If you’ve been wanting to start a book club but are intimidated by the idea, don’t do it.
Starting a book club is actually much easier than you think.
Your local library or community center has many established book clubs you can join.
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If you’re looking to get started on your own, this is a great option to try first before organizing on your own.
Every book club is unique, and there are no hard and fast rules for starting a book club. Book clubs can easily accommodate your convenience, your schedule, and the convenience of other people involved with a little communication and scheduling.
Book clubs allow members to meet new people and introduce them to books they might not otherwise come across. (Ben Hastie/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)
Here’s a guide on how to start your own book club as quickly as possible.
- What do I need to start a book club?
- What usually happens at a book club?
- How do I find books to join a book club?
- How can I grow my book club?
1. What do I need to start a book club?
Of course, all you really need to start a book club is a book and people who want to discuss that particular story.
A big misconception about book clubs is that you need a lot of members to start one. This is far from the truth.
In reality, your book club might start with just you and one other person, and that’s okay. A small book club is still a book club.
Clubs can always grow over time, so don’t put your club on hold while you’re looking for more members. There’s no better time to start than now.
Be sure to give book club members enough time to pick up the book the group is reading and understand the title. (Ben Stansall/Getty Images for Sky Arts)
The first step is to find at least one person who is interested in joining your club. Once the club has 1, 2, 5, or 20 members in the club, choose a book.
A good way to do this is for each person to take turns choosing a book to read to the members. This allows everyone to choose what interests them, and also introduces members to titles and authors they might not otherwise come across.
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You will also need to decide on a date, time and place to meet. Book clubs usually meet once a month, but this is subject to change depending on everyone’s schedule.
You may want to choose a time slot where everyone has time to read. Once you decide on a date to meet and a book to read, it’s time to start a book club.
2. What usually happens at a book club?
At the book club, members discuss the books they have read.
If you choose a system where each person takes a turn choosing a book for the group to read, that person can lead the discussion.
Traditionally, members discuss their thoughts on books and ask each other questions.
Add a fun twist to your book club by offering snacks and drinks at your meetings. (Angela Rawlings/Media News Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Book club meetings often include snack food and drinks while discussions take place. When choosing food and drinks, discuss with your group what you enjoy most.
You can choose to have each person bring one food and drink item, or host it entirely yourself. If you choose to host, chips and dips, charcuterie boards, and finger foods are great treats and are often provided inexpensively by hosts.
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Book club organizers and members can also choose a theme. Maybe you’re reading a book set in Italy or France at the same time and want each member to bring an Italian wine or a French-flavored snack.
The end of a book club meeting is also a good time to announce the next book for everyone to read.
3. How do I find books for my book club?
One way to find books for your book club is to find out what’s trending in the book club world. See which books have been talked about recently on bestseller lists, or which you’ve heard about through word of mouth.
If your club members haven’t read the classics yet, you can also choose the opposite route and return to the classics.
Before you formally choose a book, it’s a good idea to read a few titles that go beyond that group first. This is to avoid choosing titles that most people have already read.
Goodreads is a great resource for finding books. Goodreads offers titles in a variety of genres to suit your tastes, and you can even keep track of the books you’ve already read.
If you’re having trouble choosing a title, you can also look to other book clubs for inspiration.
4. How can I grow my book club?
Once you start a book club, word of mouth is one of the best ways to grow it.
Invite friends and family members who are also interested in reading to join your book club. Then your relationship will evolve in a new way.
A love of reading is something that brings people together, especially when they can appreciate the same genre. When looking for new book club participants, consider their interests and what they like to read.
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You’re open-minded to reading a book you haven’t considered before, but it might be so off-brand that you might not enjoy joining the same book club as some of the members. For this reason, it’s best to choose members with somewhat similar interests.
Book clubs can grow in membership over time. Don’t let a small group get in the way of starting your club. (David Brewster/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Even if you only have a few members to begin with, word of mouth is strong and you can be sure that new members will join quickly. Friends tell other friends, family, etc. Your book club will grow over time with as many members as you and your group see fit.
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Colleagues are also a great source for adding members to your book club group. Whether you work in an office or from home, inviting co-workers to a book club is a great way to get to know people on a deeper level and develop even closer working relationships.
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