Many people hate the Canberra winter, but I love the way we get to experience all the seasons. One of the best things about the cold weather is lazing on the lounge as the sunshine comes through the windows, cup of tea nearby and a good book.  A close second is finding a warm café with good coffee, catching up with a great group of people and having an interesting discussion about said book.

While it can be a great excuse to get a bunch of friends together and form your own book club, it can also be a great way of getting out and meeting a new circle of people. I’m sure I haven’t been able to find ALL the book clubs in Canberra so please feel free to add any more that you know of to this list I have compiled here…

Libraries ACT Book Clubs

Libraries ACT hold several book clubs; Read Around Canberra, Reading for Pleasure (Erindale) and Woden Reading Group. They also aim to support indepdant reading groups by providing updated lists of recommended books and are able to supply a number of copies for book clubs to access.

Canberra Book and Coffee Club for Young Women

This group is designed to bring together Canberra ladies around their mid 20s to mid 30s who are looking to meet new friends, discuss books (of all kinds) and just generally socialise over coffee, brunch or perhaps a cheeky wine or two. There is no particular genre focussed upon; novels, biographies or articles detailing current events are all acceptable reading materials.

How to Live Better Book Club

Sunday Assembly Canberra host the How to Live Better Book Club which meets bimonthly to discuss a book that enriches, inspires or offers insight into what it means to be human.

Canberra Book Club

Canberra Book Club meet up and discuss various books that are suggested by the group members. Very informal get together and chat. The Northside meeting is on the first Saturday of the month, the Southside meet up is on the second Saturday of every month.

Canberra Book and Coffee Club

Canberra Book and Coffee Club is a group for book lovers over 45 years of age to make friends, have conversation, share our latest readings, hear other’s perspectives, expand social network and enjoy a cup of coffee (or tea).

Shakespeare Reading Group

Anyone, young or old, with an interest in the works of William Shakespeare are invited to read aloud from the script and give it all they’ve got at the Shakespeare Reading Group. The group engage with the Bard in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Friendly, helpful folk looking to have a laugh along with tea and bickies (and probably a fair serving of ham!).

Classic Readers and Artists Way

Are you tired of the dull prose and plots of some modern books? From Homer to Steinbeck the Classic Readers and Artists Way group meets every six weeks for a Sunday afternoon tea to discuss a classic book, with the selector encouraged to lead the discussion for that session.

The group also has monthly meetups to work through The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path To Higher Creativity by American author Julia Cameron, together with Mark Bryan. The book helps people recover and access their artistic and creative side, and teaches techniques and exercises to develop self-confidence to harness creative talents and skills. People are welcome to join in for either or both groups.

The Readers Canberra

The Readers is a group with a focus on thought provoking books. Meet ups are on the last Sunday of the month. Recent books include Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel and All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld.

ACT Writers Centre

The ACT Writers Centre supports a Speculative Fiction group and Fiction book club.

Manning Clark House Biography Book Club

Manning Clark House Biography Book Club are a lively group that meet up on the last Tuesday of every month.

What other book clubs should we know about? If you’re looking for members, let us know below!