How to Start an Online Book Club in 2025: A Guide for Creators, Authors, and Book Influencers
By Kris Colley, May 9, 2025
So, you’ve got a love for books, a few strong opinions, and maybe a growing audience who trusts your taste. The only question now is should you start a book club?
Short answer: absolutely.
With Bookum, you can launch an online book club that doesn’t just talk about books but creates real connection. Whether you're new to hosting or a seasoned book influencer ready to build something deeper, this guide will help you create a space that feels intentional, inclusive, and honestly... fun.
Let’s get into it.
Step One: Know Why You're Doing This
Yes, books are great. But book clubs? They’re about people (and the engaging discussions). So before you choose your first pick, get clear on your "why."
Do you want to gather people around a theme or genre you love? Create accountability to actually finish your TBR? Build a community with book lovers? Turn your content/expertise into a monetized space that brings value to your club?
On Bookum, you can do all of that and more. The best clubs aren’t just well-run. They’re about the people. Your reason is what keeps people coming back, even after the book ends.
Step Two: Pick the Right Book (Conversation is the Goal)
A good book club book isn’t always the about the bestseller. What you want is a book (good or bad) that opens doors for discussion, for reflection, maybe even for debate.
In the Bookum Book Club, we’ve leaned into titles that do just that. In January, we read King: A Life by Jonathan Eig and had powerful conversations on civil rights, activism, and legacy. February and March brought an entrepreneur Who Better Than You? by Hollywood Film Producer Will Packer equal parts memoir, Hollywood masterclass, and inspirational blueprint. In April, we tackled Audition by Katie Kitamura, a sharp novel that raised questions about what roles to we play?, performance & vulnerability. This May, we’re deep in What Winners Won’t Tell You by Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Jenkins, a bold, brilliant take on sports, life & what it really costs to win.
Each pick gave us something bigger than a plot twist: conversation that mattered. (Join the Bookum Club today)
Step Three: Choose How You Want People to Connect
On Bookum, every club gets access to three powerful connection tools. Use one. Use all. Just use them well.
- Audio Nooks are our live, real-time group audio feature. Basically like hosting a podcast episode or phone call with your club. It's low-lift, candid and high-impact.
- Video Livestreaming is perfect when you want to see your readers and bring extra energy into the room great for author guests, group reading time, big wrap-ups, cooking classes or high-engagement nights.
- Text-Based Group Chat anytime chat so readers can drop thoughts, quotes, or spicy takes when inspiration strikes. Clubs have spoiler free posting as well!
All three are built in, and your readers can join from wherever they are in the world. Cozy in sweatpants. Book in hand. Magic.
Step Four: Build a Rhythm People Can Rely On
You don’t need a strict schedule (unless you’re into that kind of thing) but you do need a rhythm that keeps the energy flowing. Here's one we like:
- Week 1: Announce your pick and welcome new members.
- Week 2: Post a poll or prompt to spark that first wave of reactions.
- Week 3: Host a Nook or Livestream mid-read check-in.
- Week 4: Wrap with final thoughts, highlights, and maybe a favorite quote showdown. Or also we do a conversation with the author!
And in between? Let the conversation flow. Bookum’s community feed, blogging tools, and book tracking features make it easy to stay connected!
Step Five: If It Feels Like Community, You're Winning
The best clubs aren’t lecture halls. They’re living rooms.
So shout out your members. Repost the funny takes. Start threads that feel like real talk. Start random chats. Celebrate when someone finishes their first book in months (this isn't school). And don’t be afraid to experiment good conversations don’t always follow the outline.
If you’re a book influencer, author, or business leader, you might even want to start a paid membership club on Bookum. You set the price. You offer the experience. Whether that means exclusive livestreams, behind-the-scenes extras, candid author talks or private discussions with your top fans it’s your space to grow, earn, and lead with intention.
Bonus Tip: Bring the Author Into the Room
On Bookum, We make it easy to invite authors into Audio Nooks or video chats, giving your readers a direct line to the person behind the story. It’s unforgettable. And it makes your club feel like something truly special.
Bookum is where bookish conversation happens. So if you’re ready to turn your love of books into something bigger your club on best book club app is just a few taps away.
Start hosting on Bookum today. And bring your book people with you.