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  • London's best book clubs

  • By Chris Moss

    Posted: Wed Sep 15 2010

  • Join other literary enthusiasts across the capital in one of London's many book clubs and groups. Whether you're after stimulating conversation about your favourite novels or just a means to fuel your love of books, you can combine a week’s reading with an evening’s chatter, wining and textual analysis

    London's best book clubs

    © Tricia de Courcy Ling

    • Photo for “1000 books to read before you die”

      1000 books to read before you die

      Chiswick area. Contact Michelle Newell through the website

      Part of the latest movement, www.meetup.com, which allows conversation via an interactive public forum which then can easily turn into physical 'meet-ups'. Age range: 19-65+ Gender: mixed Genre: fiction and classics Read more

    • Photo for “Brixton Book Group”

      Brixton Book Group

      Brixton area. Contact Pete Taylor (pete.taylor[at]gmail.com)

      The Brixton Book Group is on Facebook. It meetd every three weeks in Mango Landin on Brixton Water Lane from 7.30ish onwards. Age range: 19-30 Gender: mxed Genre: fiction, classics, crime and non-fiction

    • Photo for “Ealing Book Club”

      Ealing Book Club

      Ealing area. Contact Bella Rocca (bella[at]ealingbookclub.org)

      Age range: 19-50 Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics, crime and non-fiction Read more

    • Hampstead Book Club

      North London area. Contact Priya Lakhani (info[at]hampsteadbookclub.co.uk)

      Meetings are generally held monthly at Starbucks on 60-61 Hampstead High Street, London, NW3 1QH (see website for dates and times). Age range: 19-50 Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics and non-fiction Read more

    • JCC Lit Café

      Hampstead area. Contact Coral Summers (020 7431 9866/ info[at]jcclondon.org.uk)

      JCC Lit Café is a book group at the Jewish Community Centre and can be found on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JCC_London Age range: 0-65+ Gender: mixed Genre: fiction and poetry Read more

    • London Gay Reading Group

      London area. Contact Nicolas Chinardet.

      Find out more about the group by joining the Yahoo Group. Age range: 19-65 Gender: male Genre: fiction, classics, crime and non-fiction Read more

    • Northern Line Book Group

      Northern Line tube area. Contact Taron Wade (NorthernLineBookGroup[at]googlemail.com).

      Age range: 19-65 Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics and non-fiction Read more

    • ReadItSwapIt

      South London area. Contact Donna (questions[at]readitswapit.co.uk).

      System of swapping books, based on member suggestions and physical book swaps. Age range: 0-65+ Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics, crime and non-fiction Read more

    • The Brick Lane Book Group

      Shoreditch area. Contact N Quentin Woolf (contact[at]nquentinwoolf.co.uk)

      Age range: 19-65+ Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics, crime and non-fiction Read more

    • The Gallery Café Book Group

      Bethnal Green area. Contact Zoe Hardie or Natalie Joelle (siobhan[at]stmargaretshouse.org.uk)

      Age range: 19-30 Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics, crime and non-fiction Read more

    • The Guardian Book Club

      London various locations. Contact John Mullan via the website.

      More of an ‘online’ book club, with monthly events such as author Q&A sessions etc. Age range: 18-65 Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics, crime and poetry Read more

    • The YOU Reading Group

      London various locations. (0845 155 0711/ support[at]mailbookshop.co.uk)

      Age range: 18-65+ Gender: mixed Genre: fiction, classics and non-fiction Read more

    Feature continues

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    Need to find a book club closer to home? Try the London book group directory, but if you can't find a local book club listed there, the best way to find your nearest one is to go to your local borough’s library or library website, where all book clubs and groups will be listed on the website. www.InsertYourBoroughsNameHere.gov.uk

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5 comments

  1. Posted by Ike Obidike on 20 Feb 2012 11:54

    I am new to London and living in Blackheath. I am eager to join a book club near me asap. Can anyone help with some recommendations?

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  2. Posted by Gerard on 29 Jun 2011 11:15

    Wimbledon Book Club runs on the first and third Monday of the month.
    Places are limited to 16 per meeting to make sure there is enough space for people to speak. Excellent.
    http://www.wimbledonbookclub.com

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  3. Posted by KL on 07 Apr 2011 16:45

    The North London Reading Group is a network of 20 different groups that meet across north and central London. New members always welcome, visit www.northlondonreadinggroup.co.uk to register your interest. Join our mailing list to be notified of our upcoming social events, including pub crawls, quiz nights and Bookstock, which showcases up and coming authors and poets.

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  4. Posted by Pete Taylor on 01 Mar 2011 11:01

    Hi - the Brixton Book Group has a website at http://brixtonbookgroup.blogspot.com/ and I'd like to point out that we don't have an age limit!

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  5. Posted by KateJ on 13 Jan 2011 17:29

    I went to the Science Fiction Book Club last monday and had an excellent time. The organiser, Gerard, limits the number of people who can come along which really helps make sure there is enought space for people to be heard. Recommended. http://www.sciencefictionbookclub.org

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