Does anything sound more fun than a book club? A great read, new friends, some wine and cheese — they make a perfect pairing.
But as fun as book clubs are, they can be tricky to fit into a busy schedule. If you're naturally introverted, it can be a little intimidating to join a group of strangers. Or, if you live in a more secluded area, there may not be any book clubs nearby.
If you love the idea of a book club, but the reality of a monthly meeting isn't working for you, we have the perfect answer: Try an online book club.
Online book clubs are a great way to get the benefits of a reading group but with more flexibility. True, it doesn't have the same peer pressure to have the book finished by the end of the month that a traditional book club might offer. But the upside is that you can be as involved or as hands-off as you want. You have total freedom to make your reading fit your schedule or to skip a book you're not enjoying. And because you don't have to leave home, you can guarantee your book club will always have your favorite snacks!
There are a few different kinds of online book clubs:
- celebrity book clubs, with reads chosen by your favorite stars
- social media-based book clubs, with active discussion groups
- book subscription services, which mail a book to your door
- and more!
Which kind is right for you depends on what you most value. If you prioritize lively discussion, you might prefer a social media-based club. If your favorite part is not having to choose what to read next, we recommend a celeb book club (or the Good Housekeeping book club, of course!).
Whatever you prefer, there's an online book club for you. So scroll through some of our favorites and get ready to join the fun with other readers around the world.
Book of the Month
This popular subscription service delivers a book to your door every month. You can choose your favorite title from a list of 5-7 selections that changes every month.
Deputy editor Kaitlyn Phoenix was a subscriber for several years and loved it: “It motivated me to read books I normally wouldn’t have chosen — and it saved me from doing a ton of research trying to find something new,” she praised.
BotM picks are typically mainstream hits, with an emphasis on YA, romantasy and fantasy.
Sapph-lit
This is a great queer online book club, perfect for readers looking for more Sapphic or woman-loving-woman (WLW) literature in their life. Sapph-lit is founded by a bisexual woman and focuses on books by or about queer women.
Follow them on Instagram @sapphlit and join their Discord channel to chat about the monthly pick with over 8,000 like-minded readers from 60 different countries.
Good Housekeeping
We would be remiss not to mention our own book club! Check our book club page every month to see the best new releases handpicked for our readers by yours truly. These are the books I can’t stop thinking and talking about — and I think you’ll be obsessed with them, too.
Check back regularly for recommendations, author interviews and your next great read. You can check out our previous book club picks for TBR inspiration, too.
Jordy’s Book Club
Jordan Moblo is not just a voracious reader — he also chooses which titles will be adapted into your next favorite show as the former director of acquisitions for Netflix and the current head of IP for Universal Studios Group.
Check his page on Instagram @jordys.book.club for colorful shelfies, starred reviews, and a monthly book pick that’s as bingeable as your favorite show.
Aardvark
Aardvark is another book subscription service, similar to Book of the Month. You can pick your title from a curated list of monthly options, and it will ship to your door. They may offer a broader range of non-YA and romantasy options as opposed to Book of the Month, making Aardvark the preferred choice for some readers preferring horror, thrillers or less-mainstream releases.
Read with Jenna
Read With Jenna started in March 2019, when Jenna Bush Hager became a cohost on the TODAY show. Now it's a book club sensation: Her monthly picks frequently shoot up the bestseller lists. Read With Jenna titles feature a diverse mix of authors and the occasional classic book.
Alongside the on-air television segments with her featured authors, Jenna runs a companion podcast called Open Book With Jenna, where she interviews authors and celebrities about all things books. She also has a Read With Jenna Jr. that recommends books for children.
Reese’s Book Club
When she isn't acting or producing, Reese Witherspoon is reading. She launched her book club in 2017, spotlighting new releases that center women's stories.
Although not every book is guaranteed to be written by a woman, most of her picks are. Every book she selects has a strong central female character, and she prefers books with a message of hope, making them great for cozy reads. Reese's book club also offers a blog, a newsletter and featured essays and recommendations from the featured authors.
Sarah Vincent (she/her) covers the latest and greatest in books and all things pets for Good Housekeeping. She double majored in Creative Writing and Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, where she sat in the front row for every basketball game. In her spare time, she loves cooking, crafting, studying Japanese, and, of course, reading.
