The Easiest Way to Choose the Next Book for Your Book Club

If you’re in charge of picking the next book for your book club, you know it can be a bit stressful.

Whether you’re a first-time picker or a seasoned pro, selecting a book that everyone will love—or at least enjoy talking about—can be tricky.

You want something engaging, not too long, with enough depth to spark conversation, but still fun to read. So, where do you begin?

I’m here to break it down into realistic, simple steps that will help you pick the perfect book for your group.

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1. Know Your Book Club Audience

This is step one for a reason: you have to know your group.

Is your book club made up of avid readers who love long, detailed literary fiction, or is it a more casual group that leans toward lighter reads?

Are there people in your group who prefer specific genres like historical fiction, memoirs, or thrillers? Taking these preferences into account can make a world of difference.

Here’s a quick way to find out:

Ask everyone: It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many times book clubs skip this step. Send out a quick message or survey asking for preferences.
Look at past choices: What books were hits? Which ones sparked the best discussions? Pay attention to these details because history tends to repeat itself.

Remember, you won’t be able to please everyone with every book, but knowing the general taste of the group is key.

Try to strike a balance between what people are comfortable reading and something that will push them just a little outside their usual genres.

2. Set Criteria for Choosing the Book

The next step is setting clear criteria for what makes a book suitable for your club.

This will help narrow down your options, so you’re not overwhelmed by choices. Here are some things to consider:

Length: How long is the book? If your group meets monthly, picking a 500-page book might be too ambitious. A book that’s around 300 pages is usually a sweet spot—long enough to have depth but not overwhelming.
Difficulty: Is it an easy read, or does it require a lot of concentration? A challenging book can spark deeper conversation but might not work for everyone, especially if the group’s schedule is tight.
Availability: This is often overlooked but so important! Make sure the book is available in multiple formats—paperback, ebook, audiobook—so everyone can access it easily. Also, check your local library’s inventory. A book that’s impossible to find or only available at a steep price is frustrating for everyone.
Genre Variety: If your group has read three thrillers in a row, it might be time to switch it up with something lighter like a romance, memoir, or non-fiction. Variety keeps things fresh!

Creating these basic criteria will make the selection process feel much more manageable.

3. Consider the Discussion Potential

A great book club book isn’t just a good read—it’s a book that fuels conversation.

You want something with enough layers and themes to get people talking, even if they don’t all agree on the book itself.

Here’s what makes for great discussion potential:

Complex Characters: Books with well-developed characters who have relatable flaws or difficult choices tend to generate great discussions. People love talking about character motivations, whether they agree with their decisions, and how they relate to their own lives.
Moral Dilemmas: A book that raises ethical or moral questions will often spark deeper conversations. People will naturally want to debate right vs. wrong, and it keeps the conversation going.
Controversial or Hot-Button Topics: Books that deal with societal issues—whether it’s race, gender, politics, or family dynamics—can lead to rich discussions. Just make sure your group is open to talking about these subjects, as they can sometimes be sensitive.

If the book gets everyone thinking and reacting emotionally, it’s probably a good fit.

Related: 70+ Offbeat Questions To Get To Know Your Book-Lover Date

4. Strike a Balance Between Fun and Thought-Provoking

Some books are just fun to read—fast-paced thrillers, feel-good romances, or laugh-out-loud memoirs.

Others are deeply thought-provoking and might even be a bit of a tough read, but they stay with you long after you’ve finished them. The trick is to strike a balance between the two.

If your group has recently read a heavy, dense novel, consider lightening things up with a fast-paced mystery or a humorous memoir.

On the flip side, if the group has read a few easy reads in a row, it might be time for something with a little more substance.

Remember, not every book needs to be the best book you’ve ever read—sometimes the lighter, more fun reads lead to the most relaxed and enjoyable discussions.

5. Use a Theme or Season for Inspiration

Sometimes it’s easier to choose a book if you’re working with a theme.

If your book club meets monthly, think about tying your selection to the time of year or a particular holiday.

Summer Reads: Light, breezy beach reads are perfect for summer. Think romance novels, travel memoirs, or thrillers you can’t put down.
Autumn: As the weather gets cooler, you might want to dive into something a bit darker or more atmospheric, like a mystery or historical fiction.
Winter: Cozy up with a heartwarming classic or a deep, emotional novel that feels comforting in the colder months.
Spring: Try a fresh start with a feel-good novel, an inspiring memoir, or something that’s full of hope and growth.

Having a seasonal theme can make the selection process more fun and gives everyone something to look forward to.

6. Pick Something That’s New, but Not Too New

There’s a certain excitement that comes with reading a new release.

Everyone loves discovering the latest book that’s getting a lot of buzz.

But, be careful with brand-new releases—sometimes they’re harder to get your hands on (especially if they’re on backorder or waitlisted at the library).

If your group wants something new, look for books that are still fresh but have been out for at least a few months.

That way, they’ll be more accessible, and there’s likely already some discussion or reviews about them online to gauge whether it’s a good fit for your group.

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7. Don’t Be Afraid to Go With a Classic

If you’re really stuck or feeling overwhelmed by the choices, you can never go wrong with a classic.

These are books that have stood the test of time and have proven discussion value.

Plus, most people are happy to read a classic they missed in school or have always meant to get around to.

Here are some classic picks that tend to work well in book clubs:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (discusses race, morality, and justice)
1984 by George Orwell (government control, individual freedom)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (romance, class differences, social norms)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (wealth, love, the American Dream)

Classics offer rich themes and timeless lessons that can apply to today’s world, and they often bring out strong reactions from readers.

Also See: 30+ Bookish New Year Resolutions To Start Off The Year Right

8. Take Turns Choosing

If you want to keep things fair and inclusive, consider rotating the responsibility of picking the next book.

This way, everyone gets a say in what the group reads, and it helps avoid any one person dominating the selection process.

If your group is small enough, you could simply rotate turns.

When it’s someone’s turn, they can pick the book without any restrictions (though it helps to keep the group’s preferences in mind!).

Another option is for each member to bring a few suggestions, and the group can vote on which book to read next.

This allows for some variety while still making sure that the majority is happy with the choice.

Some clubs like to plan ahead by creating a shortlist of books for the next few months.

This can be a great way to avoid last-minute scrambling and ensure there’s a balance of genres, themes, and lengths over time.

9. Check Out Awards and Bestseller Lists

When in doubt, looking at awards and bestseller lists is a great place to find high-quality, well-reviewed books.

The Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and Booker Prize are all fantastic indicators of great fiction.

If nonfiction is more your thing, consider books that have been nominated for or won awards like the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Also, check out popular bestseller lists from The New York Times, Goodreads, or even Amazon.

While not every bestseller is perfect for a book club, it gives you a good starting point and shows what people are excited about reading.

10. Consider the Time Commitment of Your Group

Let’s be real—sometimes life just gets in the way, and not everyone has the time to read a long, complicated book every month.

When choosing a book, think about how much time your group members can realistically dedicate to reading.

If you’re dealing with a group that’s short on time, consider shorter novels, novellas, or even a collection of short stories.

These are still rich with discussion material but are much easier to get through in a busy month.

On the flip side, if your group has the time and is eager for a challenge, maybe now’s the moment to dive into that 600-page novel you’ve all been eyeing.

Just make sure everyone’s on the same page (pun intended!) about the commitment.

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11. Don’t Be Afraid to DNF (Did Not Finish)

Not every book you choose will be a hit.

Some books will be duds—either they’re boring, too slow, or just don’t resonate with your group.

And that’s okay!

The goal of a book club is to enjoy reading and discussion, so if a book is dragging the group down, it’s perfectly fine to stop reading it.

How to handle a DNF

If more than half of the group isn’t into the book, suggest moving on.

You can either pick a new book or use the rest of the meeting to discuss why the book didn’t work.

Sometimes these conversations can be just as engaging as ones about books everyone loved!

Don’t feel bad if you DNF a book—reading should be enjoyable, and it’s better to switch gears than slog through something you’re not interested in. There’s no rule that says you have to finish every book.