One of the great joys of art is sharing it with others. That could take the form of recommending a fantastic new film to your friends or telling someone about a great new song you’ve heard. Or it could mean a group trip to a museum or art gallery to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at the artworks together. But when it comes to books, due to the sheer time it takes to read them, it can be a bit harder to share your latest read with someone. Well – that’s where book clubs come in!
If you’re looking to discuss a new book with a room full of people who have also read it, or you’re looking to discover new books, or you just want to meet similarly-minded bookish types, head to these lovely London book clubs:
1. Brunch Book Club
Image: @brunchbookclub,via IG
Can you think of a better pairing than London’s illustrious literary history, and the greatest meal of the day – aka brunch? This book club, as the name suggests, sees members meeting “once a month to discuss a book and enjoy a bottomless brunch“. Participants dig into the more analytical side of the books via online conversations before heading out to enjoy bottomless brunch and continue chatting about the books. Then, it’s onwards for even more drinks and lively discussions!
Find out more here.
2. BookBar Book Club
One of our favourite bookstores in London takes its already social offering to the next level with its own book club, which also brings authors into the mix. They know half the fun of reading is discussing the book (perhaps with a glass of wine), so they launched a virtual book club that includes hand-picked books, a virtual event with the author, exclusive discounts and promotions, and a monthly in-person discussion group.
You can buy one-off tickets to the individual book club events (£18) or subscribe to the book club for £15 a month. Both options come with the book included and attendance at the virtual event.
Find out more here.
3. London LGBTQ+ Community Centre Queer Book Club
This monthly book club meets up at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre in Bankside and welcomes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The focus is on queer authors across a range of topics, and the book club provides a space for not just literary discussion, but also the chance to meet new friends. In 2025 the books they’re reading include the likes of The Lesbiana’s Guide To Catholic School by Sonora Reyes, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, Burning My Roti: Breaking Barriers as a Queer Indian Woman by Sharan Dhaliwal, Feminist, Queer, Crip by Alison Kafer, and The Color Purple by Alice Walker.
Find out more and grab a ticket here.
4. OKHA – The Queer and Black Book Club
Image: @prim.black, via IG
This book club prioritises “queer and Black fam” with a focus on books and writings by African, Caribbean, and Afro-Latinx authors. Books are selected seasonally and assigned to each monthly meet-up. At the meet-ups themselves, OKHA goes above and beyond with its book club offering. Attendees are treated to an “exhibition by a queer + black artist and usually another component such as a panel discussion, author Q+A or screening.” The OKHA book club sessions are a real celebration of art, literature, and creativity.
Find out more here.
5. Turning Pages
Image: @turningpagesclub, via IG
If you love books and conversations about books, but you’d rather choose your own book to read, this is the book club for you. Turning Pages organises regular events for book-lovers to meet up, read together, and discuss what they’re each reading. When you’re there, you “read first, mingle later“. Each event takes place at a different venue and is catered to the specific venue, making for sessions that are always fresh and exciting. They’ll soon be announcing details of their May events, so be sure to sign up to keep up to date.
Find out more here.
6. Left Book Club
Image: @leftbookclub, via IG
The Left Book Club is both a social gathering for like-minded people to discuss literature and a quasi-publisher and not-for-profit book subscription service. They publish and distribute to their members special editions of books on topics such as “politics, economy, society & culture by the world’s leading radical authors”. They also host regular events and reading groups, as well as discussions with authors and special guest speakers.
In the words of founder Victor Gollancz (who founded the original club back in 1936): “The aim of the Left Book Club is a simple one. It is to help in the terribly urgent struggle for world peace and against fascism”. And lest you scoff at the idea of a book club being able to exact change, the club “is widely credited with paving the way for Labour’s landslide victory in 1945 and the creation of the welfare state. At least eight members of the 1945 Labour cabinet were Left Book Club authors, including Clement Attlee”. Not too shabby, eh?
Find out more here.
7. Emily’s Walking Book Club
If you love books and you love walking, this is definitely the book club for you. Once a month in Regent’s Park and Hampstead Heath, Emily’s Walking Book Club meets up for relaxed discussions of books – while walking. Instead of consigning a book club discussion to a Zoom meeting or a quiet cafe where people are afraid to talk, the walk helps the conversation to flow more naturally. Said Emily: “The idea is it’s much easier to talk while you’re walking – something about the rhythm of it loosens your thoughts and your tongue too. Perhaps it’s also easier because you’re looking around at beautiful landscape rather than making stressful eye-contact.” Gorgeous walks, book-ish chats, and relaxed vibes – what a splendid day out!
Find out more here.
8. Rebel Book Club
Styling itself as “not your average book club”, Rebel Book Club is all about challenging, changing, and inspiring yourself. That means they exclusively read non-fiction books, with a new topic chosen every month. There are regular in-person and virtual events, and they invite authors and experts to discuss the wide range of topics they cover. Described by some participants as ‘life-changing’, this book club truly places as much emphasis on the transformative power of reading as it does the social aspect of book clubs.
Find out more here.
9. Pages of Hackney Book Group
Image: @pagesofhackney, via IG
Does anyone do book clubs better than bookshops? After all, it’s kind of their speciality! And when the shop is as well-regarded as Pages of Hackney, you know the book club group is going to be a good one. Once a month, they meet up to discuss a book that everyone has recently chosen and read (you know the drill by now) and explore the bountiful world of literature. Whether you’re wanting to discover new books and authors, read more regularly, or meet new friends, the Pages of Hackney Book Group is a splendid choice.
Find out more here.
10. Silent Book Club
While most book clubs focus on meeting up to talk about the books they’re reading, the Silent Book Club does virtually the opposite. They gather together to read together. In silence. There’s no assigned reading or requirements for what or how you’re reading – it’s simply a way to “gather in bars, cafés, bookstores, libraries, and online to read together in quiet camaraderie.” Described as ‘introvert happy hour’, it’s perfect if you’ve been wanting to force yourself to read but keep getting distracted! Plus, with chapters all over the world and online, there’s sure to be a Silent Book Club nearby, no matter where you are.
Find out more here.
So, there you have it – some of London’s very best book clubs. Whether you’re keen to get super analytical or are just after casual book-ish chats, you’re sure to find one that suits you!