’s deep research on the author and the book,” “From the first time I came, I was hooked,” and “I read and enjoy books I might not otherwise pick,” were comments met by nods of agreement around the table of two dozen Bookies.

Other authors hosted by Robinson and the Bookies are Elaine M. Shaw, author of “The View from Three Windows,” and Joanne Zienty, author of “The Things We Save” and winner of the 2014 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Award.

The next Bookies meeting is April 19, where the group will discuss Harper Lee’s “Go Tell a Watchman.” They plan to follow that with the book that made Lee famous, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

For more information about Bookies or other Adult Programs contact Robinson at (815) 459-1687, Ext. 7 or visit http://www.crystallakelibrary.org/Programs/index.html.