Inside Glasgow’s book clubs, building community beyond the page

In post-pandemic Scotland, grassroots book clubs are breathing new life into city cafes. They offer readers a much-needed sense of reconnection. Yet, concerns about accessibility, affordability, and the role of libraries persist.

At a Glance

Reading, once a private escape, has become a gateway to real-life connection for many.

Reflecting this shift, Glasgow has seen an uptake in book clubs. They offer something rare post-pandemic: low-pressure social spaces where people can meet in person around a shared interest. This trend connects with a broader movement toward community-building after isolation.

The Cosy Wee Book Club, established by Siobhan (Shiv) Grady, is one of these groups. Members convene monthly at the Rose & Grants Café in central Glasgow to discuss a variety of books selected alternately by participants.

Prioritising social engagement and community bonds, the group has gained considerable popularity and now comprises a diverse membership.

“I’d been reviewing books on Instagram for years,” she says. “But I didn’t really know anyone locally. I wanted to build an actual community of readers in Glasgow — not just online.”

The club started as a small group of readers and has grown into a regular, well-attended social fixture, attracting members keen to socialise in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

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“It’s my little anchor every month.”

Implementing a new blueprint for book clubs, Cosy Wee Book Club (CWBC) places greater emphasis on conversation and comfort than on literary analysis. Members are encouraged to attend even if they have not read or started the book. This is often a major anxiety for readers considering joining a book club.

For member Elizabeth, this approach makes all the difference.

“I come on my own, and it’s honestly something I look forward to every single month,” she says. “It’s my little anchor. Even if everything else feels chaotic, I know I’ve got this.”

Elizabeth says the group helped rebuild her confidence after the pandemic’s isolation.

“A lot of people turn up by themselves,” she says. “But no one’s judging. You get a drink, you sit down, and it just feels easy.”

Many members affirmed this sentiment, highlighting the convenience and familiar comfort provided by the book club. They attributed this to the essential community space that has been established.

Community first, experience-led.

Siobhan, known on Instagram as Shivs Book Shelf, says the book club’s design is deliberate, aiming to remove uncertainty so that buying a ticket in advance gives members clarity about what to expect.

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A post shared by Shiv 🌻💛☀️✨ (@shivsbookshelf)

“I wanted to build a community of people who want to talk to each other, support each other, and just like people that you probably wouldn’t meet randomly at work.”

Members receive a hot drink, a slice of cake, and a small themed trinket, often a miniature book, reinforcing that the group offers more than just reading.

Although the ticket price does not include the book, this allows members to read however they see fit. This makes the group more accessible to people with disabilities. Some use Kindles or e-readers to adjust the gradient and fonts. Others listen on Audible to suit their auditory preferences.

While the ticketed model works well for some and can help cover logistical costs, it also raises broader questions. Who can access book clubs and cultural spaces?

Why do people join book clubs?

Libraries and access: an unresolved question

London author Liv Waite believes that reading communities are vital, both as creators and consumers, and that libraries also hold untapped potential.

“I think libraries should be used so much more,” they said. “They’re one of the few places left where you can exist without having to spend money.”

The Glasgow-based ‘Exhibitionists’ author further highlighted how ticketed events can pose another barrier, especially as the UK faces a cost-of-living crisis, for clubs that were once largely free, whilst also recognising the tension between these events and the support they offer to small businesses.

“Reading culture shouldn’t only be for people who can afford it,” they said. “Libraries make reading possible for so many people.”

The Many Ways People Read Today

Library usage has decreased in Glasgow despite an extensive catalogue. Challenges include opening times that often clash with office workers’ schedules, making attendance difficult. Libraries may not stock the latest books needed for book club selections. Many people now primarily use libraries for printing, IT services, or administrative tasks rather than browsing books.

Infrastructure issues and a need for reinvestment also hinder libraries from meeting community needs. These barriers fuel broader discussions about how readers are forced to buy books and highlight the challenges authors and readers face today.

“It does feel like new books are insanely expensive, and that is crazy. It also makes it harder to read more recently published books, which is also not great. I want there to be a healthy and thriving, alive writer scene.”

Supporting writers and the future of reading

Liv reflects on the precarious nature of writing work, much of which is unpaid or poorly paid.

“People love books, but the system around them is fragile,” they say.

“Community — whether that’s book clubs, libraries or readers supporting writers — is what keeps it going.”

They amplify a strong community subscription that believes reading culture depends on a balance between community-led initiatives and publicly funded spaces.

The recent increase in interest in reading has strengthened calls for investing in libraries and reestablishing them as safe, accessible social spaces for everyone, regardless of social class. It is evident that many people would utilise the library if given the opportunity.

Looking ahead  

With plans to expand into themed sessions and social events beyond traditional discussions, the CWBC continues to grow and foster inclusivity and community. Sibohan said the focus will always remain on connection.

“After Covid, people didn’t want to be on their own anymore,” she says. “We wanted something that felt real.”

In a city full of readers, Glasgow’s book clubs are showing that stories don’t end on the page — they start conversations.

If you wish to support the reading community in Glasgow, please refer to our map listing all the public libraries, independent bookstores, and the meeting point of the Cosy Wee Book Club.