How to Start a Book Club in Tucson

Starting a book club in Tucson is more than just organizing monthly reading sessions—it’s about building a community rooted in curiosity, conversation, and connection. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson offers a unique cultural landscape: a blend of Southwestern heritage, academic energy from the University of Arizona, and a thriving arts scene. These elements make it an ideal city for book lovers to gather, share perspectives, and deepen their love of literature. Whether you’re a lifelong reader, a recent transplant, or someone looking to break out of routine, launching a book club in Tucson can enrich your social life, sharpen your critical thinking, and introduce you to new voices and genres.

Unlike digital book communities, in-person book clubs foster deeper emotional bonds and spontaneous dialogue that algorithms can’t replicate. In Tucson, where outdoor cafes, independent bookstores, and public libraries abound, the physical spaces for gathering are abundant and inspiring. This guide will walk you through every step—from ideation to sustainability—helping you create a book club that thrives in Tucson’s distinctive environment.

Step-by-Step Guide

Define Your Vision and Purpose

Before inviting anyone to join, clarify why you’re starting this book club. Are you seeking intellectual stimulation? A space for diverse voices? A way to meet neighbors? A platform to explore Latinx, Indigenous, or Southwestern literature? Your purpose will shape everything—from the genres you choose to the meeting style you adopt.

Consider these questions: Will your club focus on classic literature, contemporary fiction, nonfiction, or a mix? Will it be casual and social, or analytical and discussion-driven? Will you prioritize local authors or global voices? Write down your mission statement. For example: “Our Tucson Book Club celebrates diverse storytelling with a focus on Southwestern writers and themes of identity, desert life, and cultural memory.”

Choose a Name That Resonates

A memorable name helps your club stand out and builds brand recognition. Avoid generic names like “Tucson Readers” or “Book Lovers Club.” Instead, draw inspiration from Tucson’s geography, culture, or history. Consider names like:

• The Saguaro Society
• Desert Pages
• Barrio Book Circle
• Arizona Sky Readers
• The Cactus Critique

Use local landmarks, flora, or cultural references to create a name that feels authentic and rooted in place. Check local Facebook groups and Meetup.com to ensure your name isn’t already in use. A distinctive name also makes it easier for people to find you online and remember you at community events.

Select Your Meeting Format

Decide how often you’ll meet and for how long. Most successful book clubs meet monthly, for 60 to 90 minutes. Weekly meetings can be overwhelming; quarterly may not sustain momentum. Monthly meetings strike a balance between consistency and flexibility.

Consider timing. Tucson’s summer heat (often exceeding 100°F) makes outdoor gatherings impractical from June to September. Plan indoor meetings during these months. Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor gatherings at parks like Reid Park or the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Decide on structure: Will you have a facilitator? Will discussions be freeform or guided by questions? Will you include snacks or drinks? A light structure helps newcomers feel comfortable while allowing room for organic conversation.

Find the Perfect Venue

Tucson has no shortage of welcoming spaces for book clubs. Choose a location that aligns with your club’s vibe:

• Independent bookstores: The Book Rack, Changing Hands Bookstore (Tucson location), and The Children’s Bookstore often host community events and may offer free space for regular groups.
• Public libraries: The main branch of the Pima County Public Library and neighborhood branches like the Catalina or Sam Hughes libraries have meeting rooms available for reservation.
• Cafés: Local favorites like Caffe Poca Cosa, Coffee Tree Roasters, or Café Cino offer quiet corners and coffee discounts for regulars.
• Community centers: The Tucson Jewish Community Center or the Pima County Adult Community Centers offer affordable rental spaces.
• Outdoor spaces: During cooler months, consider gathering under the shade of a mesquite tree at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum grounds or in the historic Barrio Viejo neighborhood.

Always confirm policies: Some venues require advance booking, have noise restrictions, or require a minimum number of attendees. Build a relationship with staff—they can become advocates for your club.

Recruit Your First Members

Start small—aim for 6 to 10 people. Too many members can make discussion unwieldy. Use these channels to find your initial group:

• Social media: Post in Tucson-specific Facebook groups like “Tucson Book Lovers,” “Tucson Community Events,” or “Desert Book Club Network.” Include your mission, meeting frequency, and a photo of your chosen venue.
• Local libraries: Ask librarians to post a flyer or announce your club during story hours or adult programming.
• University of Arizona: Post on the UA’s community bulletin boards or reach out to the English Department or Creative Writing Program. Students and faculty are often eager to join.
• Word of mouth: Tell friends, coworkers, neighbors. Someone in your circle likely wants to start a club too.
• Meetup.com: Create a free group and use keywords like “Tucson book club,” “literature discussion,” or “Southwestern authors.”

When recruiting, be clear about expectations: “We read one book per month and meet the second Thursday at 7 PM. No pressure to speak—just come ready to listen and share.”

Choose Your First Book

Your first selection sets the tone. Avoid overly long or dense books for the inaugural read. Aim for accessibility and broad appeal. Consider these Tucson-friendly titles:

• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens—nature-rich, emotionally resonant, and widely loved.
• The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros—short vignettes, deeply rooted in Southwestern identity.
• Desert America by Ben Rhodes—nonfiction exploring the American Southwest’s cultural and environmental landscape.
• Left Behind by T.C. Boyle—set in Arizona, a darkly comic take on desert living.
• Arizona: A History by Thomas E. Sheridan—ideal if your group leans toward nonfiction.

Let members vote on your first pick. Use a simple poll on WhatsApp or Google Forms. This builds ownership and excitement from day one.

Prepare for Your First Meeting

Don’t wing it. Preparation ensures your first gathering feels intentional and welcoming.

• Send out a reminder email or message 24–48 hours before the meeting with time, location, parking info, and a brief reading recap.
• Prepare 3–5 open-ended discussion questions. Avoid yes/no questions. Examples: “How did the setting shape the characters’ choices?” or “What did you learn about Tucson’s culture that surprised you?”
• Bring a notebook to capture key insights and member names.
• Have a sign-in sheet (digital or paper) to track attendance and contact info.
• Bring a small treat—homemade cookies, local mesquite flour granola, or a bottle of Arizona craft soda—to create a warm, celebratory atmosphere.

Start the meeting with a quick round of introductions. Ask each person: “What’s one book that changed how you see the world?” This invites vulnerability and connection immediately.

Establish Ground Rules

After your second or third meeting, formalize a few simple guidelines to keep discussions respectful and productive:

• One person speaks at a time.
• Respect differing opinions—disagree without being disagreeable.
• No spoilers unless clearly labeled.
• Members rotate selecting the next book.
• Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.
• Meetings begin and end on time.

Post these rules on a shared Google Doc or print them on a small card. Revisit them every 3–6 months to ensure they still serve the group.

Keep Momentum Going

Consistency is key. Use a shared calendar (Google Calendar or Cozi) to schedule meetings 6–12 months in advance. This reduces last-minute cancellations and helps members plan.

Rotate book selection responsibility. Each month, a different member chooses the next title. This distributes workload and introduces diverse genres.

Send a quick recap email after each meeting: “Thanks for a great discussion on Where the Crawdads Sing! Next month: The House on Mango Street. Please RSVP by Friday.”

Celebrate milestones: “10 books read!” or “One year together!” A small cake, a handwritten note, or a group photo at a local landmark can reinforce belonging.

Best Practices

Embrace Diversity in Selection

Tucson’s population is nearly 50% Hispanic or Latino, with deep Indigenous roots and a growing international community. Let your book selections reflect this richness. Include authors from Mexican, Tohono O’odham, Navajo, and other backgrounds. Consider:

• There There by Tommy Orange (Native American experience)
• La Llorona by David Bowles (Mexican folklore retelling)
• Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldúa (seminal Chicana feminist text)
• How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
• Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (immigrant family dynamics)

Don’t tokenize diversity—choose books because they’re compelling, not just because they’re “representative.” Let the stories speak for themselves.

Balance Accessibility with Challenge

While it’s important to include literary classics and complex texts, don’t alienate newer readers. Alternate between accessible contemporary novels and more challenging works. For example:

• Month 1: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (accessible, philosophical)
• Month 2: Beloved by Toni Morrison (dense, emotionally intense)
• Month 3: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (page-turner with depth)

Offer optional reading guides or audio versions for members who need them. Encourage members to share what helped them understand difficult passages.

Create a Safe, Inclusive Space

Book clubs thrive when members feel safe to be vulnerable. Avoid judgmental language. Instead of saying, “I didn’t like this book,” say, “This book didn’t connect with me because…”

Be mindful of power dynamics. If your group includes professors, writers, or public figures, gently remind everyone that all perspectives are valued. A quiet librarian’s insight can be just as profound as a novelist’s.

Use inclusive language. Avoid assumptions about marital status, family structure, or cultural background. If someone shares a personal story tied to the book, respond with gratitude, not advice.

Engage with Tucson’s Literary Ecosystem

Tucson is home to the Tucson Festival of Books (the second-largest in the U.S.), the University of Arizona Press, and numerous local authors. Leverage these resources:

• Attend author readings at Changing Hands or the UA Poetry Center.
• Invite local writers to join your meeting (with advance notice and respect for their time).
• Partner with the Pima County Public Library for a “Book Club Day” where librarians provide curated reading lists.
• Submit your club to the Tucson Festival of Books’ community spotlight.

When your club becomes known in the local literary scene, you’ll attract members who are already passionate about reading.

Document and Reflect

Keep a simple log: book title, author, meeting date, key discussion points, and member feedback. This helps you track patterns—what genres resonate? Who consistently brings insightful comments? What times of year have the highest attendance?

Every six months, send out a short anonymous survey: “What did you love? What would you change? Any book requests?” Use the feedback to evolve your club organically.

Handle Conflict Gracefully

Disagreements are natural. If a member dominates the conversation, gently invite others in: “That’s a great point, Maria. What did others think?”

If someone is consistently absent or disruptive, have a private, kind conversation. “We’ve missed you lately. Is everything okay? We’d love to have you back when you’re ready.”

Never force someone to stay. A small, committed group is better than a large, strained one.

Tools and Resources

Online Platforms

• Goodreads: Create a private group to track reads, share reviews, and post discussion prompts. Use the “Book Club” feature to set reading schedules.
• Google Calendar: Share a public calendar with meeting dates, locations, and book titles. Sync with members’ personal calendars.
• WhatsApp or Telegram: Ideal for quick reminders, sharing articles related to the book, or posting photos from meetings.
• Notion or Google Docs: Build a shared resource hub with reading lists, discussion questions, venue contacts, and past meeting notes.

Local Tucson Resources

• Pima County Public Library: Offers free book club kits with multiple copies of books, discussion guides, and even librarian-led sessions. Request a kit at least 6 weeks in advance.
• Changing Hands Bookstore: Offers discounts for book clubs and may provide free discussion guides or host your group.
• University of Arizona Poetry Center: Hosts free public readings and has a vast archive of literary recordings. Invite members to attend events together.
• Tucson Festival of Books: Attend in March for free author panels, book signings, and networking opportunities. Bring your club’s sign!
• Arizona Authors Association: Connects local writers. Many are open to speaking with book clubs.

Free Discussion Guides

Many publishers offer free downloadable guides. Search: “[Book Title] + reading guide + PDF.” Also check:

• BookBrowse.com – Extensive, curated discussion guides for contemporary fiction.
• LitLovers.com – Thousands of questions organized by theme and genre.
• ReadingGroupGuides.com – A division of Bookreporter.com with detailed guides.

Recommended Reading Lists for Tucson Book Clubs

Build your own rotating list with these categories:

• Southwestern & Desert Literature: Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, The Rain God by Arturo Islas
• Indigenous Voices: Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse, Blackfeet Indian Stories by George Bird Grinnell
• Chicana/o Literature: So Far from God by Ana Castillo, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez (Spanish-language editions encouraged)
• Historical Fiction Set in Arizona: The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen, Arizona by Donald E. Worcester
• Contemporary Global Fiction: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Real Examples

The Saguaro Society: A 5-Year Success Story

Founded in 2019 by two University of Arizona graduate students, The Saguaro Society began with five members meeting monthly at Caffe Poca Cosa. They focused on books with desert settings and environmental themes. Their first pick: Desert Solitaire.

By year two, they partnered with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to host a “Desert Stories” night, where a naturalist joined the discussion. By year three, they had 22 members and began hosting quarterly potlucks at Reid Park. They now have a waiting list and a dedicated Goodreads group with 300+ followers.

Key to their success: rotating leadership, consistent documentation, and community partnerships.

Barrio Book Circle: Bridging Cultures

Started by a retired teacher in Barrio Viejo, this club meets at the local community center and focuses on Spanish-language and bilingual books. They read La Casa en Mango Street in both English and Spanish, encouraging members to share phrases they love in either language.

They’ve hosted bilingual storytelling nights with local poets and even translated discussion questions into Spanish for non-native speakers. Attendance has grown to include grandmothers, teens, and ESL learners. One member said, “This club helped me feel seen in a city where I once felt invisible.”

The Desert Pages: Digital-First Hybrid Club

Launched during the pandemic, this club began on Zoom but transitioned to in-person meetings in 2022. They meet at the Sam Hughes Library and use a shared Notion page to post audio clips of members reading favorite passages.

They’ve hosted virtual Q&As with Tucson-based authors like Leila Cobo and have created a “Book of the Season” list curated by member votes. Their Instagram page (@desertpagesaz) features book covers with desert backdrops and member quotes—helping them attract new members organically.

What These Clubs Have in Common

• They started small and grew slowly.
• They embraced Tucson’s identity—geography, culture, language.
• They leveraged free local resources (libraries, bookstores, museums).
• They documented their journey and adapted based on feedback.
• They created rituals—snacks, photos, themed meetings—that built tradition.

FAQs

Do I need to be an expert in literature to start a book club?

No. Book clubs are about shared experience, not academic analysis. Your role is to create space for conversation—not to be the authority. Ask questions, listen, and let others lead.

How many people should be in a book club?

6 to 12 is ideal. Smaller groups allow deeper discussion; larger groups can become hard to manage. You can always split into two clubs if interest grows.

What if no one shows up to the first meeting?

Don’t give up. One or two people showing up is still a win. Use that time to refine your approach. Ask those present: “What would make you come back?” Then adjust accordingly.

Can I start a book club if I don’t have a car?

Absolutely. Many Tucson libraries and cafés are accessible by Sun Link streetcar or bus. Consider meeting near transit hubs like the downtown library or the Mercado District.

Should we charge dues?

Not unless you’re renting a paid venue regularly. Most clubs operate on a voluntary basis. If you’re buying snacks, use a “suggested donation” jar. Keep it low-pressure.

How do I handle members who don’t finish the book?

Encourage participation regardless. Say: “You don’t have to finish to have an opinion. What did you like or dislike so far?” Often, hearing others’ thoughts inspires them to finish.

Can I start a book club for kids or teens?

Yes! The Tucson Public Library runs teen book clubs. You can also partner with local schools or homeschool groups. Choose age-appropriate books and include fun activities like drawing scenes or acting out endings.

How do I find books in Spanish or other languages?

Visit the Pima County Public Library’s multilingual section or request titles through interlibrary loan. Changing Hands Bookstore also stocks Spanish-language titles. Don’t hesitate to ask librarians—they’re experts.

What if I want to start a book club focused on nonfiction?

Great idea! Tucson has strong interest in history, science, and social justice. Try Evicted by Matthew Desmond, The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, or Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Nonfiction clubs often invite guest speakers or documentaries to complement readings.

Can I start a book club with coworkers?

Yes—but keep it optional and outside work hours. Avoid making it feel like an obligation. Meet at a café after work or during lunch on weekends.

Conclusion

Starting a book club in Tucson isn’t about creating another event on the calendar—it’s about cultivating a living, breathing community shaped by stories. In a city known for its sunsets over the Santa Catalina Mountains, its ancient desert landscapes, and its resilient, multicultural spirit, literature becomes more than words on a page. It becomes a mirror, a bridge, and a gathering place.

The steps outlined here—from choosing a name rooted in Tucson’s soul to securing a cozy corner at a local café—are not just logistical. They are acts of belonging. Each book you read together becomes a shared memory. Each discussion, a thread in a larger tapestry of connection.

You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need to know all the answers. You just need to show up—with curiosity, kindness, and a copy of the next book. The rest will follow.

As you launch your club, remember: Tucson’s literary heart beats strongest not in grand institutions, but in quiet rooms where strangers become friends over a shared passage, a surprised laugh, or a tearful silence. Be the person who creates that space. The desert remembers. The stories will too.