It was once a truth universally acknowledged that a 20-something who spends their weekends with a book must be in want of a social life. Even the most voracious of readers usually think of reading as a solitary activity, best done away from crowds, curled up under a blanket with a warm drink in hand—but there’s a growing group of young literary-minded tastemakers who are itching to push boundaries and take matters into their own hands. They’re asking why book clubs can’t venture off script in 2025.
Turning The Page On Reading
What image does the phrase ‘book club’ conjure in your mind? If it isn’t one of being elbow-to-elbow with strangers at a wine bar, or perhaps a curated speed dating event at your local bookshop, your understanding of today’s readers may be woefully outdated.
Service95, helmed by the perennially cool Dua Lipa, is a perfect example of the book clubs at the frontier of communal reading in 2025. Earlier this year, the lifestyle label put a literary twist on wine tasting by collaborating with a London bookshop-cum-bar to pair four novels with a wine list. The pairings were tongue-in-cheek, drawing parallels between literary themes and wine tasting notes—Emma Cline’s ‘The Guest’, for one, was served with a “crisp and quietly dangerous” Pinot Gris, chosen for its enigmatic similarities to the novel’s nameless leading lady. Attendees sampled wine and books, spent the night mingling and swapping tasting notes, and left with a copy of their favourite of the four chosen novels.
Closer to home, Singapore’s Book Bar took note of reading-themed social events taking place overseas and decided to follow suit at their Duxton Road space. Bookworm Banter is a regular fixture at the homegrown independent bookstore—the night opens with silent reading before transitioning into a lively social session, which is as much about the books as it is about forging new connections and meeting like-minded folk. “I think especially in a place like Singapore, people want to… be able to slow down from our fast-paced lives and jobs, and just [connect] with people who have a shared love of reading,” shared Book Bar co-founder Alex Chua. He pointed to declining literacy rates as all the more reason to champion a strong reading culture, with bookstores acting as community spaces for readers to gather. Along with book signings and appearances from local and international authors, Book Bar even ventured into the dating scene with MeetCute HTHT, an event designed for literary-minded singles to meet potential matches in a safe, judgment-free environment.
The common thread underpinning these events is their ability to bring reading into third spaces where it isn’t commonly championed. Similar to traditional book clubs, attendees might not even spend the night strictly discussing books. Instead, their common love of reading is used as a springboard into a vibrant new community. Reading, even when done alone, is ultimately an act of human connection—as James Baldwin famously summarised, “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.” Today’s readers are simply polishing a link between reading and community that has existed for generations.
Trending Titles
The role of social media in the reading space and the publishing industry cannot be overstated. Few are unfamiliar with the advent of BookTok, its ability to elevate novels to cult status and the multitudes of bookstores that now dedicate entire shelves to TikTok sensations. The rise of the celebrity book club also coincided with BookTok’s ascent during the pandemic, at a time when we found ourselves with idle minds and social lives. There was no better time for online tastemakers to guide us to our next favourite read, and for celebrities, it proved a creative and unique way to engage with fans and build a virtual community. It was in 2023 that Dua Lipa launched her book club in collaboration with Service 95, with trend-setters like Kaia Gerber and Dakota Johnson soon following.
As pandemic restrictions eased, the logical next step was for these communities to venture off-screen. EventBrite reported in 2024 that listings of book clubs based in Singapore jumped by 58% in only the first five months of the year. “I think there definitely has been an increase in people wanting to connect over books and reading,” Chua noted. It seems book clubs were not spared from our collective thirst for in-person engagement, and the trend doesn’t show signs of slowing down in 2025.
The evolution of the modern book club is likely to continue, bringing it to exciting and unfamiliar planes that are still rooted in a common love of all things literary. Might Singapore even see reading raves someday? If there are even half as many possibilities of real-life adventures as there are on the page, the promises are endless.
If you’re curious about book clubs in Singapore, here’s a list of the best ones to check out:
Bookworm Banter
While these monthly events don’t constitute a book club in the traditional sense, they do offer bookworms in Singapore the chance to mingle with like-minded readers. According to Chua, each meeting draws regulars and newcomers alike and has resulted in new friendships between attendees. The events are highly anticipated, so be sure to register your interest as soon as possible.
Register for Bookworm Banter through Book Bar’s Instagram.
The Saturday Book Club
Founded in 2022, this fast-growing club focuses on non-fiction and follows a BYOB (bring your own book) concept, eschewing a prescribed reading list in favour of allowing members to showcase their latest read. True to their name, meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month, with some attracting up to a hundred attendees. The club also holds themed meetings in the form of trivia nights and author sessions.
The Saturday Book Club’s Telegram channel can be found here.
No Readgrets
This women-led group puts a special focus on local literature, and doesn’t shy away from discussions of social justice, politics and equality. Past reading choices range from Malay speculative fiction to an essay collection that reckons with the varying experiences of being Singaporean. Thanks to regular collaborations with local authors and brands, expect to walk away from meetings with a deeper understanding of Singapore’s cultural heritage and urban fabric.
The No Readgrets sign-up link can be found here.
Quiet Readers Club
Every meeting of this cosy club starts with an hour of silent reading with your book of choice. A perfect option for introverts who appreciate the comfort of a book when settling into a new environment, the club is designed as an inclusive space for relaxed, small group discussions with fellow readers.
Quiet Readers Club’s Telegram channel can be found here.
NLB’s National Reading Movement
The National Library Board, as part of its National Reading Movement, hosts a number of book clubs in Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English. The diverse list includes groups dedicated to children, seniors, and families, with meetings held at varying NLB locations across the island.
NLB’s list of book clubs can be found here.
READ MORE
Netflix Is Releasing A New Series Adaptation Of ‘Pride And Prejudice’—Here’s Everything To Know
7 New Shows You Need To Be Streaming This August
Let’s Get Physical: Meet The Singaporean Fitness Clubs Fostering Connections And Redefining Wellness