The Best Book Club Questions That Work for Any Book
Let’s be honest: nobody wants to Google “discussion prompts” 5 minutes before the meeting.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or prep like you’re leading a university seminar but it’s nice to have a few great book club questions up your sleeve to avoid awkward silence at your next meeting.
These are my go-to book club questions that work for any book - whether it's a twisty thriller, a cosy contemporary, a memoir, or a fantasy full of dragons.
1. “How did this book make you feel?”
Simple, but it starts the conversation. Some people love talking about plot, others go straight into character breakdowns but everyone can share how a book made them feel (even if that feeling is “bored out of my mind”).
Pro tip: this question is great for warming up the group and getting everyone talking early on.
2. “Was there a character you related to - or couldn’t stand?”
Nothing gets a discussion going like a polarising character. This works especially well if the book includes morally grey choices, complicated relationships, or that one character who should’ve been cut from chapter two.
3. “What would you have done differently?”
Whether it’s a character’s decision, the ending, or even the writing style, this question invites opinion without judgement. It often leads to some of the best tangents (“if I were the author, I would have…”).
4. “Did anything surprise you?”
This is your spoiler-friendly space to dive into twists, reveals, or unexpected character arcs. Even if the plot was predictable, someone might’ve been shocked by a detail you missed.
5. “What’s one line, moment, or scene that stuck with you?”
Perfect for pulling out deeper insights or quiet, powerful moments that might have otherwise been overlooked. You’ll often find that people highlight very different things and that’s what makes the discussion interesting.
6. “Would you recommend this book? And to who?”
This question opens up broader conversations about reading tastes, genre preferences, and how people define a “good” book.
Bonus: If you're short on time…
Try these rapid-fire questions that work when energy is low or the meeting’s almost over:
One word to describe this book?
Would you read more from this author?
Did the title fit the story?
Cast the main characters with actors
Rate it out of 5 (and explain why)
Not part of a book club yet?
Let me introduce you to the Busy With Books Book Club! It’s an online, low-pressure book club where the hard part (picking the book and the questions) is already done for you.
Each month, I share:
✔️ A handpicked book with loads of discussion potential
✔️ Custom questions to get the conversation going
✔️ A cosy, welcoming Zoom session
✔️ A themed Italian recipe because carbs make everything better
Come join us!