Anyone been to a Chapter 25 book club?

TheCatCameBack112 · 2025-02-04T21:26:26+00:00

I've signed up to the waiting list and had a message today saying the local group will be starting next month. I've been interested in joining a book club for a while (project : stop just being at work all the time) and don't have any others in my area. It meets once a month in a local bar/bistro and costs a tenner, Book not included. I'm not entirely sure what I'm paying for and I can't tell whether it will be facilitated or just a free for all for the members to run. I'm interested to hear any views form people who have been to one of their clubs. I think there's quite a few nationally. What is the vibe? How serious was the book chat? And would I be weird going on my own?

cariadlet · 05/02/2025 05:41

I hadn't heard of this organisation but a tenner sounds a lot. I thought that most book groups were free.

VikingsandDragons · 17/02/2025 12:46

I've just joined as one is starting in my area and there aren't many other book clubs around here, I haven't been yet but there are a lot of interesting online author meets, extra book discussions etc and a very active whatsapp chat so far.

whippleproceedure · 17/02/2025 20:14

This sounds da good I'm going to take a look

ThisQuirkyPlum · 11/09/2025 07:10

VikingsandDragons · 17/02/2025 12:46

I've just joined as one is starting in my area and there aren't many other book clubs around here, I haven't been yet but there are a lot of interesting online author meets, extra book discussions etc and a very active whatsapp chat so far.

Hey how was the book club in the end? I'm interested in joining but there isn't much information on Chapter 25 online

VikingsandDragons · 11/09/2025 08:45

ThisQuirkyPlum · 11/09/2025 07:10

Hey how was the book club in the end? I'm interested in joining but there isn't much information on Chapter 25 online

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I ended up swapping groups as the one I joined in February was still half an hour away and the day just didn't work well for me combined with the distance I could rarely make it, I'm now at one 10 mins from home and it's very friendly, there are a lot of prompts etc although it's not as led by one leader as other groups I've been to, its more participant managed (at least at the one I've been to). I like that it supports a local business (a restaurant/bar) on a quiet night of their week, and we have varied book choices and plenty of notice on book choices so I have so far been able to get them all on kindle unlimited or a 99p sale. They do have online events and if you get involved in them it makes the membership fee worthwhile, I've joined the silent writing and a couple of the Q&As with the author ones, there are also quiz nights, virtual board game meets etc. I do think £9.99 a month is expensive though if you just go to the monthly meet up when no book is provided or someone to overall guide the discussion, just lots of notecards with discussion prompts and stickers, and sadly there's no option to swap to another group if you cannot make your usual one that month so I am on the fence about continuing. I also go to a book group at the library which is free, books provided, really well managed and led and only a group of 8 of us so you get to know people better, and one formed on facebook just of local women with a similar genre interest (also free) so I would recommend checking your library for if they run one as well or consider forming one yourself, I think what Chapter25 offer is ease rather than nessesarily being any better than stand alone local groups.

ThisQuirkyPlum · 11/09/2025 10:19

VikingsandDragons · 11/09/2025 08:45

I ended up swapping groups as the one I joined in February was still half an hour away and the day just didn't work well for me combined with the distance I could rarely make it, I'm now at one 10 mins from home and it's very friendly, there are a lot of prompts etc although it's not as led by one leader as other groups I've been to, its more participant managed (at least at the one I've been to). I like that it supports a local business (a restaurant/bar) on a quiet night of their week, and we have varied book choices and plenty of notice on book choices so I have so far been able to get them all on kindle unlimited or a 99p sale. They do have online events and if you get involved in them it makes the membership fee worthwhile, I've joined the silent writing and a couple of the Q&As with the author ones, there are also quiz nights, virtual board game meets etc. I do think £9.99 a month is expensive though if you just go to the monthly meet up when no book is provided or someone to overall guide the discussion, just lots of notecards with discussion prompts and stickers, and sadly there's no option to swap to another group if you cannot make your usual one that month so I am on the fence about continuing. I also go to a book group at the library which is free, books provided, really well managed and led and only a group of 8 of us so you get to know people better, and one formed on facebook just of local women with a similar genre interest (also free) so I would recommend checking your library for if they run one as well or consider forming one yourself, I think what Chapter25 offer is ease rather than nessesarily being any better than stand alone local groups.

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Thanks for such a detailed and honest response! I'll probably look around for some free book clubs then as we have quite a few in my area - it doesn't seem like you get that much more for paying £10 a month. Glad you managed to find a good bookclub that suits you. Happy reading!