How to start a book club

You probably hear quite a bit from your inner circle about the great book they’ve read lately or through the grapevine about the latest must-read everyone is chatting about on social media. If you love the idea of nattering with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for prose as you, you may want to consider starting your own book club. It’s easy to organize a reading group once you make the decision. Here’s how to start a book club successfully.

All About Book Clubs

The beauty of the book club is that it encompasses so many elements. It’s a celebration of the written word, a chance to share your enthusiasm with other readers, and an opportunity to engage in a deeper discussion about the content that you read. Book clubs make it easy to connect with one another about a singular topic right away. They foster thoughtful conversation, allow you to explore diverse topics you might not otherwise consider, and open your mind to greater possibilities, theories, and ideas. There’s also the added advantage of spending quality time with others. Because books essentially pull you out of your own world and into another one entirely, a club is a natural extension of that journey. In the company of your fellow readers, you can delve deeper into the story, test your own opinions, and consider other points of view. If you often have difficulty finishing books, joining a group is also a great way to hold yourself accountable. You may even feel more excited about reading in general.

How Book Clubs Work

Book clubs consist of people who agree to read and discuss a specific book or select books based on particular topics. It’s common to meet at least once a month, often in a very casual and comfortable setting that encourages relaxed, thoughtful conversation. Members may opt to take turns hosting the meetings at their homes, but even library meeting rooms and quiet coffeehouses make great spots. Snacks and beverages are always part of the equation too! Club members may approach the discussion formally by opening with a literary critique, or the moderator may start by asking the group questions about their experience with the book.

How to Start Your Own Book Club

Ready to get started? Creating your own book club just takes a little thought and cooperation from your closest book-loving friends and family members. Take it step-by-step to ensure you don’t miss a single thing.

Choose a theme: What’s your book club all about? Consider whether you’d like to focus on a specific genre or prefer to mix it up. Figure out the general direction you’d like discussions to go too. Will the books you choose be more academic, more social, or a healthy blend of the two?

Tell your friends: Now it’s invitation time. Make a mental list of those who love to read and start spreading the word. It’s best to have a handful of people to ensure a healthy conversation! Share all the details via email so that everyone is prepared.

Select a moderator: You might wish to lead the club yourself, or you might want to share the duties or extend them to someone else entirely. Once that’s established, the first meeting should include introductions, discussion about potential books, meeting times, number of members, preferred locations, and any other important details. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to talk and share their opinions.

Make it social: You might also want to create a digital extension of your book club so that anyone who misses a meeting has a chance to keep up with the discussion online. You can use it to post updates about reading materials, new members, changes to schedules, and other vital details.

What Books to Read

There are no limitations when it comes to selecting books. If you take a more free-for-all approach, then you might want to read a bestseller one month and try something under-the-radar the following month. Or you may wish to focus on a specific genre, such as fantasy, women’s fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, biography, or humor.