Book discussion club

Date

17.04.26

A book discussion club is a group of people who gather to talk about books they have read. It is often called a book club, which can sometimes be confused with a book sales club. Other names for these groups include reading group, book group, and book discussion group. These clubs may meet in private homes, libraries, bookstores, online forums, pubs, cafés, or restaurants. They sometimes meet while having meals or drinks.

A practice linked to book discussions is called a common reading program or common read. This involves organizations encouraging their members to read and discuss selected books in group settings. These programs are often organized by schools or universities.

History

Women began forming Bible study groups as early as the 17th century. However, non-religious reading circles for women started in the late 18th century in both America and Europe. These groups were not limited to specific races or social classes. One of the first reading groups for Black women was created in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1827. During the 19th century, women’s reading circles grew in number. Some groups became active in discussing social issues like ending slavery, which helped prepare the way for the club movement later in the century. Throughout the 20th century, book clubs remained important for both learning and sharing political ideas.

In the first half of the 20th century, many top universities still did not allow women to join. During this time, the Book of the Month Club and the Great Books movement became very popular. These programs encouraged everyday Americans to read challenging literary works.

Women played a major role in creating modern book clubs because they were often excluded from other intellectual spaces. This influence continues today, as women make up 80% of fiction book sales. Author Toni Morrison described the start of Oprah’s Book Club in 1996 as the beginning of a “reading revolution.” In its first three years, books chosen by Oprah sold an average of 1.4 million copies each.

A researcher named Christy Craig explained that women use book clubs to build social connections and important relationships, especially during difficult times.

A 2018 survey by BookBrowse found that 88% of private book clubs are made up entirely of women, while nearly half of public book clubs—such as those held in libraries—include men. The survey also found that 70% of book clubs mainly read fiction, though 93% read nonfiction at least sometimes.

Single-title clubs

A single-title club is a group where members talk about a specific book that everyone in the group has read at the same time. Often, each member buys their own copy of the book. Before the meeting, the club must decide which book to read. Some clubs pick new books that have just been released, while others choose older books, or a mix of both. If the club meets at a library, members might borrow the book from the library for a set time so they can discuss it later.

There can be challenges with these clubs. Some members may focus more on socializing and talking about many different topics, not just the book. Others may want to have serious discussions about the book and related works, with little talk about other subjects. Sometimes, a member might suggest a book not because they enjoy it as a literary work, but because they think it will let them share personal interests or follow a different goal. Also, differences in how much members know about books or their skills in discussing them can cause disagreements or feelings of disappointment in the group.

Multi-title clubs

A multi-title club is a group where each member reads different books at the same time. Sometimes, members share a list of books to read together for a certain period. What makes this different from a group of people who read unrelated books is that each book is read by the next member in order, one after another.

Open loans mean books can be borrowed by anyone, with the expectation that they will be returned later. Instead of one person choosing a book for everyone to read, which can be expensive, these clubs usually share books that members already own. Each book is introduced with a short summary. This helps members decide if they want to read it before committing. It also helps match books with readers more quickly and accurately. Because the process happens in order, three to five people may read the same book within a short time, which is ideal for meaningful discussions.

The idea of "catch and release" means that the ownership of a book changes each time it is passed on, with no expectation that it will return to the original owner. Books can be transferred in person, sent by mail, or left in public places for others to find. All three methods are used by BookCrossing, a program where participants use a website and unique numbers to track books as they move around the world. While the program mainly uses the internet, it also allows for in-person meetings, which can function like other book discussion groups.

Library book clubs

Public libraries often organize book clubs as part of their regular programs. A librarian typically leads a discussion after group members read a book. Libraries provide copies of the book for participants to borrow for the meeting. Some libraries at middle schools, high schools, and colleges also offer book clubs. For book discussions that happen outside the library, some libraries provide kits that include several copies of a book. These kits can be borrowed for a longer time than usual and also include guides with discussion questions.

Librarians can help private book clubs by getting multiple copies of books and allowing longer borrowing periods. They can also help book clubs meet online through discussion boards or video calls. Librarians have used tools like Google+ Hangouts and Skype to allow members who are far away or unable to attend in person to join meetings. They have also helped book clubs that are not traditional, such as those formed by people with different interests, to start and grow in their communities.

Online clubs

Online book clubs can be found in forms like Internet forums, Yahoo Groups, email lists, websites created for this purpose, and even telephone calls. These clubs, which are part of social networks, include members with different reading interests. They often discuss books in various ways, such as through academic discussions, casual reading talks, personal connections to books, or reactions to books members read.

Online book discussions can have different methods compared to traditional book clubs. Some clubs choose to chat in real time, while others create a forum where members discuss the book as they read it. For online meetings, groups may use tools like Discord, Zoom, Google Meet, or other websites for virtual meetings. If the discussion happens in a forum, social media platforms, Discord servers, or websites created for book discussions can be used.

Popular online book discussion clubs include:

Reese's Book Club
Between Two Books
Belletrist
Silent Book Club

Author led clubs

In 2012, a new type of book club called author-led book clubs was created by Business Book Club "12 Books." These clubs include the author of the book being discussed. The meetings often end with a live conference call or webinar.

Broadcast clubs

A broadcast club is a group that appears on a television, radio, or podcast show and includes a regular part where people talk about a book. This part is told about ahead of time so that viewers or listeners can read the book before the discussion. Some well-known broadcast book discussion clubs are:

"Oprah's Book Club," a part of the American TV show The Oprah Winfrey Show, hosted by Oprah Winfrey
"Book Club of the Air," a part of NPR's American radio show Talk of the Nation, hosted by Ray Suarez
"Good Morning America Book Club," a part of ABC's American TV show Good Morning America
"Despierta Leyendo (Wake Up Reading)," a part of Univision's American Spanish-language TV show ¡Despierta América! (Wake Up America), hosted by Jorge Ramos
"Richard & Judy Book Club," a part of Channel 4's British TV show Richard & Judy, hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan
Bookclub, a British radio show on BBC Radio 4, hosted by James Naughtie
First Tuesday Book Club, an Australian TV show on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation network, hosted by Jennifer Byrne
"Jonny's Book Club," a part of the weekly podcast Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern, hosted by Jonny McGovern
"Chapter by Chapter," a YouTube Playlist by podcast host Vishwajeet M. Upadhye

Book reading clubs

Because many people have busy schedules, a different type of book club called a book reading club has become popular. In this club, the group selects one book to read together. Each meeting, one member reads the book aloud while others listen. The group can decide whether to pause for comments and questions at any time or only after finishing a chapter or section. This format helps members enjoy reading together and avoids the need to read the book alone before the meeting. It also encourages lively discussions about the book as it is read. A single book may take several meetings to finish, depending on how fast the group reads and how much time is spent discussing. Members can take turns reading to share the responsibility. Another option is to listen to an audiobook together, with breaks for comments. After finishing a book, members suggest new books and vote on the next one to read.