Ah, how many times have you wondered why there is no book club like the one where the protagonists of your favorite movie were part of before being ripped apart by life, but their love for books will bring them back, and they randomly meet in a huge public library or book presentation? Maybe it’s just us, but this is one of our key bookworm problems! Unfortunately, book clubs are not easy to come around, and despite having the ultimate book club questions checklist handy, the magnificent ideas are wasted.
But worry not, fellow bookworm, the dark ages are over, and here is a guide on how to start an online book club. The benefits of an online book club are countless, considering that the physical presence of the members is no longer required. Especially after the pandemic and the social distancing rules, digital book clubs have become more and more popular. No matter which corner of the planet you walk on, the only requirement is being a bookworm with an insatiable passion for reading and interacting with fellow book lovers.
We will guide you through every step of the process and answer at least most of your questions, dear bookish friend! Do not be intimidated, the joy and sense of fulfillment will definitely be worth your time and dedication.
Which books do I include in a book club? Who do I invite and what kind of questions do we ask? Do I have to be a literary expert? How many books do we need to read? Do we only discuss new books? How often do we need to meet? How do I keep my book club members engaged?
To get the answer to all these questions, keep reading! For more posts and tips like these, join our Crewfiction Newsletter!
The steps to a successful virtual book club are few and simple. The typical rules that apply to a normal book club, apply here as well, but with a few twists to accommodate our international book club members.
From choosing the right platform to book club meetups, all the answers are here.
The first question you need to ask your bookworm self is the genre you will be focusing on in your book club. It might not seem that important at first, but it is the foundation of all your discussions and book selections, so pick wisely. This will also determine the types of readers that join your club, as not everyone is committed to spending a huge amount of time in reading, especially since not all readers go for the same books.
We would suggest you play it safe, especially at the beginning of your book club, and pick a trending genre like romance, fantasy, mystery or historical fiction. These themes are also good when combined, hence they will probably resonate with your members.
After you have settled on your preferred genres, it’s time to focus on particle matters. The platform you choose to host your book club meetings is of paramount importance, as it needs to be easily navigable even by bookworms who are not very familiar with the technology. One of the greatest benefits of being a bookworm and a book club member is that there is no age limit to being a book lover, so you need to be ready to accommodate everyone’s needs.
There is a wide array of online platforms, with Skype, Discord, Google Meet and Zoom being the most popular for video calls. The traditional options of Facebook and Whatsapp are also available. Even though they are not ideal for a book club meeting, here are some more social media for book lovers. Beware of spoilers, though, when browsing through them!
No better way to display your creativity and vivid imagination than crafting the perfect name for your book club. It could be a pun or a simple word defining the essence of your club, like “Hopeless Romantics” or an homage to the Swifties in the club with “New Romantics” — let’s admit that most bookworms are Swifties, there’s no shame in being the coolest fandom. A simple and elegant name like the “Bibliophiles” might be a good idea for a diverse group.
Any name is fine when the passion for reading is the guiding force.
The first step is always crucial, so we advise you to start small. To find your first members, start by inviting book lovers from your immediate circle, like friends, cousins, or colleagues. After your book club takes off and your discussions start flowing, word of mouth is bound to bring you new members. Another good idea to find more local bookworms is to hang a poster in your local library, small bookshop or cozy coffee shop.
To attract more bookworms regardless of their hometown and time zone, post an ad on social media or Goodreads. A little effort can take you a long way, and don’t forget to include your contact information.
The first and foremost thing you must have in a book club, whether it is virtual or physical, is a welcoming atmosphere. A place where bookworms are free to express their opinions and share their bookish finds without fear of judgment, while experimenting with new authors, genres and styles in a safe space. Having a pre-planned prologue and introduction to welcome your members is key to promoting a harmonious and calm environment. Another trick is to call everyone by name to establish warmth and a degree of intimacy.
As we have already stated, you must give thought to your introduction and speech beforehand. It gives your members the impression that you care deeply and value your time with them, hence a better atmosphere.
Setting some ground rules and guidelines regarding your Google Hangouts can also help with the discussion flow. When the moderator is prepared, with a clear plan for the meeting and a list of discussion questions, bookworms feel safer and more productive.
The members' location and time zone are what mainly differentiates a virtual book club from an in-person book club, as the members are not required to be in the same place to commence. In order to achieve the best possible meeting scheduling, we suggest you post a poll with the available times and days, so the members can choose. This way, the result can be unanimous and comfortable for everyone. Upon agreeing, set a recurring meeting for that specific day once a month so that everyone can plan accordingly. A fixed date and a couple of reminders during the month will make sure your members stay updated and on track for your meetings.
So you have made your book club, but now comes the time to pick the first book to read. The success of your little group is definitely tied to the delicious reads you choose to discuss. Therefore, it is important for all the voices to be heard and all tastes considered. Aside from delving into a specific set of genres, perhaps a particular theme could work well, too.
We propose you make a reading list comprised of everyone’s pick or trending book recommendations from BookTok, and then use the random generator to pick your next book. That way the choice is fair, everyone’s pick will be eventually chosen, and you get to stay on top of the trends.
Aside from sparking conversation with thought-provoking questions from our checklist, bookworms have the chance to delve deeper into a book. During the allocated month, bookworms can exchange articles, book quotes, choose their favorite or most hated characters, or even schedule “read-along” sessions.
A book club does not only offer the chance to expand your book collection but also to start close reading fiction more. Perhaps your journey from bookworm to book reviewer can start from there. Check our blog post on how to become a book reviewer in case you’re interested. With the questions and opinions about your current read flowing, your members stay engaged and happy.
Since you are the one leading discussions and organizing everything about the book club, it is up to you to give incentives to your members to keep them active and happily engaged. Not that giving gifts is a requirement, but I’m sure even the most devoted bookworms will appreciate a first edition or a box of goodies related to their favorite read.
It’s the little things that will make your members feel appreciated and cherished. A joined trip to finally meet for a bookish event is also a fantastic idea that will bring you and your members even closer. Perhaps a fantasy ball, author interviews, or a huge book bazaar are good meeting spots and promote the joys of reading.
After you’ve established your club, it is time to self-reflect and improve. Ask your members to give you feedback on every aspect of the book club, from your first meeting to book selections and discussions. It is important to share opinions without judgment or personal grudges, so remind them to be gentle and aim for the betterment of the reading experience. If you have followed our steps, then you are guaranteed to get a lot of positive feedback, but do not rest on your laurels, you have a legacy to uphold and countless more books to read and discuss.
Establishing a virtual book club is not that hard if you follow our guide. But the important thing is to have a meaningful and fruitful experience for you and your book pals.
Check out our tips for having a successful book club!
To be successful, you have to have a clear goal. It does not have to be a grandiose dream of establishing the best virtual network for readers, it can be as simple as finding like-minded people to have book discussions.
Are you new to the area and are looking for some bookish friends? Do you crave having debates about your favorite books? Do you want someone to share your experience and exchange finds with? Do you want to read more and start a book collection? Do you want to experiment with new books and genres?
The answer to all of those questions could be creating your own book club. So take your time and perfect your vision, and then do everything it takes to achieve it!
The easiest way to approach this is by picking a set of genres, let’s say romance, mystery, and fantasy, that can coincide and coexist in books. That way, you cover a wide reader base. But if you want to stand out, you can perhaps be a bit more specific. Maybe a specific author’s works, a topic such as social issues, or a trope like enemies to lovers will attract a different set of readers willing to join your club.
Our personal favorite is a rotating theme that changes every month or longer, which allows experimentation and exploration of different genres, thus including different types of books and authors to choose from.
Having many members might seem like the idea of success for a book club, but we can assure you the less, the merrier. Fewer members make it way easier for meetings to be arranged or even rescheduled. It is also more efficient for a smaller group of people to have a more thorough book club discussion.
In the age of digital publishing, there are countless options for you to choose from. Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, and Discord are the most popular social networking sites that are easy to use.
Most book lovers who have embraced Kindle Unlimited and E-Books will know how to navigate them. Give everything a try and decide which one is best for your book club. You have to be the expert leading your members, so make sure you invest some time testing your platform.
Remember, dear bookworm, your passion for reading is why you started this in the first place. Do not be concerned about book reviews, but more about burying your nose deep in a book and discussing it with your fellow book lovers. The thrill of sharing your opinions, having debates about characters, and guessing the twists of the next book in your favorite series is definitely why most bookworms join a book club. Keep the pages turning and the tea steaming!
If we have yet to convince you to start or join a virtual book club by now, then you are a tough bookworm to crack. Sharing your reading experience is one of the most rewarding and challenging parts of the bookworm life. Follow our guide and find your comrades in the battle of reading, test the limits of your bookshelves, and buckle up for an incredible quest in fictional words and tales weaved by starlight and fairy dust.
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The book club is making a revival with the new wave of Gen-Z readers. With countless books being published every day, the chances of attracting new readers are immense. Stars like Dua Lipa have even formed their very own book clubs. Find your niche and join the book club discussion!
The main tool of a virtual book club is video conferencing to discuss reads. It works similarly to an in-person book club, with a group of members, reading lists, book recommendations, and discussions regarding the current read on the chosen platform. The benefit of the virtual book club is that you can join from any place around the world.
The standard time of meeting for any book club is once a month. This way the readers have time to finish the book, reflect, and gather their thoughts. For reading longer books or series, a meeting every six weeks or more would be recommended to make sure all members are done with their reading.
Always living in her own enchanted little world, Christina discovered the magic that can be hidden within the pages of a book when one dares to take a closer look from a tender age. An avid reader, she is constantly inspired to delve into the secrets woven between the lines and challenges herself to find her own voice amidst the chaos. She is a dedicated fan of the classics, but the supernatural creatures that have tormented readers for years are her kryptonite. The mastery it takes to infuse the author's essence, molded by the era they grew up in to their innermost desires fascinates her. Undoubtedly, putting her passion and knowledge on paper has a mesmerizing allure on her, and following the steps of so many other dreamers before her she wishes to leave her mark in the literary world. Guided by T.S Eliot’s haunting words: “I will show you fear in a handful of dust” she intends to wreak havoc in the minds of her future readers.
