So, you finally finished the last chapter of your new book and you need to vent. (We totally get it!) Why not find a reading club in NYC? They’re the perfect way to connect with a literary-minded community and gush over recent reads.
Whether you’re meeting up with peers at an indie bookstore or one of the city’s most beautiful libraries, there are plenty of events worth bookmarking. To make matters a little easier for you, we’re sharing a few of our favorites. Where can we expect to see you next?
1. Hush Hour at Lofty Pigeon Books
Brooklyn’s latest literary gem, Lofty Pigeon Books, reimagines the way in which we meet to discuss current reads. Every second Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8pm, the shop invites customers to bring their latest book — or buy one onsite for a 10% discount — and read together in silence. Imagine that?! After about a half hour or so, attendees are then invited to socialize, snack, and dish on what they love about their book. Be prepared for plenty of TBR inspo along the way.
📍 743 Church Ave, Brooklyn
2. McNally Jackson Book Clubs
With five locations across the city, McNally Jackson provides ample opportunity for bookworms to get together to discuss a new (or not-so-new) read. Topics run the gamut from new releases to more niche interests: take for example the Broken Dishes Book Club with Swati meeting on April 16th in Downtown Brooklyn. The group will be diving into the buzzy, gothic tale, Victorian Psycho by Virginia Fieto. Once you reserve your place at any of the happenings, you’ll be able to use your $5 voucher in-store on a book of your choosing.
📍 Various locations
3. The Ripped Bodice Book Clubs
Happily ever afters are guaranteed with a visit to the Ripped Bodice, the female-owned, romance-focused bookstore. Whether you’re one to get lost in a historical love story a la Bridgerton or can’t resist the escapism of a juicy romantasy, this adorable storefront is bound to become your favorite spot. Its three book clubs have different sub genre focuses: Happily Everyone After hones in on timely bestsellers, Queer Lit Book Club celebrates LGBTQ+ writers, and Quest for Love: Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Book Club will send you into another world that you won’t want to leave.
📍 218 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn
4. Book Club Bar
Whether it’s indulging in a murder-mystery with an espresso martini or kicking back with the latest fantasy craze and a feminine mezcal mystique, Book Club Bar has everyone’s interests and cocktails of choice covered. We particularly love the East Village hotspot’s events like creative writing workshops and author discussions, but what truly stole our hearts is its “Bored of Dating Apps” singles event where you can let your love of literature be your guide in the romance department (not just the genre).
📍 197 E 3rd Street
5. NYPL Book Groups
With branches all across the city, the New York Public Library has ample opportunities for readers to get involved in a bookish chat. With reading groups dedicated to the classics, celebrity memoirs, fiction bestsellers, and beyond, the options are prolific. Visit the NYPL events page to see what’s happening in your area.
📍 Various locations
6. The Center for Fiction
From book clubs to author talks, Center for Fiction has a large menu for literary lovers to peruse. But rather than one-off events, the Fort Greene gem hosts multi-series classes, group workshops, and more ways for you to connect with bookworms around your genre of choice.
📍 15 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn
7. Astoria Bookshop’s Hidden Gems Book Club
It’s not difficult to track down a bestseller, but what about those lesser-known stories that have the wow factor and a compelling plot? The Astoria Bookshop is here to help you find ’em. Once a month, the shop’s bookseller, Alex, leads a group discussion about those great reads that might’ve slipped through the cracks. Fortunately for us, this Astoria biz is here to help us keep track of everything we need.
📍 36-19 30th St, Queens
8. The Lit Bar
Noëlle Santos couldn’t bear the thought of the Bronx not having a single bookstore after its Barnes & Noble shuttered in 2016. Taking matters into her own hands, she opened The Lit Bar, the borough’s only indie bookshop (and wine bar) with a focus on diverse voices. The notable venue “encourages curious readers and welcomes literary and community gatherings”, so what are you waiting for?
📍 131 Alexander Ave