Some books are too good to read alone. Now you can start a book club on eSomeni, read at your own pace, and talk about every chapter with friends, without anyone spoiling the ending.
Picture four friends in Nakuru, a youth group in Kisumu and a teacher in Nyeri, all reading the same novel. One has finished the first part; another is only starting. On eSomeni they share one club: each person sees only the conversations for the parts they have already read, and everyone can see how far the others have gone. When the last page is turned, the whole club gets to talk about the ending together.
That is what Book Clubs are about: reading together, wherever you are.
What is a Book Club on eSomeni?
A Book Club is a free space where a group of readers read the same book and talk about it. Anyone can start one, on the website or in the eSomeni app. A club can be open to everyone or invite only, for your family, friends, class, church or office.
How it works
- Start or join a club. Go to Book Clubs, find a club you like, or tap Start a club and choose your book.
- Follow the reading plan. The book is split into parts. Each part has its own conversation.
- Talk without spoilers. A part's conversation opens only when you have read that far. No one can spoil what you haven't reached.
- Share your favourite lines. Post one of your highlights from the book so others can see the words that moved you.
- See everyone's progress. Each member's reading progress shows in the club, which keeps everyone going.
- Invite friends with one link. Tap Share or Copy link and send it on WhatsApp, SMS or email. The link opens the club straight in the app.
👉 Find a book club · Start your own club
Kind, safe clubs
Clubs are for everyone, so we keep them friendly. Every post can be reported, you can block anyone so you no longer see their posts, and club hosts can remove posts and members. Our team reviews every report.
Earn badges as you read together
Four new badges celebrate your club life:
- 🤝 Club Member: join your first book club
- 🌱 Club Founder: start a book club
- 💬 Conversation Starter: share 10 posts in book clubs
- 🏁 Club Finisher: finish the book your club is reading
You'll find them on your Community page in the app and under Badges on the website.
For schools, churches and groups: copies for everyone
Reading the same book as a class, a church group or a team? You no longer need to collect money from each person.
- On any book's page, choose "Buying for a school, church or group?" and tell us how many readers you have.
- We email you a quote with a group discount: 10% off for 20 or more copies, 15% for 50 or more, 20% for 100 or more. You can print it for your bursar or treasurer.
- Pay on the quote page with M-Pesa or card, or by Paybill or bank using the quote number.
- You receive one link to share. Each reader opens it and gets their own copy on the website and in the app.
As the group leader you can see who has claimed a copy, replace the link if it is shared too widely, and add more copies later on the same link.
For authors: meet readers who read together
- See the clubs reading your book under Author → Clubs Reading My Books.
- Offer a club price to members of a club reading your book. Members are told straight away.
- Feature your book for clubs so it appears in "Recommended for clubs", where clubs choose their next read. It's free during our launch offer.
- Sell to schools and churches. Every group licence pays your usual share of each copy, straight into your earnings.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to join or start a book club?
No. Book Clubs are free. Each member reads their own copy of the book, which they buy or already own.
How do the "no spoilers" conversations work?
The book is split into parts. You can read and post in a part's conversation only when your reading has reached it, so later parts stay hidden until you get there.
Can I make my club private?
Yes. Choose Invite only when you start the club. It won't be listed, and people join with your invite link.
Who can see my reading progress?
Only the members of clubs you join, and only for the club's book. Leave the club at any time to stop sharing it.
How does a group licence work for a school or church?
Ask for a quote from the book's page, pay it online or by Paybill or bank, then share the link you receive. Each reader signs in and gets their own copy.
Can I use Book Clubs in the app?
Yes. Open Profile → Book Clubs or the Clubs stat on your home screen. Club invite links open straight in the app.
Start reading together
The best stories are the ones we share. Gather your friends, pick a book, and turn the page together.
👉 Explore Book Clubs · Get or update the eSomeni app · Publish your book
Questions? Write to us at customercare@esomeni.com. We'd love to hear from you.
To God be the glory! 🙏
