Looking for book club ideas that go beyond choosing your next read? Think cheese boards with letter cutouts, pretty tea tables and little wrapped books to swap.
There’s plenty here to borrow for your next gathering, whether you’re hosting around the coffee table or taking things outside.
You can keep it simple or go all out. Pick a snack, make room for everyone to sit and add a bookish detail you love.
Those tiny book-cover favors are especially cute!
Book Club Ideas Worth Saving
cheese boards and little bites
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous snack spread. I love the rows of cheese and crackers around the green grapes.
The checkerboard arrangement of olives and white cheese cubes is such a pretty extra.
For your own gathering, keep plates and serving utensils together on a tray beside the food.
pink shelves and a puzzle
How cute is this book-filled room? The pink shelves and floral pillows are lovely, but that table designed to look like a stack of books might be my favorite part.
You don’t need a whole library to borrow the idea. Try leaving a puzzle on your coffee table for anyone who wants something to do while you chat.
book club cheese letters
I am obsessed with the cheese letters spelling out “BOOK CLUB.” They sit right over the grapes, with a salami rose above them and crackers lined up below.
If you want your snack board to feel a little more on theme, this is a cute detail to copy. Leave a clear patch in the middle for your lettering.
gingham and backyard snacks
Want to take your next meeting outside? This collage has plenty to borrow, from red-and-white checked tables to sunflowers and a hot dog topping station.
I’d choose the gingham and pitchers of colorful drinks for a casual backyard book club. Add a pie to share if you want something sweet too.
pink and orange mimosa bar
The pink and orange bows are so cute in this drinks setup. Even the white bottle bucket gets a big pink ribbon, with matching napkins beside the carafes.
Try this for a brunch meeting. You could include a clearly labeled alcohol-free sparkling option alongside the mimosa ingredients.
floral cups and pink flowers
This tea table may just be one of my favorites here. I love the floral cups, pink flowers and tiered stand filled with muffins and strawberries.
The folded fans at the place settings are a lovely extra. For a smaller version, start with your teacups and one stand of treats.
peachy reading supplies
If you’re looking for little book club gifts, this peach-colored set is a sweet starting point. There’s a review card, page tabs, orange writing supplies and a bookmark with a long tassel.
The tiny bookshop sticker is my favorite. Put together your own set in one color, then let everyone choose a sticker.
blind date with a book
Who doesn’t love a little surprise? These wrapped books have handwritten clues on the front, plus reading lists, tea packets and colorful tabs tucked into the folds.
You could turn this into a book swap. Ask everyone to wrap a book and add a few spoiler-free clues before choosing their mystery read.
book and bookmark cookies
How adorable are these cookies? The open books have white pages and tiny pink flowers, with matching pink bookmark shapes beside them.
Save this picture as decorating inspiration or show it to a baker. I’d keep the little flowers on both shapes so they look like a set.
pages floating overhead
If you are looking for a true eye-catcher, then this one is for you. Printed pages hang at different heights above the table, with more pages running down its center.
Try copies rather than pulling apart a favorite book. For your own setup, use flameless candles and keep the hanging pages clear of lights.
build your own hot chocolate
The hot chocolate fans are going to love this! Labeled jars hold marshmallows, chocolate chips and peppermint candies, with syrups and whipped topping behind them.
Set up a smaller version for a winter reading night with your favorite toppings. Don’t forget a spoon for each jar.
little pink question cards
Don’t want to go all out with decorations? No problem! This pink book-shaped card asks, “What was your favorite part of the book?”
It’s a simple starting point for your discussion. You could place a different question at each seat and let everyone take turns picking one.
Read also: 16+ Bible Study Snack Ideas That Keep You Focused
a mystery book drinks tray
I love how The Thursday Murder Club is displayed right on this ornate tray. The patterned glasses and decanter sit beside it, with red and white flowers further down the counter.
Borrow the display idea by standing your chosen book beside the drinks. There’s no need to hide that pretty cover under a stack of napkins.
a cascading page runner
This is another page-covered table, but it’s a little different from the one above. The overlapping sheets trail right over the edge and down to the floor.
I especially love the garlands above the buffet. If you’re trying the runner at home, keep its trailing end away from where guests will walk.
pink bows and brunch treats
I am obsessed with this pink brunch setup. The cupcake frosting, bows and printed discussion sheet all pick up the pink on the copies of Bunny.
Croissants fill the lower tier while doughnuts sit among the cupcakes above. Try choosing one color from your book cover for the napkins and decorations.
black bows and a book banner
If you like darker decorations, this one is for you. Big black letters spell “BOOK CLUB” across printed pages, with long black bows at the ends.
I love the little easel holding We Used to Live Here beside the flowers and buns. Give your current read its own spot like this instead of adding more decorations.
balloons and tiny book covers
How fun is this little celebration corner? Shiny gold-colored balloons spell “BOOK CLUB,” with miniature book-cover garlands above and below.
You could use covers from books your group has read for an anniversary gathering. Add a plate of cupcakes underneath to finish the setup.
a chair beside the shelves
Don’t want a decorated party table at all? This reading corner is lovely on its own, with a cream armchair, two pillows and shelves full of books.
For a quiet reading meetup, borrow the idea of individual seats near good lighting. Leave the elaborate snack display for another night.
tiny book-cover favors
Last but definitely not least, we have these little wrapped favors dressed up as books. I love the mix of covers, from Pride and Prejudice to The Love Hypothesis.
You could give individually wrapped chocolates a similar book-cover sleeve for guests to take home. Keep the original wrappers intact underneath.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Alessandra
Related stories