London Girls Book Club: How to Start and Join a Reading Group in London

London Girls Book Club: How to Start and Join a Reading Group in London

When you think of London, you might picture the Tube, tea shops, or the Thames-but hidden in quiet corners of Notting Hill, Camden, and Peckham, there’s something quieter, deeper, and just as powerful: London girls book club gatherings. These aren’t just about reading. They’re about connection. About finding your voice in a city of millions. About sharing a novel like you’d share a cup of tea with a friend who finally gets you.

Why London Needs Girls Book Clubs

London is huge. Over 9 million people live here. You can walk past 50 strangers on the street and still feel alone. Book clubs for women-especially those called London girls book club-fill that gap. They’re not about prestige. No one’s showing off how many classics they’ve read. It’s about showing up, saying what you really think, and listening when someone else does too.

A 2024 survey by the London Library found that 68% of women who joined a book club in the past year said it improved their mental well-being. Not because they read more-but because they felt heard. One member from Hackney told me, “I came in quiet. Left crying. Then laughing. I didn’t know I needed that until I got it.”

How to Find a London Girls Book Club

You don’t need to be a literature grad to join. You don’t need to have read every Austen novel. You just need to like stories-and people who care about them.

Here’s where to start:

• Meetup.com-Search “women’s book club London.” You’ll find groups in Brixton, Islington, Clapham, and beyond. Most meet monthly. Some are virtual. Some are in pubs. Some are in libraries.
• Local libraries-Libraries in Camden, Lewisham, and Wandsworth host free reading circles. Ask at the front desk. No sign-up needed. Just show up with a book.
• Bookshops-Foyles in Charing Cross, Daunt Books in Marylebone, and Housmans in King’s Cross all host regular women-led book talks. They’re usually open to newcomers.
• Instagram and Facebook-Search #LondonGirlsBookClub or #BookClubLondon. Many groups post their next read and meeting spot there. Some even share reading lists before the meeting.

One group in Peckham meets every third Thursday at a community center. They read one book a month. No reviews. No quizzes. Just talk. “We’ve read memoirs, sci-fi, and cookbooks,” says Maya, 34, who joined after moving from Manchester. “Last month we talked about grief for two hours. No one left early.”

What Books Do These Clubs Actually Read?

Forget the classics for a second. London girls book clubs read what feels real. Here’s what’s popular right now:

• People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry-romance with depth, perfect for late-night talks
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley-sci-fi meets loneliness, big in East London
• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters-controversial, honest, always sparks debate
• Real Life by Brandon Taylor-quiet, powerful, about being Black and queer in academia
• My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh-dark, funny, surprisingly healing

Many clubs rotate genres. One month it’s a thriller. Next, it’s poetry. A group in Southwark just finished reading a graphic novel about Syrian refugees. “We cried,” says Priya, 29. “Then we ordered pizza and talked about what we’d do if we were them.”

Starting Your Own London Girls Book Club

Can’t find one that fits? Start your own. It’s easier than you think.

1. Decide your vibe-Casual? Serious? Wine-and-cheese? Coffee-and-scones? There’s no right way.
2. Choose your first book-Pick something short, emotional, and open-ended. Avoid dense classics. Try Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
3. Find your space-A park bench, a friend’s living room, a quiet corner of a café. The Free Library in Greenwich lets you book a small room for free.
4. Invite 4-6 people-Start small. You don’t need 20. You need people who’ll show up and speak honestly.
5. Set a rhythm-Monthly works best. Pick a date. Stick to it. Even if only two people come, keep going.

One woman in Brixton started her club after her divorce. She put a note on a community board: “Wanna read and talk? No pressure.” Three women showed up. Now it’s 11. They’ve read 28 books. They’ve buried a friend. They’ve celebrated two pregnancies. They’ve cried over a book about a cat.

What Makes a Great Book Club?

It’s not about the books. It’s about the space.

Good book clubs have:

• No judgment-You can say “I didn’t like it” without being told you’re wrong.
• Time to breathe-No rushing. If someone’s quiet, let them be.
• One person who keeps it moving-Not a leader. Just someone who asks, “What did you feel when she did that?”
• Flexibility-If everyone’s tired, skip the book. Watch a movie. Talk about life.

Bad book clubs? They turn into book reports. Someone dominates. Someone’s always late. Someone brings a PowerPoint. Don’t let that be you.

What You’ll Gain Beyond the Pages

After six months in a London girls book club, you might notice things:

• You speak up more at work.
• You notice the way people talk in cafés.
• You start recommending books to strangers.
• You feel less alone in the city.

One member from Camden told me she started reading again after her mum died. She didn’t know how to talk about grief. But when she read The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs, her club understood. “They didn’t fix it,” she said. “They just sat with me while I cried.”

That’s the magic. Not the story. Not the author. The people.

Book Club Rules That Actually Work

Here’s what works in real London book clubs:

• Read the book-Even if you only read half. Say so. That’s okay.
• Bring snacks-It’s not about the food. It’s about showing up with something to give.
• Don’t talk over people-Silence is part of the conversation.
• Let someone else pick next month’s book-Rotate. Even if it’s not your genre.
• Keep it simple-No agendas. No politics. Just stories and feelings.

What to Do If You’re Nervous

It’s normal to feel shy. You’re walking into a room of strangers. You’re worried you won’t say anything smart.

Here’s what to do:

• Go alone. No need to bring a friend. It’s better that way.
• Bring a notebook. Write one thing you liked. One thing you hated.
• Say: “I didn’t finish it, but I really liked the part where…”
• Listen more than you speak. You’ll learn more that way.
• Remember: Everyone else is nervous too.

One woman from Croydon went to her first meeting wearing a hoodie and headphones. She didn’t speak for 20 minutes. Then she said, “I think the ending was fake.” Everyone nodded. That was her moment.

Next Steps

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want that,” here’s what to do now:

1. Open Meetup.com or Facebook. Search “book club London.”
2. Find one that feels right. RSVP. Show up. Even if you’re late.
3. Bring a book you’ve already read-or one you’re scared to read.
4. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just be there.

You don’t need to be a reader. You just need to care.

London is full of quiet rooms where women gather to talk about stories. You’re not late. You’re exactly on time.