Find Your Next Read with the Best Book Clubs in Melbourne

Melbourne is known for its thriving arts scene, and its passion for creativity extends to the literary world, with the city brimming with social book clubs catering to every type of reader.

Perhaps you love gripping thrillers, cheesy romantic stories, thought-provoking self-help books, biographies or deep mysteries. Whatever the case, social groups of like-minded bookworms are ready to welcome you into their circle.

With cheese boards and wine usually part of the fun, the best book clubs in Melbourne provide an inviting space to escape into the world of words and make new friends as you go!

The Gloss Book Club

This global book club connects readers from around the world living in the same area, and in great news - book lovers of Melbourne 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 Melbourne, including Meet and Greets with authors, discounts and monthly giveaways via The Gloss Book Club private Facebook group. 

Book Club location changes monthly.

Read My Blurb

Creating an engaging space for those with a shared interest to connect, co-founders Daisy and Jess host book clubs and book swap events twice a month with Read My Blurb. 

Hosting the group over nibbles and great wine in cosy venues around inner Melbourne, members can unwind with a glass of wine and open discussions over the Book of the Month, often leading to fascinating questions and conversations.

Blurb's Book Swap is the latest addition to the event calendar, where you can take a pre-loved (or new) book to the event and pass it along to another reader, sharing the book love with someone new. 

Waitlist and locations can be found on Instagram.

At One Studio

It's not often we associate a book club with a yoga flow, but At One Studio is changing that, with the recent addition of 'Something Comforting' to their yoga and pilates studio.

A new health-focused book club dedicated entirely to self-care, this is perfect for those who want to delve into their health and wellness through non-fiction reads. The book club covers genres like yoga, psychology, self-development and philosophy, intending to inspire and connect with like-minded individuals.

Held every 4-6 weeks, the club is free for At One members, with a small fee for non-members. The best part? There's always tea and snacks!

L1/127 Buckley Street, Essendon

Club Sup

For Melbourne locals (and visitors staying a little longer) wanting to make new friends with similar interests in a welcoming space, sign up for a social event with Club Sup.

Whilst most of the events organised by host Sophie are dinner (or lunch) and drinks, the monthly Book Swap event is always met with much interest and delight.

Once a month, attendees bring their favourite book with a small note to pass along to someone, enjoy some snacks and conversation, and make new friends as they go! It's a win, win... win!

The Chestnut Tree Bookshop

In this cosy and inviting bookshop, buying books has never felt so good, with all book purchases helping to plant native trees in areas of Australia impacted by bushfires. Last time we checked, the team had helped plant more than 30,000 trees... so far. 

More than that, proudly independent and heavily focused on sustainability and literature, The Chestnut Tree Bookshop hosts book clubs for juniors and adults in the Footscray space.

Splitting the clubs into Young Adult, General and Parents & Bubs, you should have no trouble finding a club with book suggestions that match your interests.

542 Barkly Street. Footscray

Shameless Book Club

Does a busy schedule make it hard to commit to monthly in-person meetings? That shouldn't stop you from being able to join a discussion about a story you love.

The women behind the uber-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!

Lonely House Book Club

Another club focused on good times, good food and great reads, Lonely House Book Club is the creation of Melbourne friends Tash and Bella.

As much a social hangout as a book club, you will mingle, eat and drink with new friends, and if you're lucky, you'll make some lasting connections. Hosting in beautiful spaces around Melbourne, follow the fun online to keep up with the Book of the Month, reading suggestions, and reviews.

It's not all books either - past events have been creative Paint and Sips and a Galentines lunch! Secure your tickets online for upcoming events and join the cool kids club. 

Dates and locations are available on Instagram.

Salon Series at Paperback Books

A suggestion for those who take their reading seriously, and instead want to hear directly from the author in an intimate reading and Q&A, we recommend grabbing a ticket to the Salon Series sessions at Paperback Books.

Salons are free for all and held monthly in a gorgeous space (usually Bard's Apothecary in the CBD), where authors will engage in an open discussion with a host and the audience, deep-diving into the symbolism, stories and meaning behind their writing.

Beyond that, stocking an impressive array of fiction, non-fiction and travel books that would be otherwise unknown to us here in Australia, the Paperback Bookshop remains the first point of call for rare reads.

A fixture of the city since the 60s and considered a Melbourne landmark, today you'll find some mainstream titles peppered throughout the shelves as well. 

60 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Has our guide to the best book clubs in Melbourne inspired you to up your social game? Why not gather the girls and head away for a weekend of wines and good times? We've got guides to the Mornington Peninsula and Daylesford to get the planning started.