How to Join Women Children First Book Club

Women Children First Book Club is more than just a gathering of readers—it’s a vibrant, community-driven space where literature becomes a catalyst for connection, empowerment, and meaningful dialogue. Founded in Chicago in 1995 by author and bookseller Laura Dickerson, the club began as a small gathering of women who wanted to create a safe, inclusive environment to discuss books written by women, for women, and often centered on the experiences of children and families. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the most respected and enduring literary communities in the United States, known for its thoughtful curation, passionate members, and unwavering commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices.

Unlike algorithm-driven reading lists or corporate-sponsored book clubs, Women Children First Book Club operates with intentionality. Each selection is chosen not for its commercial appeal, but for its emotional resonance, cultural significance, and capacity to spark conversation. The club prioritizes works by women of color, LGBTQ+ authors, immigrant writers, and those exploring themes of motherhood, resilience, childhood trauma, and social justice. For many members, joining is not merely about reading—it’s about belonging to a legacy of women who believe that stories can change the world.

Whether you’re a lifelong reader seeking deeper literary engagement, a new parent looking for books that reflect your family’s journey, or someone searching for a community that values empathy over entertainment, this book club offers a rare and valuable space. This guide will walk you through every step of joining—no membership fees, no corporate gatekeeping, just a clear, accessible path to becoming part of a community that has nurtured generations of readers.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Club’s Mission and Values

Before taking any action to join, take time to understand what Women Children First Book Club stands for. Its mission is rooted in three core pillars: representation, reflection, and resilience. The club believes that stories written by women—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—offer unique insights into the complexities of family, identity, and societal change. Books are chosen not only for their literary merit but for their ability to challenge dominant narratives and invite readers into unfamiliar worlds.

Review past reading lists on their official website. You’ll notice a consistent pattern: titles like The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi appear frequently—not because they are bestsellers, but because they center women’s perspectives and explore intergenerational trauma, migration, and cultural preservation. Understanding this focus will help you determine if the club aligns with your personal reading goals.

Step 2: Visit the Official Website

The primary gateway to the Women Children First Book Club is its official website: womenchildrenfirst.com. This is not a social media page or a third-party platform—it is the authoritative source for all club information. The site is intentionally minimalist, prioritizing content over flashy design, which reflects the club’s philosophy: substance over spectacle.

On the homepage, navigate to the “Book Club” section, typically found in the main menu. Here, you’ll find the current reading list, upcoming meeting dates, and a brief description of how participation works. There is no online registration form. Instead, participation is based on attendance and engagement. This intentional lack of bureaucracy is part of what makes the club feel authentic and accessible.

Step 3: Attend a Meeting as a Guest

Women Children First Book Club does not require you to sign up in advance. The first step to joining is simply showing up. Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Central Time at the Women Children First bookstore, located at 5233 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL. Guests are not only welcome—they are encouraged.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a volunteer or staff member who will ask for your name and email (for meeting reminders only). You do not need to have read the current book to attend. Many guests come to listen, observe, and absorb the tone of the conversation before deciding to commit. The discussions are open, often emotional, and rarely competitive. There are no “right” or “wrong” interpretations—only honest reflections.

If you’re unable to attend in person, live-streamed meetings are available via Zoom. The link is posted on the website every Monday prior to the meeting. You may join the stream anonymously, but to be recognized as a participant, you’ll need to email the club coordinator at bookclub@womenchildrenfirst.com with your full name and preferred email address. This allows them to send you future invitations and reading lists.

Step 4: Read the Monthly Selection

Each month, a new book is selected by the club’s rotating advisory team, composed of long-time members and local educators. The selection is announced on the first Monday of each month via email and on the website’s “Book Club” page. The book is always available for purchase at the store, often at a 15% discount for attendees. You may also borrow it from a local library, purchase a digital copy, or request a used copy through the club’s book exchange program.

There is no assigned reading schedule. You are encouraged to read at your own pace. Some members read the entire book in one week; others take two or three weeks. What matters is not speed, but engagement. The club believes that thoughtful reading—marked by marginalia, journaling, or discussion with others—is more valuable than finishing quickly.

Step 5: Participate in the Discussion

At the meeting, participants gather in a circle around a large wooden table in the bookstore’s back room. A moderator (usually a rotating member, not a staff member) opens the conversation with a broad question, such as: “What moment in the book made you feel seen?” or “How did the author’s portrayal of childhood challenge your assumptions?”

You are not expected to speak if you’re uncomfortable. Many new members listen for several meetings before contributing. When you do speak, honesty is valued over eloquence. You might say, “I didn’t understand the ending,” or “This character reminded me of my grandmother,” and both are valid contributions. The goal is not to impress, but to connect.

After the discussion, the group votes on the next month’s book. Suggestions are welcomed from anyone present, and the final selection is chosen by consensus. This democratic process ensures that the club remains responsive to its members’ interests and evolving perspectives.

Step 6: Become a Regular Member

There is no formal membership application. You become a member by consistently showing up. After attending three meetings, you are automatically considered a regular participant. At that point, you’ll begin receiving monthly newsletters with reading reflections, author interviews, and curated reading lists beyond the monthly selection.

Regular members are also invited to participate in special events: author Q&As, writing workshops, and community reading nights held in partnership with local schools and libraries. These events are not mandatory, but they deepen your connection to the club’s mission.

There is no dues system, no loyalty points, and no tiers of membership. Your value in the club is measured by your presence, your openness, and your willingness to listen—not by how many books you’ve read or how often you speak.

Step 7: Contribute to the Community

Once you’ve become a regular, consider ways to give back. Many members volunteer to help organize book drives for local shelters, lead youth reading circles, or assist with the club’s annual “Books for New Parents” initiative. Others write short reviews of the monthly selections for the club’s blog, which is read by hundreds of subscribers across the country.

Contributing doesn’t require expertise. If you’re good at organizing, help coordinate the monthly Zoom links. If you’re a writer, submit a personal essay about how a book changed your parenting. If you’re quiet, bring homemade cookies to the next meeting. The club thrives on small, consistent acts of care.

Best Practices

Practice Active Listening

The most powerful members of the Women Children First Book Club are not the ones who talk the most—they’re the ones who listen the deepest. Active listening means being fully present: putting your phone away, making eye contact, and resisting the urge to formulate your response while someone else is speaking. When you truly hear another person’s interpretation of a book, you open yourself to new ways of seeing the world.

Read Beyond the Monthly Selection

While the monthly book is the anchor of the club, many members explore additional titles recommended by fellow readers. Keep a running list of books mentioned during discussions. You’ll often discover hidden gems—memoirs by Indigenous mothers, poetry collections by refugee women, or novels about queer childhoods—that expand your understanding far beyond the official selection.

Journal Your Thoughts

Before each meeting, spend ten minutes writing down your reactions. What surprised you? What made you angry? What did you recognize in yourself? This practice deepens your engagement and gives you clarity when you’re ready to speak. You don’t have to share your journal—it’s for you. But over time, you’ll notice patterns in how books affect you, which helps you choose future reads with greater intention.

Embrace Discomfort

Some of the books chosen by the club are emotionally challenging. They may confront racism, abuse, poverty, or grief in ways that feel overwhelming. This is intentional. The club believes that growth happens outside of comfort zones. If a book makes you feel uneasy, that’s not a reason to stop reading—it’s a sign you’re engaging with something real. Allow yourself to feel without judgment.

Respect Diverse Interpretations

One of the most beautiful aspects of the club is that two people can read the same book and come away with completely different meanings. One member may see a character as selfish; another may see them as traumatized. Both are valid. Avoid correcting others. Instead, ask: “Can you tell me more about how you arrived at that view?” This transforms disagreement into dialogue.

Bring a Friend—But Don’t Pressure Them

Bringing a friend can be a wonderful way to deepen your experience. But remember: this is not a social club. If your friend feels uncomfortable speaking or doesn’t enjoy the book, that’s okay. The goal is not to convert others, but to create space for them to find their own connection to the material.

Stay Consistent, Not Perfect

Life happens. You might miss a month due to illness, travel, or family obligations. That’s not a failure. The club understands that life for women—and especially mothers—is rarely linear. You don’t need to “catch up.” Just return when you can. The circle will still be there, waiting.

Tools and Resources

Official Book Club Website

womenchildrenfirst.com/bookclub is your central hub. It includes:

• Current and past reading lists with publication details
• Meeting schedules and Zoom links
• Author interviews and behind-the-scenes insights
• Links to purchase books at discounted rates

Book Club Email Newsletter

Subscribe at the bottom of the website’s Book Club page. The newsletter arrives every Monday and includes:

• A short reflection from the moderator
• Quotes from the previous meeting
• Recommended companion readings
• Announcements for special events

Local Library Partnerships

Women Children First partners with Chicago Public Library and several suburban branches to ensure accessibility. You can reserve the monthly book through any participating library and pick it up at your nearest location. Ask for “Women Children First Book Club Title” when placing your hold.

Book Exchange Program

At the store, there’s a dedicated shelf labeled “Swap & Share.” Members leave gently used copies of past book club selections. You can take a book for free and leave one in return. It’s a quiet, sustainable way to keep the conversation going without financial burden.

Mobile App: Book Club Companion

While the club itself does not maintain an app, many members use Goodreads to track their reading and join the unofficial “Women Children First Book Club” group. Here, you can find discussion threads, reading challenges, and user-generated content like “5 Quotes That Changed My Week.” It’s a supportive, ad-free space that complements the in-person meetings.

Reading Journal Templates

Download a free printable reading journal from the website’s “Resources” section. It includes prompts like:

• Which character did I relate to most? Why?
• What did I learn about motherhood, childhood, or family that I didn’t know before?
• How does this book challenge or confirm my beliefs?

Local Bookstores and Reading Cafés

Several independent bookstores in Chicago host informal “pre-meeting coffee chats” for those who want to process the book before the official gathering. Check the website’s events calendar for partner locations. These are low-pressure, no-obligation gatherings—perfect for new members.

Audio and Accessibility Options

All monthly selections are available in audiobook format through Libby and Hoopla (free with a library card). For members with visual impairments, the club provides Braille and large-print editions upon request—just email the coordinator two weeks in advance.

Real Examples

Example 1: Maria, a Single Mother of Three

Maria joined the club after her youngest daughter was diagnosed with autism. She felt isolated and overwhelmed, unsure where to turn for stories that reflected her experience. She attended her first meeting hesitantly, having not read the book—Unlikely Friends by Lila Nguyen, a memoir about a Vietnamese mother navigating her autistic child’s education system.

She didn’t speak for two meetings. But when a member mentioned how the book made her rethink the word “normal,” Maria whispered, “I’ve been trying to unlearn that word for years.” That single sentence opened a floodgate. Other mothers shared their own struggles with school systems, therapists, and judgmental relatives. Maria left that night feeling seen for the first time in months.

Today, she leads the “Parenting Through Books” subgroup, which meets biweekly to discuss titles about neurodiversity and parenting under pressure. She says, “This club didn’t fix my life. But it gave me the words to understand it.”

Example 2: Jamal, a Male Ally and Educator

Jamal, a high school English teacher, was invited by a colleague to attend a meeting. He expected to be the only man in the room—and he was. But instead of feeling excluded, he felt welcomed. He read Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado and was struck by how the stories mirrored the experiences of his female students.

He began incorporating the club’s selections into his curriculum. Now, his students read the same books as the club and write letters to the members. The club responds with handwritten notes. One student wrote: “I didn’t think anyone understood what it’s like to be a girl in my neighborhood. Now I know I’m not alone.”

Jamal says, “I came to learn about books. I stayed because I learned about humanity.”

Example 3: Aisha, a Retired Teacher from Nigeria

Aisha moved to Chicago after her husband’s passing. She missed the literary salons of her youth in Lagos. She found the club by accident, browsing the bookstore’s window display. She read The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy and wept during the meeting when someone mentioned the line, “Love is never enough.”

She began bringing traditional Nigerian tea to meetings. Now, every third Thursday, the group sips ginger-hibiscus tea and discusses postcolonial identity, motherhood, and loss. Aisha says, “I came here to read. I stayed because I found my family again.”

Example 4: Teenager Joining Through a School Program

Every spring, the club partners with a local high school to offer a “Youth Reader” program. Sixteen-year-old Devi joined after her teacher recommended it. She read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and was stunned by how accurately it portrayed her own experience with silence after trauma.

She wrote a letter to the club: “I didn’t know I could talk about this. I didn’t know anyone else felt this way.” The club invited her to read her letter aloud at the next meeting. Afterward, three other students came forward with similar stories.

Devi now mentors new teen participants. “This isn’t just a book club,” she says. “It’s a safe place to become yourself.”

FAQs

Do I have to live in Chicago to join?

No. While in-person meetings are held in Chicago, the club welcomes participants from anywhere in the world through its live-streamed Zoom meetings. Many members join from rural towns, other states, and even overseas.

Is there a fee to join?

No. There are no membership fees, dues, or hidden costs. The club is funded through book sales, community donations, and small grants. You are welcome to purchase books at the store, but it is never required.

Do I need to have read the book to attend?

Not at all. Many attendees come to listen. The discussions are designed to be inclusive of all levels of engagement.

Can men join the book club?

Yes. While the club centers women’s voices and experiences, it welcomes all genders who respect its mission. Men are encouraged to attend, listen, and learn—not to dominate the conversation.

What if I don’t like the book selection?

That’s okay. Not every book will resonate with you. The club believes that even books we dislike can teach us something—about ourselves, about others, about the world. Try to stay open. You might be surprised.

How are books selected?

Books are chosen by a rotating committee of long-time members and educators. Suggestions are accepted from anyone. The final selection is made by consensus, based on literary quality, diversity of perspective, and potential for meaningful discussion.

Can I suggest a book for the club to read?

Yes. Send your suggestion to bookclub@womenchildrenfirst.com with the title, author, and a brief note on why you think it would spark conversation. Suggestions are reviewed monthly.

Are children allowed at meetings?

Yes, but with a note: meetings are designed for adults. If you bring a child, please ensure they can remain quiet and respectful. The club also hosts separate “Family Reading Nights” on the first Saturday of each month, where children are encouraged to participate.

Can I start a chapter in my city?

The club does not currently support formal satellite chapters. However, they encourage members to form independent reading circles using the same principles. The website offers a downloadable “How to Start Your Own Book Circle” guide.

Is the club religious or political?

No. The club is secular and nonpartisan. While many books explore social justice themes, the focus is always on personal narrative and human experience—not ideology. Respect for differing views is a core value.

Conclusion

Joining the Women Children First Book Club is not about checking a box or adding another activity to your schedule. It’s about stepping into a space where stories are treated with reverence, where silence is honored as much as speech, and where every voice—no matter how quiet—has the power to shift the conversation.

This is not a club for perfectionists. It’s for the tired, the curious, the grieving, the hopeful. It’s for the mother who reads in stolen moments between bedtime and laundry. For the student who finds solace in fiction when reality feels too heavy. For the immigrant who sees her homeland in a character’s hesitation. For the man who wants to understand what it means to be a woman in today’s world.

You don’t need to be a scholar. You don’t need to have read a hundred books. You just need to show up—with an open heart and a willingness to listen.

The first step is simple: visit womenchildrenfirst.com/bookclub. Read the current selection. Attend a meeting. Say nothing if you want to. Say something if you’re ready. The circle will welcome you—not because you’re qualified, but because you’re here.

And in that space, among the shelves of books and the warmth of shared silence, you may just find what you didn’t know you were looking for: not just a book club—but a home.