By Galy, founder of The BookClub Boutique · Last updated September 29, 2026
The short answer: If you want a free monthly pick, try Reese's Book Club or Read with Jenna. If you want new hardcovers delivered, Book of the Month. If you want a small community with feminist picks, a live call and bookish goodies shipped to Canada or the US, the STEMinist BookClub by The BookClub Boutique. Full comparison below.
Full disclosure: I run the STEMinist BookClub, so I've included it, and I've tried to be fair to everyone else.
How do the best online book clubs compare?
| Club |
Cost |
What you get |
How you meet |
Best for |
| Reese's Book Club |
Free |
One monthly pick centred on women's stories |
App and social media |
A big, easygoing community |
| Read with Jenna |
Free |
One monthly pick announced on TODAY |
Online and social media |
Buzzy new releases |
| GMA Book Club |
Free |
One monthly pick from Good Morning America |
Online |
Following what's talked about |
| Book of the Month |
Paid subscription |
Choose a new hardcover from a short monthly list |
Online community |
Building your shelf |
| Silent Book Club |
Free |
Bring your own book |
In person, local chapters worldwide |
Introverts who want company, not homework |
| Fable |
Free app |
Join or create clubs around any book |
In the app |
Starting your own club with friends |
| STEMinist BookClub |
$39 CAD/month ($18 without the book) |
Curated book, stickers, notepad, bookmark, letter from the heroine, digital journal, plus 20% off every book in the shop while you're a member |
Private Fable group + live call around the 15th of the following month |
Feminist picks with heroines over 25, Canada and US |
Which book club is best if you live in Canada?
Many subscription boxes are built for US readers. The STEMinist BookClub is run from Canada and priced in Canadian dollars, so there's no surprise conversion. Members also get 20% off any other book in the shop for as long as they stay subscribed, which helps if you read more than one book a month. The free clubs (Reese's, Read with Jenna, GMA, Silent Book Club, Fable) work anywhere, since you buy or borrow the book yourself.
Which book club picks feminist books with older heroines?
Most celebrity clubs choose widely read new releases, so the heroine's age varies. The STEMinist BookClub only picks books where the protagonist is 25 or older, with feminist themes and a hopeful ending. If you're tired of reading about teenagers, that rule matters.
Free book club or paid book box: which should you choose?
Free clubs are a great way to discover books and pay nothing, but conversation happens at a huge scale. Paid clubs cost more and give you something physical plus a smaller group, which makes it easier to actually talk to people. Ask yourself whether you want a reading list or a reading circle.
How to choose the right online book club
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Genre fit: check the last six picks. If you wouldn't have read at least three, keep looking.
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Community size: big clubs are great for browsing, small ones for real conversations.
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Meeting format: app chat, live video call or in person?
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Cost and shipping: check the currency and whether they ship to you.
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Commitment: can you skip a month or cancel anytime?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online book club for women? It depends on what you want. For free monthly picks, Reese's Book Club. For feminist picks with adult heroines and a live call, the STEMinist BookClub.
Are there online book clubs in Canada? Yes. The STEMinist BookClub is run from Canada and ships across Canada and to the US. Free clubs like Reese's Book Club and Fable work from anywhere.
How much does an online book club cost? Many are free. Book subscription clubs usually charge a monthly fee; the STEMinist BookClub is $39 CAD a month with the book included, or $18 CAD without it.
Can I join an online book club if I read slowly? Yes. Most clubs pick one book a month, which is about 10 pages a day for a typical novel.
See how the STEMinist BookClub works →
About the author: Galy is the founder of The BookClub Boutique and leads the STEMinist BookClub. She's a marketer with 10+ years of experience and directs the Encuentro Nacional de Creadores de Contenido Literario at FIL Guadalajara.
