Book Groups

If you love reading and would like the chance to talk about books in an informal and friendly environment then Southwark Libraries can help! We have twelve different book groups running in our libraries that meet every month. Most groups read a wide range of fiction, but we also have groups for poetry lovers, and keen readers of biographies and science fiction. In the list below you'll find information about the different groups as well as contact names so that you can discover the latest titles that are going to be read and discussed.


We also offer support and sets of books if you would like to run a book group in your own home or workplace. Email Mike Allport or call 020 7525 1570 for more information on how we can help you start your own book group. We can also e-mail you a list of all the book sets that we currently hold.

Blue Anchor Library Book Group

First Tuesday of every month, 7pm to 8.30pm

For more information please contact

Blue Anchor Library
Tel: 020 7525 6303
lawrence.pycock@southwark.gov.uk
Market Place
Southwark Park Road
SE16 3UQ

Camberwell Library book group

Second Tuesday of every month, 7pm to 8.30pm

For more information please contact

Camberwell Library
Tel: 020 7525 6323
nuala.graham@southwark.gov.uk
17-21 Camberwell Church Street
Camberwell
London
SE5 8TR

Dulwich Library book group

You are invited to join our large, friendly group for the lively discussion of a diverse range of literary fiction. The monthly meetings are also an opportunity to chat with other book lovers. Even if you don't manage to read the book in time (and some of them are quite long...), you are still very welcome to come and join us.

Last Thursday of every month, 7.30pm to 9pm

For more information please contact

Dulwich Library
Tel: 020 7525 6236
wendy.williams@southwark.gov.uk
368 Lordship Lane
Dulwich
London
SE22 8NB

Dulwich Library poetry group

If you'd like to share some poetry with us, we'd be very glad to see you at Dulwich Library's new poetry reading group. We enjoy looking at a wide range of poets, from any culture, and any age. We like poems far too much to pull them to pieces, or to analyse them heavily - but we do love hearing them read aloud! Don't worry if you're a bit nervous of reading to a group - someone else will always be happy to read your favourites for you.

First Friday of every month, 2pm to 3.30pm

For more information please contact

Dulwich Library
Tel: 020 7525 6236
wendy.williams@southwark.gov.uk
368 Lordship Lane
Dulwich
London
SE22 8NB

Dulwich Library biography group

A wide range of books based on real life experiences are read every month.

Second Wednesday of every month, 2.30pm to 4pm

For more information please contact

Dulwich Library
Tel: 020 7525 6227
richard.bareham@southwark.gov.uk
368 Lordship Lane
Dulwich
London
SE22 8NB

Dulwich Library Science Fiction group

Our new Science Fiction group will look at a diverse range of SF titles - from classics to cutting edge.

For more information and dates of meetings please contact

Dulwich Library
Tel: 020 7525 6229
keith.scott@southwark.gov.uk
368 Lordship Lane
Dulwich
London
SE22 8NB

John Harvard Library book group

Tea & Books at John Harvard! Each month John Harvard holds a popular book club for avid readers young and old. Relaxed and friendly this is the ideal place to discover new writers and rediscover old favourites.

First Friday of every month, 1pm to 2.30pm

For more information please contact 

John Harvard Library
Tel: 020 7525 4528
eugenia.atta@southwark.gov.uk
211 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1JA

Newington Library book group

Everyone welcome to this friendly group on the Walworth Road. We read a wide range of titles and enjoy discussing the pros and cons of each month's book. Refreshments provided.

First Monday of every month, 7pm to 8.30pm

For more information please contact

Newington Library
Tel: 020 7525 1570
mike.allport@southwark.gov.uk
155-157 Walworth Road
Walworth
London
SE17 1RS

Newington Library poetry group

Each month the group reads and discusses a different set of poems by a single author, or on themes, or from a particular period, or anything you like! Do bring your own favourites. We have occasional author visits and refreshments are provided.

Third Monday of every month, 7pm to 8.30pm

For more information please contact

Newington Library
Tel: 020 7525 2107
david.penn@southwark.gov.uk
155-157 Walworth Road
Walworth
London
SE17 1RS

Peckham Library daytime book group

Meet other people, share your opinions, chat and socialise. Not just books but films, plays, TV, radio and general life experiences! Friendly atmosphere and plenty of tea and coffee.

Last Thursday of every month, 10.30am to 12 noon

For more information please contact 

Peckham Library
Tel: 020 7525 0231
brian.cape@southwark.gov.uk
122 Peckham Hill Street
Peckham
London
SE15 5JR

Peckham Library book group

Last Tuesday of every month, 6.30pm to 7.45pm

For more information please contact

Peckham Library
Tel: 020 7525 0203
kate.scobie@southwark.gov.uk
122 Peckham Hill Street
Peckham
London
SE15 5JR 

Rotherhithe Library book group

Second Thursday of every month, 7pm to 8.30pm

For more information please contact

Rotherhithe Library
Tel: 020 7394 0280
joanna.cummings@southwark.gov.uk
Albion Street
London
SE16 7HY

Please see our Southwark libraries events page for information about other book related activities.

Book groups for children and teenagers

Contact us

To find out more about Southwark libraries please contact us.

Southwark libraries
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 1568
southwark.libraries@southwark.gov.uk
15 Spa Road
London
SE16 3QW