Connecting Through Stories: Virtual Book Clubs for National Read a Book Day

Here at Once Upon a Book Club, we are passionate about bringing stories to life. Each story holds secrets we can’t wait to discover! You never know where you will find yourself, who you will meet, and what you will experience along the way!

Stories are powerful! They transport us to new worlds, introduce us to new people, broaden our horizons, and open us up to new perspectives and experiences. We cheer on the protagonist from the sidelines, feeling a deep connection to our new best friend—after all, we know their dreams, thoughts, and how they truly feel!  

Books also have the power to connect us through the stories they tell. A great experience always seems so much more wonderful when shared! And so, this National Read a Book Day, September 6th, we encourage everyone to connect through stories—we can’t think of a better way to make new friends and inspire others to join us on our literary journey!

Virtual Book Clubs

No matter where you are in the world, you can join a virtual book club, meet new people, and share your thoughts on everything from classic literature to the latest bestsellers. We love that these book clubs provide us with a unique opportunity to connect with people we might never have met otherwise. 

Imagine discussing your favorite mystery novel with someone on the other side of the globe, or discovering a new author recommended by a fellow bookworm from a different culture. Virtual book clubs break down all types of barriers, from physical to cultural, allowing us to explore diverse perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations!

Why not celebrate National Read a Book Day by joining or starting your own virtual book club? StoryGraph makes it easy with its Book Clubs feature, accessible through its Community page. Whether you want to create a brand-new club or join an existing one, it's all just a click away!

When you set up your own club, you can personalize it with a logo, craft a welcoming "About" page, and even establish a Code of Conduct to ensure a great experience for all members. So, head over to StoryGraph and join a community of readers ready to explore new stories together!

We love that StoryGraph also has options like Buddy Reads. It’s another one of the cool features of their site. Buddy Reads is exactly what it sounds like—the chance to read together with your friends. 

You can start a Buddy Read for any book on StoryGraph. Once you select a book, you can invite friends to join the Buddy Read by sharing a unique link or by selecting friends directly from your contacts on the platform.

As you and your friends read, you can update your progress by marking the percentage of the book you've completed. StoryGraph visually displays everyone's progress, making it easy to see where each participant is in the book. 

We are particularly excited by the feature where you can leave notes, thoughts, and questions about the book. You don’t need to worry about spoilers as these comments are organized by the percentage of the book read and are locked for everyone until they reach that point in the book. Don’t worry if you don't have book buddies on Storygraph! There's a "Live Buddy Reads" section where you can connect with others. Just take a look, and you can join an ongoing buddy read for any book that catches your interest.

Online Discussions: A Global Conversation

In addition to virtual book clubs, online literary discussions are a great way to connect with like-minded and fellow bookworms! Social media platforms, forums, and even dedicated book discussion websites have become thriving hubs where everyone can share their thoughts, debate interpretations, and recommend books to each other. You will definitely want to make sure to join our Facebook community—we’re simply the best around!

Online discussions are more than just a place to share opinions—they’re a way we can feel connected to a larger community. Whether you’re leaving a comment on a bookstagram post or participating in a chat on X, these discussions remind us that we’re part of a global network of readers who are all connected through the love of stories. #NationalReadaBookDay 

Celebrating Together, Apart

We happen to think that one of the best aspects of virtual book clubs and online discussions is their ability to bring people together, even when they’re apart. How fabulous that we can celebrate National Read a Book Day with others, no matter where they are!

Virtual book clubs and online literary discussions will continue to play a vital role in how we connect through stories. These platforms have shown us that no matter where we are in the world, we can come together to celebrate the power of books. 

So this September 6th, whether you’re curled up on the couch with your favorite book or participating in a lively online discussion, remember that you’re not alone. You’re part of a global community of readers, all connected through the magic of stories. 

Now, you can join online discussions and book clubs with members from around the world. It just goes to show that even if we are miles apart, stories can still unite us! The next great story—and a world of new friends—is just a click away!

Happy National Read a Book Day!! Here’s to new friends, new connections, lively debates, and sheer bookish bliss from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club!