Looking for some inspiration when it comes to the reading discussions for your book club? No matter which book you’ve picked this month, being prepared with a list of book club questions can do wonders to spark discussion! Here are some open-ended reading questions to get your book club talking.
General Discussion Questions for Book Clubs
I look forward to my book club’s meeting every month. There’s always a lively discussion, and I love hearing what everyone thought of the book!
Not in a book club yet? Here are my best tips for how to start a book club you’ll love!
There’s something extra special about reading a book along with friends and getting to discuss it afterward.
Not only do you get to share your feelings about the story and its characters, but you also hear a variety of perspectives you may not have considered. (And sometimes, you end up laughing so hard your stomach hurts!). 🙂
I’ve shared my 2023 book club book recommendations, the best 2024 book club books, and the best funny book club reads, but I also wanted to include a list of discussion questions to go along with those (or any) reads!
Having discussion questions prepared ahead of time can help fuel the conversation and keep the dialogue going.
So below, I’ve put together a list of open-ended questions to inspire your book club to really think about and share their thoughts on your chosen book.
Most (if not all) of these questions should be relevant for any genre. Enjoy!
Reading Discussion Questions
- What (if anything) had you heard about this book before picking it up?
- What was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite?
- Overall, how did this book make you feel? Did it make you laugh (or cry)?
- Which character was your favorite? Least favorite? (And why?)
- Which character did you relate to the most? Why?
- If there was a twist, did you see it coming or did it surprise you?
- What are your thoughts on the ending? Did it feel right for the story, or would you have ended it differently?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
- Did this book teach you anything new? (An interesting fact, unexpected insight, etc.)
- Do you think this book will be memorable to you five years from now?
- If this book was being made into a TV show or film adaptation, who would you cast as the main characters?
- Did you highlight any favorite quotes or passages? Which one(s)?
- Would you want to visit any of the places mentioned in the book? Why or why not?
- Do you feel like this book could use a sequel, or does it stand well on its own? (If it already has a sequel, what are your theories for what will happen in the next book?)
- Do you think this book is under- or over-hyped?
- Do you think the author was trying to convey a particular message with this story? Do you agree or disagree with that message?
- Would you read another book by this author? (If you already have, would you recommend it? Did you like it better or worse than this one?)
- Did this book remind you of another book you’ve read? Why?
- Does this author’s writing style remind you of another author? How?
I hope you find these book club questions helpful!
Does your book club have any fun traditions, or a favorite book you’ve read? Let me know in the comments. 🙂