The hottest Book clubs Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

I'm Embarrassed to Admit This...

Between a Rock and a Card Place • 5801 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. Many people have books they find embarrassing to read or display. These can be titles that they enjoy but feel ashamed of for various reasons.
  2. The emotional reaction to certain books, like embarrassment, can reveal deeper feelings and interests of a person. It’s okay to enjoy books that might seem cheesy or awkward.
  3. Starting a book club focused on these 'embarrassing' reads can create a safe space for discussing and sharing those hidden interests, allowing people to connect over their unique reading experiences.

Twice-Annual Subscription Drive

Freddie deBoer • 2599 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The project is committed to independent, honest writing that often courts controversy and resists pressure to play it safe.
  2. Reader support funds the work and keeps it accessible. Paid subscriptions are $5 a month or $50 a year to help sustain the project’s independence.
  3. You can also support by buying the novel or preordering the next nonfiction book, and subscribers will get extras like a writing roundup and a book club; the pitch mixes earnestness with a playful, personal tone.

Tulubaikaporia's First Ever Book Club (Tomorrow! on Long Island!!)

The Lifeboat • 321 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. A grassroots book‑club offered a formal "Author Spotlight" that promises curated discussion and visibility but expects a standard support contribution and author materials.
  2. Payment and coordination became complicated and suspicious, with wires routed through multiple intermediaries, long delays, and a beneficiary name that matched a criminal record—raising clear red flags.
  3. The exchange mixes earnest logistics with surreal, performative moments, making it hard to tell whether the whole thing is a sincere arrangement, a prank, or an attempted scam.

Persuasion book club

The Common Reader • 921 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The book club will meet on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the UK and 2 p.m. in the Eastern time zone. Make sure to join the discussion about Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'.
  2. Anyone can attend the meeting now, and you don’t have to pay a subscription fee anymore. This makes it easier for more people to join the conversation.
  3. Feel free to drop any questions or topics you want to discuss in the comments before the meeting. It's a great chance to share ideas and thoughts!

Join the Six in '26 Book Club: Read from Don Quixote to Dostoevsky in 12 months

Castles in the Sky • 45 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. Join a year-long book club to read six classic novels — Don Quixote, Emma, The Count of Monte Cristo, Moby Dick, Middlemarch, and The Brothers Karamazov — on a month-by-month schedule in 2026.
  2. The club uses structured meetups: weekly check-ins on Substack Notes, a halfway “reading gym” Zoom to read together, and a final Zoom discussion for each book, with Neha Patel helping organize and Luma managing the event calendar.
  3. Participation is flexible: you can join for all or just some books, use any translation you prefer for non-English originals, and follow the event calendar or subscribe for reminders.
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Book Club 2025

The Common Reader • 2551 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The 2025 book club will explore many Shakespeare plays like 'Macbeth' and 'Pride and Prejudice'. Participants can share their thoughts in scheduled meetings.
  2. Reading Shakespeare can be fun and engaging, even for those doing it for the first time since school. His plays are exciting and have great characters.
  3. 2025 is also Jane Austen's 250th birthday, and there will be a special book club for her novels. Each session will discuss a different book, making it a great way to enjoy her stories.

Jane Austen Schedule 2025

The Common Reader • 1382 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. There will be zoom meetings for Jane Austen book discussions on Sundays at 7 PM UK time.
  2. The meetings will cover one book at a time, starting with 'Pride and Prejudice' on February 16 and ending with 'Persuasion' on December 7.
  3. Participants will receive the zoom link a day before each meeting to join the discussion.

Read more, Generations, Hill, Post-feminist Austen, Marketing Tolstoy, Delve, Book Tok, Close Reading, Anthology, Reverse Engineering, AI firms, Publishing, Sontag, Who Cares?, Serious Joke Poems

The Common Reader • 1098 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. Reading should be fun! Enjoying what you read helps you do it more, so pick books you love.
  2. Different generations have unique perspectives on crises, as seen in Homer's Iliad, which teaches us about temperaments over time.
  3. It's important to share knowledge, like Geoffrey Hill's lectures, so more people can learn and grow together.

Study guide for my book

The Friendly Neighbors • 216 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Book clubs
  1. Study guide released for book club discussions, Lent, and congregational study
  2. Guide suggests structuring book club into 6, 8, or 12 weeks with themed discussions
  3. Includes questions to guide conversations, optional Bible scripture references, and special note for Lent observation

AUTUMN SALE 25% OFF FOREVER

The Common Reader • 531 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. You can get a 25% discount on a subscription to The Common Reader for a limited time. This is a great chance to access quality literary content.
  2. The platform focuses on understanding classic literature and helps readers deepen their knowledge. Subscribers can participate in discussions about works like Shakespeare's plays.
  3. The paid subscription also offers access to a rich archive of essays and writings about famous literary works, encouraging readers to explore important literature while they can.

Pride and Prejudice book club

The Common Reader • 354 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. There is a book club meeting about 'Pride and Prejudice' scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. UK time.
  2. Participants can ask questions or share their thoughts in the comments or a dedicated chat thread.
  3. A link to join the meeting is provided, along with information on local dial-in numbers.

Richard III Book Club

The Common Reader • 354 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The Richard III Book Club meets on Sundays at 7 p.m. UK time to discuss Shakespeare's play 'Richard III.'
  2. Anyone interested is encouraged to ask questions or start discussions in the comments section.
  3. You can join the meeting online via a Zoom link provided in the announcement.

INTRODUCING: Essay Club

Mind & Mythos • 239 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. Essay Club offers a relaxed way to engage with essays instead of long books. You can read short essays and still discuss deep ideas with others.
  2. The club meets every two weeks, and you can suggest and vote on new essays to read. Everyone can join the discussion by sharing their thoughts online.
  3. The first essay for the club is George Orwell's 'Why I Write.' It's a good start for anyone who enjoys exploring interesting topics.

The Modernity Machine II

Breaking Smart • 58 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The book club has been reading various historical books that help us understand how modern thinking developed from 1200 to 1600. It's a fun way to learn about our past.
  2. The idea of looking at history in terms of 'world machines' helps us see connections between politics, culture, and technology over time, rather than just focusing on individual stories.
  3. The club encourages members to pick their own books related to the theme, making it easy for newcomers to join and explore topics at their own pace.

Poetry Book Club SUNDAY 19.00 UK TIME

The Common Reader • 106 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. There will be a Poetry Book Club meeting on Sunday, December 8th at 7 p.m. UK time. Everyone interested is invited to join the discussion.
  2. The focus of the meeting will be on Seventeenth Century Poetry. Participants can prepare by reading recommended materials.
  3. Attendees are encouraged to share their questions or topics for discussion in the comments before the meeting.

The End

Story Club with George Saunders • 52 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The story 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich' has a powerful ending that raises many thoughts and feelings. It's a perfect example of how storytelling can deeply impact us.
  2. As you read stories, pay attention to what captures your interest or confuses you. These moments can lead to deeper understanding and help improve your own writing.
  3. Discussing stories in a group can enhance your experience. Sharing questions and thoughts can lead to exciting discoveries and insights into the text.

"Death of Ivan Ilyich"...

Story Club with George Saunders • 35 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The reading assignment focuses on Sections II and III of 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich.', which should help everyone dive deep into the story.
  2. Taking the time to read slowly allows for a more thoughtful understanding of the themes.
  3. There will be a special post mid-week to discuss and respond to comments from the last meeting.

🚨 Book Club Change of Plans!!! 🚨

Default Wisdom • 33 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. The book club is reading 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' and meeting on President's Day at 8pm CT over Zoom.
  2. The plan involves a discussion about the book and a screening of the movie 'Solaris' from 1972.
  3. The organizer has changed their mind about previous decisions and apologized for abandoning the vote.

The Power of Writing in Groups

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 20
📚 Literature Book clubs
  1. Writing in groups can really boost your motivation. When you share your writing goals with others, it helps keep you accountable.
  2. Participating in a writing group can lead to real success. Many people have found book deals because of the support and inspiration they got from their peers.
  3. Teaching and sharing ideas with others can enhance your own understanding. By helping others, you also reinforce your own knowledge and spark new ideas.