This article has been updated with the latest books these clubs are reading.
Gearing up for the Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl Saturday? After you go home with your bookstore passport stamped, yearlong discount secured, and a bag of books, consider joining a local book club.
Best for Friday Nights: Pilsen Arts & Community House
📘 “A Ballad of Love & Glory” Friday at 7 p.m.
Join this club led by resident Sandra Serrato every fourth Friday of the month.
Best for Black Women: Black Girls Read
📘 “A Renaissance of Our Own” online Sunday at 2 p.m.
The club reads fiction and nonfiction by women authors from across the African diaspora.
Best for Romance Lovers: The Last Chapter Bookshop
📘 “Bride” Sunday at 4 p.m.
Talk your latest romance reads at the Roscoe Village bookstore. Join the Geneva app to help pick future books and to get the conversation started.
Best for a Drink: The Globe Pub Beer & Book Club
📘 “Remarkably Bright Creatures” May 2 at 7 p.m.
Make friends, grab a beer, and discuss books at the monthly book club in North Center.
Best for Runners: Read & Run Chicago
📘 “Becoming” May 5 at 9 a.m.
This reading–running book club creates routes inspired by books about Chicago, ending at a restaurant or spot where runners can rest and discuss.
Best Radical Reads: Women & Children First Banned Books Group
📘 “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” May 13 at 7 p.m.
The Andersonville store’s book club reads books that have long been challenged and books currently being targeted.
Best for Introverts: Silent Book Club
📘 Anything you want — different chapters meet at different times
There are now six Chicago silent book clubs that invite readers out to silently read together — including two new South Side chapters in Beverly and Bridgeport.
Best for Podcast Lovers: Nerdette Book Club
📘“Beautyland” all month
Like hearing smart friends talk about books’ plots and themes? Before the WBEZ podcast goes off air, catch the latest book club episode. You can still leave voicemails with your thoughts through Thursday.
Best National Book Club: NoName Book Club
📘 “Waiting to Exhale” all month
The Bronzeville-born rapper’s book club has chapters across the country.
Best for Everyone: Chicago Public Library
📘 “There There” and a lot more!
One Book, One Chicago encourages residents to read the same book. Branches also offer different types of book clubs featuring cookbooks, graphic novels, literature, and more. Some libraries offer bilingual book clubs.
