By Hannah Harris
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 20s, it’s that friendship, food, wine, and good conversation make the perfect mix. For me, that mix comes alive once a month when I meet up with my book club. It’s become more than just a book club for me— it’s laughs, connecting, vibing, and the kind of community I didn’t even know I needed. It truly is the highlight of my month.
Starting a book club might sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little planning and some friends, it can turn into the best thing you never knew you needed. If this sounds like something you’ve always wanted to do or just now realizing, I’m here to help you get your club started. Here’s exactly how to start your own:
1. Decide on Your Book Club’s Vibe and Name
Is your group looking for fiction, self-help, fantasy, or memoirs? My book club, Cover Girls Book Club, does a mix of best-selling fiction, self-help, and basically books from booktok. Pick a theme that best fits you and your group. Don’t overthink it, you can always change the vibes later.
2. Find Your People
Your club doesn’t need to be big. Start with 5–10 friends who genuinely want to read (or at least show up ready to discuss and snack). For me, having a group of women in their 20s made it feel like a safe space to share openly. Think about who in your circle would vibe with the group dynamic. I reached out to friends/mutual friends on social media by sliding in their dms or posting a poll asking who was interested in reading or being a part of a social group and went from there.
3. The Book
Here’s where the fun begins. My book club votes on a book every month using a poll in our group message. I put together a line-up of books from my TBR/BookTok, accessible, and not too long. I like to keep the page count under 450. (Pro tip: pick something with themes that spark debate — that’s what makes discussions juicy!) Another way you can select your book is also rotate who chooses each month so everyone feels included.
4. Plan the Meeting
The location sets the mood. Sometimes we meet at restaurants like Sixty Vines, other times it’s a cozy night in (just make sure there’s wine). I love to get creative and mix it up, but the key is picking a spot where the vibes are good and everyone feels comfortable chatting. Bonus points if there’s good food/drinks and it fits the theme of the month.
5. Make it Fun
Make it more than just “sitting around talking.” Raffles, discussion questions, or an activity can make the night fun. You want to give people a reason to come back. For example, when we read The Let Them Theory, the theme of the month was “Self-care September” and our theme for the meeting was “Namaste & Rosé”. We did yoga led by one of our lovely members and then went into our book discussion with some rosé and refreshments. The raffle gift also fit the theme of being a candle and yoga mat. It made the night feel like an event, not just a meeting.
6. Keep it Consistent and Creative
Consistency is what makes a book club thrive. Our group meets once a month, which gives everyone enough time to finish the book. Don’t forget to be creative!! I love planning meetings and raffling gifts that fit the theme. I also make goodie bags to give to new members at their first meeting. This them feel more welcomed and also its fun! It doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Pick a rhythm that works for your people and stick to it. Even if everyone doesn’t finish the book in a month (including yourself), still have that meeting to socialize…I promise it’ll be a blast.
Why My Book Club Is The Highlight Of My Month…
A social group might be exactly what you’re missing. What started as a simple idea has grown into one of the most meaningful parts of my life. And honestly, it’s not just about the books — it’s about the girlhood, the laughs, and having one night each month set aside just for fun.
Through this book club, I’ve been able to connect people who might never have met otherwise. I’ve discovered new restaurants in my city, explored different genres, and the best part is that I get to share it all with a great group of women. I love the debriefs, the conversations, and hearing everyone’s unique takes on the same book.
My group is still growing, and it makes my heart so full when someone new wants to join. So if you’ve been thinking about starting a book club — do it. Pick a book, gather your people, pour the wine, and let the magic happen. Trust me, it’ll become the highlight of your month too.
Xo, Hannah Harris