Book clubs in Essex

Below you'll find every active listing we have for book clubs and readers in Essex

All listings in Essex

Added 1 day ago

Louise (Rochford)

I'd love to join a local group near Southend or Rochford. I'm currently reading John of John by Douglas Stewart who also wrote Shuggie Bain which was a 5* read for me. I like modern contemporary fiction but like to read a couple of classics a year. This year it was The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck and So Long, See you Tomorrow by William Maxwell. My current favourite authors are Elizabeth Strout, Donal Ryan, Helen Garner, Colm Toibin and Kevin Barry. I've got a bit of a block on the romantasy genre and anything formulaic. My controversial opinion is I don't like Lily King or other overhyped modern fiction. But I do read it, to be sure.

Added 2 days ago

Davida (Colchester)

I’m 19 and live in Colchester. I love love love reading anything fantasy, romance or a combination of them both! Also like the occasional mystery/thriller book :)

Added 5 days ago

What if... Reading Circle (Southend-on-Sea)

We are a speculative fiction reading circle. We meet once a month at a local cafe to discuss strange worlds, impossible futures and unforgettable ideas. www.whatifreadingcircle.com

Added 10 days ago

Sahana (Rayleigh)

I am 18. I love reading all types of books and I am hoping to make friends with others who also love reading.

Added 12 days ago

Lynn (Basildon)

Love a good read, write poetry (have had some published) and the English language is a passion of mine. Would be good just to share thoughts, and talk to like minded people! At present, l am reading my 3rd book by Lawrence Anthony, the elephant whisperer, called The Last Rhinos

Lynn recommends:

Bridges Of Madison County

by Robert James Waller | Learn more and buy

Though it's a romance (not to everyones taste) l loved the story line, and his use of descriptive English. Its a small concise book, full of wonderful words & phrases

Added 13 days ago

Manningtree/Lawford reader (Colchester)

Anyone want to start a book club? Early 40s, love reading but do tend to fall asleep. Enjoy Maggie O'Farrel, Sally Rooney among many more

Added 14 days ago

Peter (Romford)

65 years old, married with two grown-up children. Read modern fiction, some non-fiction. All time favourite book: Catch 22. Recent books that had a big impact on me: All the Light we Cannot See; Glorious Exploits; Your are Here. Guilty pleasure/easy reads: Graham Norton, Richard Osman and every word ever written by Irvine Welsh. Have always liked the idea of a book discussion group

Added 16 days ago

Georgia (Grays Thurrock)

Love fantasy and crime thrillers but open to reading pretty much anything.

Georgia recommends:

A court of Mist and Fury

by Sarah J Maas | Learn more and buy

Couldn’t put it down. It’s part of the ACOTAR series but it’s amazing

Added 19 days ago

Fabienne (Westcliff-on-Sea)

I love to read, especially books from authors like Raymond E Feist & Terry Brooks. I also write. My preferred genre is Psionic Fantasy/ Epic fantasy and currently have three fantasy novels in Amazon. Looking to meet up with people with similar interests. The first of this trilogy is 'Tayhunner: In a Time of Change'

Added 22 days ago

Andy (Basildon)

I enjoy reading and good conversation, and I’d like to join a book group to share ideas, meet people, and enjoy discussing books in a friendly, open-minded setting.

Added 23 days ago

Millie (Saffron Walden)

hey! I am in my late 20s and love romance, fantasy, thriller and crime novels. I love reading and was looking to join a book club or find new friends to have a coffee and share book suggestions with! My last reads were the Sarah J Mass series and the housemaid series :)

zoe (Saffron Walden)

hey! early 20s, love romance, fantasy and witty crime novels. working in a library and love love reading and looking for people to share a book group experience with!!

Elliot (Braintree)

Hi, I’m Elliot. I’m 29 and new to the area, so I’m trying to make the effort to get out a bit and meet some new people. I’ve always enjoyed reading, especially fantasy and science fiction, although I do like a bit of romance now and then as a guilty pleasure. I thought joining a book club would be a nice way to meet people, talk about books, and maybe read a few things I wouldn’t normally pick up myself.

Benf (Chelmsford)

I need to make more time for reading, and I think being in a group helps to motivate me. I enjoy most genres, particularly horror and science fiction, and I really like the experience of reading alongside others and discussing our thoughts and reactions to the books.

Lucy (Rayleigh)

I’m Lucy, I’m 32 and enjoy literary fiction, romance, crime thrillers and fantasy. I live in Hullbridge near Rayleigh. Looking to meet new people. Based in Hullbridge, Essex

Lucy recommends:

In a a Thousand Different Ways

by Cecilia Ahern | Learn more and buy

It’s well written, immersive and quite unique and gave me new perspectives.

Ruby (Saffron Walden)

in my early 20s love reading romance but wanting to broaden my horizons last read was daydreamer by Hannah Grace. Would love to connect!

Erin (Chelmsford)

I'm 19, and I obviously love reading. I especially love fantasy, romance and literary books, but I'm open to reading anything. I looking to connect with other young adults and teens who love reading x

Lacie (Harlow)

I’m lacie! I’m 14 years old and have been obsessed with books for 2 years! I’ve always wanted to share my passion for books with people and hopefully make friends!

Lacie recommends:

Binding 13

by Chloe Walsh | Learn more and buy

The plot. The characters. Johnny Kavanagh. Period.

Booked Up! (Loughton)

We read from Time Magazine's All-Time 100 Novels so that we always have interesting book to read and discuss, it’s a mix of genres so something for everyone (at some point). If you don’t want to read the book of the month I suggest reading something else by the same author or picking something of the same genre by a different author so you can add another viewpoint into the discussion. The point of the group isn’t just to read things you wouldn’t usually – it’s also to have interesting discussions when we get together. We meet on the fourth Wednesday evening of each month at The Standard, 126 High Road, Loughton. There is parking to the side and behind the pub, we arrive at 7pm and start book talk at 7:15pm. If you are interested in coming along message bookedupreadinggroup@outlook.com The group is a mix of people so you won’t always see the same people every month – which adds to the flavour of our discussions. February 2026 The Great Gatsby F Scott Fitzgerald March 2026 Lord of The Flies William Golding April 2026 Animal Farm George Orwell May 2026 Catch 22 Joseph Heller June 2026 The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck July 2026 Gone with The Wind Margaret Mitchell August 2026 Slaughter House 5 Kurt Vonnegut September 2026 One Flew Over The Cuckoos next Ken Kesey October 2026 A Clockwork Orange Anthony Burgess

Sami (Braintree)

Hi, I'm a 28 year old who has recently moved to Braintree and am looking to make friends in a relatively low stakes way in the local area (Primarily Witham, Braintree and surrounding villages, but as books can be discussed over text, I'm open to hearing from a wider area). I'm not great at socialising initially so I thought 'Hey, I love reading books, if somebody in a simillar situation wants to recc me a book or recieve a book recc in return and we could discuss it, that would be a nice chill way to start a rapport over a shared interest. I primarily like science fiction and fantasy but I'll read pretty much anything, especially if you give me a reccomendation of it. I'm currently reading the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and although I think it starts off a bit edgy and over the top, I have to say I really like how it develops and especially its world building. I can talk about world building for hours. I have also posted on the tabletop sister site and do watch seasonal anime with my wife, so if you wanna chat about what's currently airing or reach out to me regarding a game night, please feel free to.