Starting a Book Club

Define club purpose

Clarify goals: social, academic, genre-focused, or casual reading.

Recruit initial members

Aim for 5–12 engaged readers to keep discussion lively.

Collect member preferences

Ask about genres, accessibility needs, formats, and timezones.

Choose meeting frequency

Pick a cadence (monthly is common) and confirm member availability.

Set meeting length and start time

Decide duration (60–90 min recommended) and a consistent start time.

Decide meeting format

Choose online, in-person, or hybrid depending on member needs.

Choose online platform

Pick Zoom, Google Meet, Discord, or a book-focused app.

Reserve meeting space

Book library rooms or cafés; confirm capacity and any fees.

Plan hybrid setup

Arrange AV, good mics, and a host to manage both audiences.

Set reading pace

Agree on pages/week or chapters per meeting and buffer time.

Select book selection method

Choose vote, roulette, or rotating genre/member picks.

Set up voting system

Use polls, shared docs, or apps for democratic selections.

Create genre rotation schedule

Plan quarterly or monthly genre swaps to keep variety.

Prepare discussion question template

Draft 5–8 reusable prompts on themes, characters, and takeaways.

Establish discussion format

Decide moderator-led, open discussion, or breakout groups.

Rotate host and roles

Schedule hosts and assign timekeeper, note-taker, or moderator roles.

Set communication channel

Pick Slack, WhatsApp, email, or a Facebook group for updates.

Create RSVP and reminder process

Set an RSVP deadline and send reminders 3 days and 1 day before.

Draft basic club rules and expectations

Document spoiler policy, attendance expectations, and conduct.