The Best Book Clubs Manchester has to offer…

Release your inner bookworm or just get together for a nice chat in some of the best book clubs Manchester has on the scene right now…

By Charlie Walker | Updated Mar 21 2023

An open book lies on a white surface, with a pair of black eyeglasses placed above it. To the left of the glasses, there is a latte in a brown cup, featuring a leaf pattern created with milk foam. — Image © Nicole Honeywill on Unsplash

There’s nothing quite like escaping into a great book, or catching up with friends over a cosy cup of tea. Book clubs are popping up all over the city giving avid readers alike the chance to meet up and share their passion for all things literature. Here are just a few of our favourites…

Book and Cranny

A group of people are sitting together in a casual setting. One person is holding a large open book with photos, while another is using a smartphone. The atmosphere appears relaxed and conversational, with books and magazines visible in the background.

Book and Cranny is a monthly meet up (usually the third of each month) to look forward to. With almost 2000 members, Book and Cranny claim to be the most fun you can have between the covers… of a book!

Aimed at 27-40 year olds and no book is off limits; from fiction to graphic novels, autobiographies to poetry, they cover the good, the bad and everything in between. With just a £2 sign-up fee and the opportunity to socialise and learn about something new, it is inevitable that Book and Cranny made it to our list of best book clubs in Manchester.

And that’s not all, they also support Mustard Tree, a local charity who provide critical services to those affected by poverty and homelessness in the Greater Manchester Area.

Click here for more information.

Hear My Voice Book Club: Inspirational self development books

Two people sit close together on a green sofa in a room filled with bookshelves. Both are engaged in reading; one is holding an open book, while the other seems to be discussing or showing a book. The setting appears cozy and well-lit.

For those of you who are looking to focus on yourselves, Hear My Voice Book Club in Manchester provides specific focus on inspiring texts and self development books… and YOU are the main character.

With each book read there is a program created that is centred on discovering how you can use the text to empower yourself, achieve your dreams and desires, and an added bonus is meeting new people along your journey. Together you will practice meditation, emotional freedom techniques and other practices centred around the book you are reflecting on.

This book club is for anyone who is interested in reading and discussing texts that are motivational, spiritual, related to mindfulness, healing and the law of attraction.

Normally in person, the meet ups are currently over zoom and therefore accessible to many more members regionally. Click here for more information.

Girly Book Club

If you haven’t heard of the Girly Book Club then you must have had your head stuck in the sand- or just a really good story! Though it originated in London (with a club that now boasts over 4000 members), it has spread around the world, bringing over 80,000 women of different ages, races and cultures together. With every club reading the same book every month, it gives like-minded women the chance to meet, discuss their views and connect in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. Their next event date is still pending, but you can click here for further information and updates.

Manchester's Post Apocalyptic Book Club

A person with wavy blonde hair and glasses, wearing a red plaid shirt, sits at a table cluttered with many open books and stacks of closed books. They have their head propped up on one hand, appearing tired or deep in thought.

Have you ever considered the end of the world? Have you ever planned what you would do if Shaun of the Dead turned out to be a prediction rather than just a very good film? Then Manchester’s Post Apocalyptic Book Club is the club for you!

From Magaret Attwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ to HG Well’s classic, ‘War of the Worlds’, they welcome everyone, casual reader and doomsday fanatics alike. More than just a book club, they also offer a number of social events, including themed cinema trips and their PAGN - Post Apocalyptic Games Night - a fortnightly event in which you can test your talents at different board games. So, pick up your tin foil hat, prep your bunker and click here for details.