How to Start (& Continue) a Book Club

Are you interested in starting a book club? Book clubs can offer so many enriching benefits, not only from discussing literature and great books and authors but also through the bonds you build with other book club members.

But where do you start? Who do you invite? What do you read? The possibilities can seem endless but where there is an interest, there is a way forward … and you’ll likely find that the benefits of starting a book club are reward enough for your time and effort.

5 Tips on Starting a Book Club

So, here are some thoughts on getting started, even if it feels overwhelming.

1. Put Yourself Out There.

Whether via email to local groups you participate in (like homeschool co-ops), via social media to those in your area, or by contacting a few close friends, let people know your interest in starting a book club. Each of these instances can prove an avenue for a successful book club to begin.

2. Think Outside the Box.

While sitting with others in person is ideal, it’s not always possible. But if the last few years have taught us anything, they’ve shown us that we can connect with folks all over the place via what a friend of mine dubs “the interwebs.”

Maybe you have a few great friends who love the same books you do, but they live states away. That’s okay! With Zoom, Google Meet, and other online video chat options, you can easily start an online book club if an in-person book club isn’t feasible.

This option also enables you to connect with folks who you might not otherwise meet. While there’s nothing like opening your home to some friends and sharing a plate of home-baked cookies, sometimes it’s simply not feasible.

So, think outside the box and consider ways you might start a book club online via social media or even Substack, which I’ve found to be a great online community for writers and creatives.

3. Get Your Kids Involved.

Naturally, if you have kids who are avid readers, it makes sense to start a book club with them. Of course, this will look very different from a moms-only book discussion, but it can be a lot of fun. (And as your kids grow older, their taste in books might start to align with yours … so you can enjoy reading and discussing the same books together!)

You might take turns hosting with other moms in the area (other homeschoolers or moms from your church, etc.). Each mother/daughter team can take a turn hosting in their home, choose the book, lead the discussion, as well as provide an activity/craft and snacks. (If you’re looking for activities and crafts that fit with storybooks, check out these diorama activities that go along with some classic storybooks.)

• The Gruffalo Diorama Craft and Mini Unit Study
• Stellaluna Diorama
• The Polar Express Diorama and Activities

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Start Small.

Maybe you have a friend who’s an avid reader, and that’s the size of your “book club” at the moment. That’s okay! You could start out meeting regularly, just the two of you. Or try to invite just one or two more people, and give them the option to extend an invitation to someone else … and see what develops.

You might find that there are a good number of you interested in getting together once a month to discuss a good book. Even if you’re all homeschooling moms with young children, different schedules, and unique needs in the home, try to find a time once a month in which as many of you as possible can participate.

5. Meeting Outside the Home Is an Option.

You might be overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning the house and getting it visitor-ready, or maybe you have a small living space and it would be hard to fit visitors (especially when your kids are home as well). Find a place outside to meet. Go to a coffee shop or even a library (many libraries have meeting rooms or spaces where you don’t have to be totally quiet).

It’s also fun to get outside the house every once in a while if you’re a homeschool mom and most of your to-do’s center around at-home life.

If you are looking to start a book club, here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Come up with a clear plan of what you are looking for in a book club, from the dynamic of people to the time/setting, as well as the type of books you are looking to include.
• Put yourself out there via the Internet, your church, friends, a bulletin board your local library, or other groups you come in contact with.
• Stick with it and encourage others to as well. Consider and try to include others’ needs and suggestions. Commitment on all parties is a large part of having a successful book club. People need to both read the book and show up to the gathering.
• Remember that your gatherings (whether in person or online) are not only for the book but also to develop relationships with the people you are gathering with. There can be a time for book discussion, as well as friendly chatter between you. Having food doesn’t hurt!

You May Also Like:

Why You Need to Start a Book Club

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