Hosting a Book Club at Home – Simple Tips, Tricks and Touches to Make Your Event Memorable
How to Host a Book Club
Last updated: January 28, 2024
PLUS! Printable Book Club Discussion Questions and Gift Ideas for your Group
Being a member of a Book Club is wonderful in so many ways! As a busy mom, educator and wife, “girl time” is a rare treat. Perhaps that’s why so many of us love being part of a Book Club!
When my turn comes to host Book Club at my home, I have a few simple tricks I use to help my fellow readers feel like special guests, with all our attention truly focused on our read.
First, it’s super important to get the word out! My favorite way to do this is with an Evite (an electronic invitation). These are the BEST at getting the message to lots of people, quickly! You can post your Evites on social media, send via email, and make RSVPing a total cinch. This way you know how much food and drinks to prepare, as well as what you might be able to expect in terms of conversation and personality!
Identifying Themes from the Book
The first thing I do is identify themes, symbols, and small details from the book that I might incorporate in our Book Club time. (It really helps to know in advance if you’re hosting! That way you can be on the lookout for small details as you read the book). I recently hosted Book Club after reading “The Great Alone” by Kristen Hannah (free with Audible) – an excellent book about family and living in Alaska. So I cooked a hearty, steaming crock of white chicken chili, served with crusty artisan bread. I also included smoked meats, fish (all from the story) and a cheese platter (just because I LOVE cheese platters!).
Themes can also help you add little touches to your decor. Did the characters eat takeout often? If so, provide takeout boxes for your guests to take home extras. Did the main character enjoy a special dessert or liqueur? Adding these tiny details to your display allows everyone to celebrate the book just a little more through their surroundings.
Setting the Stage at Home
I want my guests to feel at home the moment they walk in the door. I always post a sign that says, “Come on in!” This can be book-themed, too, like “Come on it and wipe your paws!” or “Door’s Open Ya’ll”. Use a hanging farmhouse-style chalkboard where your wreath usually hangs, or lean one on a planter.
I want our book to be a central character during the gathering! So on my entryway table, I print (on white cardstock) a picture of the book’s cover and stand it in a rustic wooden place holder (CLICK HERE to see how cute they are!!).
I always light tons of candles. As a mom of very curious littles, I don’t use candles much but I do at Book Club! Light them a few hours in advance to help your house smell amazing.
Don’t forget about the Powder Room! I always add one little touch to that room, whether it’s a discussion question, a printed quotation from the book, or a single flower mentioned in the story.
Discussing the Book
Getting together for Book Club is so wonderful that sometimes we talk very little about the book itself! No judgement here, sometimes that’s what we need! But as the hostess, I want to encourage my guests to have rich conversations with each other.
I designed these Book Club Question Cards to promote our conversation. There are three different “packs” of discussion cards (72 questions total). Depending on the book we read, I choose 20 – 30 of the questions from any of the packs. Then I display them around my home.
These make AWESOME gifts for your book club members! That way each person has a pack, ready for the next book club. The questions are fun, provocative and get the conversation going. CLICK HERE to download these awesome questions – total conversation starters that are inviting and fun!
I bought these sweet little barnwood card holders from Amazon. They are perfect for entertaining!
Labeling foods and beverages, or displaying discussion questions during Book Club.
I store them with my serving platters.
Food and Drink
Food and drink are at the center during Book Club! It’s lovely to treat guests to special foods they don’t usually see. Two months ago, our hostess fed us fondue! It was AWESOME!
My formula is to have a main dish, one side dish, a hearty cheese platter, and a dessert. Your Club may be different; our members all bring something to share, whether it’s wine or a special food. We do very little coordinating! The hostess takes the bulk of the meal, and the guests fill in the gaps.
I have found awesome model cheeseboards on Pinterest. They’re very beautiful and I always get compliments on my arrangement. (Thank you Whole Foods cheese section!) I use a rustic cutting board like this one which is the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous cheeseboard.
