The 15 Best Online Book Clubs to Join in 2024
In our fast-paced world, carving out moments for simple pleasures like getting lost in a captivating book can feel like a luxury. But what if you could amplify that joy by sharing it with others? While the traditional image of book clubs might involve in-person gatherings, the digital age has opened up a vibrant landscape of Book Clubs Online. These virtual communities break down geographical barriers, connecting readers from all corners of the globe and enriching the reading experience in exciting new ways. If you’re looking to deepen your engagement with literature, spark conversations, and connect with fellow book enthusiasts, joining a book club online might be the perfect next chapter for you.
Whether you’re eager to dissect complex characters, explore thought-provoking themes, or simply find a space to share your literary passions, the world of online book clubs offers a diverse array of options. From celebrity-led groups to niche communities focused on specific genres or identities, there’s a virtual book club out there to match every taste and interest. Let’s delve into fifteen of the best book clubs online in 2024, each offering a unique pathway to connect with books and readers alike.
Celebrity Curated Book Clubs Online
For readers seeking recommendations from tastemakers and a touch of star power, celebrity-led book clubs online offer an engaging blend of curated selections and community discussion.
1. Reese’s Book Club: A Sunshine Selection
📚 Notable Past Reads: The Guest List, Such a Fun Age, The Proposal
Reese Witherspoon, a name synonymous with successful book-to-screen adaptations like Wild and Big Little Lies, extends her passion for storytelling through Reese’s Book Club. This massively popular online book club, boasting over 2 million followers, reflects Witherspoon’s signature optimistic and insightful brand. Each month, two books are chosen – one for adults and one for young adults – both centered around female-driven narratives that are joyful and thought-provoking.
Joining Reese’s virtual community is easy. Connect through Instagram and Facebook, download their dedicated app, or subscribe to their newsletter for a dose of literary sunshine in your inbox. The sheer size of this online book club ensures lively discussions and even increases your chances of meeting fellow members in real life. Adding to the appeal, prominent authors frequently grace Reese’s platforms to discuss their work and engage directly with readers, creating a dynamic and interactive book club online experience.
2. Between Two Books: Literary Vibes with Florence Welch
Florence Welch, the founder of Between Two Books online book club, in a promotional image.
📚 Notable Past Reads: The Marriage Plot, The Goldfinch, Their Eyes Were Watching God
Between Two Books emerged from Florence Welch’s fanbase in 2012, quickly gaining the singer’s enthusiastic endorsement. This online book club has evolved into a visually appealing and intellectually stimulating community of over 130,000 members. Known for its eclectic taste, Between Two Books features recommendations from a diverse roster of influential figures, including artists like Grayson Perry, directors like Greta Gerwig, and writers like Sally Rooney.
To immerse yourself in this stylish book club online, head to their Instagram page. Expect a curated feed of book recommendations, thought-provoking discussion prompts, captivating video readings, and, of course, announcements of their current literary focus. Between Two Books offers a sophisticated and artistically driven approach to the online book club format.
3. Belletrist: An Indie Bookstore Celebration
📚 Notable Past Reads: Milk Fed, Outlawed, Luster
Founded by best friends Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, Belletrist is rooted in a decade-long tradition of sharing books and literary discoveries. This book club online embodies the joy of literary friendship, extending that connection to a wider community of subscribers. Each month, Belletrist spotlights a new book and a noteworthy indie bookstore, championing both contemporary literature and the vital role of independent booksellers.
Belletrist delivers a weekly newsletter, “The Belletrist Brief,” featuring reading recommendations from authors and influencers. Their Instagram account offers engaging content like author interviews, “MTV Cribs of Bookshelves” style peeks into readers’ personal libraries, and even recipes inspired by cookbooks. At its core, Belletrist remains true to its origins – a celebration of books shared amongst friends, now in a thriving online book club setting.
4. Read with Jenna: Compulsively Readable Picks
📚 Notable Past Reads: The Dutch House, The Four Winds, Black Buck
While Oprah’s Book Club may have shifted its focus, Jenna Bush Hager of the Today Show has stepped in to fill the literary recommendation void with Read with Jenna. Launched in 2019, this online book club consistently delivers engaging and accessible reads. Jenna prioritizes books with “a great, compulsively readable plot” and emphasizes beautifully written prose, appealing to readers who appreciate both compelling stories and literary craftsmanship.
The Read with Jenna Instagram account, while more modestly sized than Reese’s, still boasts a strong community of 125k followers. The Today Show website serves as a central hub, featuring author interviews and insightful discussion questions to enhance both individual reading and group book club online experiences.
Local and Community Focused Book Clubs Online
For those seeking a sense of local connection within the digital realm, these book clubs online foster community and shared reading experiences across geographical boundaries.
5. Poppy Loves Book Club: A Global Network of Local Chapters
📚 Notable Past Reads: The History of Love, The Heart’s Invisible Furies, The Binding
Poppy Loves Book Club, spearheaded by Eva of Poppy Loves London, offers the best of both worlds: the expansive reach of a popular online book club combined with the intimacy of local groups. This women-only club acts as an umbrella organization, uniting hundreds of local book clubs worldwide.
Whether you prefer to participate purely online and enjoy the aesthetically pleasing Instagram page, or wish to join or even start a local chapter, Poppy Loves Book Club provides a framework for shared reading on a global scale. Each month, members worldwide read the same book, culminating in online discussions, often featuring the author, fostering a vibrant sense of community within this book club online network.
6. Silent Book Club: Introvert-Friendly Reading Online
📚 Book Selection: Read anything you desire!
Silent Book Club caters to readers who appreciate the joy of reading in community without the pressure of constant verbal interaction. Founded in 2012, this concept has grown to over 240 chapters across 30+ countries. While traditionally in-person, Silent Book Club has seamlessly transitioned to the book clubs online space, recognizing the value of virtual connection.
This online book club emphasizes “real, live, breathing-the-same-air social” interaction, even in a digital format. While small talk and assigned discussion points are absent, the focus is on shared presence and the comfortable silence of reading alongside others. Virtual meet-ups, hosted from various locations worldwide, are listed on their website, offering a unique and introvert-friendly approach to the book club online experience.
Subscription Based Book Clubs Online
For readers who appreciate curated selections delivered directly to their door, subscription-based book clubs online offer convenience and literary discovery.
7. Book of the Month: Early Reads and Community Hub
📚 Notable Past Reads: The Kindest Lie, Untamed, The Vanishing Half
Book of the Month focuses on delivering the freshest literary voices and early releases. Each month, a panel of judges selects five standout new books. For a monthly fee, members choose their pick, which arrives in a signature blue box, ready for reading and review.
Beyond book delivery, Book of the Month facilitates community through its online platform. Members can easily create their own clubs, invite friends, and schedule virtual meetings directly on the site. Book of the Month streamlines the book club online process, ensuring everyone has access to the chosen book and meeting reminders, making participation seamless and enjoyable.
8. Rebel Book Club: Nonfiction Exploration Online
📚 Notable Past Reads: The Art of Gathering, The Ungrateful Refugee, The Life-changing Magic of Numbers
Rebel Book Club caters to nonfiction enthusiasts seeking to maximize their reading impact. This global community of “curious minds” tackles thought-provoking nonfiction reads, combating the common “tsundoku” – the ever-growing pile of unread books.
Membership unlocks access to voting on monthly book selections and participation in regular virtual meet-ups. Rebel Book Club fosters connection by matching members with shared interests and provides resources to enhance reading habits and comprehension. Currently, meet-ups take place via Zoom, featuring discussions, guest speakers, and interactive games, creating a dynamic and learning-focused book club online environment.
9. Beth’s Book Club: More Than Just a Book
📚 Notable Past Reads: Away With the Penguins, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Cactus
Beth’s Book Club offers a comprehensive membership experience beyond just a monthly book. For a monthly fee, members gain access to engaging book discussions, author Q&As, workshops, online social events, yoga sessions, and self-care resources.
While offering a diverse range of activities, Beth’s Book Club remains centered on its core mission: connecting thousands of women globally through shared reading experiences. Joining this vibrant community promises friendships, stimulating conversations, and a wealth of book recommendations within a supportive book club online framework.
Diverse and Niche Online Book Clubs
These book clubs online cater to specific interests and communities, offering focused literary exploration and connection.
10. Ladies’ Lit Squad: Feminist Voices Online
📚 Notable Past Reads: Girl, Woman, Other, Valentine, The Consequences of Love
Ladies’ Lit Squad, a feminist book club online founded by writer Sheree Milli, transitioned from in-person London gatherings to a thriving digital community. With over 7,000 members worldwide, their Instagram page serves as a hub for book recommendations, reader reflections, and visually engaging content.
For 2021, Ladies’ Lit Squad launched a “21 books in ’21 challenge,” providing prompts and suggestions to encourage reading breadth. Their selections prioritize books by women and authors of color, spanning genres but united by powerful voices. Supporting independent bookstores is also a key value, with a bookshop.org page linked for easy access to their recommended titles.
11. Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club: Reader-Voted Selections
📚 Notable Past Reads: Beach Read, The Midnight Library, The Guest List
Goodreads, the expansive virtual reading community, hosts numerous book clubs online within its platform. For readers seeking broadly appealing and highly-rated books, the Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club is an excellent choice.
This book club online focuses on reading and discussing top-rated titles from the Goodreads Choice Awards, reflecting the collective preferences of the site’s vast user base. Discussion boards facilitate conversations about the books, as well as more casual topics, fostering a welcoming and engaging community within the larger Goodreads ecosystem.
12. New York Public Library & WNYC’s Virtual Book Club: Accessible and Public
📚 Notable Past Reads: Deacon King Kong, Black Buck, All Adults Here
The New York Public Library and WNYC radio station partnered to create an accessible and community-focused book club online. A key feature of this club is its commitment to affordability; all selected books are available for free through the NYPL’s e-reader app, SimplyE, removing financial barriers to participation.
Even without a library card, readers can access thousands of public domain classics and engage with author discussions through WNYC’s arts and culture program, All of It. Past author interviews are also available online, creating a rich and accessible book club online experience centered around public resources and literary engagement.
13. Lez Book Club: Queer Women’s Literary Space Online
📚 Notable Past Reads: Love and Other Thought Experiments, Sister Outsider, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
Lez Book Club initially began as an in-person gathering in London pubs, creating a space for queer women to connect through LGBT literature. The shift to book clubs online has broadened its reach, welcoming queer and trans women, and nonbinary individuals from around the world.
Virtual meetings are held monthly, with details and book selections announced on their Instagram page. Maintaining an intimate and safe environment is prioritized, with a hand-picked guest list ensuring meaningful and focused discussions within this niche book club online.
14. OKHA: Celebrating Queer Black Voices Online
📚 Notable Past Reads: Rainbow Milk, Surge, All About Love
OKHA, a queer + Black book club online, is hosted on PRIM, a digital platform dedicated to “Black existence and storytelling.” Born from a desire for greater visibility of queer Black narratives and works by authors of Black ancestry, OKHA focuses on amplifying African, Caribbean, and Afro-Latinx literary voices.
PRIM serves as a comprehensive hub, featuring author catalogs, written stories, video readings, films, and podcasts. To participate in the OKHA book club online, follow their Instagram page for monthly book announcements and event details. Meetings take place virtually on the last Friday of each month, creating a space for celebration, learning, and community around Black writing, featuring notable speakers, artists, and authors.
15. Our Shared Shelf: Feminist Literature Community
📚 Notable Past Reads: House of Spirits, Overdressed, Men Explain Things to Me
Our Shared Shelf was launched by Emma Watson in 2016 as part of her work with UN Women, focusing on intersectional feminist literature. While Watson stepped back in 2020, this book club online community continues to thrive on Goodreads, as well as on Twitter and Instagram under the hashtag #oursharedshelf.
Discussions and recommendations of feminist titles continue within this active community, demonstrating the enduring appeal of shared reading and feminist discourse. Even without its celebrity founder, Our Shared Shelf remains a valuable and lively book club online for feminist readers.
If you’re passionate about sharing your literary insights, consider exploring Reedsy Discovery, a platform where you can review books and connect with a readership eager for authentic opinions. Register as a book reviewer here to amplify your voice in the literary conversation.
This article explores a variety of book clubs online, providing readers with options to find a community that aligns with their literary interests and preferences.
