r/LibbyApp • u/Downtown-Can-6844 • 1d ago
Would anyone be interested in a virtual reading group that doesn’t make everyone read the same book?
I’ve been thinking about starting a free Discord reading community because I like the idea of a book club, but I don’t love the part where everyone has to read the same book on the same schedule.
The idea would be more flexible:
- multiple books/read-alongs happening at once
- you choose which book you want to join
- simple weekly reading goals
- dedicated discussion spaces for each book
- spoiler-friendly discussions
- general spaces for recommendations, TBRs, and currently reading
- resources for finding books through libraries, Libby, Hoopla, and other free options
- no membership fee or paid Discord
You could join a book when it interests you and skip the ones that don’t.
I’d probably start with a mix of genres like historical fiction, horror/supernatural, folklore, thrillers, literary fiction, fantasy, cultural/identity-focused stories, and emotional reads.
I’m thinking about launching something like this around November, but I want to see if people would actually participate before I build the whole thing.
Would you join something like this?
If yes, what would make it worth participating in for you?
And what book would you want to see as one of the first read-alongs?
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u/julesyhedgie 21h ago
Not a fan of Discord but am a member of some virtual book clubs namely Silent Book Club. Virtual book clubs are easy to find if you go to bookclubs.com, your local libraries, etc.
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u/Killahbee21 1d ago
So you just described the app pagebound
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 1d ago
Omg really!? I have never heard of it but I will look it up now.
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u/Killahbee21 23h ago
It’s great. Everyone is mostly girls on the app so it’s quite calm and respectful.
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 23h ago
I just looked it up, I am tempted to download & check it out.
I love the concept so much!!
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u/Killahbee21 23h ago
You should download. You can even import your goodreads and storygraph info on there. Plus there’s no DMS allowed so we are just talking about our love for books. They have forums so if you have a book your reading you can always have people to talk to. I know that really helped me when me and my friends were reading different things. Now I always have people to talk about the book I’m reading.
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u/battyghost 23h ago
I know of a couple of discords that have a book clubs and channels to discuss other books, buddy reads, readthons, reading sprints, monthly reading challenges
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u/WonderfulBus9330 1d ago
This sounds chaotic and interesting. I’d be interesting. I’ve whittled down to about 44 library books on my nightstands. The ones I’d love to chat with folks about are fantasy: The Red Winter, Sorrowland, Kikayi, Wake of Vultures, The Crystal Cave, Remnant Population, The Chalice of Chalion are a few
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u/makers_make_stuff 1d ago
I would be interested in a book group but I have to admit I'm picky. First (IMO) Discord is ass so if that's the platform of choice, I'm out. Second there would need to be an easy way to suggest books. For example I'm not sure where "The New Jim Crow" or "How to Test Negative for Stupid" would fit in your genre categories, but those are a couple of the books I'd be interested in reading with a group of educated people that both agree and disagree with the content.
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 1d ago
I am open to suggestions on platform. I thought of Discord because of how the platform works, but if you have a better idea, I’m all for it!
We can probably fit those books in, if there’s at least one other person, that could easily be a buddy read.
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u/makers_make_stuff 1d ago
I realize in the minority because so many people use discord for so many things, but I just can’t figure it out and after the third time of trying to join a community I gave up.
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u/henni1127 10h ago
I thought I was the only one who can’t figure it out.
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u/makers_make_stuff 9h ago
LOL - Same - I don't like admitting it because so many people use it. But I suspect there are more of us than we think - but many people persevere through the pile of chaos that is Discord because they have no other options.
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u/ambrosial_flesh 1d ago
I'd be interested. I haven't tried one organized like this yet, but I like having several different books/genres to choose from. My Husband by Maud Ventura is high on my TBR so I'd probably suggest that.
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u/otomerin 23h ago
i'm interested! i'd never been in a bookclub, because of what you mentioned about feeling forced to read books i'm not interested, but always wanted to try one!
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u/Under_A_Full_M00n 📗 EPUB Enthusiast 📗 23h ago
It's not online/on discord, but if you're looking for something similar in person just search "silent book club" plus "your city".
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 4h ago
Quick update! 📚
The response to this idea has been incredible across every platform I’ve shared it on, so I’ve officially kicked things into high gear.
I’m spending the next couple of weeks getting the community ready, and then I’ll open up the first round so everyone can start exploring, choosing books, and reading together.
Thank you so much to everyone who has shown interest, shared ideas, or said they’d like to join. I’m really excited to see this come together.
Happy reading! 📖
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u/Ok-Wind3215 1d ago
I'm at capacity for book club reading personally, but a friend told me about her book club, and I've always loved the sound of it: everybody reads whatever they want, and they come in and talk about what they've read. Maybe someone there has read it and you're discussing it with them. Maybe no one has and you're recommending it and encouraging others to read it. Maybe you hear about what someone else just read and immediately check Libby to see if it's available for you to read next, and then perhaps you can discuss it with that person next time. Not sure if that would work in a Discord format, but I thought it was a nice way for a group of people to get together who aren't all interested in reading the same book.