Little Free Library :)

Sixteen years. That's how long ago it was, that day when Todd Bol decided to put up the very first Little Free Library outside his home in Hudson, Wisconsin. It was built to resemble a mini schoolhouse. A tribute to his book-loving mother. The idea was a simple act of altruism. If you see a book that interests you, take it home. Finished it? Cool. Pass it on. Add your own favorites. Let the community grow and thrive, one book at a time. The concept was surprisingly contagious. Just three years later, Bol and friends reached their first goal of 2,509 Little Free Libraries. Today there are more than 200,000 Little Free Libraries, sharing the light of literacy across 128 countries. Little Free Libraries come in many quaintly adorable shapes, but they are normally post-box sized little cabinets, stuffed with an enticing diversity of books. The benefit of anonymity adds the quiet power to transform them into safe spaces, and they are powered by kindness and empathy. Join in and share your own curb-side repositories or discoveries.

Members: 150.1k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Show Your Home Library

Good Housekeeping Book Room

FRIENDS AND FICTION

Good Housekeeping Book Room

While the heart of a home is no doubt its kitchen, its soul has to be the room with the most books in it, albeit living room, bedroom, private library, reading room or even (dare we suggest) a bathroom. This is where you can nourish your inner self with a delectable menu of adventure, wild romances, everyday exploration, or even a few moments of nail-biting tension - sustenance that by-passes the palate and allows you to breathe in a different place that nevertheless feels like home. Conversation is lively in the Good Housekeeping Book Room, with reading pleasure at its heart. It is a place where you can share without judgement, the experience of having your heart broken by a book, the sense of bereavement you feel upon reaching the last page, and the joy of discovering someone else who shared your wonder of that special place. There are also booklists and announcements from authors, as well as reading lists and suggestions. A good space for readers to visit.

Members 84.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Show Your Home Library

FRIENDS AND FICTION

The Mythic Cafe with Charles de Lint & Company

FRIENDS AND FICTION

If books give you a reason to breathe. If stories are your pleasure and your poison. If your to-be-read pile is in danger of collapse, but you want more. If you've just visited the most awesome fictional place and dined and danced with its people, and now, you're looking for someone else who's been there too. If you need a road map or maybe just some directions to your next reading adventure. Then FRIENDS AND FICTION is the virtual lounge where you will receive the warmest welcome and more treasures than you can count, because its people are your people. Friendly. Positive. Cozy. And book-centric. The fact that so many books are referenced without authors' names, and the right people still get it, speaks of the easy familiarity that exists between members.

Members: 256.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Show Your Home Library

The Mythic Cafe, with Charles de Lint & Company

I Love Haworth and the Bronte Parsonage

Show Your Home Library

One poster calls it "my happy place" and I cannot think of a better description for a home library. Ideally, it's a cozy nook with a comfortable chair and a resident cat. Shelves upon shelves filled with wondrous treasures. Childhood favorites brushing spines with new discoveries. Photos with sentimental value, figurines, curiosities, toy cars and items of art guarding the portals to fictional vistas. Crumbling antique book covers lending gravity to a collection. Few things provide such profound insight to the soul of a person as their book collection, but often how it is housed offer additional clues. If you are an avid reader, this Facebook group will feel like home. 

Members: 33.6k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings:

Go here to visit or join. 

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Snapshots of the World

Dollhouse Miniatures Made from Everyday Things

I Love Haworth and the Bronte Parsonage

Retro Horror Paperback Art

Melkor and Sauron

 It is interesting to see a Lord of the Rings group that is named for two of the bad guys of Middle Earth. The group is more focused around the tales of the Second Age, as collected within works such as The Silmarillion, and Tolkien's literary legacy, rather than the cinematic interpretation thereof. Another great feature here, is the inclusion of fan art, mostly of Melkor and Sauron, who were described at beautiful and elf-like in their appearance. So, expect a decidedly dark art and elf-noire aesthetic. There are occasionally posts about Lord of the Rings and the Third Age, but not that much. It's a great space for Tolkien superfans. 

Members: 45.6k members at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join.

Update - this group has changed its setting to private - 29 March 2026.

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

It's been a while since I've featured a reading related group. Having painstakingly gone through the list, I've decided I am not going to own up to how little of its contents I have actually read in the good old-fashioned book form. What I can say, is that I did not regret reading a single one of those, so if that is anything to go by, the list definitely has merit. A few writers seem over-represented. Threads on the discussion board include 'Which one are you reading right now?', 'books that affected you deeply but aren't in the lise', 'How many have you read so far?' and 'Is your favorite book missing from this list?' There are also several links to sites that offer free e-books.

What's great about this group: It inspires you to expand your reading horizons.

Update (29 October 2023)

There is a Facebook page with the same name, which has 1,200 followers and can be found here. Also check out the page 1001 African Books to Read before you die. 

Reading is Sexy

If friends and family do not quite understand why you spend most of your time with your face buried between the covers of a book, rest assured, the 79,000 plus members of this group know exactly how you feel. There are well over a thousand threads on the groups very active discussion board, which ranges from 'Book you're reading right now' and 'Favorite Book No One Knows About' to 'What character have you been dismayed to relate to?'.

What's good about the group: If you love books and reading, you will feel right at home.

A word of caution: If you're not that much of a reader, you might find yourself a little out of your depth.

(Update: 29 October 2023)

There is still a Facebook group called Reading is Sexy. Go here to visit or join.