We are delighted to introduce our Book Clubs, each selected to read and review one of the six books shortlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.
These groups may be spread far and wide, with members from across the UK, but they are united by their shared love of reading. For these book lovers, their clubs are not only places to discuss their latest reads, but also vital support networks during difficult times, and spaces for genuine friendship, fun and solidarity.
Every year, the Women’s Prize Trust issues an open call to Book Clubs across the UK to shadow the Women’s Prize for Fiction and Non-Fiction, read a selected shortlisted title, and share their thoughts with the Chair of Judges. We’re thrilled to introduce our six Non-Fiction Shadow Book Clubs — read on to learn more about them and the shortlisted books they have been selected to read.
Bombay Book Club
‘Bombay Book Club started in February 2020 as a book and curry club. Although we only managed one in-person meeting before lockdown hit, we continued meeting online as members have moved all across the country, from Southend to Stoke-on-Trent. We take it in turn to choose the books and have met up for trips including a visit to the Knepp Estate after reading Wilding. The highlight of each year is our ‘Year in Review’ at Christmas where we share graphs showing the most popular books, who is the highest scorer, and who consistently picks the most loved books.’
Bombay Book Club are reading Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt
Cambridge Queer Salon
‘Cambridge Queer Salon has been running since November 2025, in their kitchen, out of the desire to have more literary and queer spaces in Cambridge. We combine great food with reading whatever has taken our notice recently, with every member given space to read out excerpts that we then discuss. We read a mix of prose and poetry, and are a multinational and multilingual group, so we also have a special interest in literature in languages other than English, often translated by our members themselves. We have read one of the Women’s Prize winners, The Safekeep, which we enjoyed so much for its subversive, historical and queer rendition of Dutch and Jewish history, as well as Tove Jansson, Virginia Woolf, Frank O’Hara, Ellen Bass, Anne Sexton, Andrea Gibson, and many others.’
Cambridge Queer Salon are reading Nation of Strangers by Ece Temelkuran
Chener Book Club
‘The Chener Book Club is a South London based, community-led reading group that I founded through my work as a bookseller at Chener Books, an independent bookshop. It began quite naturally. I was constantly having conversations with customers asking for recommendations, and I realised there was a real appetite not just for what to read next, but for a space to talk about books more deeply and collectively.
I wanted to create something that extended beyond one-to-one recommendations into a shared experience. A book club felt like the most natural way to do that. From the beginning, it was important to us that the book club remained free, so that anyone could join without financial barriers. That decision has shaped the group in a meaningful way, bringing together a wide mix of people from across South London.’
Chener Book Club are reading Artists, Siblings, Visionaries by Judith Mackrell
Artists, Siblings, Visionaries: The lives and loves of Gwen and Augustus John
by Judith Mackrell
Find out more
Colwall Book Club
‘Colwall Book Club has been running for three years now, and it’s an evening we look forward to every month. I started it during my maternity leave – I was at home with a young baby and wanted like-minded individuals to share my love of reading with. We are quite a varied group – different ages, life experiences and genre preferences, but we are all open minded and love to get stuck into a good discussion, and often end up telling personal anecdotes and tales. It is amazing how well reading can bring everyone together and create such a shared experience, and ongoing friendships!’
Colwall Book Club are reading The Finest Hotel in Kabul by Lyse Doucet
Oxgangs Monday Book Club
‘The book club was formed several years ago in the library by a previous supervisor. Our members are readers in the community who use our library, mostly women who take great joy in discussing and learning about the cultural and historical contexts of our books. Our group enjoys the opportunity to experiment with books outside their comfort zones. This allows us to delve into the relevance of each text to our own lives and the wider world. Our group is part of Oxgangs Library, which won Scottish Library of the Year 2026 in March and took home UK Library of the Year 2026 from the British Book Awards.’
Oxgangs Monday Book Club are reading Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War by Jane Rogoyska
Stockroom Book Club
“Stockroom Book Club is for anybody and everybody, we hold space for shared reading and thoughtful conversation. We create a welcoming, respectful environment where all feel safe to contribute, and where different perspectives are encouraged and valued. Each of us brings our own lived experience, enriching how we read and respond to books. We listen with curiosity and an open heart and mind. Based in the heart of Stockport, we’re proud to be free and open to all, building a community rooted in inclusivity, creativity, and a shared love of reading.”
Stockroom Book Club are reading Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy
