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Quick answer: To run a virtual book club, pick a video platform like Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, keep the group to about 6 to 10 people and stick to a 60- to 90-minute agenda. Send the link and questions ahead of time, and use a host to guide the conversation so everyone gets a turn.
Quick facts
Best platforms: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
Ideal size: 6 to 10 people on camera
Meeting length: 60 to 90 minutes
Note: Zoom’s free plan limits group meetings to 40 minutes
Virtual book clubs make it possible to read with friends across the country or around the world, and they’re perfect for busy parents, travelers or anyone who can’t commit to driving somewhere every month. They come with their own challenges, like people talking over each other, awkward silences and the occasional frozen screen. With the right setup, an online club can feel just as warm and lively as meeting in person.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Choose Your Platform
| Platform | Good For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom | Familiar, breakout rooms, gallery view | Free plan limits group calls to 40 minutes |
| Google Meet | Runs in a browser, easy with a Google account | Fewer extras on the free version |
| Microsoft Teams | Workplace book clubs | Can feel formal for social groups |
| Discord or a group chat | Ongoing chat between meetings | Less personal than video |
Step 2: Keep the Group a Manageable Size
On video, conversations feel more crowded than in person. Six to 10 people on camera is ideal. For larger clubs, use breakout rooms of four or five people for part of the meeting, then come back together to share highlights.
Step 3: Send Everything in Advance
A few days before the meeting, send the link, the time in everyone’s time zone, the discussion questions and any ground rules. A reminder an hour before helps too. Shared documents or a group chat make it easy to collect book suggestions between meetings.
Step 4: Plan a Simple Agenda
- Welcome and tech check (5 to 10 minutes)
- Quick round of first impressions (10 minutes)
- Main discussion (40 to 50 minutes)
- Next book and date (5 to 10 minutes)
Virtual Book Club Etiquette
- Mute when not speaking to cut background noise.
- Keep cameras on when possible; it makes conversations feel more personal.
- Use the raise-hand feature or chat to signal you want to speak.
- Let the host call on people to avoid talking over one another.
- Find a quiet, well-lit spot. A simple ring light and headphones with a microphone help a lot.
Ideas to Make Virtual Meetings More Fun
- Start with a show-and-tell of everyone’s reading nook or favorite mug.
- Mail members a small treat or bookmark before a special meeting.
- Hold a themed night where everyone cooks a dish from the book.
- Invite the author. Many authors happily join virtual clubs for a short Q&A.
- Use polls to vote on the next book.
Choosing Books for a Virtual Club
Since members may live in different places, pick books that are easy to find as ebooks or audiobooks. An e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite lets everyone get the book instantly, and many libraries lend ebooks through apps.
Hybrid Book Clubs: In Person and Online
Many clubs now meet in a hybrid format, with some members around a table and others joining by video. To make it work, place a laptop or tablet where remote members can see everyone, use a separate speaker or microphone so they can hear clearly, and have the host check in with online members regularly. Hybrid meetings let clubs keep members who move away or can’t always travel.
Common Virtual Problems and Easy Fixes
- People talk over each other: use the raise-hand feature or a speaking order.
- Long silences: call on someone by name or switch to a new question.
- Tech trouble: share a backup dial-in number or a second link.
- Time zones: rotate meeting times so the same people aren’t always up late.
- Screen fatigue: keep meetings short and take a two-minute stretch break.
Great Books for Virtual Book Clubs
Choose books that are widely available as ebooks and audiobooks so members in different places can get them easily. Fast, discussable reads work best online, where attention spans are shorter. Popular picks include The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune and The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. For more ideas, browse our lists of feel-good books and thrillers for book clubs.
Finally, ask for feedback after the first few meetings. A quick poll about the day, time, length and platform helps you fine-tune the club so members keep logging on month after month.
Related: How to Run a Book Club Meeting That Everyone Enjoys · How to Get Out of a Reading Slump: 12 Tips That Work
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best platform for a virtual book club?
Zoom is the most popular because of its gallery view and breakout rooms, while Google Meet is a good free option that runs in a browser.
How long should a virtual book club meeting be?
Sixty to 90 minutes works best. Screen fatigue sets in faster online than in person.
How many people should be in a virtual book club?
Six to 10 people on camera is ideal. Use breakout rooms for larger groups.
How do you keep a virtual book club engaging?
Send questions in advance, use a host to guide the conversation, add themed activities and keep the meeting to a set length.
Can you run a book club over text or chat?
Yes. Some clubs use a group chat or Discord channel to discuss the book over several days, which works well for members in very different time zones.
How do you invite an author to a virtual book club?
Contact the author through their website, publicist or publisher. Many authors join virtual book clubs for a short Q&A, especially when the group is reading their newest book.