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Good Reads Guide: The Best Book Clubs in Sydney
Whether you're an avid reader or looking to pick up a new hobby, the best book clubs in Sydney combine great reads and charming conversations.
Sydney’s best book clubs span cosy bookstore nights to genre-specific meetups and low-commitment virtual reads, whether you’re pouring wine at Sorry I’m Book’d, settling into Gertrude and Alice’s Bondi Beach shelves, or browsing the aisles at Better Read Than Dead in Newtown. Miles away from its famous landmarks and beautiful beaches, Sydney is secretly brimming with charming book clubs that cater to every literary taste. So, whether you’re a fan of gripping thrillers, heartwarming romances, or thought-provoking non-fiction, there’s a cosy corner for you.
Perfect for those looking to escape into the world of words, Sydney’s best book clubs are doing more than suggesting your next read; they provide communities where stories come alive through lively discussions and new friendships. The best part? Cheese boards and wine are a staple part of the book club fun!
This guide rounds up Sydney’s most genuine reading communities, from fantasy fans to podcast listeners.
In This Guide:
Best Book Clubs in Sydney for Making New Friends
To Be Read Book Club
Local Sydneysiders Pia and Eva are the founding members of To Be Read Book Club, bringing together book lovers and curious minds.
Meeting once a month for lively discussions over dinner in locations around Sydney, not only is it a great way to keep your reading up, but also an opportunity to connect with like-minded people in your area, who may become new friends.
The girls have recently added a second monthly event called Book Swap, where attendees will enjoy a charming evening of wine, nibbles, and a new book to get lost in.
Book Club dates and locations shared on Instagram.
Sorry I’m Book’d
If your TBR is towering and your DMs are full of “we should hang out,” Sorry I’m Book’d is your vibe. This club was founded by Jules and Ash, and is all about scrolling less, reading more, and making friends while debriefing on your latest read. There’s no literary snobbery allowed, just new people looking to make friends and a genuine love of reading and connecting. That sounds like a bit of us.
Why Join: “Our club is all about scrolling less, reading more and finding your community over a glass of wine! We’re not your traditional book club, more so about creating a fun, low pressure environment to meet likeminded friends and spend less time on your phone!”
Follow along for events here.
Glitter Gel Pen Bookclub
Natty wine, fun fiction and some of Sydney’s chicest venues? Glitter Gel Pen Bookclub is a millennial dream come true. The overarching mission? To romanticise life and create a positive, welcoming community. Beyond the usual book chat, the club has recently branched into Silent Reading Sessions; a monthly hour intentionally booked into the week, just like Pilates or yoga, where members read together in total quiet. The first session, hosted in partnership with Coping, came with a gifted Macmillan novel for every guest and a glass of natural wine.
There’s also listening and watch parties on the calendar, so there’s plenty to get involved in, but just make sure to get in quick because tickets sell out fast.
Why Join: “Each experience is designed to bring like-minded women together offline. At our core is the belief that content doesn’t need to be heavy or highbrow to be meaningful. We champion feel-good fiction, pop culture and lighter forms of leisure because life is serious enough. We’re here to romanticise it. Our whole ethos is to help the girlies tick off all the chic venues they have saved in their notes app, so we do a mix of trending venues and lesser known ones that we find and adore.”
Head over here to keep across upcoming Glitter Gel Pen Bookclub events.
OMG! It’s Book Club
Run by sisters and best friends Sarah and Hannah, OMG! It’s Book Club is exactly what it sounds like… reading, meeting new people and having a laugh over a drink, no pretension required. Monthly meetups cover literary fiction and romance, with a dedicated fantasy romance offshoot for anyone deep in their dragon era. Beyond the books, the girls run events built around their other favourite things, (an upcoming yoga x book swap being the latest_. The whole thing is built for women in their 20s and 30s who are looking for something genuine, wholesome and fun.
Why Join: A community built for connection first and books second, Sarah and Hannah want members to leave every event having made a real friend, not just finished another chapter.
RSVP Readers
RSVP Readers was born from two of Sydney’s greatest loves; contemporary fiction and long lunches at the city’s best restaurants. The group meets on weekends to eat, chat and build friendships that stretch well beyond the book itself. Intentionally crafted discussion prompts get the conversation started, but things always spiral into food ratings, BookTok gossip, restaurant recommendations and author picks before the meal’s done.
Why Join: “We love the book club scene in Sydney so much, we’ve been to and continue to go to other book clubs, but wanted to create a space that specifically combined our two greatest loves: contemporary fiction and good food. Expect full bellies and even fuller TBR piles by the time everyone heads home.”
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Best Bookstore Book Clubs in Sydney
Gertrude and Alice
Moments from Bondi Beach, this gem is a quick stroll from the water. Gertrude & Alice, which sells both second-hand and brand-new books, is curated to perfection with bestsellers easy to find.
The store doubles as a cafe and lends itself to a relaxed peruse that can end with a coffee or wine (and a long read). For those who wish to return to the literature wonderland regularly, the Bondi Literary Salon Book Club is for you.
Established in 2018, this is one of the best book clubs in Sydney, held in the cosy bookstore after hours, where members can discuss the book of the month (and more) over nibbles and wine.
Bondi Beach
Bookoccino
Brews and best sellers are the order of the day at Avalon’s beloved, Bookoccino. With a bustling cafe corner, friendly service, and an all-around literary atmosphere, it offers the ideal spot for a coffee date.
To make the deal even sweeter, Bookoccino host regular events in-store, encouraging connection over written words.
From morning pastries and chats to book launches, storytelling and evenings of live music, this is one book club you won’t regret joining.
If you want to bring your reading club to Bookoccino, the team here is ready and willing to host after hours. Just fill out this form and get the book party started.
Avalon Beach
Better Read Than Dead
It is too easy to linger longer than you should in this bookstore. Better Read Than Dead is a Newtown institution with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined with a curated collection of books.
The staff are well-versed and encourage a good chat about your latest read and host regular author events held throughout the year.
If you want to take the discussion further, join one of their clubs! With multiple communities to join, from the Bad Women Book Club discussing problematic female characters to the Other Worlds Book Club which dives into worlds of fantasy and science fiction, there is a club for everyone.
265 King Street, Newtown
Best Low-Commitment and Virtual Book Clubs in Sydney
The Gloss Book Club
This global book club connects readers from around the world living in the same area, and in great news – Sydneysiders are on the list!
Join The Gloss Book Club for monthly meetups, a cosy atmosphere, a glass of wine and discussion questions that lead to deeper conversations. Each guest can view and prepare their answers early, making this a great option for readers who love to dive deeper into their latest novel.
This paid membership also gives you access to other events in Sydney, including Meet and Greets with authors, discounts and monthly giveaways via The Gloss Book Club private Facebook group.
Book Club location changes monthly.
Shameless Book Club
Does a busy schedule make it hard to commit to monthly in-person meetings? That shouldn’t stop you being able to join a discussion about a story you love.
The women behind the popular podcast ‘Shameless’ have started their community book club, with recommended reads given at the beginning of the month, and a virtual discussion at the end of the month.
Members are encouraged to send their thoughts and questions, and hosts Michelle, Zara and Annabelle will record an extra podcast episode for book lovers to devour. It’s a book club without having to leave the house (or bed) – love it!
Available on all podcast platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sydney’s Best Book Clubs:
Sorry I’m Book’d and Glitter Gel Pen Bookclub are both built around connection as much as reading, with a deliberately casual, no-snobbery approach to discussion. Sorry I’m Book’d was founded to help readers make friends while debriefing on their latest read, while Glitter Gel Pen Bookclub runs listening and watch parties alongside its book meetups. Both attract a social, Sydney-based crowd rather than a purely literary one, making them a good starting point for newcomers to the book club scene.
Most of Sydney’s community-run book clubs, including To Be Read Book Club, Club Sup, and Sorry I’m Book’d, are free to attend, with events typically shared via Instagram. The Gloss Book Club is the exception, operating on a paid membership model that also includes author meet-and-greets and giveaways. Bookstore-hosted clubs such as Gertrude and Alice’s Bondi Literary Salon are generally free, though attendees are often expected to purchase a drink or snack on the night.
Yes. Shameless Book Club, run by the hosts of the Shameless podcast, is entirely virtual, with a monthly reading pick followed by a recorded discussion episode rather than an in-person meetup. It suits readers who want the community aspect of a book club without a fixed monthly commitment to attend somewhere in person.
Several of Sydney’s best-loved independent bookstores run in-house clubs. Gertrude and Alice in Bondi Beach hosts its Bondi Literary Salon after hours, Better Read Than Dead in Newtown runs multiple themed clubs including one focused on fantasy and science fiction, and Bookoccino in Avalon Beach hosts regular in-store literary events alongside author launches.
Most of Sydney’s book clubs meet monthly, though the schedule varies by group. Chapter Book Club meets twice a month, on the last two Wednesdays, while To Be Read Book Club has added a second monthly Book Swap event alongside its regular meetup. Virtual options like Shameless Book Club follow a monthly reading and discussion cycle rather than fixed meeting dates.
Has our guide to the best book clubs in Sydney inspired you to up your social game? Why not gather the girls and head away for a weekend of wines and good chats? We’ve got guides to the Central Coast and Byron Bay to get the planning started.
