Virtual Book Clubs for Students and Young Adults: Get Started Reading Together
Virtual book clubs give students and young adults a flexible, social way to read more. Here's everything you need to know about joining or starting one—on campus or online.
What Are the Best Virtual Book Clubs for Students?
The best virtual book clubs for students are those that fit around academic schedules, don't require geographic proximity, and make reading feel social rather than obligatory. Top options include Readfeed for creating custom student clubs with built-in discussion tools, Discord book servers for always-on casual conversation, BookTok communities for trend-driven reading, and university-sponsored clubs for structured campus engagement.
Reading rates among young people tell a complicated story. The National Endowment for the Arts reports that literary reading among 18-to-24-year-olds has declined by 10 percentage points since 2002. Yet #BookTok has generated over 200 billion views and is credited with making reading culturally relevant for Gen Z. The disconnect isn't that young people don't want to read; it's that traditional reading culture hasn't adapted to how they socialize.
Why Virtual Book Clubs Are Perfect for Students
Flexibility That Matches Student Life
Students juggle classes, jobs, internships, and social lives. Virtual clubs offer asynchronous discussion and flexible scheduling through tools like Readfeed's meeting scheduler.
No Geographic Limits
High school students in rural areas can join clubs nationwide. College students abroad can stay connected to campus clubs.
Lower Barrier to Entry
Text-based discussion offers a lower-pressure entry point than walking into a room of strangers.
Cost-Effective
Many clubs select books available through library apps like Libby or Hoopla. Some focus exclusively on free or low-cost reads.
Where to Find Online Book Clubs for Young Adults
Readfeed
Free club creation, AI-generated discussion questions, book voting, spoiler-safe threads, and meeting scheduling.
Discord Book Servers
- BookSociety (50,000+ members) — monthly buddy reads across genres
- The Nerd Herd — fantasy and sci-fi focused
- Bookworm Central — themed reading channels and challenges
BookTok Communities
Creators announce monthly reads; discussion happens across comment sections, Instagram stories, and linked Discord servers.
University-Sponsored Clubs
Campus literary societies, library-sponsored reading programs, and department-specific clubs.
Reddit Communities
- r/bookclub — multiple concurrent reads with structured discussion
- r/YAlit — young adult literature monthly discussions
- r/52book — reading challenge community
Popular Genres for Student and Young Adult Book Clubs
| Genre | Popularity Among Young Adults |
|---|---|
| Fantasy / Romantasy | Very High |
| Contemporary Fiction | High |
| Thriller / Mystery | High |
| Graphic Novels / Manga | Growing Rapidly |
| Science Fiction | Moderate-High |
| Literary Fiction | Moderate |
Fantasy and romantasy dominate student reading culture. Authors like Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Leigh Bardugo are driving massive engagement. Graphic novels and manga are an underutilized book club format—fast to read and visually engaging.
How to Start a Virtual Book Club as a Student
1. Start Small and Specific
Recruit 5 to 8 people. A focused club ("Fantasy Book Club for Penn State Students") attracts more committed members.
2. Pick the Right Platform
Readfeed bundles everything—book selection, scheduling, discussion, and reminders—into one place. Avoid email-based coordination.
3. Set a Sustainable Pace
One book per month, under 350 pages for your first few selections.
4. Make Meetings Optional but Valuable
Run parallel asynchronous discussion threads. Use Readfeed's AI-generated questions for substantive conversations.
5. Build Culture Beyond the Books
Share reading playlists. Host virtual reading sprints. Create club traditions like annual awards.
Using Book Clubs for College Applications and Personal Growth
For high school students, book clubs can strengthen college applications:
- Demonstrated intellectual curiosity — reading beyond coursework
- Leadership experience — founding or organizing a club
- Writing material — books discussed become rich essay material
- Community building — creating communities shows initiative
Balancing Reading with Academic Workload
- Audiobooks and e-books during commutes and workouts
- Read during transitions — 15 minutes daily yields roughly 20 books per year
- Choose shorter books — a 200-page novel takes approximately 4 to 5 hours
- Give yourself permission to not finish — show up anyway
- Use reading as a study break — switching cognitive tasks improves retention
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read every book to be part of a virtual book club?
No. Most healthy book clubs welcome members even when they haven't finished. You can still participate in discussion about the parts you've read.
How do virtual book clubs for students handle spoilers?
Readfeed lets clubs create chapter-by-chapter discussion threads. Discord servers use spoiler tags and dedicated channels. Establish a clear spoiler policy during your first meeting.
Can a book club count as an extracurricular activity?
Yes. College admissions officers recognize book clubs as legitimate extracurriculars, especially if you demonstrate leadership, consistency, and impact.
What's the ideal size for a student book club?
6 to 10 members is ideal. With 8 members, you typically get 4 to 6 active participants in any given discussion. If your club grows beyond 12, consider creating sub-groups.