Not Your Mama’s Book Club!
By: Wendy Satterwhite / Wendy’s Book Club
What comes to mind when you think of book club? Is it proper ladies sitting around eating cucumber sandwiches and discussing Jane Austin? Or maybe it’s a bunch of friends chatting over coffee about Emily Henry’s latest romance? Well, I’ve been hosting a book club for 17 years, and mine falls somewhere in between. Let me share how we’ve discovered the secret to a successful—and fun—book club.
Creating a memorable night of food, friends, and book talk doesn’t have to be hard, but it does require a bit of planning. I’ll break it down into three key factors when planning your book club: People, Setting, and most importantly… Books!
People
Who’s in your book club? The best way to start is by gathering a few friends who want to read the same book. My neighborhood book club started on a whim one summer when three of us were at the pool reading the same book. Instant book club! Fast forward, and now I have over 50 people on my email list, with 12-15 of us (never the same 12-15) meeting together once a month.
My one rule for book club is THERE ARE NO RULES! Keeping it flexible is key to keeping people engaged and coming back. We don’t require attendance—some clubs set a specific number of members and make attendance mandatory, but that’s not our style. We have a core group of about 8 regulars, and another 10-15 who come occasionally. This means we usually have 12-15 members at each meeting, but with a rotating group, our discussions are always lively and diverse. Plus, the ever-changing group lets everyone meet new people!
Setting
Where should you meet? Remember the No Rules rule? Apply that here, too! If your members like to bring snacks and drinks, meeting in a home is often the best option. It’s cozy, comfortable, and gives you ample time to chat about the book. That said, a coffee shop or restaurant can also work, or get creative! We’re lucky to have a local vineyard a few miles away, and it makes for a fantastic spot in the spring, summer, and fall.
When it comes to food and drink, it’s fun to choose a theme that ties into the book. We recently read a book filled with parties and food, and I couldn’t decide what to make. I ended up making my signature deviled eggs, only to discover (serendipitously) that deviled eggs were the last food mentioned in the book! Sometimes it’s easy to come up with a theme, but don’t stress if it’s not. In my book club, everyone brings an appetizer or sweet treat to share, and I’m always amazed at the variety of options we have. The food is always delicious!!
Books
And finally, let’s talk about the most important part—the books. There are many different approaches here, and I’m all for whatever works for your group. Some book clubs specialize in specific genres, and that’s great if that’s your preference. For me and my group, variety is key. We read mostly general fiction, historical fiction, mystery/thrillers, and women’s fiction, with an occasional romance or non-fiction book tossed in.
Being involved in the “bookstagram” world, I’m constantly surrounded by book recommendations. Every few months, I put together a list of books I think would be great options for the group—many of which I’ve already read—and we go through them together. I always ask the ladies for their recommendations, too, and add those to the list. Since many of us like to use the library, we try not to pick brand-new releases too often, as they often have long waitlists. We plan 3-4 months of books ahead of time so everyone knows what’s coming up.
Here are some of the books that have been popular in our club over the last few years:
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Speaking of book selections, here’s a point that might be a little controversial: Remember my rule? There are no rules in book club! That’s right, in my book club, you don’t even have to read the book! I believe that not every book is for every reader. Life situations, personal tastes, and timing all play a role in whether a book resonates with someone. If a book isn’t working for you, it’s okay to put it down. You’re always welcome at book club just for the food, conversation, and a good laugh! And, if you need other book suggestions, I’m always happy to help.
Invite an Author!
One of the best things about book clubs is the chance to connect directly with authors. I’ve had the pleasure of hosting several authors who’ve joined our discussions after we’ve read their books. If you know an author lives in your area, don’t hesitate to reach out via their website or social media to see if they’d be willing to chat with your group. There’s nothing quite like hearing directly from the author about a book that spoke to you!
It’s All About Fun
Book club should be a night everyone looks forward to! It’s a chance to break away from the routine, spend time with friends, and unwind. Enjoy some good food and perhaps a drink or two. If any part of your book club feels stressful, it might be time to re-evaluate and re-think how you approach it.
Happy reading, book friends!
-Wendy Satterwhite
About the Author:
Wendy Satterwhite is an empty nester living in Middle Tennessee. She has always been a reader, but after starting @WendysBookClub on Instagram about six years ago, following her youngest daughter’s departure for college, her love of books and reading grew into an obsession. Wendy facilitates two book clubs in her neighborhood, where she’s affectionately known as “the book lady.” Her husband of 35 years supports her book obsession—as long as one chair in the library remains clear for him to sit down. Wendy unapologetically organizes her books by color and loves to give book recommendations, whether you ask for them or not. Oh, and she also works from home as a graphic designer. She often forgets she has a day job—because it’s not nearly as fun as reading.
Find Wendy’s Book Club on Socials @wendysbookclub
Photos provided by: Wendy Satterwhite
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8 responses to “Not Your Mama’s Book Club!”
What a great group of women readers. So many interesting people with unique insights! Love Wendy’s leadership. The time we spend together is so entertaining and enriching!
I was able to join Wendy’s book club, for the first time, last month. I was welcomed by everyone and we enjoyed a special Christmas brunch. I came empty handed but was embraced by the ladies. There was a book exchange and Wendy had even wrapped extra books so unprepared attendees could participate! I was very excited to get the list of books we’ll be reading in the upcoming months. Wendy has created a warm & welcoming environment and I’m looking forward to knowing this group of ladies and discussing some great books.
great article. Thanks wendy!
I have attended for almost four years now and am so grateful for Wendy and this group of ladies who share my favorite pastime. I love Wendy’s Book Club so much that I have even changed travel plans so that I don’t miss it! See you Thursday, ladies!!
I had the privilege of being an original member of the neighborhood bookclub with Wendy. I can’t attend anymore, but LOVE her bookstagram account and email updates. I often read many of the suggested titles and share them with my current bookclub. Wendy has created such an open and warm environment. Keep being amazing, Wendy!
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of ladies to learn about books & authors with, right in my backyard! Wendy’s vast knowledge always amazes me, and her gentle leadership of the club is exceptional. Similar to the act of reading itself, being at Wendy’s book club gives me the escape I need from my busy life.
So excited to dive into all the books planned for 2025!
Great book recs!! Some I’ve read, some I’ll be purchasing! Thank you!
This is a great article, and it gives me joy to read it and see her beautiful book collection. She has bookshelves in almost every room of her house and knows where every book is. I’ve been in over 10 book clubs as an adult, and this is by far the best one! I love the variety of books we read. Wendy’s organization skills, knowledge of books and authors and the ways in which she remembers books that she has read astounds me! We always have great discussions digging deep into the characters and settings. The women who attend are from varied backgrounds and frequently bring a new perspective to me and the others. I especially enjoy the frequency with which she has authors come to talk about the books they have written. The time I spend with my book club friends is simply priceless. Thanks, Wendy.