Reader's Corner: Finding a Book Club
BPL Book Discussion Groups
The Boston Public Library hosts a variety of different book groups both at the Central Library in Copley Square, and at our branches. Check our Events page, and use the book group filter, to find out when the next meetings take place.
Speaking Volumes: A Radio Book Group
- Speaking VolumesAudio Journal is a radio reading service for individuals with vision problems or who cannot access print material due to a disability. Speaking Volumes is Audio Journal's book discussion program. Volunteers discuss the book in the studio, and listeners can call in with their comments. "All books chosen are recorded by the Library of Congress on digital cartridge and are available through Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library and Worcester Talking Book Library." Books are chosen four months in advance to give participants time to reserve their copies. Speaking Volumes is broadcast the first Tuesday each month from 8-9 p.m. The number to call to take part in the program is: 508-752-0557 or 580-373-2343.
FINDING A BOOK CLUB
Meetup.com
Meetup is a website for groups of all kinds that "meet up" all throughout different cities, and you bet that some of those groups are book clubs. Take a look at the various book clubs throughout Greater Boston.
ReadersCircle.org
On the Reader's Circle website you can enter your zip code and search for book clubs in the area. These book groups vary from very specific genres to just about anything.
Great Books Foundation Book Groups
The mission of the Great Books Foundation is to "advance the critical reflective thinking and social and civic engagement of readers of all ages." Search by zip code or state to find a Great Books Foundation book group in your neighborhood.
Online Book Clubs
Don't have the time to attend an in-person book club, but would still like to do some structured reading? There are lots of online book clubs that you can join. If you do attend an in-person book club, online book clubs can also be a useful source of inspiration when looking for that next great book group read.
- Now Read ThisA book club from PBS NewsHour and the New York Times in which each month a work of fiction or nonfiction is discussed that has contemporary relevance.
- Go On Girl! Book ClubThis reading group for black women was started by three friends in 1992 and has expanded to a nonprofit organization with 32 chapters nationwide. The group's mission is to read quality works by authors of African descent.
- Readers Club of AmericaA free online book club that features participation by authors on the interactive Discussion Boards.
- BBC World Service Book ClubEvery month BBC World Service Radio hosts a discussion with an internationally acclaimed author about one of their best-known books. Submit your questions to the author online.
- hoopla Book Club HubWhether you are in a book club with friends, or reading independently, hoopla's Book Club Hub might be an ideal choice for you. It is a reading program free through your library. All you need is your library card. Each quarter, hoopla releases a new Spotlight Selection title, along with materials including a discussion guide and author interview to help you get the most out of your book club. With every title immediately available, book clubs will be able to access their title on hoopla all at the same time as either an eBook or audiobook.
- Big Library ReadBig Library Read (BLR), is a global eBook club facilitated by OverDrive. It is a "reading program through your library that connects readers around the world with the same ebook at the same time without any wait lists or holds." The program is free through your local library or school library. All you need is a library card or school ID.
Oprah Winfrey's book club, launched in 1996, was the original celebrity book club. Now Oprah's Book Club has gone online, and many other celebrities have followed her lead and created their own online book clubs. Each book club has its own particular focus, so check out the list below and see if any of them are right for you. At the very least you will get some good ideas for your next great read.
- Oprah's Book ClubOprah's Book Club, the original celebrity book club, has now moved online.
- Reese's Book ClubThe goal of Reese Witherspoon's book club is to celebrate women and share their stories and achievements.
- Andrew Luck Book ClubNPL quarterback, Andrew Luck, offers two reading choices a month: " one for the "Rookies" (younger folks) and the other for "Veterans" (more seasoned readers).
- Between Two BooksAn online book club based on the reading recommendations of Florence Welch, frontwoman for the band Florence + the Machine.