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How to use AI to start a book club discussion list

You can ask an AI chat tool, such as ChatGPT or Claude, to write a list of discussion questions for any book your group is reading. Type the title and author, say how long your meeting is, and it will give you a first draft in seconds. You can then trim it, reword it and add your own questions. It is a handy way to get started when you are hosting and the page feels blank.

Step 1: Open an AI chat tool

Visit the website or app of an AI assistant and find the box where you type. Think of it as a conversation. You can ask for changes and it will update its answer.

Step 2: Give the book and the basics

Share the title, the author and a little about your group. Tell it how long you usually meet.

Example prompt: "Our book club is reading The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. We meet for 90 minutes and there are eight of us. Please write ten discussion questions."

Step 3: Ask for a mix of question types

Good discussions have easy openers and deeper questions. Ask the AI to sort them.

Example prompt: "Please organize those questions into three groups: easy openers, questions about the characters, and bigger questions about the themes. Keep the wording simple and friendly."

Step 4: Match the questions to your group

Tell the AI what your members enjoy or want to avoid. This makes the list feel like yours.

Example prompt: "Our group likes to share personal reactions more than analyze the writing. Please rewrite the questions so they ask how the story made us feel and what it reminded us of."

Step 5: Add a plan for the evening

You can also ask for a simple running order so the time does not slip away.

Example prompt: "Make a short plan for our 90 minutes, with a welcome, five main questions, and a few minutes at the end to choose our next book."

Step 6: Read it through and make it your own

Read every question and cross out anything that does not fit. Add one or two of your own, ideally something from the book that stood out to you personally. Then print it or write it in a notebook for the meeting.

What to watch out for

  • AI can make mistakes about the book. It may mix up characters, events or the ending, especially with less famous titles. Check the questions against your own copy before you share them.
  • Watch for spoilers. Some questions may reveal the ending. Read them first, and tell the AI "no spoilers" if your members are still reading.
  • Do not copy long passages. If you want a quote from the book, take it from your own copy rather than trusting the AI to get it word for word.
  • It does not replace your group. The best discussions come from your members' own views. Use the list as a starting point, not a script.
  • Keep private details private. There is no need to type members' names, addresses or other personal information into the chat.

Keep it simple

Save the questions you liked in a document. Next month, paste the list into a new chat and ask for something similar for your next book. Your group will soon have its own style.

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