LibGuides: Book Clubs: Finding/Starting a Book Club

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How to get a library card
Any resident of Newfoundland & Labrador can get a FREE library card! Click the link above to sign up online.

NLPL In-Library Book Club Programs

Note: Many library buildings are currently closed due to COVID-19, and in-person programming has been suspended. But check check out online resources in this guide to support your bookclub during this time. And join us again when our library building open. In the meantime, stay safe and happy reading.

Join us at the library for a book club! We have book clubs that meet in over 70 libraries across the province. We provide the books and questions, you provide the discussion!

Our book club programs include:

Children’s book clubs
Fiction book clubs
Non-Fiction book clubs
Inclusive book club (see below)
Teen book clubs
Retired persons book clubs

Programs are free but generally require registration. Contact your local library to see if there is a book club near you.

Online Book Clubs & Resources

Book clubs you can join online or sites which include information on how to start, run and manage a book club.

ALA's Libraries Transform Book Pick
The American Library Association facilitates this great program for libraries across the continent, and their website has great book picks and resources for book clubs.
Amnesty International Book Club
A worldwide book club with an international focus.
Bellatrist
Discover, read, and celebrate a new book every month! Curated by Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss.
BookClubZ
Online management tool to organize any book club.
Canadian Book Clubs
Lists book clubs across the country and helpful information to start your own book club.
CBC Canada Reads
Features the current CBC Canada Reads books as well as an archive of past titles.
Hello Sunshine
Hosted by Reese Witherspoon, featuring great books with women at the centre of the story.
Literature Lovers
Includes recommended book lists, reading guides and information on maintaining a successful book club.
Oprah's Book Club
Discover Oprah's book recommendation which includes a discussion guide and interview with the author.
Reading Group Choices
Partners with publishers, indie bookstores, public libraries and authors to develop resources to enhance the shared reading group experience. Database of book discussion guides included.

NLPL Inclusive Book Club

The Inclusive Book Club is a partnership between the Mount Pearl Public Library, CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access), and the CNIB to make the book club experience accessible to all residents of Newfoundland & Labrador! Whether you are an adult facing barriers related to physical, visual, or learning abilities, time availability or geographic location, or are simply looking for a book club that is open to all, the Inclusive Book Club will find a way for you to participate. Those that want to participate but cannot make the physical meetings held in Mount Pearl can participate through discussion threads on our dedicated Facebook page (search Inclusive Book Club) or through our Facebook Live broadcast.

If you’d like to sign up for the Inclusive Book Club, contact the Mount Pearl Public Library at 368-3603.

CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access) provides access to a collection of accessible library materials for people who have difficulty reading due to a visual, physical or learning disability. More information about CELA and other accessible collections at NLPL.

Resources For Starting Your Own Book Club

Book Club Companion: A Comprehensive Guide to the Reading Group Experience by Loevy, Diana
Call Number: 374 L82
Publication Date: 2006
Booksellers know very well how ubiquitous the reading group has become, and The Book Club Companion is full of innovative ideas designed to entertain their members and enrich the book club experience. Inside, club members will find: - The 10 Indispensable Titles across several literary genres including Beloved Lit, Brit Lit, Book Club Favorites, Classic Lit, Black Lit, Noir Lit, Literary Respite, Nonfiction that Reads Like Fiction, and Memoir - Childhood favorites - "Guilty pleasure" titles - Conversation starters and tips for keeping discussions lively - Theme gatherings and special places for meetings - Drink and food recipes - Craft ideas - And much more
Her Next Chapter : how mother-daughter book clubs can help girls navigate malicious media, risky relationships, girl gossip, and so much more by Day, Lori
Call Number: 306.8743 D33
Publication Date: 2014
Mother-daughter book clubs are a great way to encourage reading, bonding, and socializing among mothers, daughters, and their friends. But these clubs can do more than that, suggests educational psychologist and parenting coach Lori Day. They can create a safe and empowering haven where girls can freely discuss and navigate issues surrounding girlhood. In Her Next Chapter, Day draws from experiences in her own club and her expertise as an educator to offer a timely and inspiring take on mother-daughter book clubs. She provides overviews of eight of the biggest challenges facing girls today, such as negative body image, bullying, gender stereotypes, media sexualization, unhealthy relationships, and more, while weaving in carefully chosen book, movie, and media recommendations; thoughtful discussion questions; and group activities and outings that extend and enrich conversations and make clubs fun. Her Next Chapter outlines how mothers can use the magic of books to build girls' confidence and sense of possibility as leaders, allies, and agents of change. A list of further resources and reflections and observations from Day's now-adult daughter, Charlotte, round out this indispensible resource for anyone who cares about, teaches, or works with girls.
Well Read, Well Fed by Brown, Marcia
Call Number: 028.9 B81
Publication Date: 2015
Well Read, Well Fed celebrates the monthly book club gatherings that are as much about sharing food, wine, and catching up, as the books read. It embraces both a love of good books and good food, and the pleasure of sharing them with like-minded friends. A 'go-to' kitchen staple for book club hosts with recipes that are simple to prepare, this book features inspiring lists of book titles and authors for book clubs to explore. The twelve chapters, one for each month of the year, contain informal essays about books and reading, recommendation lists and a short food essay with recipes for simple, healthful main dishes and light accompaniments. Most dishes conform to vegetarian diets with some seafood recipes as well as options for meat-eaters. This is the perfect book to insure that your book club is a relaxed yet stimulating get together for both the host and the participants.