How to Start a Book Club (That Lasts)

The Joy of Book Clubs

There's something magical about gathering with a group of fellow book lovers. When finishing a great book, readers’ first instinct is often to share that book with someone else so they can enjoy it too. Book clubs allow readers to come together and share that joy while deepening their understanding of and engagement with the story.

Book clubs can also be a great way to make new friends and connect with people who share your love for reading. A book club with a diverse membership can facilitate fascinating discussions and encourage each member to consider the text through a different lens.

However, many book clubs struggle to get off the ground. Even if everybody seems excited at first, that excitement may not translate into consistent meetings and engaged members. For those wondering how to have a successful book club, it helps to start with the basics. This guide will walk you through how to organize your book club, from what you do at a book club, to how to find a book club to join, to book group ideas that will help keep book club interesting.

Getting Started

How to Start a Book Club

Starting a book club begins with understanding its purpose. Tips for running a book club will vary depending on whether you’re interested in a casual gathering to socialize with friends or a more structured group aimed at in-depth literary analysis.

Book clubs sometimes flounder because the members have conflicting definitions of the club’s goals, so clarifying your objectives will guide your decisions on the type and structure of your book club.

Types of Book Clubs

There are many different types of book clubs, and their goals and atmospheres can vary wildly depending on the members’ preferences. Familiarizing yourself with the wide array of club types can help you identify your vision for your own.

For example, maybe you’re wondering how to start a book club with friends. Some book clubs are primarily social. While the group is gathering to read and discuss a book, the club’s goal centers more on socializing, so the conversation may wander from the text. These book clubs may prefer choosing lighter, popular reads and creating a fun atmosphere for their meetings.

By contrast, other book clubs prefer a more educational focus. For those interested in deep dives into literature, history, or current events, this type of club focuses on enriching discussions and critical analysis. These gatherings might choose new literary fiction or nonfiction with a deep interest in social or political issues.

Lastly, other book clubs may be a blend of social and educational. Members of these clubs might prefer to learn while having fun, so they combine socializing with catering to a broader range of interests and create a balanced book club experience.

Once you’ve identified the scope and goal of your book club, you can decide on the format that best suits your needs. For instance, if you’re interested in virtual gatherings but unsure how to start a book club online, platforms like Zoom or Facebook can be excellent resources. Alternatively, learning how to start a book club at work, at school, or in your neighborhood can foster community and intellectual engagement among colleagues or classmates.

It’s also important to consider the logistics of your book club because these may vary based on the demographics of your members. For example, if you’re wondering how to start a book club for kids, thinking about age-appropriate materials and tailoring discussions to suit their interests and reading levels are good first steps. By contrast, when considering how to start a book club for seniors, concerns such as accessibility may take priority. Your members may need large-print versions of the text or need support with transportation. Preparing for these logistics in advance is a great way to ensure that your book club runs smoothly and accommodates all your members.

Organizing Your Book Club

Once you’ve figured out the broad logistics of what is needed for a book club, it’s time to nail down a few more organizational details. You can ask yourself these questions to finalize the structure of your book club. For example: 

-      When and where will your meetings be held?

There’s no one right answer to the question, “How often should a book club meet?” You don’t want to schedule meetings so often that your members feel overwhelmed, but neither should your meetings be so infrequent that members lose interest between meetings. To bridge the gap between those two extremes, many book clubs choose to meet monthly. However, if your members are highly engaged and would enjoy more frequent gatherings, biweekly meetings can be a great choice as well.

The next step is choosing your location. You’ll want your venue to reflect the style of your book club. For example, if your club is primarily social, a cozy living room could provide a lovely atmosphere for your meetings. You could also spice up your sessions by meeting in a coffee shop or cocktail bar to give your members a fun change of pace.

If your book club meetings are virtual, don’t despair! It might seem like all the fun ideas are tailored to in-person clubs, but virtual meetings can be great when you host them via online platforms. You can also consider using tools like SuperSummary’s discussion questions generator and study guides to enhance your meetings.

-      Who will hold leadership roles and responsibilities in your book club?

Whether you are your book club’s sole founding member or you’re starting a book club with a few friends, it’s important to clearly establish who is responsible for what. Have a discussion among your members and assign roles such as host, organizer, and discussion leader. The host is responsible for the meeting space and logistics, the organizer handles scheduling and communication, and the discussion leader guides the conversation.

If your members are comfortable with a bit of change, rotating these roles can keep the group dynamic and engaging.

-      What size do you want your book club to be?

Determine whether you want a small, intimate group or a larger, more diverse one. Smaller groups (5-10 members) often allow for more in-depth discussions, while larger groups can provide a wider range of perspectives but may require more structured moderation.

Tips for Running a Successful Club

Now that you know how to begin a book club—the when, where, and how—it’s time to think about what to do in book club. Keeping your members engaged is the key to hosting a book club that lasts, so play around with these ideas to make them uniquely your own:

●    Encourage Diverse Book Selections

How you implement this strategy may vary depending on the type of book club you have. For example, if your book club is more academic, you might enjoy introducing texts that offer new scholarly theories or considering a book from a different culture or even another language. This can be a great way to challenge your own viewpoints and create lively discussion.

Likewise, if your book club is more social, you can adapt this idea to suit your members’ needs. For example, if you usually read historical fiction or fantasy romance, you might try a thriller or a memoir. Varying genres and subject matter can keep members with varying tastes interested and broaden everyone's reading horizons.

●    Foster Open Discussions

Everybody has opinions on what they read, but they don’t always feel comfortable sharing those opinions, especially in a large group. That’s why it’s so important to establish a handful of book club rules that create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. Encouraging open dialogue ensures that all voices are heard and valued. Plus, the more members contribute to the discussion, the more fun everyone will have.

●    Rotate Leadership and Topics

Changing discussion leaders and topics regularly helps keep meetings fresh and exciting. It also provides members with the opportunity to develop new skills and perspectives.

●    Address Common Challenges

Book clubs often fall apart due to common challenges that can be easily resolved. For example, confusion about meeting schedules or reading paces can cause conflict—but it doesn’t have to. Establishing clear guidelines for book clubs can preempt many of these challenges, but if new ones arise, be ready to address them with clear communication and adaptability. If multiple members are experiencing the same difficulty, you may need to adapt some aspects of how your book club is structured. Flexibility and understanding are key to accommodating everyone’s needs and maintaining a harmonious group dynamic.

What to Do at a Book Club Meeting

If you prefer planning to public speaking, you may love organizing your book club but wonder, “How do book clubs usually work?” once it’s actually time to meet. A well-structured book club meeting typically includes the following elements, which you can adapt to suit your own personal style and the overall tone of your book club:

●    Introductions

Begin with a round of introductions if there are new members. This helps build a sense of community and ensures everyone feels welcome.

●    Book Discussion

Dive into the main event—discussing the book. Using guided questions and prompts like those SuperSummary provides alongside guides can be a great way to get people talking about themes, characters, plot, and personal reactions.

●    Wrap-Up

Conclude with a summary of key points and thoughts from the discussion. You might also preview the next book selection or discuss upcoming events.

This simple structure can get you through many meetings, but you may also want to shake things up once in a while by incorporating a few fun activities such as:

●    Themed Meetings

Organize meetings around specific themes related to the book, such as historical settings, cultural aspects, or author background.

●    Guest Authors

If possible, try inviting authors or experts to speak about their work or the book being discussed. Or, consider reading author interviews ahead of the meeting, or even together as part of your meeting agenda to inspire new conversation points.

●    Related Media

Incorporating movies, documentaries, or other media related to the book can enrich the discussion and expand members’ horizons.

Expanding Your Book Club's Reach

A book club is nothing without its members, so whether you’re struggling to find fellow readers or you’d like to help your book club grow, it’s important to be aware of successful strategies for attracting new members. Here are a few tips that can help you connect with fellow members and invite them to your book club:

●    Leverage Social Media

Whether your book club meets locally or virtually, you can use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok to promote your book club. Create engaging content—for example, an eye-catching graphic or a compelling post about your current read—and use this to generate interest among potential members.

●    Host Virtual Events

Virtual events can attract members from different locations and backgrounds. Consider hosting webinars, online discussions, or collaborative reading challenges. Virtual events can also help members with busy schedules participate and stay engaged with the group, rather than falling behind or missing a meeting. 

●    Collaborate with Other Clubs

Partnering with other book clubs—either in-person or virtually—for an exciting joint event or discussion can introduce your group to new ideas and members.

Finding and Joining Other Book Clubs

How to Join a Book Club

Not everyone wants to start a book club from the ground up. Fortunately, many of these tips for a successful book club can help you contribute to a group even if you’re not a founding member. Meanwhile, if you’re questioning, “How do I find a local book club?” here are a few tips for scouting out your ideal group: 

●    Local Resources

Check with local libraries, community centers, and bookstores. They often host or know of book clubs to join in your area and can point you in the right direction.

●    Online Searches

Use social media, forums, and book-related websites to find book clubs that are near you and match your interests. Look for reviews or recommendations to ensure they’re a good fit in terms of genre preferences, group size, meeting time, etc.

Participating in Online Discussions and Challenges

Participating in online book club discussions and reading challenges can be a great way to stay engaged and motivated. Many forums host monthly reading challenges or themed discussions. These challenges often include prompts or criteria for the books you read, such as exploring different genres or reading books by authors from diverse backgrounds.

Engaging in these challenges can broaden your reading horizons and provide a sense of accomplishment. Online discussions can also connect you with members from around the world, allowing you to exchange ideas and interpretations that you might not encounter in a local book club.

Joining Virtual Book Clubs

Platforms for Online Book Clubs: Zoom, Facebook, Discord, and Specialized Book Club Apps

Goodreads isn’t the only option for those wondering how to start a virtual book club or how to join a book club online. Browsing other online options can help you identify the platform that most appeals to you.

●    Zoom

Zoom is a popular choice for virtual book clubs due to its user-friendly interface and versatile features. It allows for video meetings, screen sharing, and breakout rooms, making it easy to facilitate discussions and keep members engaged. Zoom’s recording feature also lets you revisit past meetings or share sessions with those who couldn’t attend.

●    Facebook

Facebook groups—or even group chats via Facebook Messenger—can serve as virtual book clubs where members discuss books in a more casual setting. You can create a private group to share reading lists, post discussion questions, and host live chats. Facebook’s event feature allows you to schedule meetings and send reminders to members.

●    Discord

Originally designed for gamers, Discord has become a popular platform for various communities, including book clubs. Its text and voice channels offer flexible ways to communicate, and its server setup can be customized to include different channels for book discussions, recommendations, and socializing.

●    Amazon

Amazon isn’t just a place to find books; it can also be a place to discuss them. Familiarizing yourself with how Amazon book clubs work may require some flexibility, as the program is still in its early access phase and is liable to evolve based on members’ input. If you’re interested in shaping an up-and-coming venue for literary discussion, consider checking Amazon out.

Pros and Cons of Online vs. In-Person Book Club

With so many options available, it can be challenging to decide whether an online or in-person book club works better for you. Considering the benefits and limitations of each format can make that decision easier.

Online book clubs offer flexibility and accessibility but may lack the personal connection of face-to-face meetings. Members from different locations can participate, allowing for a diverse range of perspectives. However, online interactions might feel less social, and technical issues can occasionally disrupt meetings.

By contrast, in-person book clubs provide face-to-face interaction and a more personal experience but can be limited by geographical location and scheduling constraints. In-person meetings often foster stronger relationships and a more intimate discussion environment. However, they require members to be physically present, which can be challenging for those with busy schedules or mobility issues.

Building a Book Club That Lasts

As readers, there’s nothing better than connecting with fellow readers to share the joy of a great book. All too often, though, book clubs simply fade away because their members are confused, unengaged, or experiencing accessibility challenges.

To outsmart those common obstacles and build a book club that stands the test of time, it’s helpful to remember that starting and maintaining a successful book club involves careful planning, organization, and ongoing engagement. By defining your purpose, organizing effectively, keeping meetings dynamic, and expanding your reach, you can create a book club that offers lasting benefits and enjoyment.

Whether you’re taking the initiative to start your own book club or joining an existing one, the rewards are limitless. You’ll not only gain new friendships and intellectual stimulation but also a deeper appreciation for the world of literature. So dive in—start your own book club or find one to join. The joy of shared reading and discovery awaits!