The first rule of book club is, talk about book club

Book Club at Queenstown Library is Adult Services Librarian Lili Owen’s favourite programme, hands down. On the last Thursday of each month the group meet to have a cuppa, some biscuits and have great conversations about books.

Owen has been running the club since December 2024 – it was first started in 2020 by her predecessor Amy O’Reily as a welcoming space for people to connect through a shared love of reading.

“Rather than everyone reading the same title, I set an optional monthly theme that serves as inspiration rather than a requirement, so members can read whatever interests them and then share their recommendations with the group,” Owen says. “We also do fun reading challenges, like Fantasy Book Tropes Bingo or read a translated book from a country pulled out of a hat.”

This year they also introduced a loyalty card where every third Book Club session attended earns a reading-related prize. This is because “reading for pleasure and being regularly involved in your community should be acknowledged and rewarded.”

There’s 10-12 regular attendees and some of the feedback Owen receives includes enjoyment of the inclusive and non-judgemental atmosphere, and appreciating not being required to read a set book.

“This format produces such a huge range of recommendations and encourages conversations across different ages, backgrounds and reading tastes – it really is as much about community connection as it is about books! After each session, I send out an email newsletter featuring all the books we discussed (with links to our library catalogue), and once a quarter I publish the newest issue of our free Book Club zine, chockerful of all the books mentioned over the past few months.”

An example of actual feedback received: Better than most book clubs because you can read whatever you like, instead of the standard one book. There is a theme but you don’t have to adhere to it, everyone is just happy that you show up. It’s a fantastic way to connect to other people through a genuine love of books. Every genre, and every viewpoint is appreciated. Also, snacks!

Owen explains that the themes are a mix of advance planning and ideas that emerge naturally from discussions during book club.

“I always try to balance popular topics with more creative or left-field themes that encourage people to broaden their reading horizons. Every month I change up the in-house Book Club display, which is full of on-theme books in case you’re stuck for what to choose – and this display gets refreshed weekly so make sure to check it out.”

The theme for this month is LGBTQIA+ stories and the library display is now ready to peruse. Some examples that Owen would suggest:

• Meanwhile, elsewhere : science fiction and fantasy from transgender writers
• The long way to a small, angry planet – Becky Chambers
• A language of limbs – Dylin Hardcastle
• Confessions – Catherine Airey
• Necessary Fiction - Osunde, Eloghosa
• The Safekeep - Wouden, Yael van der
• Matrix – Lauren Groff
• Detransition, Baby – Torrey Peters
• Heartstopper graphic novels – Alice Oseman
• Heated Rivalry – Rachel Reid
• Twenty Years Together - Smith, Tom Rob
• Villa Coco – Andrew Sean Greer
• We Burned So Bright – TJ Klune

Currently there's just the one book club in Queenstown, as well as a few options over the hill in Wānaka including their Teen Book Club and Queer Quarterly Reads. If you’re in Frankton and interested, swing by and have a chat to the Frankton Library team. Everyone is welcome at Book Club, and it’s a relaxed environment.

“It can be quite nerve-wracking creating programmes and hosting events, as you’re never sure how the community will respond or what interest might be. It has been so rewarding seeing how Book Club has continued to go from strength to strength, and watch people form in-person connections thanks to the magic of books and conversation… and tea and biscuits!”

Book club is on the last Thursday of every month. A reminder that the theme isn’t strict – you can read/bring/talk about any book you like, however August’s theme is LGBTQIA+ and September’s theme will be Cli-Fi and Sci-Fi. More information can be found on the What’s On section of qldclibraries.govt.nz or at the libraries Facebook page.