How to set up a book club with friends

Let's be honest – starting a book club is really just a socially acceptable excuse to drink wine with your friends whilst pretending to be intellectual. But it's also genuinely brilliant, and here's how to make it happen without anyone taking themselves too seriously.

Round Up Your Reading Rebels

Start by texting those friends who've been meaning to read more (haven't we all?). You'll need somewhere between six and twelve people – enough for a proper discussion, but not so many that poor Alice never gets to finish her point about the unreliable narrator. Don't worry if your mate Dave only reads spy thrillers whilst everyone else loves literary fiction. That's half the fun, and Dave's opinions on Pride and Prejudice will be absolutely fascinating.

Sort Out the Logistics

Monthly meetings are the sweet spot. Any more frequent and you'll all be speed-reading on the bus; any less and you'll forget you're even in a book club. Pick a day that works for everyone – yes, this will take seventeen WhatsApp messages and possibly a poll, but it's worth it.

Where to meet? Rotating between homes is lovely and means you can sprawl on sofas in your comfy clothes. Plus, there's always that delightful moment of nosiness when you see everyone's bookshelves. If hosting gives you the fear, a cosy pub or cafe works beautifully, and nobody has to hoover.

The Great Book Debate

Here's where things get interesting. Everyone has Opinions with a capital O about what to read. Try having each member suggest a book, then vote democratically. Or assign months – "March is Sarah's choice, so brace yourselves for Nordic noir."

Keep it realistic. That 800-page Russian epic you've been meaning to read since university? Maybe save it for summer. Aim for books that won't require a forklift truck, and mix it up. Crime one month, memoir the next, perhaps something funny when everyone needs cheering up.

The Actual Meeting (Remember the Books?)

Here's the secret formula: arrive, chat about life, eat lovely food, eventually remember you're supposed to discuss the book, have a brilliant conversation, eat more food, laugh a lot, set the next date.

Have someone prepare a few questions to get started, but honestly, the best discussions happen when someone says, "Okay, but did anyone else want to throw the book across the room when..." Let conversations flow naturally. If you end up spending forty minutes debating the book and an hour discussing someone's recent holiday disaster, that's absolutely fine.

And if you need a few prompts or inspiration to get you started, download the Quirky Guide to Book Clubs for that one-stop shop to get things started!

Keep It Light and Lovely

The golden rule: this should be fun, not homework. Didn't finish the book? Come anyway! Sometimes life happens, and your friends matter more than perfect attendance records. Besides, hearing why someone couldn't get past chapter three is often enlightening.

Add some sparkle throughout the year – themed snacks matching the book's setting, an ambitious attempt at the author's favourite cocktail, or that time you all agreed to read something "challenging" and immediately regretted it.

Your book club will become that thing you look forward to every month: part intellectual pursuit, part therapy session, part excellent excuse to eat too much cheese. Perfect.

Quirky ideas to plan your book club like a pro

It wouldn't be a Quirky Bird get together without going all out, not just for your official launch but each event thereafter to keep everyone engaged and looking forward for each and every event. Download the Quirky Guide to Book Clubs for just £5, which includes:

• Launch gift ideas for your new club - not essential but a nice thought

• Printables you can download instantly including invitations and book club notes

• Club 'rules' to help set the tone

• Book suggestions and question prompts for your first event

• Food and drink ideas, including themed inspiration, and recipes that cater for a range of dietary requirements

  
  

Looking for a unique Christmas gift for your circle of friends? Why not send them a Book Club Hamper packed with everything they could possibly need to fall in love with reading again, and a fantastic pre-cursor to launching your monthly book club get together.