Adeline Chai, 22, lives in Australia. I live on the other side of the world in Edinburgh, Scotland. While so far away, Chai and I are connected by reading the same book each month.
For us, joining a book club means making new friends, exploring reads, and learning new things together.
“I love discussing a book in a group setting because everyone is so different, and we all bring different perspectives to the table,” Chai said.
Starting your own book club can be an adventure. So gather your pals and start reading!
1. What’s on your bookshelf?
First things first, pick a theme for your new book club. Chai and I run chapters of an international book club called Difficult Women Book Club.
“[This book club] is unique in the sense that we only read books written by women,” Chai said.
Having a particular reading goal makes it easier for Chai and I to pick books, gather new members, and build an online presence.
Through our club's Instagram page we receive new followers and members. Regularly posting and sharing content has helped us create a group of loyal readers while bringing in new faces each month.
So, do you have any favorite genres or authors? Peruse your own bookshelf for inspiration.
2. Gather your crew
Round up your bookish friends and start reading.
“I’m in a book club right now with some other girls who live in my neighborhood and I love it,” said Eleanor Thompson, 15, from Boston, Massachusetts.
Even a book club of two is enough to spark great conversation.
“Having only a small group of people show up doesn’t make you a failure,” Chai said. “Heck, even if only one person shows up, it’s fine!”
Starting a book club is a great way to deepen existing friendships and forge some new ones.
“It’s really cool getting to hear things other people noticed in the books that I didn’t,” Thompson said.
Chai’s book club always has new members joining.
“I’ve also gotten to know some of these women on a personal level and they’re just incredible people all around,” she said.
3. Pick a place and a vibe
There are endless ways to stay connected with your book club members.
“I really love the idea of a very cozy book club where we rotate who hosts in their own living room or bedroom,” Thompson said.
Meeting each week, Thompson and her friends recap their reads curled up on the couch sipping tea.
Based in Sydney Australia, Chai tries out different venues each month to explore more of her city.
Got friends in faraway places? Why not jump online for a virtual book club or send some snail mail to catch up on your shared reads?
There is no right or wrong way to chat about books!
Follow Adeline Chai’s book club account @readlikeherbookclub/ on Instagram.
Follow Brigid McCormack's book club account @difficultwomenbookclub_edi on instagram