Reading Groups
What we’ll do
- Provide a free, welcoming and private space for your group to meet and discuss books on a regular basis. Contact your local library to book a space.
- Set you up with a free, special library account so you can borrow more books.
- Publish your meeting dates on your local library page, and the library manager can pass on details about the next book you’re reading.
Setting up a group checklist
- Who will attend the reading group: you could advertise for members, or keep it to a small group of friends.
- How often you want to meet as a group: it could be once a week, or once a month. Make sure everyone has enough time to read the book.
- Where the group will meet: some groups meet at the same venue every month, others ask its members to take turns to host the group. You can host your group meeting for free at your local library.
- How the meetings will be structured: you can keep the discussion to an informal chat, or you can set questions about the book in advance.
- Decide who will organise the book group: which members will send out meeting details, organise the venue etc. You can also set up a blog, newsletter or email list to keep group members updated.
Choosing books for a group
You could specialise in a genre, such as crime or romance, or you could read books you otherwise would not try. You could draw up a list of books you want to read at the beginning of the year or take in turns choosing.
Library staff can help you select your books and reserve copies to be collected from your local library. You can also check out our recommendations where we regularly share staff picks and book club favourites!
Join an existing group
Many of our libraries host book clubs. Browse reading groups below or contact your local library to see if any groups are looking for new members.
Library event Shared Reading Group at Sudbury
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Wed 23 Sep 2026Every Wednesday
- Time
- 14:00 – 15:30
- Place
-
Sudbury Library, Market Hill, Sudbury
Library event Evening Book Club
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Thu 24 Sep 2026On the last Thursday of every month
- Time
- 19:00 – 20:00
- Place
-
Kesgrave Library, Kays Close, Ipswich
Library event Gainsborough Book Group
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Thu 24 Sep 2026Every 2 weeks on Thursday
- Time
- 13:30 – 14:30
- Place
-
Gainsborough Community Library, Ipswich
Library event Southwold Reading Group
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Thu 24 Sep 2026On the last Thursday of every month
- Time
- 18:30 – 19:30
- Place
-
Southwold Library, Field Stile Road, Southwold
Library event Thursday Book Group at Stradbroke
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Thu 24 Sep 2026On the last Thursday of every month
- Time
- 14:30 – 16:00
- Place
-
Stradbroke Library, Queen Street, Eye
Library event Friday Book Group at Ixworth
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Fri 25 Sep 2026On the last Friday of every month
- Time
- 15:00 – 17:00
- Place
-
Ixworth Library, High Street, Bury Saint Edmunds
Library event The Friday Readers Book Group
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Fri 25 Sep 2026On the last Friday of every month
- Time
- 13:30 – 14:30
- Place
-
Saxmundham Library, Street Farm Road, Saxmundham
Library event Saturday Book Club for Children
Enjoy a fun morning of themed reading and crafts for children.
- Date
-
Sat 26 Sep 2026Every Saturday
- Time
- 09:30 – 12:30
- Place
-
Eye Library, 6 Cross Street, Eye
Library event Last Monday Book Club
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Mon 28 Sep 2026On the last Monday of every month
- Time
- 19:00 – 20:00
- Place
-
Thurston Library, Bury Saint Edmunds
Library event Bring Your Own Book Reading Group
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Tue 29 Sep 2026On the last Tuesday of every month
- Time
- 17:15 – 18:45
- Place
-
Ipswich County Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich
Library event Open Book Group
Join our relaxed reading group, explore new stories and meet new friends.
- Date
-
Wed 30 Sep 2026On the last Wednesday of every month
- Time
- 14:30 – 15:30
- Place
-
Bury St Edmunds Library, 2B Saint Andrew's Street North, Bury Saint Edmunds
Library event Parkinson's Book Group
A welcoming book group for anyone affected by Parkinson's.
- Date
-
Wed 30 Sep 2026On the last Wednesday of every month
- Time
- 13:00 – 14:00
- Place
-
Stowmarket Library, Milton Road North, Stowmarket
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