Zoom Book Clubs: How to Run Engaging Virtual Reading Meetings
Running a book club on Zoom doesn't have to feel like another work meeting. This guide covers everything from setup to engagement strategies that make virtual discussions feel alive.
How Do You Run a Book Club on Zoom?
To run a successful Zoom book club, you need three things: a structured meeting agenda (not a free-for-all), intentional engagement tactics (breakout rooms, polls, screen sharing), and a complementary platform for asynchronous discussion between meetings. The clubs that thrive on Zoom treat the video call as one part of a broader reading experience—not the entire experience.
Since 2020, Zoom book clubs have become a permanent fixture of reading culture. A 2025 survey by the Book Industry Study Group found that 38% of all book clubs now meet virtually at least some of the time, and Zoom remains the dominant platform—used by 64% of virtual reading groups.
Setting Up Your Zoom Book Club
Choosing the Right Zoom Plan
Zoom's free tier allows meetings up to 40 minutes with up to 100 participants. For most book clubs (8 to 15 members meeting for 60 to 90 minutes), you'll need at least Zoom's Pro plan at $13.99/month.
Recommended settings for book club meetings:
- Waiting room enabled
- Mute on entry
- Gallery view default
- Recording off by default
- Chat enabled
Pre-Meeting Setup with Readfeed
The most effective Zoom book clubs pair their live meeting with an asynchronous discussion platform. Readfeed complements Zoom by giving members a space to log reading progress, share initial reactions, and engage with discussion questions before the meeting starts.
Structuring Your Zoom Book Club Meeting
Sample Zoom Book Club Agenda (75 Minutes)
0:00–0:10 — Arrival and Social Check-In Let people trickle in and chat informally. Pose a light warm-up question unrelated to the book.
0:10–0:15 — Snapshot Reactions Go around the virtual room and ask each person for a one-sentence reaction to the book.
0:15–0:45 — Guided Discussion (3–4 Questions) The facilitator leads discussion through 3 to 4 prepared questions. Spend roughly 8 to 10 minutes per question.
0:45–0:55 — Breakout Room Deep Dive Split the group into pairs or trios using Zoom's breakout room feature. Assign each room a different question.
0:55–1:05 — Open Floor Unstructured time for members to raise anything the guided questions didn't cover.
1:05–1:15 — Next Book and Closing Announce or vote on the next book. Confirm the next meeting date.
Zoom Features That Improve Book Club Discussions
Breakout Rooms
Splitting a group of 12 into four trios for 10 minutes produces more discussion per person than 10 minutes of full-group conversation.
Polls
Use them to gauge book ratings, settle debates, vote on next month's book, or check engagement mid-meeting.
Screen Sharing
Display the book cover, a specific passage, Readfeed's AI-generated discussion questions, or a map relevant to the book's setting.
Reactions and Hand Raising
Encourage members to use Zoom's emoji reactions and the "raise hand" feature for non-verbal feedback.
Combating Zoom Fatigue in Book Clubs
Keep Meetings Under 90 Minutes
Engagement drops significantly after 75 minutes on video.
Camera-Optional Segments
Allow members to turn cameras off during breakout rooms or the open floor segment.
Build in a 5-Minute Break
For meetings that run a full 90 minutes, schedule a 5-minute break at the midpoint.
Use Asynchronous Discussion to Reduce Live Meeting Pressure
When members can post their thoughts on Readfeed throughout the week, the live Zoom meeting doesn't need to carry the entire weight of the discussion.
Common Zoom Book Club Problems and Solutions
"The Same Three People Do All the Talking"
Use a structured go-around. Employ breakout rooms. Directly invite specific members to share.
"Nobody Shows Up Consistently"
Send reminders 48 hours and 2 hours before. Use Readfeed's automated meeting reminders and RSVP tracking.
"Discussion Feels Surface-Level"
Replace generic prompts with specific, debatable questions. Use Readfeed's AI-generated discussion questions.
"We've Lost the Social Element"
Dedicate the first 10 minutes exclusively to non-book socializing. Host quarterly social-only Zoom events.
Alternatives to Zoom for Virtual Book Clubs
- Google Meet: Free for up to 60 minutes.
- Microsoft Teams: Has breakout rooms and polling.
- Discord: Popular with younger readers and genre-fiction clubs.
- FaceTime: Simple for small all-Apple groups.
- Readfeed + any video tool: Some clubs use Readfeed for discussion and logistics, then use whichever video tool the group prefers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people should be in a Zoom book club?
The ideal size is 8 to 12 members. Groups larger than 15 should use breakout rooms extensively or consider splitting.
How long should a Zoom book club meeting last?
Aim for 60 to 75 minutes. Research on Zoom fatigue shows engagement drops sharply after 75 minutes.
How do you keep a Zoom book club interesting?
Vary the format regularly—alternate between full-group discussions, breakout room sessions, themed meetings, and guest speakers.
Can I run a Zoom book club for free?
Zoom's free tier supports meetings up to 40 minutes. For longer meetings, you'll need a Pro plan ($13.99/month) or use Google Meet's free 60-minute option.