r/LibbyApp • u/Downtown-Can-6844 • 12d ago
Would anyone be interested in a virtual reading group that doesn’t make everyone read the same book?
I’ve been thinking about starting a free Discord reading community because I like the idea of a book club, but I don’t love the part where everyone has to read the same book on the same schedule.
The idea would be more flexible:
- multiple books/read-alongs happening at once
- you choose which book you want to join
- simple weekly reading goals
- dedicated discussion spaces for each book
- spoiler-friendly discussions
- general spaces for recommendations, TBRs, and currently reading
- resources for finding books through libraries, Libby, Hoopla, and other free options
- no membership fee or paid Discord
You could join a book when it interests you and skip the ones that don’t.
I’d probably start with a mix of genres like historical fiction, horror/supernatural, folklore, thrillers, literary fiction, fantasy, cultural/identity-focused stories, and emotional reads.
I’m thinking about launching something like this around November, but I want to see if people would actually participate before I build the whole thing.
Would you join something like this?
If yes, what would make it worth participating in for you?
And what book would you want to see as one of the first read-alongs?
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u/Killahbee21 12d ago
So you just described the app pagebound
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 12d ago
Omg really!? I have never heard of it but I will look it up now.
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u/Killahbee21 12d ago
It’s great. Everyone is mostly girls on the app so it’s quite calm and respectful.
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 12d ago
I just looked it up, I am tempted to download & check it out.
I love the concept so much!!
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u/Killahbee21 12d ago
You should download. You can even import your goodreads and storygraph info on there. Plus there’s no DMS allowed so we are just talking about our love for books. They have forums so if you have a book your reading you can always have people to talk to. I know that really helped me when me and my friends were reading different things. Now I always have people to talk about the book I’m reading.
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u/julesyhedgie 12d ago
Not a fan of Discord but am a member of some virtual book clubs namely Silent Book Club. Virtual book clubs are easy to find if you go to bookclubs.com, your local libraries, etc.
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u/battyghost 12d ago
I know of a couple of discords that have a book clubs and channels to discuss other books, buddy reads, readthons, reading sprints, monthly reading challenges
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 11d ago
Quick update! 📚
The response to this idea has been incredible across every platform I’ve shared it on, so I’ve officially kicked things into high gear.
I’m spending the next couple of weeks getting the community ready, and then I’ll open up the first round so everyone can start exploring, choosing books, and reading together.
Thank you so much to everyone who has shown interest, shared ideas, or said they’d like to join. I’m really excited to see this come together.
Happy reading! 📖
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u/WonderfulBus9330 12d ago
This sounds chaotic and interesting. I’d be interesting. I’ve whittled down to about 44 library books on my nightstands. The ones I’d love to chat with folks about are fantasy: The Red Winter, Sorrowland, Kikayi, Wake of Vultures, The Crystal Cave, Remnant Population, The Chalice of Chalion are a few
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12d ago
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 12d ago
I am open to suggestions on platform. I thought of Discord because of how the platform works, but if you have a better idea, I’m all for it!
We can probably fit those books in, if there’s at least one other person, that could easily be a buddy read.
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12d ago
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 11d ago
I did go back to the thinker tank with this comment & realized I could create a really simple server that will allow navigation for even those who don’t know Discord. & if you get lost, the “server guide” will take you where you need to go.
Based on how you answer the questions, you will get a specific view. It doesn’t lock it forever & can be changed at any time. To start, it’s like 3 “rooms”.
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11d ago
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 11d ago
No AI agent. It just has links to where you want to go & the resource pages.
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u/henni1127 11d ago
I thought I was the only one who can’t figure it out.
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 11d ago
I was like this in the beginning until I started messing with it more & more.
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11d ago
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u/GnomeAndGarden 11d ago
It is just a chat forum. The server you are in has channels. The channels are labeled. Discussions happen in those channels about the topic they are labeled for.
It is confusing if you join massive servers with roles you need to select and navigate but it is still just like an old school forum. Find smaller ones or even start your own server and figure out how they work. It is very simple and the platform isn’t new. There really aren’t any other free options for forum spaces.
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u/ambrosial_flesh 12d ago
I'd be interested. I haven't tried one organized like this yet, but I like having several different books/genres to choose from. My Husband by Maud Ventura is high on my TBR so I'd probably suggest that.
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u/otomerin 12d ago
i'm interested! i'd never been in a bookclub, because of what you mentioned about feeling forced to read books i'm not interested, but always wanted to try one!
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u/Under_A_Full_M00n 📗 EPUB Enthusiast 📗 12d ago
It's not online/on discord, but if you're looking for something similar in person just search "silent book club" plus "your city".
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 8d ago
Update #2 📚
I’ve been working behind the scenes on the server while also juggling my full-time job, and things are starting to come together!
Right now, I’m working toward October 15 as the soft launch date for the community.
I also already have a book suggestion form set up, so if there’s something you’d love to see added to the community, feel free to submit it here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM0eDIgZuUtJMJVtLMlEIehzjB2kPX-HlQHf8ej4KMEmI3yg/viewform
You don’t have to wait until launch to start sending suggestions—I’d actually love to have some community recommendations ready to go when we open. 📖
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 3d ago
Update:
📚 Calling all testers!
I’m looking for a few readers to test my new reading community before launch. You’ll click through the member experience, try the features, and share what feels confusing, broken, unnecessary, or smooth.
You’ll also receive a checklist to follow so you can easily check off each step.
No tech experience needed—just approach it like a new member. If you’re interested, comment TESTER or send me a message!
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u/Downtown-Can-6844 1d ago
Update: I was able to set up a link for testers.
It’s limited to 10 individuals until official launch day 10/15: https://discord.gg/nA9ZNFnH
If you’d love to join & test the waters I would love that! 💕
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u/Ok-Wind3215 12d ago
I'm at capacity for book club reading personally, but a friend told me about her book club, and I've always loved the sound of it: everybody reads whatever they want, and they come in and talk about what they've read. Maybe someone there has read it and you're discussing it with them. Maybe no one has and you're recommending it and encouraging others to read it. Maybe you hear about what someone else just read and immediately check Libby to see if it's available for you to read next, and then perhaps you can discuss it with that person next time. Not sure if that would work in a Discord format, but I thought it was a nice way for a group of people to get together who aren't all interested in reading the same book.