Easy Entertaining : Creative Ways to Host a Memorable Book Club (Plus Bonus Cocktail Recipe!)
If you’ve been here awhile and remember my post about how to start a book club, you know that our block’s book club is absolutely one of my favorite monthly get-togethers. And you know what’s even better than attending for a gal who loves to entertain? Hosting! Well, except for the slight pressure of picking a good book - ha!
Our book club is a fantastic group of women so there’s never any hosting pressure, but you know I like to add a little extra flair. Last week, it was my turn to host, and our book was "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett - a delightful summer read about family, love, and life. Bonus: If you're into Audible like me, you'll swoon over Meryl Streep narrating it. So good!
Since the story partially unfolds on a cherry farm, I went all in on the cherry-theme! A scrumptious honey, thyme, and sweet cherry grilled brie (you can never go wrong with Half-Baked Harvest!), a delicious cherry vodka fizz (recipe below!), and because baking does not spark joy for me, a store-bought cherry pie. I also had a selection of chilled white wines and served my favorite Arugala, Burrata, and Proscuitto Salad with Crostini and a charcuterie board to round it out (because there’s no such thing as too much cheese).
The farm setting in the book brought up warm and fuzzy memories of my own family's ranch, so I set the scene with an embroidered tablecloth and cherished dishware that was passed down to me from my grandparents. And since daisies repeatedly popped up in the book (and on the cover!), I grabbed a couple of bunches from Trader Joe's to sprinkle around.
Embarrassingly, amidst all the cherry fizz mixing and laughter, I completely forgot to prep discussion questions! Ah! Thank goodness for quick-thinking friends and our ever-prepared book club leader. You can't do it all, right?!
All this to say, if you're gearing up to host your own book club and want to add some excitement by playing up the book’s theme, I’ve got you! Whether you decide to go all out or keep it simple, here are some fun and creative ways to make your gathering memorable:
Themed Decorations
Transform your space to reflect the book’s setting or time period. Whether it's lace and vintage teacups for Victorian novels or coastal vibes with seashells and picnic gear for beach reads, a few thoughtful touches can transport everyone. Sometimes instead of a setting or time period, there’s an overarching theme you can go with, such as books and clocks in “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig (another fav!).
Themed Menu
Align your snacks and sips with the book’s flavors. For a novel set in Italy, think antipasto and a selection of Italian wines. A book set in the Deep South might inspire sweet tea and pecan pie. A quick search on Pinterest should result in plenty of fun ideas from simple to gourmet! Or if you’re too busy perfecting your decor? Postmate or DoorDash from a local restaurant.
Dress the Part
Ok we’ve never done this, but I love any chance to dress in character, so maybe next time! Encourage members to dress up according to the book's theme or era. Whether it’s flapper dresses for a 1920s novel or Hawaiian shirts for a beach read, dressing up adds a playful twist (and a great photo opp)!
Themed Favors
This is really going the extra mile, but I love the idea of it! Think a small box of macaroons for a book set in Paris, or a small bunch of wildflowers for a book set in the countryside. For any novel, a bookmark featuring a quote from it would be a thoughtful touch!
Hosting a book club themed around your latest read not only enhances the experience, but also helps everyone immerse themselves in the book’s world. So, get creative, have fun, and make your book club meeting a highlight of everyone’s month! Just don’t forget your discussion questions…
Happy reading and hosting! And now, let's raise a glass to the unofficial “Tom Lake” Cherry Vodka Fizz:
Cherry Vodka Fizz Recipe
Ingredients:
¼ cup tart cherry juice
1 oz vodka
½ oz simple syrup (see note 1)
Juice of one lime (see note 2)
5-7 oz of prosecco (see note 3)
Garnish Ideas:
Fresh cherries
Lime wedge
A cute straw
Use your imagination (I used thyme that was leftover from the honey, thyme and sweet cherry grilled brie I made!)
Nothing (it’s delicious on it’s own!)
Directions:
Combine the tart cherry juice, vodka, simple syrup and lime juice in a glass or shaker.
Pour in glass (if you used a shaker), then add a handful of ice.
Top with prosecco and stir gently.
Add desired garnish, or not!
Sip and enjoy the real happy hours with your crew!
Notes:
You can easily make your own simple syrup by boiling 1 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water until dissolved (refrigerate to cool)
If you don’t have time to fresh squeeze, bottled lime juice works just fine. Aim for 1-2 tablespoons.
The amount of prosecco will depend on what type of glasses you use - fill ‘er up!
Note: The Real Happy Hours occasionally uses affiliate marketing links. No worries, it won't cost you a dime extra, but if you make a purchase through these links, we might earn a commission. It's one of the ways we keep the party going and the website lights on. Rest assured that always, all opinions and product picks are our own!
