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Book clubs have long been a favorite way for readers to connect, discover new stories, and delve into meaningful discussions. As the new year begins, our book club pros have analyzed the latest data and ranked the best book clubs based on their activity and engagement levels, consistency, and impact on readers. Here’s how they stack up:
1. Read with Jenna
Overall Rating: 4.46
Read with Jenna takes the top spot again this year, for the second year in a row, thanks to its unwavering consistency and growing diversity in book selections. This club has never missed a monthly pick, making it a dependable source for readers. Compared to years past, the average book length has stayed the same, going from 354 pages to 353 pages, and the author rating has improved from 4 to 4.5. BCR doesn’t give too much weight to Favorite authors or repetition of authors. Notably, the club has refrained from repeating authors, a challenging yet commendable feat that enhances its commitment to varied perspectives.
Year over year, membership has grown from 350,000 to 450,000, reflecting its increasing popularity. The club’s genre focus remains stable, with contemporary and literary fiction and historical fiction at the top. New genres include Scotland, Africa, Family Drama, and Suspense. Continued diversity, selection, and notification consistency cement Read with Jenna as the premier choice for 2026.
2. Reese’s Book Club
Overall Rating: 4.31
Reese’s Book Club remains a powerhouse with a massive membership base of 3 million (up from 2.5 million). This year, Reese’s Book Club stays in the second spot. Read with Jenna continues to have stronger reliability and author diversity. The average book length rose marginally from 346 to 350 pages. The club’s focus on top genres like mystery, contemporary, romance, and historical fiction continues to captivate readers. Its strong curation of engaging, impactful stories keeps it a favorite for millions.
3. Oprah’s Book Club
Overall Rating: 3.92
Once regarded as the gold standard of book clubs, Oprah’s Book Club has faced increased competition from newer, more consistently scheduled clubs like Read with Jenna and Reese’s Book Club. Even so, recent activity points to a renewed focus on reliability, with selections made every month over the past year except December—a meaningful improvement after a stretch of irregularity.
The club’s genre mix remains largely unchanged, with historical and literary fiction continuing to dominate, while average book length dipped slightly from 391 to 388 pages. Although membership has declined from its peak, Oprah’s Book Club still commands a substantial and engaged audience, and its renewed consistency positions it to remain an influential force in the book club landscape.
Honorable Mentions
Last year, the book clubs below ranked in the fourth and fifth spots. This year, they are no longer included in the main rankings due to a significant decrease in recent activity. That said, they remain valuable resources for curated reading lists and continue to serve as strong templates for book clubs looking for inspiration.
Our Shared Shelf
We were glad to see Our Shared Shelf reactivate at the end of 2024; however, it was short-lived when book selections stopped in April 2025. This was a brief revival after a 2.5-year gap in activity.
If you’re looking for feminist reads, definitely check out this club’s picks. And if you’re looking for alternative ideas to a traditional book club – such as bi-monthly selections instead of monthly – it serves as a good model in that regard.
Between Two Books
Between Two Books has only had 2 picks or fewer in the past few years. However, it has maintained its grassroots appeal. The club’s genre focus remains consistent, emphasizing nonfiction, memoir, and contemporary fiction. Between Two Books remains a charming but niche option for readers. Be sure to check out their reading list for unique ideas for you or your book club.
Final Thoughts
Among the best book clubs ranked, each offers unique benefits to readers. While Read with Jenna’s reliability and diversity have propelled it to the top, Reese’s Book Club and Oprah’s Book Club continue to command substantial followings. As these clubs evolve, readers are sure to benefit from the rich variety and vibrant communities all of these clubs foster. Which club will you join in 2026?