Virtual book club

A virtual book club gives you an opportunity to see and connect with friends from your couch. Starting a virtual book club is easy as 1-2-3:

  1. Coordinate: Think about who you want to invite into your book club; consider keeping it small for easier coordination. Pick a day and time to meet, maybe it’s the first Wednesday of every month or a specific monthly date. Choose what works for your group and send an invite. Once the invites are sent, choose a name for your club together as a group. That gets the creative juices flowing and helps people who may not know each other connect and show their personalities. Then pick your books! It’s fun to let each person pick a book each month, then they are responsible for leading the discussion. It is helpful to have books picked out a few months in advance, so there’s plenty of time to purchase the books or find them at the library—or  in case someone finishes early and wants to start the next book.
  2. Connection: Find the communication website or platform that works for you. This could be over Zoom or Google Meet for a fun virtual conversation, on Facebook as a private group to share thoughts through posts, or even through email to engage people in reactions to books. It’s fun to send probing questions throughout the month for people to think about and react to.
  3. Meet!: Find a comfy spot in your house and settle in with your computer or mobile device. Take the first part of the meeting to salute the group and the book. Then let the conversation begin.
Book Conversation Starters:
  • Who would you cast in the film version of the book?
  • What character did you like/dislike the most in the book and why?
  • What emotion were you feeling the moment you finished the book? Sad? Satisfied? Searching?
  • Was there a part of the book you wish you had written?
  • Do you have any favorite lines?
  • What outcome did you anticipate that didn’t take place?
  • Did this book remind you of any others you’ve read?
  • If you could talk to the author, what question would you most like to ask him or her?
  • What did you learn?
  • Would you recommend this book to others?
Looking for books to read?

There are many book club book lists to help you pick books that provide compelling discussions for your book club. Search “Book Club lists” online and choose the one that is right for you.