CLUB STATS & SUMMARY
STATS
Stats are updated on a monthly basis.
| Years Active | 2012 - Present (12+ years) |
| Members | 170,000 |
| Book Count | 60 |
| Book Frequency | Unknown |
| Book Selector | Florence Welch & special guests |
| Theme | Unknown |
| First Pick | Opposed Positions |
| Latest Pick | Hagstone |
| Complete List | Between Two Books List |
SUMMARY
Among the five Best Book Clubs we reviewed, this one might be the most elusive. Its structure is notably informal, making it stand out from the rest. Launched in 2012 by Florence Welch, the lead singer of Florence and the Machine, the club began as a way for Welch to share book recommendations with her fans rather than as a traditional book club. Over the years, it has maintained this casual approach.
Because of its loose format, followers may struggle to distinguish between a casual recommendation and an official club selection. As a result, finding specific reading lists or dates tied to selections is often more challenging compared to the other clubs on our list. While ordered lists of books do exist, they’re not always current, and initial reading dates or the frequency of selections are often unclear.
Additionally, the books themselves can sometimes be harder to find. In contrast, selections from larger, more structured book clubs are typically more accessible, perhaps because these clubs often choose mainstream authors or popular titles, driving their availability. This club, however, seems to take a less conventional approach to its selections, whether intentional or not.
This distinctiveness may be part of its charm. By embracing a more unconventional and less structured ethos, the club sets itself apart from other popular book clubs, offering a unique appeal to its followers.
CLUB RATINGS & REVIEW
RATINGS
Ratings are updated on an annual basis. See where this club lands in the best book clubs ranked for the year.
REVIEW
Here is BCR’s review of Between Two Books and the breakdown of the ratings above.
Selection Details
Selector
English singer and songwriter, Florence Welch of the indie rock band, Florence and the Machine, primarily selects the books for this club. However, throughout the club’s history, Florence has had several friends choose books for her club as well. Among these alternate selectors are fellow musicians Nick Cave and Fiona Apple, film directors and screenwriters Emma Forrest and Greta Gerwig and authors Sally Rooney and Hera Lindsay Bird.
Theme
The theme of Between Two Books is unknown. If we had to pick one word to describe this club’s picks it would be eclectic. Of the other Best Book Clubs, Between Two Books has the most in common with Our Shared Shelf when it comes to books and author selection.
Notification
As is often the case with inconsistent book selections, notifications for Between Two Books are equally sporadic. For casual followers, determining whether a book has been chosen as an official club selection requires considerable effort.
Reading lists for Between Two Books are available on two websites, but neither has been updated in over three years. Since the last update, at least five new selections have been made.
More recent announcements can be found on the club’s Facebook and Instagram pages. However, these platforms often feature vague posts about books, many of which appear to be personal reads rather than official club picks. The lack of context in these posts makes it challenging for followers to discern whether a book is part of the club’s selections or just a casual recommendation.
Frequency
The book selections for Between Two Books are highly inconsistent, making it one of the most erratic major book clubs we’ve encountered. Historically, the club averaged 4–5 book selections per year. However, in recent years, this has dropped to just one or, at most, two selections annually.
BCR’s frequency rating for this club reflects its inconsistency rather than the actual intervals between selections. If the selections were made at more predictable intervals, the rating would undoubtedly improve. Consistent frequency and regularity in book selection play a vital role in maintaining member engagement and contributing to a club’s overall success.
Book Details
For most book clubs, the book details of selections are less intentional and less known than the selection details. However, book details can be important underlying elements that influence members, readership and the success of a club overall.
Availability
Because Between Two Books tends to select less mainstream titles, its picks can often be harder to find. Be prepared to purchase physical copies or borrow them from your local library. Many of the club’s selections are not available in digital formats for purchase or borrowing. However, when these titles are included in your library’s digital collection, they are usually available immediately—an added convenience for eager readers.
Format
Similar to their availability, the format of Between Two Books selections is often limited. Most titles are readily available in print, but finding ebook or audiobook versions can be more challenging—particularly for those looking to borrow rather than purchase.
Length
The length of Between Two Books selections varies significantly. The shortest pick, Pamper Me to Hell & Back by Hera Lindsay Bird, is just 28 pages, while the longest, George Eliot’s Daniel Deronda, spans 796 pages. On average, the club’s selections are 263 pages long—a reasonable length in our view. However, the size of the picks fluctuates dramatically. For instance, one book might be under 200 pages, followed by a 400-page selection, then a 200-page title, and finally a nearly 800-page read.
While infrequent selections might make larger books more manageable, this inconsistency can pose challenges. Members could quickly finish a shorter book and then face months of waiting, only to be met with a much lengthier selection. Without knowing how long they’ll have to complete it before the next pick, readers might feel overwhelmed. These irregularities in both frequency and book length could contribute to reduced membership or decreased engagement over time.
Rating
At BCR, a rating of 3 or higher is considered good, and all of Between Two Books selections on Goodreads meet this standard. The club’s picks have an average rating of 3.89, with the highest-rated book, Night Flower by Martin McIntosh and Gemma Jones, at 4.61, and the lowest-rated at 3.21. In our opinion, these ratings reflect a solid reception overall.
Genre
The genres of Between Two Books picks are somewhat diverse. The top five genres are Nonfiction, Fiction, Memoir, Contemporary, and Literary Fiction. While these are all relatively generic categories, readers will find that the subject matter across these genres within this book club varies quite a bit.
Year Published
The majority of books selected for Between Two Books tend to be more modern. Most publish dates are between 2010 and 2022. The oldest book this club has picked was published in 1876. This is the oldest published date among the Top 5 Book Clubs.
Authors
Favorites
Between Two Books appears to have a few favorite authors. This may or may not be intentional. The following authors have been selected twice:
- Hera Lindsay Bird
- Patti Smith
- Yrsa Daley-Ward
Diversity
Between Two Books’ list is diverse when it comes to authors. While female authors are prevalent on the Between Two Books reading list, there are quite a few male authors as well.
Club Details
Book Count
At 60 books, Between Two Books has the second smallest reading list of the Best Book Clubs. It is also small considering how long the book club has been around. The book count to years active ratio is really low. It is the second lowest among the five best book clubs.
Membership Count
Although the smallest among the Best Book Clubs, Between Two Books following has remained strong over the years with membership estimated to be around 170,000 people.
Membership Engagement
Membership engagement is low in our opinion. Especially compared to other book clubs. This is to be expected though when considering how infrequently Between Two Books makes book selections. That does make this a very casual club that anyone can join and participate in just by following on social media. When Between Two Books does post it’s to both Facebook and Instagram.
Years Active
Between Two Books has been active for over 12 years. This club’s longevity demonstrates a dedication to its members and readership.
Overall Rating
With an overall BCR rating of 3.40, we recommend Between Two Books. This is currently the lowest rated of the Best Book Clubs. It’s above a 3 rating but the lower score does indicate it may not be a fit for everyone. If you are looking for an eclectic list of good reads from diverse authors then definitely check out their list and make your way through it at your own pace.
If you are looking for a club with a casual pace and low engagement level, Between Two Books might be for you. We do make this recommendation with a couple of caveats. If you’re looking for regular new reads, be advised this club’s selections have been announced inconsistently and very infrequently resulting in only one or two picks per year the past few years.
To stay up-to-date on new selections from Between Two Books, you can find them right here on BCR or the club’s social media pages. The best way to stay up-to-date and engage with other club members and readers is to follow the club’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
Is Between Two Books the book club for you? Get the complete Between Two Books list now.