Start your new chapter with a book club

With life being busier than ever, Sunshine Coast Libraries is encouraging locals to slow down and consider starting a book club - making more time for reading and socialising.

Library Collections Services Supervisor Imogen Neely said book clubs were the perfect way to combine a love of reading with making social connections.

“We’ve seen a spike in book club members who are going for the social element, rather than the sake of reading,” Imogen said.  

“Reading is usually a solo activity but being part of a club, you all read the same book and then come together as a group to discuss it.”

Imogen said they created a great opportunity to build community, connection and social interactions for some Sunshine Coast residents who otherwise may not get to enjoy a friendly conversation very often.

“The book is the jumping off point, leading to a sharing of people’s lives and experiences,” she said.

“Often the club becomes a family and lifelong connections can be made.”  

Committing to a fortnightly, monthly or bi-monthly catch up with your book club is a great way to build routine and have something to look forward to.

The club catch-ups often mean more to the members than whether they’ve read the book, or if everyone agrees with each other’s review.

For almost 20 years Sunshine Coast Libraries has offered a book club service, providing sets for clubs to borrow and read, and encouraging regular catch-ups to share thoughts and opinions on a great selection of titles.

The Libraries book club service offers more than 700 sensational titles for clubs to borrow. Each book club set has eight copies per title, allowing for up to eight people per club.

Starting a book club is easy, to find out how, visit the Sunshine Coast Libraries website or pop into your local library and have a chat with one of our friendly staff.

Book club ideas:

1. Watch a movie together
   There’s no shortage of movie adaptations of well-loved books. Finish your book club catch-up with a screening.
2. Have a themed dinner party
   Take your catch-up to the next level by pairing your book discussion with themed food, drink and decorations. Take it one step further by dressing up as your favourite character.
3. Try new places
   There’s no rule that says your book club catch-ups need to be in the same location every month. Meet somewhere new and discover new places. Or better yet, find a venue that matches the theme of your book.
4. Have a book ‘free-for-all’
   Pick a month where there’s no assigned book and share thoughts about whatever you’re currently reading instead. At the end you can do a book swap to try something new.
5. Share a favourite quote
   Learn more about your members by having everyone in your book club pick a quote or phrase that impacted them to start a discussion.