How to Find an Online Book Club—or Start One Yourself

Growing popularity Digital book club platforms make it easy for other readers to interact and discuss the plot twist of your favorite book, to learn about trends or social issues with peers, or to create a new book club for like-minded readers.

Go social

Digital book platforms allow readers to chat with other readers about the book, interact with authors and book influencers, and find new book selection and discussion guides – as well as make new friends. According to Padmashree Warrior, founder, president and CEO of Fable, the tendency in social studies is to discover, read and discuss stories with friends, family and colleagues. Warrior, the former CEO of smart-vehicle maker NIO US, brought his technical background to Fable, which was launched in the spring of 2021.

These digital book clubs, such as BookClubs (formerly BookClubs), Book Movement Book Clubs, and Fable, all offer a variety of social reading services. Warrior says readers benefit from such services, such as traditional in-person book clubs, virtual live club meetings, and platforms like social media. Here are some ways to find the best book club service for you.

What are you looking for?

For users who want to connect with other readers through a book club, Anna Ford, one of the founders of the book club, suggests keeping a clear goal in mind. “Think about what you expect from a book club. Are you hoping to make new friends in your area? Then look for a private book club near you. Are you interested in learning more about a specific subject? We have clubs that cover history, environmentalism. , Anti-racism, personal growth and development and much more. Want to diversify your bookshelf? Check out our clubs that focus on the work of women or under-represented writers, “she says.

As a reader it is important to determine how you want to communicate with your club. “We have public clubs with hundreds or thousands of people, where meetings are less interactive but may include an interview with the author. Or we have many small clubs where you will be able to actively participate in zoom (or in person) discussions. And of these, there are clubs that are active on club message boards or schedule virtual chats, Ford explains.

Surf around

With your goals in mind, browse to find a club that resonates with you. Paul Hubert, founder and president of Book Movement, advises readers to visit the site and visit clubs before signing up. “Look at what they’re reading কী how they describe the club, a mix of social and book discussions. Ask them what they last read – see if you can connect with them through the book you and the club read, ”he says.

The BookClub Forum has recently been redesigned to help people find the right discussion for them. “It’s a new forum open to everyone that invites readers to follow their interests and find people in their books,” Ford explains. The service makes it easy to browse book clubs and join for free with one click “It’s a vibrant hub of everything imaginable: ADHD support groups, Islamic art enthusiasts, clubs led by writers like AL ​​Jackson and countless more. Some clubs meet in person, others online. Variety selection means members can actively participate in a focused club, or a popular There can only be one passive follower in a larger club hosted by the influencer, “he added.

Focus on connections

Find the format and connection that interests you the most. Blogger Melissa Austin-Weeks uses the private book club page of her virtual “Mrs. Twist Reeds This Book” club book movement and her 200 members. Meetings are recorded, and the video link is posted on the member page for viewing. “I started my book club in 2017 to spend more time reading and create a community for women to get together, connect and grow. I met that goal and then something, ”said Weeks, who promotes the club on social media and on its website. Authors, including Frances Mess, Rebecca Searle, and Sue Monk, have been at his club for years.

Hubert of Book Movement adds: “You may have flashy technology with lots of features and you still can’t find what you’re looking for: connectivity. We don’t need another algorithm. The challenge with technology right now is to help people connect in ways that make us less lonely, not more. The Book Movement, Hubert says, focuses on the personal. “It’s a priority to connect members humanely through books. Technology” (website / app) doesn’t end there – it’s a way. “

Discover new books

All of these platforms feature ways to find new books to read, so you should definitely look for one that is full of recommendations that work for you. For example, Fabel hosts an array of book clubs with individual readers and a book club with families, institutions and universities. It offers suggested reading lists or “folios” created by authors and “curators” such as Lever Burton, David Cedars, Anthony Doyer, Malinda Lowe, Adam Grant and Jasmine Guilory.

BookClub, on the other hand, lets you create a shared bookshelf with membership-based and member meeting details, RSVP, discussion questions, book information, and book club ratings. It includes a selection of the best clubs of the week, recently reviewed books, new releases, book gifts and videos of the Virtual Book Launch Party.