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How to launch your own book club: five tips for success
by MARCY GOLDMAN
Want to start your own book club? Your timing is perfect! Book clubs have been around for more than 350 years, but there are so many more choices now. Thanks to the initial pandemic lockdown and beyond, as well as the book hype of influencers like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, it’s a great time for book clubbers.
Traditional groups have strengthened their numbers, while newly formed virtual groups have sprouted into a whole new generation. These latter, Zoom-enabled (as well as YouTube- and Facebook-hosted) clubs have allowed safe gathering but have also extended their reach to across the country or around the world, even as we’re more open to being out and about.
Clearly we have a heightened need to connect, discuss and escape to alternate worlds via captivating stories. If you’ve always been a book club attendee, now may be the time to switch roles and host your own book club.
I was a rank-and-file book club member for a few years until I realized I wanted to share different book choices and bring similarly minded folk into my circle. What better way to exchange ideas and enjoy cross-talk both literary and social? Word spread, and soon my one book club became four diverse groups. Here are some pointers for having your own successful book club:
Why do you want to be in a book club?
This is an important question, because the answer determines the spirit and style of book club you’ll create, but loving books, community and engaging discussions should be your core reasons.
Do you have the right stuff to lead?
All anyone really needs is a love of books and people, a sense of organization and good communication skills. That means staying in touch by providing links to Zoom and in-person meeting details, but it also helps if you’re egalitarian, interesting, courteous and adept at keeping cross-talk flowing.
How and where will you meet?
Book clubs can meet in a library or café or rotate among different members’ homes, but with COVID-19, Zoom became the default. Now that people are up and about more, the where part is up for grabs. People can meet outside (in parks in warmer months) and then resume on Zoom if they prefer.
Groups that began their book club experience as a virtual meeting might choose to stick with what they know. Others might prefer in-person meetings because they can be more personal and there are always great snacks. A hybrid approach is also a good solution, depending on the needs of your group.
Who chooses the books?
How do you select the books? It varies. Some groups vote and choose the book by consensus. In other cases, each person in the group gets a turn to choose the month’s selection and can introduce it or share a few words about the author. Another approach is that all members provide three titles that are put on a master list; books with the top votes will constitute the book reading list for an upcoming season. You might find that some groups prefer the host do all the legwork. In the book clubs I host, I spotlight titles that showcase the beauty of great writing, unique characters and a strong narrative—a book club trifecta.
How do you find fellow book lovers?
There are so many free places to notify people. Post notices online or on an actual bulletin board at your library and community center, or on Facebook, Instagram or Eventbrite.
Hosting a book club is a rewarding venture, but if you’re a newbie and just would like to get your feet wet, try joining one before running one. Many established book clubs welcome newcomers; in addition, there’s likely a freshly launched group in your community or online where you’re sure to find your book tribe. If you’re already part of one group, you might want to use this golden age of book clubs to explore an extra or niche group and find one more great read, as well as new friends.
Costco Connection: Costco warehouses carry a variety of books that would make a great read for your next book club meeting.
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Why not invite the author?
Want a surefire way to get great book club attendance? Invite the author of your featured book! Contact the author via their website, agent or publisher. Most authors appreciate this sort of outreach and are delighted to Zoom in for a guest appearance.
My recent guest author, Janet Skeslien Charles of The Paris Library, came with a wealth of added book materials and fielded questions.—MG
Choosing a niche
The sky’s the limit these days, depending on whether a book club focuses on general fiction or is more about thrillers, emerging voices, nonfiction or Jane Austen–centric. There are plenty of online resources for ideas, or check out influencers’ or Good-reads’ lists, book podcasts, Reddit, TikTok or The New York Times. Extra materials, such as reading guides, are often accessible via Google or publisher or author websites.—MG
Marcy Goldman is a cookbook author and host of Betterbaking.com. She’s the host of four book clubs.
