The fulfillment I get from a good book is infinitely more than watching a movie based on the same. Harry Potter, Twilight Saga, Lord of the Rings, you name any, and books are more gratifying if one has the patience to turn pages to read them all. But it gets even more satisfying when you meet someone of your taste–dabbling in the same genre and having similar opinions about the titles you share. You can assume book clubs as a social network of bibliophiles. Some are regional in that they can meet in person, talk, suggest good reads to each other, organize events, and whatnot. Online book clubs, on the other hand, are online, much like Facebook. However, the essence of being a book club member remains the same. Just that, everything with online book clubs happens through chats, zoom calls, smartphone applications, websites, etc. Still, a big enough club can also have regional meet-ups and events. So now you know about them, take a look at what we have to recommend.
Reese’s Book Club
Founded by Reese Witherspoon, this book club is about women-centric storylines. Their monthly pick is usually Reese choosing a book portraying a lead woman guiding the story. Joining Reese’s Book Club is free, and you can do it on your smartphone by downloading the club’s application. Everything you buy from the application will generate affiliate income for the club, which is typical of such groups. What’s uncommon is all (100%!) proceeds from your purchases go to support ‘diverse writers’, ‘indie booksellers’, and ‘increasing access to the books.’ Latest picks:
Goodreads
Goodreads isn’t a single online book club, but a (big) bunch of them that everyone can turn to for their genre of choice. Besides, the number of people you network with is one of the strong points of Goodreads. You can see the group members, their personal collections, and what they currently read. Based on the access to outsiders, there are four different types of groups one can join or create: public, restricted, private, and secret. Overall, Goodreads seems like the depiction of ‘open-source’ and ‘free’ in the realm of online book clubs, which sets it apart from the rest.
Between Two Books
It has an interesting background story. In short, it all started with an Irish teen tweeting to the British rockstar, Florence, that she should have her own book club. Soon Between Two Books came into existence by global fans of Florence and the Machine, an English rock band. It’s still going strong with the same founding members managing all the action on the club’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter handles. Conclusively, joining Between Two Books is a no-brainer if you care for a lively community or are a Florence fan. Latest Picks: pposed Positions by Gwendoline Riley, Why Not Say Wc.
Book of the Month
If you regularly fall out of reading books and want to still cling on, Book of the Month just might be the thing. First, this isn’t free. You pay $9.99 for the first book and subsequently $15.99 a month. And you can skip at your convenience and won’t pay for that period. After you select the book of your choice from the available selection, Book of the Month ships at your US-based address. And without any long-term commitment, you can cancel at any time. However, there are longer and discounted plans if you are dedicated to making books your friend. Frankly, this felt less about a club and more about an online bookstore. So why buy a book from them when you can do this anywhere else? However, besides the one book per month quota, you have the liberty to choose a few more books (hardcover) as add-ons for $9.99 each, which makes this a steal, again. Besides, their communities on Facebook, etc., can be handy for swapping the ones you’ve finished. Latest picks:
Bookclubs
Bookclubs is a collection of many clubs (you can also create one for free) and is a Goodreads alternative with a modern website design. It is about finding people like you to share the love of reading. There isn’t a subscription, and Bookclubs is funded from the affiliate income where you buy any book they suggest. This gives them a small commission from the purchase while costing nothing to the buyer. Still, one can sign-up for the Bookclubs membership at Patreon to support them and get access to some exclusive content from its makers. On the community front, Bookclubs have meetings that one can check at the events section. There is also a forum section, but it often gets filled with people promoting their own clubs without any meaningful discussion threads. Finally, Bookclubs are recommended to anyone trying to meet people interested in their genre. Latest picks:
Netflix Book Club
This is created by Netflix for its users who also happen to be voracious readers. Netflix book club will interest anyone wondering how books become shows. Each month, a book is featured on the club website, which is later adapted by Netflix. Subsequently, you also get some backstories with the host, Uzo Aduba, and the show makers and/or the book authors, primarily about the Netflix adaptation. Conclusively, this is for anyone wanting to know more about their favorite shows and meet the associated people. Latest pick:
Book Movement
Book Movement is the home of book clubs, much like Goodreads and Bookclubs, that we discussed earlier. In a single glance, it tells you what other 80,000 clubs recommend and helps you function your own club smoothly. As of now, the clubs are private and without any listing on the Book Movement website. However, this is going to change and book clubs will have their page along with the information they want to share with others. For individual readers, this is about selecting excellent reads, participating in giveaway events, and being in the know. Latest Picks:
Rebel Book Club
Non-fiction and a strong community are the virtues for which you should consider joining the Rebel Book Club. The strengths of this club lie in the in-person (and online) meet-ups, currently taking place only in London and Bristol. Straightaway, Rebel is a premium club, which is about solidifying reading habits and conversations with like-minded people. Every month members choose one of three books that they all read before the community meeting. A few such events also feature a popular author, paving the way for exciting conversations. Latest pick:
OnlineBookClub
OnlineBookClub is another free option for people reading through multiple genres. Its website design can be confusing at first. Regardless, one can check out the huge communities and members’ shelves. Daily giveaways, discounted books, and forum discussions are some of the things one can join OnlineBookClub for. Another useful feature is the book reviews, helping you to decide about any title. They also have a free smartphone application to which you can download free and private books from the club library. Latest pick:
Join Them!
There are many online book clubs for anyone to join from all parts of the globe. And while you can do this solo, personally, I feel the discussions can reveal new angles you never thought the book is about. With the right members, we are sure you will enjoy joining a book club. And many of them are free you can join today to see why people do it. PS: Reading books is great, but not all of us have the time or patience for it. Ergo, these book summary apps can come in handy.
