Book Clubs for Adults: How to Find Your Perfect Reading Group

What Makes Book Clubs for Adults Different?

Book clubs for adults are reading groups designed around the schedules, interests, and social dynamics of adult readers—typically ages 25 and older. Unlike school-assigned reading circles or general community groups that mix all ages, adult-focused clubs prioritize flexibility, deeper literary analysis, and the social element that makes reading a shared experience rather than a solitary one.

According to a 2025 report from the National Endowment for the Arts, approximately 6.4 million adults in the United States actively participate in a book club. That number has grown 18% since 2020, driven in large part by the explosion of online book clubs for adults during and after the pandemic. The Pew Research Center found that 78% of adults who read at least one book in the past year expressed interest in discussing books with others—but only 23% had actually joined a reading group.

The gap between interest and participation often comes down to not knowing where to look. If you've been searching for book clubs near me for adults or trying to figure out which type of club fits your life, this guide walks through every option.

What Types of Book Clubs Exist for Adults?

Adult reading groups come in a surprising variety of formats, each catering to different interests, schedules, and social preferences.

Literary Fiction Clubs

These groups focus on contemporary and classic literary fiction—think Booker Prize shortlists, National Book Award winners, and titles from publishers like Knopf, Farrar Straus & Giroux, and Graywolf Press. Discussion tends toward craft, theme, and cultural significance.

Best for: Readers who want depth over page count and enjoy analyzing prose style, narrative structure, and thematic complexity.

Genre-Specific Clubs

Genre clubs focus on a single category: mystery and thriller, romance, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, or horror. These groups attract adults who know exactly what they love and want to go deep within that niche.

Best for: Adults with a strong genre preference who want to read widely within it and connect with like-minded fans.

Professional Development and Non-Fiction Clubs

A growing segment of book clubs for adults focuses on career growth, leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development. According to a 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 34% of professionals said they'd participated in a workplace book club within the past two years, and 71% reported that the experience improved cross-team collaboration.

Best for: Career-minded adults who want to learn, network, and apply insights from non-fiction in their professional lives.

Social and Lifestyle Clubs

Sometimes called "wine and book" clubs, these groups place equal emphasis on the social gathering and the reading.

Best for: Adults who value the social aspect of book clubs as much as (or more than) the literary analysis.

Identity-Based and Affinity Clubs

These clubs bring together readers who share a common identity or life experience—Black book clubs, LGBTQ+ reading groups, mothers' book clubs, veterans' reading circles, and more.

Best for: Adults seeking a reading community that reflects their identity or life experience.

Couples and Partner Clubs

A niche but growing format where couples join together. Each pair reads the same book and discusses it both as a couple and with the wider group.

Best for: Couples who want a shared intellectual hobby and a built-in date night.

How to Find Book Clubs Near Me for Adults

Public Libraries

The American Library Association reports that over 16,000 public library systems in the U.S. host at least one adult book club, and many run multiple groups segmented by genre or format. Library-hosted clubs are almost always free, open to new members, and professionally facilitated.

Independent Bookstores

The American Booksellers Association estimates that roughly 40% of independent bookstores run at least one book club. Some offer member discounts on the selected title.

Meetup and Community Boards

As of 2025, there are over 12,000 active book club groups on Meetup across the United States, with an average of 8 to 25 members per group.

Readfeed's Club Discovery

Readfeed makes finding adult-focused book clubs straightforward. The platform's discovery feature lets you filter by genre, format, location, and meeting cadence—so you can search specifically for book clubs near me for adults rather than scrolling through generic lists.

How to Find Online Book Clubs for Adults

The Book Industry Study Group found that 42% of active book club members now participate in at least one virtual group—up from just 12% in 2019.

Dedicated Book Club Platforms

Readfeed leads this category with features designed for adult readers: AI-generated discussion questions, spoiler-safe chapter-by-chapter threads, meeting scheduling, and book voting.

Social Media Groups

Facebook hosts thousands of book club groups. Instagram's #bookstagram community has also spawned reading groups.

Reddit Reading Communities

Subreddits like r/bookclub, r/52book, and r/literature run structured group reads with scheduled discussion threads.

Celebrity and Author-Led Clubs

Oprah's Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and Jenna Bush Hager's Read With Jenna each have dedicated online communities.

Virtual Library Clubs

Many library systems now offer virtual book clubs accessible to cardholders.

What to Look for in an Adult Book Club

Reading Pace and Time Commitment

Most adult book clubs read one book per month, but some meet biweekly or quarterly.

Group Size

Research from the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research suggests that the optimal group size for productive discussion is 8 to 12 members.

Discussion Style

Some clubs are casual and conversation-driven. Others use prepared questions.

Diversity of Perspectives

The best book clubs for adults include members with varied backgrounds, professions, and reading histories.

Demographics: Who Joins Adult Book Clubs?

• Gender: Approximately 67% of book club members identify as female—but male participation has risen 12% since 2020
• Age: The 35–54 age bracket represents the largest segment (38%), followed by 25–34 (27%) and 55+ (24%)
• Format preference: 58% prefer in-person meetings, 26% prefer fully virtual, and 16% participate in hybrid clubs

How to Start Your Own Book Club for Adults

1. Define your focus. Genre-specific? Social? Professional? Literary?
2. Recruit 6 to 10 founding members.
3. Set a cadence. Monthly is the safest starting point.
4. Choose your format. In-person, online, or hybrid.
5. Pick your first book together.
6. Establish lightweight norms.

Why Adults Are Joining Book Clubs at Record Rates

The surge in adult book club membership isn't just about reading—it's about connection. A 2025 Surgeon General's advisory on loneliness identified structured social activities like book clubs as one of the most effective interventions for combating adult social isolation.

Whether you're looking for book clubs near me for adults or ready to join a virtual community, the options have never been richer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find book clubs for adults near me?

Start with your local public library, which likely hosts at least one adult book club. Independent bookstores, Meetup.com, and community organizations are also reliable sources. Readfeed's discovery feature lets you filter specifically for adult-focused clubs by location, genre, and meeting format.

Are online book clubs for adults as good as in-person ones?

Yes—and in some ways better. Online book clubs for adults offer flexibility for busy schedules, access to a wider range of perspectives, and the ability to participate in thoughtful written discussions between meetings.

What is the ideal size for an adult book club?

Research consistently points to 8 to 12 members as the sweet spot.

How much does it cost to join a book club for adults?

Most book clubs are free to join—the only cost is purchasing the books, which typically runs $10 to $20 per month. Library-hosted clubs eliminate even that cost.