How to Find and Join Online Book Clubs in 2025

I can very clearly remember my initial search for online book club. Initially, I was concerned that it wouldn’t have same atmosphere as conversing with friends over a fantastic book in a welcoming café. However, I discovered something much more wonderful—limitless opportunities.

It’s easier than ever to join an online book club in 2025. There is something for everyone, whether you are drawn to a mystery book club, a club run by your favorite author or an online group of passionate readers. When you see how much diversity is at your fingertips, lack of in-person meetings disappears.

Finding and Joining Online Book Clubs in 2025

Social Media Book Clubs

When I first searched for a book club online, I had no idea how easy it would be. Social media turned out to be a goldmine for book lovers like me. I went to Facebook first. I found groups of passionate readers in both public and private settings, discussing and diving deeply into their favorite books.

Facebook was my first stop. I came across both public and private groups of passionate readers discussing and delving deeply into their favorite books. We read Dune together and contrasted it with the film adaptation when I happened upon a vibrant science fiction community one day. The conversations were intriguing, and I thought I had found my tribe.

I was also taken away by Instagram. Reading communities appeared on my feed more frequently the more I interacted with postings on books. I learned about Emma Watson’s feminist book club and Reese Witherspoon’s book club, which featured best-selling books. The true treat, though? It was similar to attending an exclusive Q&A session from my phone when writers occasionally joined Instagram Book Club Live sessions to discuss their work.

Of course, each group had its own rules. Before joining, I always made sure to check their posting etiquette, as every community had its own way of running discussions. But once I got the hang of it, I realized social media wasn’t just a place to talk about books—it was a place to truly connect with other readers.

Discover Niche Reading Apps

People say no one reads anymore but I’ve found that’s far from the truth—especially with the rise of reading apps. My personal favorite? Fable. It’s become my go-to place for virtual book clubs and recommendations. It feels like a modern version of Goodreads which I still use for tracking my yearly reading challenge and joining book discussions.

But Fable isn’t only great app out there. As I explored more I came across several other platforms that make finding online book clubs effortless:

Bookship – Perfect for buddy reading & private book clubs.

Novellic – Tailored for niche reading communities.

Book Club by Book Movement – Great for structured club meetings.

The StoryGraph – Ideal for personalized recommendations and reading stats.

Bookclubs – Helps you create and manage your own book club easily.

And that’s just the beginning. There are so many niche book clubs waiting to be discovered it’s just a matter of finding the one that feels like home.

Explore Genre-Specific Forums

Forums may not be as trendy as TikTok or as sleek as reading apps but they’re still a goldmine for book lovers. If you have a favorite genre, chances are there’s a forum that works like a book club, filled with readers eager to discuss books you love.

Reddit is excellent starting point. While r/bookclub is devoted to online reading groups, communities like r/books and r/suggestmeabook are ideal for receiving book recommendations. The community-driven element of these subreddits is what makes them unique; individuals offer candid viewpoints & simply browsing might provide amazing recommendations.

I came into BookTalk on Reddit, which led me to even more genre-specific discussion boards. For fans of science fiction, SFFWorld is a terrific place to discuss everything from the newest releases to classic works. Catch-Up Book Club is one of the specialized discussion boards on Goodreads where readers may discuss novels they may have missed.

If you want to dig deeper, a quick search for book forums can lead you to hidden gems. My experiences with alternative search engines have been hit or miss but Forum Scout has given me solid results. And if you’re searching on Reddit using filters like Relevance and All Time can help you uncover the best discussions.

Find Book Clubs on Discord

Discord is home to many Goodreads fan clubs and reading groups. It’s perfect for larger groups, with admins creating separate channels for specific books or genres. Plus, the voice and audio calls make it easy for impromptu chats. Some public libraries even have Discord channels to connect with readers!

To find book clubs on Discord, open Discord, go to Discover and select Servers. Search for keywords like “book club,” “reading group,” or a specific genre. You can also use Disboard.org to find public servers tagged with “bookclub,” or try Discord.me for more book-related groups. My tip? Start with a smaller club to see if it’s a good fit.

If you’ve lost your reading habit, joining a Discord channel like booksandtea can give you the nudge you need.

Sign Up for Book Newsletters

Curated newsletters are a great way to discover new book clubs and reading communities. Services like BookBrowse, BookRiot, and LitHub offer newsletters that recommend books and feature active online book clubs. I also subscribe to authors’ newsletters from book clubs I’m part of and through these, I’ve found many of my favorite books, especially from underrepresented authors who don’t always make it onto bestseller lists.

I keep it simple by subscribing to two or three newsletters at a time so they don’t overwhelm my inbox. I prefer those with monthly reading lists and discussion questions, as they make it easy to join a book club without needing daily interaction.

Get Book Recommendations from AI

Did you know that ChatGPT can recommend books more effectively than Goodreads? Books is an example of a custom GPT that can search the web and provide you with personalized responses to your book-related questions. Its primary function is book suggestions, but it can also help you in finding book clubs.

The StoryGraph app uses AI to track your reading habits and suggest books. Its Buddy Read feature is like a mini-book club, letting you read with friends and even helping you pair up with community members.

Your favorite AI chatbot can also act as a smart reading partner. I’ve used ChatGPT to better understand challenging books, like Ulysses by James Joyce. With the voice feature, I can have a casual chat about a tough read.

But remember, while AI is great for suggestions, it can’t replace the deep discussions you get in a human-led book club. Use AI as a helpful tool, but don’t rely on it for everything.

• I Learned to Write Without Interruption. Here’s My Old Laptop’s Story
• How to Customize Your iPhone 16 Camera for Perfect Photos
• 6 Essential Tests to Run Before Buying a Used Smart TV

Join Virtual Literary Events

Many book festivals and literary events now have online versions, often with book club-style open discussions. Famous authors often join these events, making it a great chance to chat with them.

Even if they can not seem like a book club, certain online gatherings can nevertheless be beneficial. Live Q&A sessions, workshops, networking opportunities & webinars led by authors may be available. These gatherings are ideal for meeting writers and readers who share your interests.

For example, Epigraph Literary Festival is a free virtual event that happens every two years. You can also enjoy the Brooklyn Book Festival’s Virtual Festival Day from anywhere in world (though 2025 details are still pending). National Book Festival, hosted by the Library of Congress, focuses on author talks but offers video resources for those who can’t attend in person.

To find more events, check out listings on sites like Eventbrite and Meetup, or use event-tracking apps on your phone for local happenings.

In 2025, finding the perfect online book club is easier than ever. Whether through social media, AI-driven recommendations, or virtual book clubs, there’s a digital community for every reader—even if you’re into niche genres like Biopunk.