Be it Oprah’s latest pick, a spicy new thriller or a celeb memoir bound to spur an invigorating debate, book clubs have long been a fantastic excuse to get friends together for good food, fun drinks and enlightening discussion about something other than our kids or jobs.
If it’s your turn to host, you’ll love these creative ideas that can make your book club party a real page-turner. Let’s start with the most important aspect: food. What’s a book club without delicious hors d’oeuvres?
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Literary-Inspired Eats
You can certainly draw menu inspiration from the day’s book selection, basing your picks around the food (and wine!) of the region where the plot is set or making the main character’s favorite dish. But you could also cover all literary bases with a buffet themed around famous books with food in their titles. Bonus points if you have these books already and can display them near their inspired dishes. For example…
More Recipes for Your Book Club
If You’re Reading: Where the Crawdads SingServe your guests a taste of South Carolina's marshlands with a delectable blackberry cobbler. Just be sure to serve it with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
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If You're Reading: Crying in H Mart: A MemoirKorean food takes center stage in this moving memoir from
Japanese Breakfast frontwoman, Michelle Zauner. And while any food mentioned in this book would be perfect, your guests will especially love this classic Korean street food.
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If You're Reading: Malibu RisingIt doesn't get more 80s, or Californian, than a platter full of freshly made California rolls.
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If You're Reading: The NightingaleExplore France, and its many wonderful foods, in this sweeping World War II novel. Pair this French bread with some quince paste and cured ham for the full Parisian effect.
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If You're Reading: People We Meet on VacationMake a pitcher (or two, or three) of everyone's favorite vacation cocktail while you chat about this sweet novel. Bonus points if you also make a treat from each place Poppy and Alex visit!
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If You're Reading: Such a Fun AgeTo invoke a pivotal scene in
Such a Fun Age without cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal, whip up these handheld Thanksgiving Wontons. There will be plenty to go around, even if there are unexpected guests!
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If You’re Reading: Educated: A MemoirTake a page out of Grandma-over-in-town’s book with a plate of warm, chocolate chip cookies.
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If You're Reading: The Guest ListWhat's a wedding without a cake? Dig into this layered delight as you discuss this twisty thriller.
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If You're Reading: The Midnight LibraryInspired by the dinner Joe makes for Nora and their partners, this broccoli pasta comes together in a snap. Don't forget the bottle of Napa Valley Syrah wine, too.
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If You're Reading: The Lost ApothecaryYou can't chat about tinctures without having an elixir of your own. This potion combines gin, cherry liqueur, lemon juice and creme de violette for a cocktail that's as gorgeous as the novel's cover.
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If You're Reading: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest TrailDeep-woods hikers are often forced to scavenge for food, like mushrooms and nuts, to eat. Pass a platter of stuffed mushrooms in honor of this book.
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If You're Reading: The Paris WifeThere's no question Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley Richardson bonded over many pastries during their marriage in Paris, which is beautifully fictionalized in this book.
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If You're Reading: Me Before YouThe quintessential romance novel deserves the quintessential romantic dessert.
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If You're Reading: Like Water for ChocolateSip a cup of Mexican Hot Chocolate while indulging in this heartbreaking love story set in beautiful Mexico.
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If You're Reading: The Kite RunnerMiddle Eastern food and family are the backdrop of this novel, and these lamb meatballs are a great way to bring your book-club family to the snack table!
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If You're Reading: A Tree Grows in BrooklynThis book chronicles the trials of an Irish family making their way in New York. Treat your friends to a handheld version of the quintessential Irish-American feast and celebrate the triumphs of the books inspiring characters.
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If You're Reading: Water for ElephantsRun away with the circus and the cast of Water for Elephants with this animal-cracker snack mix.
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If You're Reading: Beautiful RuinsThis fun Italian appetizer will whisk your friends away to the Italian coast, just like the setting for this timeless novel.
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If You're Reading: The Secret Life of BeesThis empowering novel is a sweet read for a book club, and is made even sweeter with a platter of honey corn bread.
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If You're Reading: The MartianSurviving on potatoes on another planet sounds tough, but making this otherworldly app for your book club is easy as can be!
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If You're Reading: Out of AfricaThis book is filled with stunning imagery set in a simple, yet gorgeous setting. Treat your club to this coffee beverage that will remind you of the main character's coffee farm.
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If You're Reading: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop CafeFood plays an integral role in this heartwarming novel. Treat the ladies in your club to a dish as juicy, complex and satisfying as the book itself.
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If You're Reading: Go Set a WatchmanThis legendary novel is set in rural Alabama, where Lane Cake was invented. Treat your guests to a dish that's as world-renowned as the author of this groundbreaking book.
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If You're Reading: The Hundred-Foot JourneyA macaron is a true test of French culinary skill, and this foodie-beloved story is the perfect excuse to show off your skills to the book club.
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If You're Reading: A Game of ThronesWhether you side with the Starks or the Lanisters, everyone enjoys a cup of mulled red wine and a great read.
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If You're Reading: Breakfast at Tiffany'sThis classic novella is a must-read for any book club—and this recipe is the perfect way to make your guests feel like they're enjoying their very own breakfast at Tiffany's.
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If You're Reading: The Time Traveler's WifeThought time traveling was only possible in books? Not so! With these make-ahead appetizers, you can time travel in the kitchen, too.
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If You're Reading: Love in the Time of CholeraThis heartbreaking love story was originally published in Spanish, and takes place in a fictional city near the Caribbean. Get the conversation going with this boozy rum cake.
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If You're Reading: The Great GatsbyNo book club is complete without a great American novel, and no Gatsby party is complete without Champagne. Enjoy both with this Gatsby-themed treat.
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If You're Reading: Eat, Pray, LoveThis book is about love, inner peace and inspiration. Whisk your book club away on a peaceful trip to India with these little bundles.
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Bookish Invitations
Remember the library check-out cards that used to be in a pocket inside every library book you checked out as a kid? Use those as inspiration for your book club party invitations. Create your own on cardstock or just hire a talented artisan from Etsy to create something fun, like these, for you.
Taste of Home
A Cozy Setting
Just like the book itself, the setting of your book club party should be rich with detail and interest. Of course, the easiest way to do this is by using what you already have—books. Assemble books in stacks of two or three down a dining table, for large groups, or in the center of a coffee table for a smaller crowd. Top each stack with a small vase of flowers or a candle nestled safely inside a mason jar.
Using a few reclaimed books from your local thrift store, tear out the pages and glue them into runners (like the one above) to decorate a table or mantle. Using a hole punch, you can easily create literary confetti to sprinkle around your snack buffet.
For your soundtrack, you’ll want a great chill-out mix of instrumental melodies to provide the soundtrack for your book club. Try this specially curated Taste of Home Book Club playlist on Spotify for just the right ambiance.
Also make sure your setting for deep literary discussion is warm and cozy—if a fireplace is available, you might want to utilize this. Give guests a selection of blankets to snuggle underneath while they share their favorite parts of the romance/political thriller/celebrity memoir you’re discussing.
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At the End
To choose the book club’s next book, wrap four to five options in brown craft paper and have one guest choose at random. Oh, the suspense!
Surprise guests with a parting gift. We love the idea of a library card tote bag that contains a few trinkets for book lovers. These book club wine charms are perfect for the wine-loving bibliophile while these Hemingway quote socks will keep feet toasty warm whilst reading. Of course, you can’t forget where you left off—a cute bookmark will do the trick for that. For those who care to wear their love of books, this handmade book necklace is exquisite.
As they said in elementary school before handing out coupons for free pizza—ready, set…read!
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Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
