Are you a book lover in Philly who is considering joining a book club? Check out our list of 10 top book clubs in Philadelphia below.
1. Lit Ladies of Philly Book Club
Lit Ladies of Philly Book Club is a book club based in Philadelphia. Women in the area are more than welcome to join this book club, including those in their 20s to 40s, single or married, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
For an idea of the kind of books that Lit Ladies of Philly Book Club goes over at its monthly book club meetings, take a look at “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides and “Firekeeper’s Daughter’ by Angeline Boulley.” Book meetings will be held in person on a Saturday afternoon in various locations in and around Philadelphia.
Reach out to Lit Ladies of Philly Book Club!
2. True Crime and Beer
Based in Philadelphia, True Crime and Beer is a book club founded by Kelly Saverino. Every other month, True Crime and Beer members will read one true crime book in advance of their book club meetings which will be able to talk about the book’s contents and discuss topics based on the book.
True Crime and Beer currently has over 100+ members and welcomes men and women interested in true crime and looking forward to meeting other people with a similar passion for the genre. Suggestions for future books are welcome. Information about booking meeting times and locations will be posted on their Meetup.com website.
Contact True Crime and Beer!
3. Philadelphia Translated Book Club
Philadelphia Translated Book Club is a book club that believes in appreciating books from different cultures and countries that were originally written in different languages. The book club meets once a month to talk about their book of the month, literature that’s been translated into English from another language.
Philadelphia Translated Book Club has looked at books like “Trust” by the Italian writer Domenico Starnone and “People From My Neighbourhood” by Hiromi Kawakami from Japan. Philadelphia Translated Book Club’s book club meetings are held online and are usually on the first or second Monday of the month.
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4. Philadelphia Book Club Meetup Group
Philadelphia Book Club Meetup Group is a book club that focuses on different books that focus on historical and social issues. Group organizer Thomas Walker, professionally working as a librarian, helps manage this book club on Meetup.com.
Check out some of the books that the Philadelphia Book Club Meetup Group has gone over, including “The Mormon People” by Matthew Bowman and “The Rise of Rome: The Making of the World’s Greatest Empire.” by Anthony Everitt. The book club meets weekly on Wednesday evenings, and book club meetings are free to join.
Discover what else the Philadelphia Book Club Meetup Group is up to!
5. On The Same Page Book Club
On The Same Page Book Club is a book club based in Newtown, a part of metro Philadelphia, founded by co-organizers, Katie and Becca. Established in 2022, On The Same Page Book Club meets up monthly for a social event and to discuss their monthly book with other book club members.
“How High We Go In The Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu and “Playing Nice” by J.P. Delaney are a few books On The Same Page Book Club have gone over. Their book club meetings happen on the first or second Saturday afternoon of the month at different local restaurants and venues.
Speak to On The Same Page Book Club!
6. Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy Book Club
Situated in Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy Book Club is a book club managed by group organizer Anna that now has over 160 book club members. Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy Book Club welcomes women in the area to join them for their book club meetings, where they discuss the book of the month. Book club choices are selected by members and voted upon.
For a better idea of some of the books that Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy Book Club is into, look at “The Candy House” by Jennifer Egan and “Winter’s Tale” by Mark Helprin. Book club meetings take place in person on the last Sunday of the month. While Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy Book Club would like to return to in-person meetings in the future, the book club currently holds its monthly meetings online.
Start a conversation with Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy Book Club!
7. Amalgam’s Monthly Book Club
Amalgam’s Monthly Book Club is a book club organized and hosted by Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, located in Philadelphia. The book club focuses on titles including science fiction, Japanese manga comics, afro-futurism, graphic novels and other related genres and literature types.
One aspect of Amalgam’s Monthly Book Club’s book club meetings that members appreciate is that monthly book selections are not announced until the book club meeting. Book club members are able to enjoy the moment, and every book club meeting is a new experience. Book club meetings are held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse.
Learn more about Amalgam’s Monthly Book Club!
8. Willow Grove Book Club
Willow Grove, a suburb of Philadelphia, is home to Willow Grove Book Club. The private book club is managed by group organizer Joyce and gathers monthly to discuss their book of the month. Genres that Willow Grove Book Club reads include classics, contemporary and literary fiction, and non-fiction books, such as memoirs.
Book club members are encouraged to suggest book titles for consideration. Book club meetings usually take place on the second Wednesday evening of every month, except for special events and the rare exception. Willow Grove Book Club has read through books like “Disgrace” by J.M. Coetzee and “Crossroads” by Jonathan Franzen in the past.
Find out what else Willow Grove Book Club is up to!
9. Philly Burbs Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book-Club
Philly Burbs Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book-Club is a book club led by passionate co-leaders Brad Beadle Jr. and Jack Doud. Since its creation in 2016, Philly Burbs Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book-Club has grown to over 180 book club members, who gather once a month to discuss the contents about a monthly science fiction or fantasy book.
Book club meetings occur at various Philadelphia venues and occur on the last Thursday of every month. Books like “The Lies of Locke Lamora” by Scott Lynch and “Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson will give you a better idea of the kinds of books that Philly Burbs Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book-Club is interested in!
Check out Philly Burbs Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book-Club!
10. Philadelphia Classics Book Club
Serving book enthusiasts in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Classics Book Club is a book club with a central passion and focus on classic literature. Under the leadership of co-organizers Christy, Barbara and Angie, Philadelphia Classics Book Club has gathered the support of over 1,000 fans of the genre. They continue to welcome the addition of readers who enjoy classic books and are looking for a supportive community to join.
Philadelphia Classics Book Club are excited to explore books written by the likes of Austen, Waugh, Shakespeare, Homer and many other classic authors. Some past books they have read are “Everything Flows” by Vasily Grossman and “Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko. Book club meetings are held at book club members’ homes and are usually held on a Wednesday evening, with the occasional meeting held online.
Take a look at Philadelphia Classics Book Club!