How to Start a Book Club with Friends (and Actually Keep It Fun)

How to Start a Book Club with Friends (and Actually Keep It Fun)

So, you want to start a book club? Great idea! A book club is the perfect excuse to hang out with friends, drink wine (or coffee, or whatever fuels your literary spirit), and pretend you’re very sophisticated because you’re in a book club. It sounds dreamy, right? Except, starting one can be a little tricky if you’re not careful. I’ve seen book clubs that last years, and I’ve seen ones that crumble after one awkward meeting. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls and create a club that’s as fun as it is enriching.

Step 1: Find Your People (A Mix of Nerds and Ne’er-Do-Wells Works Best)

The key to a good book club is balance. You want at least one person who will actually read the book so you don’t all sit around awkwardly discussing the blurb. But you also need a few people who are there for the snacks and the socializing. That’s where the magic happens—when bookworms and snack enthusiasts collide.

My advice? Recruit your friends with a mix of interests. Got a friend who always has their nose in a book? Perfect. Add your hilarious buddy who barely read SparkNotes in high school but loves a good debate, and throw in someone who will inevitably pick a celebrity memoir as their suggestion. You’ll thank me later.

Step 2: Set the Rules (But Keep Them Loose)

Rules are important, but this isn’t a courtroom. Decide upfront how often you’ll meet, what kind of books you want to read, and whether you’ll be a serious book club or a “we’ll talk about the book for ten minutes and then gossip” book club. Spoiler alert: Most clubs become the latter.

I recommend meeting once a month—it’s enough time to finish a book (even if you procrastinate and binge-read it the day before) but not so far apart that everyone forgets you exist. And don’t be afraid to mix genres! Read a novel one month, a thriller the next, and then something random, like a self-help book that everyone will pretend they totally finished.

Step 3: Choose the Books (Carefully, My Friends)

The wrong book can derail the whole club. Trust me, I’ve been there. You don’t want to pick something so dense that half the group skips it or so fluffy that everyone forgets it ten minutes after reading. And if someone suggests Ulysses, you have my permission to “accidentally” delete their message from the group chat.

A good rule of thumb is to pick books that spark discussion. Think popular fiction, intriguing memoirs, or even those Reese Witherspoon book club picks that are practically designed to keep people talking. Bonus points if the book pairs well with wine or chocolate.

Step 4: Bring Snacks (Because Snacks Are Non-Negotiable)

Let me be clear: A book club without snacks is just a meeting. Snacks are what elevate this from “boring school assignment” to “the best part of my week.” And don’t overthink it. A cheese board, some cookies, maybe a bottle of wine—done. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can theme the snacks to the book (like serving French pastries for a Paris-set novel), but let’s be real—Doritos work just fine.

Step 5: Prepare for Chaos (Because Life Happens)

Here’s the thing: Book clubs rarely go exactly as planned. Someone won’t finish the book (probably you). Someone else will have strong opinions about the ending and will argue about it passionately. And someone—always—will spoil the next month’s book before you’ve even started it.

And that’s okay! Book clubs aren’t about perfection. They’re about connection. If you spend more time laughing over someone’s wild take on Chapter Five than discussing the author’s use of symbolism, you’re doing it right.

Step 6: Embrace the Vibe (Whatever It Turns Into)

Your book club will evolve, and that’s a good thing. Maybe you’ll read fewer books and spend more time catching up on life. Maybe you’ll start swapping recipes or planning group outings. Maybe you’ll spend an entire meeting debating whether Mr. Darcy is actually swoon-worthy (he is, obviously).

The point is, let it grow naturally. The best book clubs aren’t just about books—they’re about friendships. And if you can create a space where people feel excited to gather, you’ve already won.

Step 7: Don’t Stress (Seriously, Don’t)

This isn’t rocket science. Starting a book club is supposed to be fun, not a source of stress. If you forget to read the book, just fake it with vague comments like, “I found the protagonist so relatable” or “I was really intrigued by the pacing.” No one will notice.

At the end of the day, it’s not about how intellectual or organized your club is—it’s about spending time with people you love, talking about stories that make you think, laugh, or cry. And if all else fails, just make it a snack club that occasionally talks about books. You’ll still have a great time.

So grab your friends, pick a book, and start your club. Who knows? It might just become the highlight of your month. And if it doesn’t, at least you got some good snacks out of it.