The real world is heavy right now. Why not escape into a book with The Queerly Beloved Book Club?
Shelf Lovers has been operating an in-person Book Circle since we first opened in Brisbane in 2023. Conversations are lively and cover a broad range of topics, with a list of around 20-30 books being discussed at each meeting. We recognise that the format can be a bit chaotic for some and that not everyone is able (or wants to) participate in book chats in person.
To offer something different, we have established The Queerly Beloved Book Club, an online book club available to readers across Australia.
The Book Club will meet online once a month from July 2026.
Kat
Trevor
Cass
Alex
Meetings
- The Book Club will meet online once a month using Zoom.
- Meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month (except for the first meeting which will take place on Thursday 16 July).
- Each month will focus on a different theme.
- Members will be sent a Zoom meeting link via email on the day of the meeting.
- Meetings will be facilitated by hosts Kat, Trevor, Cass and Alex.
- Members are able to join in discussions if they wish, comment using chat/text features or simply listen to the chat without contributing.
Books
We will be reading one book a month and will be focussing on books that are written by queer authors or feature stories that amplify queer voices and experiences.
Our aim is to feature books that are cute, cosy, quirky, spicy, joyful, hopeful or celebatory.
We will always try to select books that are available in multiple formats including print, audio and ebook format.
Members are able to suggest titles and will vote each month to decide the next month’s featured book.
Perks
Members will get:
- Invitation-only access to live online monthly Book Club meetings.
- 10% off Book Club reads at Shelf Lovers.
- Private access to meeting recordings to watch/listen to Book Club chats at your leisure.
- Access to the Queerly Beloved Book Club Lounge, a members-only webpage with book recs, reading lists, discussion notes and more.
- A specially designed Queerly Beloved Book Club Reading Record.
- Invitations to occasional in-person meet ups and events.
Who can join the Queerly Beloved Book Club?
The Queerly Beloved Book Club is a safe, inclusive and low-pressure book club for queer readers who want to connect and engage with like-minded book lovers. As with everything Shelf Lovers does, we operate with zero judgment and are a literary guilt-free zone.
You are welcome here if you:
- Are 17 or over
- Enjoy reading
- Don’t yuck other people’s yums
- Like talking about books, fictional characters, worlds and stories OR prefer to listen to other people talk about books, fictional characters, worlds and stories
- Sometimes get emotionally attached to fictional characters and stories
- Wish all meetings could be an email
- Wish you could attend all social gatherings in your pyjamas
- Find the social aspects of book club meetings tricky OR actually love the social aspects of book club meetings
How do you choose which books are read?
Each month, the four Queerly Beloved hosts will nominate a book in line with the next month’s theme. Book Club members will vote on their preferred choice and the book with the most votes will be read for the next month’s meeting.
Can I suggest a book or topic?
Members can definitely provide suggestions and book recommendations. There is a dedicated space for this in the Queerly Beloved Book Club Lounge.
Is the book included in the membership cost?
No, books are not included in the monthly membership cost. This enables members to borrow the book from the library or a friend if preferred, or to read the book in audio or ebook format. Members are of course able (and encouraged) to purchase hard copy books from Shelf Lovers, with members receiving a 10% discount on Book Club reads, or in audiobook form from LibroFM which also benefits Shelf Lovers.
What if I want to cancel my membership? Can I get a refund?
You are welcome to cancel your membership at any time, however membership fees are non-refundable sorry. For this reason, we offer membership for an initial 3 month period from July to September 2026 (with the first month free) or 6 month period from July to December 2026 (also with the first month free).
Do you provide trigger warnings?
As we intend the Queerly Beloved Book Club to be a safe and inclusive space for all, we would love to feature books that are completely trigger free. As everyone knows though, reading is very subjective and everyone responds differently to content based on their own experiences. It would therefore be impossible for us to provide warnings that cover everyone’s triggers. We will however, endeavour where possible to provide spoiler-free warnings for commonly-recognised content triggers.
JULY
16 July
Queer Aussie Fiction
AUGUST
6 August
Queer Retellings
SEPTEMBER
3 September
Memoirs and Biographies
OCTOBER
1 October
Hidden Identities and Inner Monsters
NOVEMBER
5 November
Short Stories / Books to Read In One Sitting
DECEMBER
3 December
Found / Chosen Families
Get in touch
Want more info?
Have a question or want more details before joining? Get in touch with Kat (Chief Reader) using our online form.
We will try to respond to messages within 24 to 48 hours of receipt, but as basically a one woman show, ask for patience if it's a little longer.
You can also send us an email or follow us online to stay up to date with everything that's happening in the Shelf Lovers and Queerly Beloved world.