A group of readers who pick the same book, read it on a shared schedule, and meet to talk about it together.
A book club is a group of people who agree to read the same book and then gather to discuss it. Meetings can happen in person at someone's kitchen table, in a library, or online through video calls and forums. Some clubs focus on a single genre like romance or literary fiction, while others bounce around. The magic is in the conversation - hearing how someone else interpreted a scene you glossed over can completely change how you think about storytelling.
As a writer, joining a book club teaches you how real readers experience stories. You will hear firsthand what confused people, what made them cry, and what they skipped over. That kind of unfiltered reader feedback is gold for improving your own craft.
Launched in 1996, this club single-handedly turned dozens of literary novels into bestsellers, proving that book clubs can shape the entire publishing industry.
Focuses on stories with strong female leads and has turned many picks into film and TV adaptations.
Start with shorter, accessible books (under 350 pages) and build up to longer reads once the group finds its rhythm.
Use discussion questions prepared in advance and make a point of inviting quieter members to share their take.
Rotate who picks the book each month so members get pushed outside their comfort zones.
Start a mini book club this week with just two or three friends. Pick a short story you can all read in one sitting, then meet up (in person or on a call) to discuss it. Pay attention to which moments sparked the most debate and jot down why those scenes landed differently for different readers.