How to be a BADASS Badass Women's Book Club Host

I have seen a lot of conversations on the internet about the power right now of being in community with others. That combined with a lot of new followers on my Badass Women’s Book Club account has me thinking that it might be time to resurrect an effort to encourage more women to start their own Badass Women’s Book Club groups.

If this sounds like something that might be of interest to you, I have some general guidelines below, based on 6+ years of hosting not only online discussions, but also my in-person monthly book club meetings at Bards Alley Bookshop in Vienna, Virginia.

Where to Host Your Meeting

When I was making plans to host my first book club, I deliberately chose to approach a local (woman-owned!) bookstore. That was because part of my objective was to expand my own personal network and meet new badass women in my local community.

If that’s what you are looking for, too, then by all means reach out to a local bookstore to see if they would be interested. Not only does Bards Alley provide space for our meetings, they also offer a 10% discount on all book club books. Local libraries, community centers, breweries, restaurants and other local businesses are all great options. I think it’s very easy for a local establishment (of any type!) to understand the value of bringing in engaged women. In fact, next week we’re hosting our Fall Book Swap at a local interior design shop. If you want help in brainstorming what to say, just shoot me an email at hello@badasswomensbookclub.com and I’ll be happy to offer some suggestions.

Maybe meeting with strangers is not where you are right now; you want to double down on strengthening your existing community. I totally get that. In that case, opening your home to a group of friends and neighbors works, too.

The “where to host” naturally flows from who you will be inviting. In choosing to go with a public space, my guest list grew from Facebook posts and other social sharing that I did and the bookstore did. Again, because I was hoping to meet new people, I was fine with people showing up that I didn’t know. I would estimate that my first meeting was half people on my personal email list and half from the bookstore community. I do make a point of capturing email addresses at every meeting so I can communicate with those interested about the next book and meeting information.

What to read?

are always welcome to read whatever book we are reading at the Badass Women’s Book Club. I’ll be sharing the early 2025 reading list with you soon.  But, visiting our past reads also offers some absolutely badass choices. Because of logistics (and by that I mean just not enough time on my end!) I don’t solicit ideas about monthly reads or offer options to vote. But I know of clubs that alternate hosting duties and allow the host to pick the book for the month.

If you go the route of picking your own book, I will suggest alternating between fiction and nonfiction. I started this club thinking we would only read self-improvement books and that because overwhelming very quickly. Turns out reading about working on yourself all.the.time is kind of exhausting!  Memoirs have proven to be very popular with our group! I had honestly not read a lot of memoirs before starting the club and now I pick at least 2-3 a year. First, a great big “thank you!” for pulling all your badass friends and colleagues together for a Badass Women’s Book Club!  Here are a just a few suggestions to help you prepare for your meeting! 

Before the Meeting

Once you have picked your location, your date and your time, let your guests know so they will have enough time to buy the book and read it!  Having a set date, time and location helps with regular attendance. Along with the initial invitation, I have found that it’s best to send a reminder out 3-5 days before your meeting, too.

When you send out the reminder expect to get responses from people that they haven’t had a chance to read the book. While reading the book is desired, encourage even those who haven’t read the book to come.  If being around a group of excited, engaged and empowered women is what someone needs, then I think we would all agree we want them there!  (Besides, it never fails in my meetings that the people who haven’t read the book have *almost* as much to share as those who have read it!) 

During the Meeting

When preparing discussion questions I try to keep them broad, to allow for a lot of open discussion.  Don’t feel like you have to talk about every question, in the exact order presented.  Usually I will get about 1-2 questions out and then it’s off to the races!  If the group doesn't have a lot to say about a topic or doesn't seem interested in the question, move on to a question that gets them talking. Again, don’t feel pressured to cover every question on the list.  You will just have to judge your audience and let them take you where they want to go.

The only challenge I want to make you aware of is the person who might try to dominate the conversation.  Be mindful of that and – as delicately as possible – try to engage others who might not be sharing as much.  If the problem persists, you may have to speak to that person outside of the meeting.   As the facilitator of my book group, I am trying to be more mindful about “holding space” – giving just a few extra moments for others to contribute. Some people are more reflective and thoughtful and take a little longer to come forward with their thoughts.  Try to give these guests the space and time to do that.

After the meeting

I usually do a short, wrap-up email the next day, sharing the resource ideas that came up during the meeting.  And I send it to the full member list – not just the ones who were there that night.  I also take the opportunity to share the title of the book for the next month. 

If you take pictures of your meeting, please post them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tag @badasswomensbookclub.