Reading groups are a great way of meeting new people and sharing your enjoyment of reading. Some meet in libraries, and others in community venues or people's homes. Groups read anything from thrillers to poetry, biographies to graphic novels- it's a great opportunity to try out something new! It is free to join any of the reading groups below.

Library reading groups

These groups meet monthly. The usual meeting day is listed below. Contact the library to confirm details of the meeting, including what the group is currently reading.

Explore Acomb: (two groups) First Monday, 6.30 to 7.30pm and Fourth Thursday, 11am to 12 noon
Bishopthorpe library: Third Monday, 2.30 to 4pm
Clifton library: (three groups) First Tuesday, 9.45 to 11.30am, Third Thursday 6 to 7pm and Last Tuesday 6 to 7pm
Copmanthorpe library: (two groups) First Thursday, 10 to 11.30am and Third Tuesday 6 to 7pm
Dringhouses library: Second Friday, 2.30 to 4pm
Huntington library: First Monday, 6 to 7pm
Explore New Earswick: First Thursday, 1.45 to 2.45pm
Poppleton library: Last Monday, 2 to 3pm
Strensall library: Last Wednesday, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Tang Hall library: First Monday, 6 to 7pm; plus see the crime reading group below.
Explore York: Last Monday, 6.45 to 7.45pm; plus see the lesbian reading group below. 

Tang Hall Crime Reading Group is dedicated to reading crime books and thrillers.  They meet on the last Tuesday of each month 2pm to 3pm.  Phone (01904) 552655 for details.

York Lesbian Reading Group are a handful of lively mixed age lesbians who meet monthly at Explore York to choose, discuss, and rate literature of lesbian authors. The group would very much welcome new members to join them at any time. The meetings are held on the third Monday of each month 6.30 to 7.30pm. Call (01904) 552811 for more information, or email yorklrg@gmail.com.

Haxby library operate a book chain. In a book chain, readers review books of their choice and pass them on to other members. Meetings are bi-monthly, on the second Wednesday of the month at 10.30am. Phone (01904) 552660 for details.

Fulford Library are interested in starting a new book group.  Phone the library on (01904 555444) if you're interested in joining.

Other reading groups in York

The Little Apple Bookshop Reading Group on High Petergate meet monthly on Wednesdays at 7pm. Discussion is light-hearted and informal. Telephone (01904) 676103 or email littleapple@litapp.freeserve.co.uk for more information.

An alternative to joining a reading group is to take up bookcrossing. York has a bookcrosser's meet-up. They meet on the 4th Tuesday in Ye Olde Starre Inne on Stonegate. For more information about bookcrossing visit www.bookcrossing.com. For details of the York Bookcrossers' group, and other reading groups in York visit Yortime.

The Reading Group Collection

If you register your Reading Group with the library, you are entitled to take out our sets of reading group books, for an extended loan period of six weeks. York libraries have well over 100 sets of books for all reading groups to borrow, and we're adding to the collection all the time. These sets can be borrowed free with a community group ticket - you can register at any library. Some of the titles may also be available in large print and audio format. Please download a copy of the list from the documents to download section.