For us, talking about books is everything. So since day 1 we have hosted various book clubs.

Adult Book Club

Our Book club for grown ups has been going since 2019 and has amassed a loyal following of kind hearted, open minded, empathetic contributors. We regularly have an attendance of between 20-30 and have a very active Whatsapp group for recommendations and to keep track of book scores and other book news. New members are welcome. We’re very relaxed about where and how you buy the book. Not stuffy about audiobook listeners or ebooks. We’re more about the chat. Heck, a few people just come for the social aspect and haven’t even read the book. Here’s how it works.

We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the Month at 7.30 at the shop. 41-43 Timberhill NR13LA. No signup required.
Bookclub is £7 – This gets you in, your glass(s) of wine, coffee, tea or soft drink, cheese, biscuits, and a gift related to the book
Most people pay on arrival, check out the next months book and decide if they’re going to buy it. If you purchase from us it’s £1 off
The next book is almost always chosen by Bookbugs. Mostly we read fiction but occasionally break into Memoirs, Non Fiction, ALWAYS paperback to keep it affordable. We try to mix it up within fiction, we’ve covered everything from Crime to Historic, Dystopia, Sci Fi and even dabbled in Romantasy. We try and choose something current (Published in the last year) and highly recommended. That said… when we get it wrong these can result in the liveliest discussions!
We check in with each other, introduce new members and give the book a show of hands vote. Love/Like/Indifferent/Dislike/Hate/Did not read. We then chat about the book for the next 45 mins- 1hr depending on how lively things are
We break for Cheese and wine and a more social chat, often in factions!
Final thoughts on the book
Everyone is handed a piece of paper to score out of 10 – Dan gets his calculator out and provides an average
We recommend other books we’ve read and loved
Leanne gives an update on things going on at the shop
Leanne moderates so even though there’s a lot of us, everyone who wants to speak gets a chance to. Everyone is very considerate in that respect.

We often meet outside of Book Club for social events such as cinema trips, pizza and book quiz’s

Kids 5-8 Bookclub

This is much more of a book themed interactive activity session. The kids will read an age appropriate “early readers” title selected by us. We try and choose something current (Published within 3 months of meeting) and highly recommended by indie booksellers. Here’s how it works:

Bookclub is FREE! – We meet on the 1st Saturday of the month at 2:30pm-3:15pm
The next book can be bought from us on arrival or departure
The kids meet in our event space and Leanne (Bookbugs Owner) moderates some chat about the book
Leanne will lead some drama or creative writing games
They break for cookies and squash
Parents do not have to remain at the shop but are more than welcome to. We have plenty of seating around the shop and coffee and tea!

Kids 9-12 Bookclub

The kids have much more of a discussion about the book in this group. They support each others reading enthusiasm. The kids will ready an age appropriate “Chapter Book” title selected by us. We try and choose something current (Published within 3 months of meeting) and highly recommended by indie booksellers. Here’s how it works:

Bookclub is FREE! – We meet on the 1st Saturday of the month at 3:15pm-4:00pm
The next book can be bought from us on arrival or departure
The kids meet in our event space and Leanne (Bookbugs Owner) moderates chat about the book
Leanne will lead some drama or creative writing games
They break for cookies and squash
Parents do not have to remain at the shop but are more than welcome to. We have plenty of seating around the shop and coffee and tea!

The Books!

We keep all of the books we have read on a special shelf next to the counter – Often this is what drives new members to join. “I’ve read so many of these and loved them all” is often heard. So I’ll say no more than post this image of that shelf. Decide for yourself! We’re not a highbrow, deep thinking, analytical group. We’re a fun social drop in when you feel like it vibe. If that sounds like what you want from a book club, come and try us out!