If you like big books and you cannot lie, you know there’s nothing quite like being able to share some of your favourite plot twists, characters, and themes with others. Luckily, Brisbane has plenty of book clubs to choose from, so don’t turn the page! Read on to find the group for you.
Brisbane Book Club
With almost 5,000 members in their closed Facebook group, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger or more diverse book club in Brisbane! Due to the size of the group, BBC offers a variety of books for members to choose from every month, hosting regular Books in the Park events across Brissy to discuss them in smaller groups.
Monthly events across Brisbane announced on their Facebook.
Shelf Lovers Book Circles
Shelf Lovers’ unique Book Circles mean that members are not required to read and discuss the same book. Instead, members are encouraged to answer a question, drawn at random, about their most recent reading. This is a great way for members to not only discover books that they may not necessarily be normally exposed to, but to also share their favourite books with fellow book lovers!
With meetings twice a month, one covering all genres and the other focused on a specific one, Shelf Lovers truly makes everyone feel comfortable in their friendly and inclusive environment.
Sadly, the owners have just announced in a social media post that they will be closing their doors at the end of April, but keep your eyes peeled and your fingers crossed as they evaluate their next steps.
🕒Last Monday of every month — 6.30pm / Midmonth — 6.30pm
đź“Ť1 Dickson St, Wooloowin
The Mad Hatters Bookshop
A little farther afield, this charming Manly bookshop runs two book clubs for adults: one on Friday evenings, for an intellectual opening to the weekend at the bookshop, and the other on Monday mornings to start the week on the right foot, at Keith’s on Cambridge.
Every year, the book club works under a theme, and this year’s is “Around the World”. There’s no fee to join in, although organisers request that you buy that month’s book from The Mad Hatters, and members receive 10% off book club picks.
🕒Second Friday of every month — 7pm-9pm / Second Monday of every month — 9.30am-11am
đź“ŤManly 7 Day Markets, 50 Cambridge Parade, Manly / 10 Cambridge Parade, Manly
Avid Reader
If you can never read only one book at a time, or you have more of a niche taste, Avid Reader is sure to have a book club for you. They have book clubs dedicated to genres, such as crime or romance, ones for international books translated into English, queer book clubs, feminist-focused groups, and more. They even have an online book club, in case your schedule is too packed to attend one!
đź•’Various days and times, depending on book club
đź“Ť193 Boundary St, West End
QAGOMA Book Club
A members-only book club, QAGOMA’s monthly picks often reflect what’s going on in the gallery itself — the current reading list is inspired by the The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, giving members the chance to further explore the ideas and concepts behind inspiring pieces.
đź•’Three times a month, announced on their website
đź“ŤStanley Pl, South Brisbane
Local Libraries
Most of Brisbane’s public libraries have one or even multiple book clubs divided by age or interest. You can check them all out here and find like-minded bookworms in your community to share your bookish love with!