Has a search for book clubs in Essex brought you to this post? We’ve featured 10 top book clubs in the county in the compilation below.
1. Chelmsford Book Club
If you are looking for a great book club to join in Chelmsford, you should check out the Chelmsford Book Club. This book club was formed by community members who wanted to gather and talk about the books they have read and socialise a bit.
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The location is posted privately in their Meetup group for those who wish to attend. Books are selected from members’ suggestions and cover a variety of fiction and non-fiction.
Join this book club.
2. Epping Book Talk
On the last Thursday of each month from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Epping Book Talk gathers at the Epping Library to discuss the book selection chosen at their last meeting. Books are provided by the library in eBook or audio format, either on CD or by digital download.
There is no formal membership. To participate in this Epping-based book club, you only have to come by to join in the discussion or merely to listen. There is no requirement to have read the book, but they do ask that you let them know you will be attending so they can make space.
Sign up for a book talk.
3. LGBTQIA+ Book Club
The LGBTQIA+ book club meets at the Chelmsford Library on the first Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. This group focuses on LGBTQIA+ literature, both fiction and non-fiction. They welcome all to join in on their discussions to whatever extent they like.
There is no formal membership or requirement to book a space for your visit. Even if you have not read the book selected for the month, you can just stop by a listen or join in. Members sometimes plan other outings in the Chelmsford area as a bit of added community between them.
Learn more about this book club.
4. Red Lion YA Adult Book Club
The YA Club at Red Lion Books in Colchester meets once per month to discuss books geared toward young adults aged 14 and up. Monthly book selections are made by the bookstore and discussed by the group and members of staff who help guide the conversation.
The group utilises a learning system that provides a ‘passport’ to those who attend and puts a stamp on it for each discussion attended. Meetings are usually held at 2 p.m. on a weekend. The bookstore also holds other book clubs for younger ages.
Find out more about this book club.
5. Red Lion Adult Book Club
This book club meets at Red Lion Books in Colchester to have a biscuit, a cup of tea, or coffee and share thoughts on the book selected for that month. The date and time vary, but meetings take place mostly on weekday afternoons. They are open for all to attend.
Book selections are eclectic as they are based on whichever books the bookstore is currently promoting or finding popular with their customers. You can purchase the monthly selection from the bookstore, bring your own copy, or just listen in to the discussion.
Get more information about this group.
6. Appetite Book Club
The Appetite Book Club in Colchester is more than just a book club—they are a social club. They meet on the last Wednesday of each month with an additional Monday sometimes added if there are greater numbers attending than can be accommodated in one meeting.
The book charges a non-refundable $20 fee for each meeting. This fee covers the cost of a glass of wine, dinner, and pudding. The group meets at 7:30, but the venue changes. Members will be notified on the website of the next book and location if they were not previously present.
Get in touch with this book club.
7. U3A Hullbridge Book Club
This Hullbridge book club meets every fourth Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hullbridge Library. The group is open to members of the University of the Third Age (U3A), a group dedicated to ongoing learning activities for older individuals seeking social interaction.
Books are chosen by members and include fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, and poetry collections. In addition to book discussions, members can sign up for other activities or join in on community walks together.
Sign up for this book club.
8. Foyles Chelmsford Book Club
Once a month Foyles Book Store in Chelmsford sponsors a book club meeting where members of their staff and customers can get together to discuss a book selected by the book club members. The group aims to inspire reading and enjoy varying opinions on the work being read.
The name of the next book, along with the date and time of the next meeting can be found on the event page of their website. Meetings are held at the bookstore. They are free of charge and open for all to enjoy with no requirement to buy or read the book being discussed.
Contact the bookstore.
9. Saffron Walden U3A Book Club
Mary Curtis co-ordinates this book club for University of the Third Age (U3A) members in the Saffron Walden area. The group meets at 11:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Café Cornell for coffee, cake and a book discussion.
Books are chosen by members and cover a broad selection of fiction and non-fiction. If you haven’t read the book but would still like to come along to socialise and listen in, you are always welcome to join, though you must be a member of U3A.
Get involved with this book club.
10. U3A Harlow Book Club
The University of the Third Age (U3A) book club meets every first Tuesday at 11 a.m. at The Slow Library in Harlow. The group is open only to members of U3A, a group that provides adult education classes and activities to those past retirement age.
The books this group chooses for discussion are based on member suggestions. They include fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. In addition to book discussions, there are many other activities that members of the book club can join in on together.
Email the facilitator.