How to Start a Used Book Club in Your Area

How to Start a Used Book Club in Your Area

A guide to building real connections around books

In an age where notifications never stop and screen time keeps climbing, there's something deeply grounding about a circle of readers passing around a gently worn paperback. A used book club isn’t just about reading—it’s about reviving community, championing sustainability, and creating thoughtful spaces where stories connect people in real life.

If you’ve been thinking about starting one in your area, this guide is for you.

📍 Step 1: Find Your “Why”

Start with the heart of your club:

  • Do you want to build stronger local connections?

  • Explore books through a sustainable, budget-friendly lens?

  • Read more regularly but socially?

Setting a clear intention helps in crafting a unique experience that goes beyond just “finishing a book.”

👥 Step 2: Gather Your First Few Members

Don’t stress about numbers. The most memorable discussions often happen in small, consistent groups. To find members:

  • Share your idea on local WhatsApp or Telegram groups

  • Post on your Instagram stories or community pages

  • Ask your local café, co-working space, or library to put up a flyer

  • Tell friends to bring friends

📌 Tip: Create a simple Google Form or WhatsApp group to keep interested folks in the loop.

📦 Step 3: Choose Books That Are Easy to Find Used

To make it accessible for all, choose books that:

  • Are already listed on BestOfUsedBooks.com

  • Have multiple editions in circulation

  • Are classics, bestsellers, or older titles (easier to find used)

Some examples:

  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

  • The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (often found used and in good condition)

🛒 Encourage members to buy second-hand or borrow, swap, or share copies.

📆 Step 4: Plan Your Meetings With Realistic Rhythm

Consistency matters more than frequency. A monthly cycle works best for most people:

  • Week 1: Start the book

  • Week 3–4: Meet and discuss

  • Repeat with a new book

Decide whether you’ll meet in person, online, or rotate between both.

👥 In-person ideas:

  • Public parks, cafés, terraces, libraries

  • Rotate homes if members are comfortable

📲 Online tools:

  • Google Meet / Zoom for remote members

  • WhatsApp/Telegram for in-between chats

🧡 Step 5: Create Space for Everyone

Make your club feel welcoming:

  • Don’t pressure people to always finish the book

  • Let quieter members speak first sometimes

  • Give people space to share personal experiences, not just plot points

Let your club become a pause in their month, not another obligation.

🎨 Step 6: Add Creative & Meaningful Elements

Bring books to life beyond the page:

  • Theme nights (e.g., vintage book night, author dress-up)

  • Snack pairings (bring food related to the book’s setting)

  • Reading challenges (read a book under 200 pages or one written before 1970)

  • Bookmark exchange using handmade or vintage bookmarks

  • Book-scented candles, mood music, or journaling prompts

🔁 Step 7: Sustain and Grow Your Club

Over time, you can:

  • Create a shared Google Doc to track books read

  • Celebrate 1-year anniversaries with a book potluck

  • Invite guest authors (local or indie) to join virtual calls

  • Collaborate with local book cafés or charities for pop-up clubs

  • Organize a used book donation or swap drive

🌍 Want to go greener? Use only pre-loved books and donate them to the next reader once done.

📸 Step 8: Share Your Journey

Document your book club experience on social media:

  • Post meeting photos, quotes, and discussions

  • Share used book hauls or favorite dog-eared finds

  • Tag @bestofusedbooks for a chance to get featured

Your book club might inspire someone else to start theirs.

📌 Resources You Can Use:

  • 📚 BestOfUsedBooks.com – for sourcing affordable, used books

  • 🖨️ Canva – to make custom invites or discussion templates

  • 📅 Doodle Poll – for voting on books or meeting times

  • 📝 Notion/Google Docs – to maintain a digital bookshelf or notes

  • 🎙️ Voice notes – great for low-pressure check-ins between meets

Final Thoughts:

Starting a book club doesn’t require a big following, a fancy location, or a perfect plan. All it takes is a love for books and a willingness to share stories—and suddenly, strangers become familiar, and books become bridges.

So go ahead. Pass around those worn-out covers, trade annotated pages, and read together—not for the perfect discussion, but for real connection.

See you between the pages,
BestOfUsedBooks.com

Back to blog