LitCliqueBook club guides · Updated November 2, 2026
How to Start a Book Club: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting a book club is easier than it sounds. You need a few people who like to read, a book, and a regular time to talk about it. This guide walks through how to start a book club in seven steps, from finding members to keeping it going past the third meeting, which is where many clubs fizzle out.
1. Decide what kind of book club you want
Before you invite anyone, decide on the feel. A few questions help:
- Social or serious? Some clubs are mostly a night out with friends where the book is the excuse. Others want a real discussion. Both are great; just say which one it is.
- What will you read? Anything goes, or a focus like literary fiction, thrillers, romance, classics, nonfiction or one genre per season.
- In person or online? In-person clubs build friendships fast. Video calls make it easier to include people who live far away.
2. Find your members
Start with people you already know: friends, coworkers, neighbors, parents from school. Ask each person to bring one friend, which keeps the group from feeling like a closed circle. Local libraries, bookshops and community boards are good places to find strangers who love books.
Aim for 6 to 12 members. That's enough that a meeting still works when two people cancel, and small enough that everyone gets to talk.
3. Set a schedule that people can keep
Once a month is the classic book club rhythm. Pick a pattern that's easy to remember, like the second Thursday of each month, and stick to it. A fixed pattern beats finding a new date every time.
Two hours is plenty for a meeting: about 30 minutes to catch up and eat, an hour on the book, and a few minutes at the end to choose the next one.
4. Choose where to meet
Rotating between members' homes spreads the work and keeps things cozy. If hosting isn't practical, try a quiet café, a library meeting room or a park in summer. For online clubs, use whatever video tool everyone already has.
5. Pick the first book
The first book sets the tone, so make it an easy yes. Good first picks are:
- Easy to get from the library or as an ebook or audiobook
- Under about 400 pages, so nobody falls behind on the first try
- Something with plenty to argue about: a hard choice, a character people love or hate, or an ending that splits the room
For later books, let everyone nominate a few titles and vote. People show up more when they had a say. If the vote ties, settle it with a random draw so nobody has to be the tiebreaker. (This is the part LitClique was built for: members nominate and vote from a link, then the club spins a wheel to pick the winner.)
6. Plan the first meeting
Send the date, place and book at least four weeks ahead. A few days before, send a reminder. At the meeting, the host or a volunteer can bring three or four open questions to get the conversation started, such as:
- Which character did you relate to most, and why?
- What would you have done differently in the main character's place?
- Did the ending work for you?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend? Who?
For a longer list, see our 40 book club questions for any book.
7. Keep it going
Most book clubs that end do so in the first few months, usually because planning becomes a chore for one person. Share the jobs: rotate hosting, take turns picking discussion questions, and have one simple place where the next date and book live. Agree early on what happens if someone didn't finish the book (come anyway is the friendliest rule) and how you'll split any shared costs like wine or snacks.
Small rituals help too: a shelf or list of everything you've read, a quick rating at the end of each meeting, or a celebration on your first anniversary.
Frequently asked questions
How many people do you need to start a book club?
Three is enough to start. Most clubs feel best with about 6 to 12 members: enough voices for a good discussion, and small enough that everyone gets to talk.
How often should a book club meet?
Once a month is the most common rhythm. It gives people time to finish a typical novel without losing momentum. Shorter books or busy seasons can work every six weeks.
Where should a book club meet?
Members' homes are the classic choice, with hosting rotated. Cafés, library meeting rooms, parks in summer and video calls all work too. Pick somewhere quiet enough to talk.
How do you choose the first book for a book club?
Choose something widely available, under about 400 pages, with plenty to discuss: a clear moral dilemma, a divisive character or a twist. Let everyone suggest a few titles and vote.
Does it cost money to start a book club?
No. Members can borrow books from the library, and hosting can be as simple as tea. If the club shares costs for food or drinks, agree up front how you will split them.
Run your book club with LitClique
Nominate and vote on the next book, spin to pick it, plan the meeting and keep your club's shelf, all in one app. Members join from a link with no app or account needed.