There are some fabulous book clubs in North London. Read on to learn about 10 of them.
1. North London Book Club
If you are looking for an active book club in the Islington area, you should check out the North London Book Club. This group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Brewhouse and Kitchen Pub in Highbury. Times vary and will be announced online.
The book selections span a variety of genres. Two books are chosen to read each month. Members are invited to read ahead of time to discuss or just pop by for a bit of socializing and perhaps a drink.
Contact the organisers.
2. Islington Book Club
The Islington Book Club has been going since 2008. They meet on the final Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. for a meal, drinks, and book discussions. The location varies and is posted on their Meetup page before the gathering so members can plan.
The ages of members vary widely, as do the books selected for each month. The group also holds several social events during the year where members can get together and enjoy an afternoon out in the sun or go on a pub crawl.
Start a conversation with one of the organisers.
3. Emily’s Walking Book Club
Emily Rhodes started this book club in 2012. Members of this group enjoy walks along Hampstead Heath, leaving from Daunt Books Hampstead at 11:30 a.m. and returning there at 1 p.m. There is an online discussion on the following Monday at 8 p.m. via Zoom and a Substack thread later in the month. Dates are sent out via newsletter.
The book club charges a small fee, but it can be waived for those who can’t afford to chip in. Other events are also held at various venues in the community or by request of groups interested in a walking book discussion. The book club is open to all.
Reach out to Emily on her website.
4. The Butler Did It Crime Book Club
Do you love a good “who did it” kind of story? So do the members of this Highgate based book club. They have been meeting monthly to discuss their favorite crime stories since 2010. The Butler Did It Crime Book Club welcomes anyone who loves to read Golden Age and Cosy Crime novels.
The group meets in person on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at The Bull Pub in Highgate to discuss the book selected for that month. Sometimes, they hold other events like theatre nights.
Email the book club to learn more.
5. Crouch End Not-Too-Serious Book Club for Mature Women
Despite the name of this book club, there is no age limit to join. Any woman who fancies a bit of fun and folly is welcome to become a member. Their book selections are a bit eclectic but always tend toward the light-hearted. The main purpose of the group is just to read a bit and have fun a lot.
This Crouch End based book club meets one Wednesday each month, but the time and location vary. Sometimes they opt to meet online via Zoom rather than in person. Details are posted on their Meetup page when known.
For more information reach out.
6. St. John’s Wood Library Book Club
If you are looking for an in-person book club in the St. John’s Wood area, you can visit the St. John’s Wood Library to discover what books they are reading each month. Their book club meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
There are no formal memberships and no fees to join. Everyone interested in participating is invited to drop in and take part in the book discussions along with library staff and other members of the community.
Find out more from the library.
7. Muswell Hill Women’s Book Group
The Muswell Hill Synagogue sponsors the Women’s Book Group held about once every six weeks. This book club reads everything from classic to contemporary novels, biographies, autobiographies, and short stories. When possible, they like to choose books with a Jewish or Israeli theme.
All ages are welcome to join the group which usually meets on Sundays. They take turns hosting the book discussion in one another’s homes. The host or members attending the gathering provide snacks and drinks for all who arrive.
Contact Nikki Epstein for more information.
8. Crime Fiction Book Club
Looking for a book club dedicated to crime fiction in the Muswell Hill area? Check out the Crime Fiction Book Club organized by Pauline Hudson. This cozy little group limits membership to about a dozen members at a time. New members must apply to be accepted by the group.
The fiction chosen by the members of the group comes from around the world from an assortment of authors of diverse backgrounds and writing styles. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m. at various members’ homes.
Apply to join the book club online.
9. Ladies of the Book Club
Ladies of the Book Club have been getting together in Camden since 2010. They enjoy a variety of books as diverse as the ladies who make up this small group. Some of their favorite books have included works by Harper Lee and Maya Angelou. They prefer to keep their group small for more intimate discussions of the literature they select.
There are no set dates, times, or locations for their meetings. They sometimes meet in each other’s homes and at other times, in the pub or the park if the weather is nice. Details for each meeting are distributed to members via an email list.
Discover more about this book club.
10. Byte the Book Club
Byte the Book Club is held on the last Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Map Studio Café in Kentish Town. This group was founded by Justine Solomons, the owner of Byte the Book. There is no specific genre for the books they choose, but they prefer those with some historical significance.
There is no formal membership for the group. Books are announced online, and members can choose whether to read them and join the discussion. Those who prefer not to read the monthly selection are still welcome to drop in for a drink and some fellowship.
Connect to learn more.