Book Clubs and Writing Groups in Phoenix for Retirees

Valley readers have several easy ways in: Changing Hands bookstore runs book clubs and author events, Maricopa County Library District branches such as Sun City offer event calendars, and many 55+ communities have resident clubs. Check each group's own site, since schedules and membership rules change.

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Why readers ask me about libraries

I'm Terry Day, REALTOR®, DeLex Realty. "Is there a library close by?" comes up more than people expect. One retired teacher told me she would not buy anywhere without a branch a short drive away, and that narrowed the map quickly. This page covers where Valley residents find book clubs and how location shapes a reading life.

Bookstore clubs and author events

Changing Hands says on its website that it has served Phoenix and Tempe since 1974 and hosts hundreds of events a year. Its Book Clubs page invites people to join a listed group or register their own, and the listings include fiction, science fiction and fantasy, crime fiction, a Spanish-language group and a club tied to the bar inside the Phoenix store. Poisoned Pen's site lists author events and a Book Chats series. Check each store's calendar, because groups and events change.

Libraries

The Maricopa County Library District serves many unincorporated areas and smaller towns, and its Sun City branch page links to an events calendar for that branch. According to the district, a free card is available to Maricopa County residents, business owners and property owners, and adults need ID with a current address. Winter visitors from out of state should ask the library directly what they qualify for. City systems such as Phoenix and Scottsdale run their own libraries and calendars, so look up the one for the city you are considering. I have written about libraries for retirees in Surprise, Peoria and Glendale.

Starting your own neighborhood club

Some of the best groups I hear about started on a driveway. A new neighbor mentions a novel, two more people have read it, and a month later six households are rotating living rooms. If you buy in a neighborhood without a club, post on the HOA bulletin board if its rules allow, pick a winter evening when part-year neighbors are in town, and keep an email list going for anyone reading from up north in summer.

Inside 55+ communities

Large 55+ communities often have resident-run clubs. If you are comparing communities, ask for the current club list before you decide, because a quiet monthly chat and an active writers' group are different experiences. See the Arizona 55+ living guide for community comparisons.

How location changes your reading life

• Distance to a branch or bookstore. Some neighborhoods are minutes away; others are a longer drive.
• Which library system covers your address. Your address decides which card you qualify for.
• A quiet room. A reading nook or spare bedroom is worth asking about when we tour homes.

Questions people ask

Does Changing Hands have book clubs?
Yes. Its website has a Book Clubs page that says new members are always welcome.

Can I get a Maricopa County library card?
The district says cards are free for county residents, business owners and property owners, with ID showing a current address.

Do 55+ communities have book clubs?
Many list resident clubs. Ask the community for its current directory.