Book clubs in Southampton

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

Neralie Patel

I am a nurse and I am a big fan of reading murder mysteries and murder thriller type books

Sean

The idea: a small, easygoing group meeting once a month in a cosy café around Southampton (open to New Forest spots too, depending who's keen) to talk about the kind of books that actually earn their length — Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, John Williams' Stoner, Jack London's Martin Eden. Big questions, flawed characters, sentences worth re-reading. Doesn't have to stay strictly Russian-and-American — anything in that same vein is fair game. No pressure if you haven't finished the book. No one-upmanship. Just good coffee, better conversation, and people who actually want to talk about what they're reading rather than just being seen to read it. If that sounds like your kind of Saturday morning (or Tuesday evening — happy to find what works for the group), get in touch. Even just tell me the last book that properly wrecked you — that's usually the best icebreaker.

Maysie

I'm in my 20's and would love to find like minded people to discuss books with. In the past year I have gotten back my love for reading. I particularly love romance, dark romance, thriller, horror, crime, history specifically war fiction, medical and some niche books written by podcast hosts. It would be nice to have people to talk to after reading something to review it together and gossip about favourite parts and most disliked characters or plots.

Agata

Hi :) i read thriller / crime books i also like fantasy books but i dont read them as often i am looking to make friends and we could talk about books or other stuff.

Agata recommends:

A good girls guide to vmurder

by Holly Jackson | Learn more and buy

i really like this book and the whole series in general so many plot twists and turns and it was really fun guessing what happend or who did what and why

Janine (Southampton, Shirley)

My friend and I want to start or join a book club I'm retired but my friend Jenny is still working so we'd like to meet in the evening. I love reading, I always have a book on the go, my husband and I read to each other and I have a Audible subscription.

Nick

I really enjoy reading the classics, especially the great Russian authors. It would be interesting to discuss the big questions these books pose. Another persons perspective would add further layers to the work. I am semi-retired and have now got the time to deep dive into great works of literature. I live in Southampton.

Nick recommends:

The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck | Learn more and buy

A book with a great heart that teaches us about the power of community.

Shirley

I'd like to meet up with other readers reasonably locally. My passion is social justice so I appreciate any novel tackling these issues e.g. The Women by Kristin Hannah. But also love reading crime and psychological thrillers. More commercial than literary. Favourite authors Lianne Moriarty, Clare Macintosh, Robert Galbraith Strike series, Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series. I'm also a writer and run a writing group in Dibden Purlieu.

Shirley recommends:

Half of a Yellow Sun

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Learn more and buy

It's informative, immersive and a beautiful but tragic love story

Steph

I love reading, mostly books that I feel I can relate to, I.e life as an adult in your late 20s, romance, life choices etc. I love Laura Jane Williams and Dolly Alderton books but I’m open to other authors too! I also love reading about women in history! I’d like to be a part of a book club or just find a coffee shop we can sit in, read and share books. Let me know if you are interested.

Steph recommends:

Confessions of a Forty Something F**k up

by Alexandra Potter | Learn more and buy

You will get so invested in the main character and it will make you feel a mixture of emotions.

Ruby

Heya, I read a lot of genres, from historical fiction & non-fiction, mystery, psych thriller, romantasy, (dabble in smut). Looking for like minded readers to delve into books and broaden my social life!

Ruby recommends:

Circe

by Madeline Miller | Learn more and buy

The setting is stunning. Her character development is fab. Miller really brings Circe out of the Odyssey, gives her life and I completely fell in love with her!

Mimi

Hey just a student looking to get involved with a book club :) into thrillers, crime fiction, romance, fantasy etc x

Cathy

I'm looking to join a book club to start reading more books and meet likeminded people to chat to and be part of an enjoyable social circle.

Alskib

Recently got into reading again- and am sad I ever stopped! Once I pick up a book I am lost in my own book bubble and little movie going on in my head. Recently been reading books by Karin slaughter ❤️ would love to join a book club and meet other people with similar interests and find out about authors and books I don’t know about!

Saf

Hi! I am looking to bond / connect over the love of books!!! Love fiction and romance, but happy to delve outside of this!

Dani

Hello! I'm a girl in my 20s who has recently moved from Australia to Southampton. I'm looking to join a book club and meet like minded people who are up for a chat about books, films, music and more. I mostly read romance, thrillers and contemporary fiction but I'm open to anything :)

Noushin

Looking to join a face-to-face book club to expand my social circle and read more book, my favorite book is A Thousand Splendid Suns!

Noushin recommends:

A Thousand Splendid Suns

by Novel by Khaled Hosseini | Learn more and buy

One of those books that truly move you, pulling on your heartstrings until you bawl like a child.

Ailsa

I read most genres I’m just not a big fan of history or self-help/essay based books. My most recent reads were the Harry Potter series and The Help, both I enjoyed immensely.

Ailsa recommends:

A short stay in hell

by Steven L. Peck | Learn more and buy

This is a great short story, focusing on one man’s stay in hell. It kept me interested throughout and I finished it in one sitting.

Bella

Outgoing when I’m comfortable and know my subject. I’m warm, open and honest.

Bella recommends:

Social Creature

by Tara Isabella Burton | Learn more and buy

The characters are deeply flawed but enthralling. The whole plot is tightly woven with great dialogue and although the author tells you the outcome in the opening sentence, every aspect of this novel is surprising and brilliantly executed.

Lucyanna123

I like reading romance and fantasy books, I’m also in the start of writing 2 books a solo project and one with my husband. Am looking to make new friends

Southampton Book Club Fantasy Girlies

Hi all, I am looking for like-minded people (not just girlies) to create a book club here in Southampton to hopefully meet face-to-face once a month. I have had a look around and can't seem to find a book club (out of maybe 4? I found) around Southampton with my taste in books. So if you also like: -Fantasy -Romance -Romantasy -Historical fiction -Adventure -A bit of contemporary or sci-fi I am hoping that we can meet at least monthly, discuss a book and share thoughts/ideas. Please feel free to join: www.facebook.com/groups/8823393134447588/

The Page Turner's (Shirley, Southampton)

Very small (2 members) looking for more people to join us , on the last Wednesday of the month in Shirley or Lordshill area

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