16 Book Club Party Ideas to Make Your Gathering Unforgettable

First things first: Invite your guests to your book club gathering with a pretty invitation or evite. Decide whether the event will double as a happy hour, dinner party, or backyard hang. Jacquelyn Kazas, owner of Beijos Events, dubs her book club party a "Summer Soirée."

A craft helps break the ice, gets creative juices flowing, and puts less pressure on book discussion. Taylor Fareri of Blue Fir Crafts sets up all the essentials to DIY bookmarks, including tassels, markers and glitter.

Shareable snacks are a must, and you can't go wrong with a charcuterie board. Arrange a combination of meats (think salami and soppressata) and cheeses, like brie. Don't forget to throw in some fruits, olives and pickles.

RELATED: How to Make the Best Charcuterie Board

Set the table for you and your guests, starting with a DIY table runner made from old books. Rip out pages, arrange them as you like, then glue them together. "I did it kind of haphazardly, which I think adds a little dramatic effect," says Nicolle of Our Tiny Nest.

For some, wine is an essential at book club. Take note from event planner Jacquelyn Kazas and assemble a cute drink station with chilled wine bottles and a "Read between the wines" sign.

Adorn your guests' wine glasses with personalized charms—bonus points if they're book club-themed. This blogger makes them with wood chips and a laser cutter, writing phrases like "Book Nerd" and "Just One More Chapter."

See more at Ruffles and Rainboots »

Your book club meeting can happen at a lot of places: Gathered around a fire pit in the backyard, cozied up on couches in the living room, or around a dining room table. No matter where you host, set an intentional space that promotes natural conversation and book discussion. Melanie Phillips, creator of Headstands & Heels, reserves each member a spot to sit and prints out discussion questions.

Here's another fun craft idea: Make tiny versions of your group's favorite books—or all of the books you've read together. Once you print out the covers, you just have to adhere them to some foam board with Mod Podge. Content creator Abigail Morgan has the full tutorial!

Turn ordinary snacks into conversation starters with punny labels, like Book Worms or more book-specific titles, like Game of Scones and Lord of the Onion Ring.

See more at Blue Fir Crafts »

Designed to mimic vintage due date cards, these napkins are an easy way to elevate your book club party. Pass them out with book-themed cocktails or shareable snacks.

BUY LIBRARY CARD NAPKINS

Whip up a dessert for book club—ideally one that matches the vibe of your current read. To pair with this children's fantasy, blogger Brooke Christen makes tie-dye cupcake jars.

See more at Nesting With Grace »

Take a break from discussing literature to arrange a book swap. Have each guest bring a book (ideally one they've read and loved), so everyone goes home with a new page-turner to enjoy.

See more at Our Tiny Nest »

Mix up delicious drinks that fit the vibe of your book. Topped with mint and lime, the hugo spritz is perfect for a summer beach read (think Emily Henry). Try a red sangria (reminiscent of blood) for a thriller or Dark and Stormy for a fantasy.

Get the Hugo Spritz recipe.

Surprise guests with personalized bookmarks that you've made yourself. These acrylic designs are adorned with pressed flowers and colorful tassels.

See more at First Day of Home »

Start the day off with coffee, brunch foods, and a book discussion—a cozy combination. Come up with some breakfast potluck ideas to feed a crowd, like overnight French toast, gruyère quiche, or fruit kabobs.

See more at Salty Canary »

Don't underestimate the importance of yummy snacks at book club—it'll ensure guests linger longer and encourage better discussions. This roasted red pepper dip with crudités looks and tastes delicious.

RELATED: Best Party Dip Recipes That Are Easy to Serve a Crowd