Join the Club

   Getting started with book groups in three easy steps

Welcome! So you'd like to start (or join) a book club — we can help with that.

Book Discussion Scheme is a monthly subscription service for your book group. We make running a book club easy, with enough copies for everyone in your group to read the same book at the same time!

Choose from our extensive catalogue of over 1,100 fiction and non-fiction titles — from classics to recent releases.

We also provide professionally-prepared discussion notes to help you get the most out of your book club meetings.

Form a group with people you know

Book groups are a great way to stay in regular contact with friends. If you've already got a group together, head to
step two.

Join an existing group

View the nationwide map of BDS book groups looking for members. You can message a group convenor directly to arrange a meeting to see if the group is a good fit for you.

No groups in your area? Or need more members before you can get started?

Getting enough people together to start a group can seem hard, but you'll be surprised how quickly a group can form once you advtertise the fact you're starting a book club:

• Leave a message on the map of BDS book groups so other readers searching for a group can contact you. You can also contact other individuals who have left a listing on the map about joining your group.
• Placing notices in your local newspaper, neighbourly, or neighbourhood Facebook groups are also great ways to find more members.
• We've also created two book group posters you can download for free to help you find more members. Add your own information to the customisable fields then print for use on noticeboards in your community, library or workplace.

Now that you have your group members, download and complete a new group registration form.

To get started you'll need:

• A group convenor/organiser
• A list of books chosen from our catalogue
• A regular meeting date e.g. the first Tuesday of the month
• $30 registration fee

 Once registered, you'll be emailed a login so you can view, update and manage all your group's details online.

Once you're registered and your membership fees have been paid, the book parcels start arriving and the discussion begins!

Here's how your first year with BDS will go:

More information

• View more information about how our programme works
• View the fee structure table
• Request a free information pack (includes a printed version of the BDS catalogue, helpful hints and registration forms). Don't forget to include your postal address in the email!
• Ask us a question — email the team at bds@bds.org.nz, we're happy to help.