Internet Provides Bookworms with Free Online Book Clubs and Reading Groups

Call it convenient or anti-social, online book clubs are popping up all over the Internet. Some online reading groups even go so far as to email members chapters daily. Of course, other sites require that you read the actual book and then join the structured online discussion. Chances are, even your local library has jumped on the bandwagon. Below is a list of online reading groups that anyone can use after completing a free registration.

Barnes & Noble.com – The Book Club Center
Barnes & Noble.com offers visitors from around the world a chance to participate in organized book discussions. Chosing from a long list of books, members can sign up for a free four-week reading group and purchase the physical book from Barnes & Noble.com or elsewhere. The group is led by either the author himself or, for more popular titles, an experienced moderator. Current book club titles include The DaVinci Code, Night, and The Piano Man.

ArcaMax Publishing Book Club
ArcaMax Publishing Book Club features classic works, such as the Bible, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Great Expectations. Chapters are emailed to members daily, and subscribers can read at their own pace. The books can also be printed out as all titles are public domain. Discussions are not part of this group’s activity.

The Book Group List
Every two weeks members begin discussing a new book. Participants of this Yahoo! Group are encouraged to have the book completed prior to discussion. The club currently has more than a thousand members, all of whom vote on what titles they would like to read for future discussions. Previously, The Book Group List has read titles from Toni Morrison, Wally Lamb, and Frank McCourt. Readers purchase or borrow books independently.

The New York Times – Books Reading Group
One book is featured every month, a title chosen by readers. Members can then participate on an informal discussion board. Occasionally, authors contribute to the discussion. Recently read titles include The Plot Against America and In Cold Blood. Members must register for a free account with The New York Times.

Public Library
Libraries across the country are emailing interested patrons one to three chapters of a different book each week. Patrons can then finish the book by checking it out from the library. Depending on your local branch, discussions may or may not take place.