If you just want to be friends with people and don't care about the books they read, then you can skip all of this and pick a book that everyone's going to like. To do this, see if any of the books you already own have the most votes (favorites) or think about what genre would be easiest for everyone. You should also have a copy of the book but it doesn't have to be hardcover, it could just be paperback.

If you're going to have a large group you should consider finding a public place to host your meetings. A library is always a good choice, especially since they'll be offering up the books and many of the materials you need. However, if you want to be able to drink in your book club, then consider something like a local bar or restaurant that will let your meet on their premises. I would suggest finding out a week before the first meeting when the book is going to be available so you can order it then.

You now have all the necessary tools to get your book club started but don't feel like you have to read every single book on your shelf. Reading doesn't have to be a requirement for your book club, especially if you're just picking up new friends and having some fun. It even could just be that someone brings along another good reader (and some of those books will probably be recommendations).

Start by choosing a time, place, and book to meet. This will become the first one to read. Plan for a time that starts after everyone's done with work but isn't too early so you're not waking people up at night. If you live in a city or large town you may be able to find a space that is municipally owned or even used for community-related purposes which could make it possible for you to use their meeting space free of charge. If you're not in a big town or city, then look for a place that is convenient for you with as few restrictions as possible on how often and where you can meet.

Before the meeting, make sure that everyone who's attending has read the book that's being discussed. Holding a bookclub can be a great opportunity for leadership development. This can be accomplished by playing a trivia game or just by reading some of the stories beforehand. Most people will find reading the book to be unnecessary but it may help if they haven't read it before. If you have any questions or concerns about the book, see if someone can approach one of your other members and ask them instead of waiting for you to bring it up.

At the meeting, establish a rule that everyone has to participate in the discussion at some point (even if they don't read). If people are just going to be there for the social part, then you may want to consider if it's necessary for them to put forth an effort at all. Remember that if you require that people participate in the discussion, then make sure that they're able to do so. If not, then don't force them to.

After the meeting, make sure that no one attempts to guide your group's decisions on what books they should read next. Instead, everyone should make a list of their favorite books, what genres they like and other notes about what types of books they want to read. Once you have this information then it's simple to put together a schedule for the next meeting(s).