Our Shared Shelf

Here is BCR’s review of Our Shared Shelf book club and the breakdown of the ratings above.

Selection Details

For most book clubs, especially successful major book clubs, the selection details are among the most known and consistent factors of the books the club reads.

Selector

Theme

Emma Watson launched Our Shared Shelf on Goodreads with a heartfelt letter in the group’s description. She shared how her work with UN Women, which involved reading numerous books and essays on equality, inspired her to “start a feminist book club.” From the outset, feminism emerged as the club’s clear and guiding theme.

A consistent theme is vital for the success of large reading groups. It gives current and potential members a clear understanding of what to expect from the selections. Our Shared Shelf embraces its feminist focus with every book pick, creating a cohesive and meaningful experience for its members. The club’s remarkable growth, active readership, and sustained engagement—even after Emma stepped away—highlight the enduring strength and importance of a well-defined theme.

Notification

Our Shared Shelf was launched on Goodreads, where members receive timely updates for each new book selection. The group’s public page means that anyone can view the picks without needing a Goodreads account, though notifications are sent to members with accounts whenever a new selection is posted. This consistency and accessibility makes it easy for both active members and casual participants to stay engaged. Additionally, by not depending exclusively on social media, a website, or a newsletter, provided the flexibility needed to transition smoothly to a member-led model as the club evolved.

Frequency

When Our Shared Shelf first launched, book selections were made monthly—a common frequency for book clubs. However, member feedback soon indicated that a month wasn’t always enough time to finish each book. This could have been due to lengthy selections, the weight of the topics, or simply the demands of busy schedules.

Although the exact reasons for the request remain unclear, Emma responded thoughtfully to her followers’ feedback. Just six months after the club’s start, in July, she shifted the selection frequency from monthly to bi-monthly. This change demonstrated her commitment to creating an inclusive and manageable experience for members. By actively listening to and addressing the needs of the group, Emma fostered a sense of community and ownership, a move that undoubtedly contributed to the club’s long-term success and resilience.

Book Details

For most book clubs, the book details of selections are less intentional and less known than the selection details. However, book details can be important underlying elements that influence members, readership and the success of a club overall.

Availability

Most of the books chosen for Our Shared Shelf are easily available for purchase or borrowing, and during the club’s peak, some selections even had waitlists. However, a few of the picks are less mainstream, making them harder to find in widespread circulation. Some of these books, like Persepolis, present challenges due to their format—Persepolis being a graphic novel, for instance, is limited in its availability due to its specific medium. The BCR team wants to emphasize that this format does not diminish the book’s readability or value in any way.

Other, more traditionally published picks were also difficult to find, particularly when trying to borrow from libraries. This is likely due to the club’s focus on non-mainstream titles, a result of the feminist theme that guided many of the selections. This focus on lesser-known works is both a defining feature of the club and a natural by-product of its mission.

Format

Of course, the point above was made regarding Persepolis self-limiting format variety. Often, the same traditionally formatted picks that were harder to find were also harder to find in multiple formats. The majority of the books on this list can be found in the most popular formats: hardcover, paperback, ebooks and audiobook. This is good news for readers who may like to have their options open when it comes to tackling their next read.

Length

The selections for Our Shared Shelf average a length of 297 pages. While relatively short, this is a practical and manageable page count, especially for a bi-monthly reading schedule. Given the club’s focus on feminist themes and often weighty subject matter, a shorter average length likely allows members more time to process and reflect on the content.

The shortest pick in the club’s history is Radium Girls by Kate Moore, at 136 pages, while the longest is The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, spanning 545 pages. This range showcases the variety in the club’s reading list, balancing accessibility with depth.

Rating

BCR considers a rating of 3 or higher as a good rating. On Goodreads, all of Our Shared Shelf’s picks have a rating over 3. These club picks have an average rating of 4.15. The highest rating is 4.53 for Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde and the lowest rating is 3.72. In our opinion, these are good, strong ratings.

Genre

The genres of Our Shared Shelf selections are notably focused and concentrated, reflecting the club’s commitment to its feminist theme. The top five genres include Non-Fiction, Feminism, Fiction, Memoir, and Biography. This concentrated selection underscores the club’s dedication to exploring diverse perspectives and stories that align with its mission.

Year Published

If you enjoy reading more modern books, Our Shared Shelf is a good fit. While the club’s books span almost a century, the majority are from the early 2010s through the early 2020s.

Authors

For most book clubs, author selections are likely less intentional than the club’s selection details but perhaps given more consideration than book details. Often we find authors to be a subtle but important element that can influence book selections. Author selection can paint a picture of and guide the intentions and direction of a book club.

Favorites

Our Shared Shelf has no repeat authors. We’re not sure if this is intentional or not. Perhaps if the club had a longer run or if it reactivates there may inevitably be some author repetition.

Diversity

While women dominate the authors that make up Our Shared Shelf’s reading list, these women are diverse in terms of race, culture and LGBTQ+ representation. There are only two male authors (and they’re co-authors of the same book). Given the theme of this club, the female majority is again a solid demonstration of the club’s focus and adherence to the theme.

Club Details

All of the above contribute directly and indirectly to factors that make up the club details.

Book Count

Our Shared Shelf’s book count is 48 books. This is the lowest book count of any of the Best Book Clubs. However, it is certainly a respectable number as this club holds a higher books-per-year average than longer-running book clubs. This club reached this book count through consistency and commitment to selection frequency.

Membership Count

This club’s following has remained strong over the years. Even during its dormant state, the club has maintained a following of over 300,000. Our Shared Shelf currently holds the fourth largest membership count of BCR’s five Best Book Clubs.

Membership Engagement

While Our Shared Shelf has an Instagram account, its primary platform for engaging members and followers is Goodreads. The group’s public status allows anyone to follow along without needing a Goodreads account, though joining is free and offers additional benefits. Using Goodreads as its central hub has created a uniquely engaging experience for members.

Newcomers can explore past selections, review archived content and discussions, or easily start fresh conversations under previous reads and topics. This accessibility and interactivity serves the club well, enabling it to thrive even after Emma’s departure. Goodreads provides a platform unlike any other BCR has seen, offering both access to the club’s history and opportunities for renewed engagement—a standout feature that has greatly supported this community’s longevity.

Years Active

Other than a dormant period from March 2022 to October 2024, Our Shared Shelf has consistently shared a feminist book selection every other month for over eight years. This club demonstrates a dedication to theme, intention, members and readership. Even through its dormancy, it has modeled the pillars of a strong book club.

Overall Rating

With an overall BCR rating of 3.88, we recommend Our Shared Shelf. If you are looking for modern, feminist books, Our Shared Shelf might be for you. Since this club’s books are on the shorter side, you might make quick work of the whole list. However, do not underestimate the theme’s weight which can slow an otherwise quick pace down. Consider interspersing these reads with lighter ones.

Is Our Shared Shelf the book club for you? Get the complete Our Shared Shelf Book List now.