better book club

100+ Professors, Authors and Scholars available

Better Book Club

Transform your reading experience and delve deeper into your favorite books. We connect book clubs, and those seeking to join a book club, with outstanding professors, authors, and scholars for expertly led, engaging book club discussions. Explore diverse genres, meet like-minded book enthusiasts, and engage in thought-provoking conversations. Whether you’re an individual reader or a book club, Better Book Club offers a unique journey tailored for you. Discover a new way of reading with Better Book Club today – satisfy your intellectual curiosity while having fun without the work required in a college course.

We connect book clubs with professors, authors and scholars to share their knowledge and experience leading to lively and meaningful discussions.

David Liss is the author of The Day of Atonement, The Twelfth Enchantment, The Devil’s Company, The Whiskey Rebels, The Ethical Assassin, A Spectacle of Corruption, The Coffee Trader, and A Conspiracy of Paper, winner of the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and children.

Book Club experience: David Liss will discuss his novel, The Whiskey Rebels with up to 10 individuals at Philadelphia’s only surviving Revolutionary-era dive bar, the same spot where his protagonist, Ethan Saunders drank.

Walt Hunter is the author of two books of criticism: Forms of a World: Contemporary Poetry and the Making of Globalization (Fordham UP, 2019) and The American House Poem, 1945-2021 (Oxford UP, coming in fall 2023). He is also the author of a collection of poetry, Some Flowers (MadHat, 2022) and the translator of Frédéric Neyrat’s Atopias: Manifesto for a Radical Existentialism (with Lindsay Turner; Fordham UP, 2017). Hunter is the recipient of grants and fellowships from the James Merrill House, the South Carolina Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Humanities/Teagle Foundation, and the Robert B. Silvers Foundation. He edits poetry for The Atlantic and teaches at Case Western Reserve University, where he chairs the English department.

Book Club areas of expertise: Contemporary poetry, global studies, modern poetry—its major writers, texts, performances, and movements— from the Anglophone world, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, South Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Mallory Pladus earned her PhD in English, along with a Certificate in Teaching and Learning, from Rice University in 2021. She holds two MA degrees in English as well, from Rice (2018) and from Wake Forest University (2013). Mallory specializes in literature published in the U.S. after 1945 and has taught a variety of English and writing courses, ranging from an American literature survey to a writing-intensive seminar about highly shoplifted books. As a writing teacher, coach, and consultant, she has worked closely with multilingual writers, across Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM disciplines, and with writers of all experience levels, including tenured faculty, advanced PhD candidates, and first-year undergraduates.

Book Club areas of expertise: literature published in the U.S. after 1945

Madeline Anthes is a writer from Cleveland, Ohio. Recently, she won the Barren Magazine Flash Fiction Award, had an Editor’s Choice pick in CRAFT Magazine‘s flash fiction contest, and was a finalist for the SmokeLong Quarterly flash fiction award. Her fiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, Best Microfiction, Best Small Fictions, and her flash has been longlisted for Wigleaf’s Top 50 Very Short Fictions. She is the Assistant Editor of Lost Balloon and her first collection, Now We Haunt This Home Together, was published in May, 2020. She is currently completing revisions of a novel manuscript.

Book Club areas of expertise: Her own list of publications (fiction, non-fiction, short stores) as well as most contemporary fiction.

Susan J. Wolfson is professor of English at Princeton University. An expert on the British Romantic era, she is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the American Council of Learned Societies. She is the author of On Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: The First of a New Genus

Book Club experience: Welcome to our 7-day Jane Austen literary tour, a journey through time and place that takes us deep into the heart of Austen’s beloved England. As we traverse the quaint streets of Bath, the scenic fields of Hampshire, and the regal facades of London, we’ll delve into the rich narrative tapestry woven by one of history’s most celebrated authors. Each location offers a unique backdrop to our discussions on Austen’s work, from the genteel society portrayed in Pride and Prejudice to the vibrant characters of Emma. As we explore these landscapes, we’ll come to better understand not only the world that shaped Austen’s novels, but also the enduring themes that make her works resonate to this day. Join me in uncovering the essence of Jane Austen’s England – a journey as illuminating as it is enchanting.

HOW iT WORKS

Step 1 – Sign Up: Register for a Better Book Club account using your email. Create your profile and let us know your literary interests.
Step 2 – Connect: For those not currently in a book club, or individuals looking to join another book club, complete the finding the perfect book club information to receive personalized matches to likeminded people with similar literary interests.
Step 3 – Explore: Browse through our selection of professors, authors, and scholars. You can filter based on genre, expertise, book title, in person or virtual.
Step 3 – Book: Found an offering you’re interested in? Simply click on ‘Book Now’. You’ll see the session added to your personal calendar and included on those in your book club.
Step 4 – Read: Enjoy reading the book at your own pace. Make sure to note down any thoughts, questions, or insights that come up while reading, as they can enrich the upcoming discussion. The professor, author, or scholar may send out discussion questions in advance and request a bio and other pertinent information to ensure the best possible experience.
Step 5 – Attend the Session: Log in to Better Book Club at the scheduled time and join the virtual session unless the booking specifies a location. The professor, author, or scholar will facilitate the discussion.
Step 6 – Share Your Experience: After the session, you’ll have the opportunity to rate the experience and provide feedback. This helps us ensure the quality of our service and helps other members choose their sessions.
Step 8 – Repeat: Found the experience rewarding? Join more sessions, explore different genres, and meet new professors, authors, or scholars for unique experiences.

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Testimonials

What Clients Say About Us

“Better Book Club has transformed my reading habit into an enriching journey! The professors brought new insights to every discussion, helping me understand and appreciate the books on a deeper level. It’s like being in a literature class, but more relaxed and personal. I can’t wait for the next session.”

Emma, Boston

“As an avid reader, I’ve been part of many book clubs, but Better Book Club offers an unmatched experience. The caliber of facilitators and the variety of genres available are very impressive. Highly recommend.”

Mark, San Francisco

“I had the unique pleasure of booking a Better Book Club session with the author of our selected book. Engaging directly with her brought a whole new dimension to our discussion. It was fascinating to delve into her thoughts, inspirations, and the creative process behind the book. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, giving us unprecedented insights into the story. Better Book Club has taken our book club to a level we never thought possible.”