Short story club is the book club for busy people

Big Night In is a series where Canadian experts and creatives share advice on how to spend a magical night at home. It's the ultimate guide to staying in — whether solo or with friends — featuring thoughtfully curated ideas that are anything but routine.

Turn the typical book club format into a one-night-only literary adventure. Rather than committing to monthly meetings and a full novel, you and a few friends can spend an evening focusing on a single short story — a piece of fiction that'll spark just as much conversation but require far less prep.

"Gathering to read and discuss stories with a group of friends is one of life's great joys," said lifestyle writer and The Next Chapter columnist Alicia Cox Thomson. "You're exposed to different points of view because people process literature through their personal experiences."

Cox Thomson suggests keeping the group small — around four to six people — so everyone can share their thoughts without getting lost in the shuffle. Choosing a story that fits the vibe of your group is also important. "You know your friends," she said. "What will get them thinking, laughing, talking?" 

If you're looking for something fun and buzzy, pick a light-hearted story; for a deeper dive, go for dark and thought-provoking. Collections like How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa and Peacocks of Instagram by Deepa Rajagopalan contain fantastic options that bring fresh perspectives and diverse voices to the table, says Cox Thomson. She also likes How to Walk on Water and Other Stories by Rachel Swearingen and Show Them a Good Time by Nicole Flattery, which feature "stories about womanhood and the minutiae of life that are dark, peculiar, moving, haunting and often laugh-out-loud funny." 

To start the evening, you might listen to an audio version of the story together while settling in with snacks and drinks. When it's time for discussion, Cox Thomson suggests having a few open-ended questions prepared. Start with something simple: "Let's all share three adjectives to describe this story." Another great opener: "Who would you recommend this story to and why?" She also suggests encouraging each guest to come up with a question of their own. The key is to let the conversation flow naturally while keeping an eye on balance — invite quieter guests to share and gently steer the discussion if it drifts too far off course.

If you decide you'd like to make this a regular thing, then wrap up the evening by talking about what to read next. Whether you swap hosts or stick to the same spot, the goal is to keep things fresh and exciting. Maybe next time it's a surreal fairy tale — "In White Cat, Black Dog, Pulitzer-nominated author Kelly Link reinterprets familiar fables and fairy tales from around the world, modernizing them in subversive, thought-provoking ways," Cox Thomson said. Or perhaps it's a romantic comedy or a haunting thriller. Whatever you choose, a short-story club makes it easier to dive into some great literature.