Best Platforms for Virtual Book Clubs: Fable, Zoom, Discord & More

Best Platforms for Virtual Book Clubs

As the world has become more digital, so have many of our social interactions—including book clubs. As someone who’s part of two virtual book clubs, I wanted to share some of the best platforms for hosting or joining an online book club, along with the differences between them.

If you’d prefer an in-person experience, you can check out your local library, independent bookstore, or search for local Facebook or Reddit groups. If you have a friend group that loves to read, you could also consider starting one together!

While I’m most familiar with the first two options (since I actively use them), I’ve included a third to add to the range of options.

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📹 Zoom, Teams, Google Meet (or any video call platform)

I’m part of a technical book club that meets weekly for 30 minutes to discuss a technical book. We usually cover one to two chapters at a time, which helps keep the conversations focused and fresh in everyone’s mind.

Some groups prefer discussing the book as a whole, but I’ve found that smaller chunks work better for complex or technical reads. The nice thing about video call platforms is that you can decide whether to have cameras on or off based on your comfort level.

Pros:
✔️ Real-time conversation creates a stronger sense of connection
✔️ Good for structured discussions and accountability
✔️ Flexible format — you can keep it casual or more formal

Cons:
❌ Free versions may have time limits (e.g., Zoom’s free plan caps at 40 minutes)
❌ Scheduling conflicts can make it hard to get everyone together consistently
❌ Requires stable internet and video/audio setup

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📱 Fable

Fable is an app that’s trying to fill a space similar to Goodreads but with added social features for book clubs. I’ve been using it for a club with my buddy Blake, and we’ve really been enjoying it.

The great thing about Fable is that you can read at your own pace, leave comments on specific chapters, and revisit discussions without worrying about spoilers. If you fall behind or jump ahead, the app still makes it easy to participate.

We recently read Dark Space, which has a lot of spy and espionage elements. It was fun to see how different people interpreted the characters’ motives as we uncovered more of the story!

Pros:
✔️ Read and comment at your own pace
✔️ Built in discussions by chapter
✔️ Notifications are limited to replies or chapters you’ve engaged with

Cons:
❌ Requires the app (the web version does not seem to have book club function)
❌ Not ideal for people without a smartphone or tablet

👉 If you want to join our current club for Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates, you can check it out here. Or join us in whatever book we pick in April!

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💬 Discord

Discord combines the best parts of video calls and text-based discussion. You can create channels for different books, break down discussions by chapters, and use voice or video calls for real-time discussions.

While it offers a lot of flexibility, it does require more effort from the admin to set up and manage everything. If you’re comfortable with Discord or have a tech-savvy group, it can be an incredibly powerful tool.

Pros:
✔️ Highly customizable
✔️ Combines text and voice/video options
✔️ Good notification control

Cons:
❌ Setup can be overwhelming for non-technical users
❌ Requires more management for larger groups

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🌍 Other Options to Explore

If none of these feel like the right fit, you could also explore:

• Facebook Groups – Easy to set up, but harder to keep conversations organized.
• Reddit – Some subreddits host ongoing book clubs.
• Goodreads – Offers group options, but the platform’s interface isn’t ideal for ongoing discussions.

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Final Thoughts

There are so many different ways to host or join a virtual book club. The most important factors are figuring out your group’s preferred reading pace and deciding whether you want to have live discussions or stick to written conversations. If I had to pick one, I’d say Fable does a great job of automating the hard set up work of breaking up all the chapters as their own chat room, and giving you a lot more flexibility on when to post and discuss.

What platforms have you used for virtual book clubs? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!