How to Start a Book Club | Plus 8 Book Recommendations

Have you ever wanted to start a book club. While it might feel like a big ask, starting a book club can be super simple and work out quite naturally with the right group. Six years ago I got the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and began reading it. Within the first few chapters I thought of a few family members that I thought would really enjoy the book as well. I texted a picture of the cover of the book and simply asked "would anyone want to read this book with me?" The response was positive and we started scheduling dates we could meet via FaceTime and the chapters we wanted to read by each date.

We didn't know this was the beginning of a book club that has lasted six years, or that we would read 50+ books and counting, we just started reading one book together. We enjoyed gathering together and our discussions so much, it was natural for us to want to read and discuss another book once we finished our first one. And so our book club was formed.

I'll be honest with you, most of the time an idea like creating a book club wouldn't pan out for me, because it feels like a big task. Finding the right people, being able to meet consistently, choosing books everyone would enjoy, creating a space people want to come back to... well that feels completely overwhelming and just the thought of trying to do all of that is enough to stop me before I even give it a whirl. But texting a few people I am close to and asking if they want to read one book with me? Well that's doable, casual, easy even. And it's all I had to do to create a book club that has been really meaningful.

And maybe sending the text doesn't pan out into a full fledged bi weekly book club that lasts years, but maybe you find a few friends to read a good book with and deepen your connection points. That's a win too. 

Like I said, our book club began with reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and while I think it is a perfect book to read and discuss, here are 8 books I have especially enjoyed reading with my book club, and I think they would each be a perfect book to text to a friend or a few and ask "would anyone want to read this book with me?"

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Yes I have to start with this book. First it is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. Her writing is absolutely gorgeous and feels so cozy and loving. The topics she discusses as an Indigenous Woman and botanist are incredibly interesting, insightful, and make a lot of space for reflection. It is the perfect book to read with others because the discussion that can be created from this book is just so rich. I would suggest taking it slow, just a few chapters at a time. In my opinion this book is perfect for a book club and everyone should read it.

How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis - This books was interesting because we invited our significant others to read the book with us and join in the discussion. I've read a lot of books over the years that give tips and tricks and plans of how to make your life function better, but this book was truly the best I have ever read. It is super concise, gets right to the point, and the tips are not things like make your bed first thing in the morning, they are more centered on finding ways to accomplish the tasks you need to accomplish in ways that actually work for you. It's not about creating a perfect, aesthetically pleasing system, it's about creating a system that functions in your life. And it has a lot of creative and thoughtful ways you can do that. Honestly it was a great book that made a difference in my life and how I do things but also the way I think about the things I do. On top of that it was a really good book to discuss and see what others took away from their reading.

Fire Keepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley - I'll be honest it's been a minute since I read this book, but I remember really enjoying it. This fiction book was simply a fun read with a bit of a love story and a bit of a mystery. It integrated some indigenous practices from the perspective of the main character into the story, and I felt like I learned a lot from simply witnessing how the main character moved through the world. Honestly this was just a really good book and I would recommend it if you are looking for a good story to discuss.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower - Maybe it's because I am a little nosy, but I love reading a book that is journal entries or pages from a diary. Reading a journal can feel like getting a real look into someones truest thoughts and experiences. Everyone really loved reading this first volume of the journal entries for Emma M. Lion, and I believe it has also become quite the hit in the wider world. It's a fun quick read and lovely discussion and as a bonus there are more volumes for continued reading if you especially enjoyed it.

Phoebe's Diary by Phoebe Wahl - Another diary this time following a more modern girl as she navigates high school. I absolutely loved reading this book, it felt very nostalgic to me and brought up a lot of my own high school memories (for better or for worse). I always love a book that really resonates with my own human experience, it's always nice to know that the things you go through in life end up being pretty universal experiences and not something that you solely went through alone because you're a weird person who just hasn't figured out how to do life right. This was a fun discussion book as people shared some of their own high school stories. It also felt like a good book to get to know each other in a new and different way as people were willing to share which parts of the book resonated with them.

The Serviceberry - Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Another book by Robin Wall Kimmerer, but believe me this one is worth reading as well. This book is a lot shorter than Braiding Sweetgrass so it could be a good book to introduce you to her words and writing style to see if you resonate with her. Robin is so good at discussing complex human problems and better ways to do things and make it feel achievable while recognizing the greater forces and systems that we are required to live in and do the work in. She gives hope while acknowledging reality. It's a great read and a great discussion.

The Women by Kristin Hannah - This was a great historical fiction novel that followed a woman who served as a medic during the Vietnam war. It really brought to life the horrors of the war and living with those experiences in the aftermath. I felt like this book painted such a vivid portrait about the realities of war and the people who went through it as well as considering what it was like coming home and living among people who had no idea how to even conceptualize what they just went through. It was a super interesting book that was a great read and great discussion.