How to start a book club with friends
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
1. Find Your People
Invite friends who are genuinely interested in reading. They don’t all need to have the
same taste, but shared enthusiasm is key.
Tips:
● Aim for 5–10 members to keep discussions manageable.
● Consider mixing avid readers and casual ones for a balanced group.
2. Decide on the Club’s Purpose or Theme
Will your club focus on:
● Fiction or non-fiction?
● A specific genre (mystery, sci-fi, classics)?
● Social issues or self-improvement?
● Just for fun and socializing?
Having a theme can help with book selection and set expectations.
3. Pick a Meeting Format
Decide:
● How often you’ll meet (monthly is most common).
● Where you’ll meet (in-person, rotating homes, video chat).
● How long each meeting will be (1–2 hours is typical).
● How structured the discussions will be (free-flowing chat or guided questions).
4. Choose Your First Book
Make the first pick easy and appealing to everyone. Choose a book that’s:
● Readable within your timeframe
● Available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook)
● Likely to spark conversation
You can pick by vote, take turns choosing, or have a committee.
5. Set a First Meeting Date
Give everyone enough time to read the book — typically 3–4 weeks. At the first
meeting:
● Discuss the book
● Decide on a method for future book selections
● Plan the next meeting
6. Facilitate Good Discussions
You can rotate who leads each discussion. Some helpful tools:
● Prepare 5–7 open-ended questions
● Encourage everyone to share
● Respect differing opinions
7. Stay Consistent & Have Fun
Keep the vibe positive and low-pressure. Some clubs include food, drinks, or themed
snacks to make it more enjoyable.
