How to Create a “Book Club Legacy List” of All-Time Favorites
Table of content
- 1. Key Takeaways
- 2. What Is a Book Club Legacy List?
- 3. Why Every Book Club Should Keep One
- 4. Choosing Books for the Legacy List – Voting & Criteria
- 5. Categories to Consider When Organizing the List
- 6. Formats for Your Book Club Legacy List
- 7. Add Personal Touches: Quotes, Memories, Ratings
- 8. How to Display Your Legacy List Creatively
- 9. Keep It Going: Update It Each Season or Year
Key Takeaways
- A book club legacy list is a shared collection of your group’s most memorable reads.
- It helps celebrate books that sparked real conversations or strong emotions.
- Members can vote on titles, organize by themes, and add personal notes.
- You can keep it digital, make it printable, or even turn it into a zine or wall display.
- Updating it regularly keeps the club’s identity alive and encourages deeper engagement.
What Is a Book Club Legacy List?
A book club legacy list is more than just a reading log. It’s a record of the books that left a lasting impression on your group. These might be titles that sparked emotional discussions, inspired new perspectives, or simply made everyone laugh for hours.
Why it's worth having:
- It shows your book club’s personality over time.
- It makes recommendations easier for new members.
- It gives your group a way to look back on shared experiences.
You can even add quirky extras like:
- The member who picked the book
- Favorite quote from your group’s discussion
- A fun moment or inside joke
Read more fun additions you could include in your legacy list from Fun Bookish Facts Every Book Lover Should Know.
Why Every Book Club Should Keep One
You don’t need to be a big club or have a formal structure. A legacy list works for any group that reads regularly. It creates a sense of belonging and highlights shared history.
Benefits of a legacy list:
- Encourages reflection on past reads
- Builds your club’s identity and continuity
- Makes it easy to revisit standout titles
- Great for year-end wrap-ups or milestone celebrations
If you’re starting from scratch, check out this Guide to Starting a Book Club with Friends for simple steps.
Choosing Books for the Legacy List – Voting & Criteria
Not every book needs to make the cut. A good legacy list includes books that were special in some way—emotionally, intellectually, or just for the vibe.
How to vote:
- Each member nominates 1–2 titles per year
- Use a poll in your group chat or Google Forms
- Set a rule like “must have at least 3 votes to qualify”
Criteria to consider:
- Did the book lead to a great discussion?
- Was the writing memorable or unique?
- Did everyone finish it (or almost)?
This method keeps the list meaningful—not just a record of what you’ve read, but what’s worth remembering.
Categories to Consider When Organizing the List
A legacy list works best when it’s easy to scan and explore. Breaking it into categories helps members and visitors find the kinds of books they’re in the mood for.
Sample category ideas:
- By Genre: Memoir, Sci-Fi, Historical Fiction, etc.
- By Mood: Uplifting, Intense, Heartbreaking
- By Year: List what you picked in 2023, 2024, etc.
Get inspired by The Top 5 Book Series to Dive Into Right Now if you’re organizing by series or theme.
Formats for Your Book Club Legacy List
There’s no one right way to store your list. The best format is the one your club will actually use and update.
Format options:
| Format | Tools You Can Use | Best For |
| Digital | Google Docs, Notion, Canva | Clubs that like flexibility |
| Printable | Word templates, PDFs, Canva layouts | Creative clubs who want something tangible |
| Scrapbook | Handmade pages, photos, annotations | Sentimental clubs or zine creators |
Check out Notion’s template gallery for layouts you can adapt to a legacy list.
Add Personal Touches: Quotes, Memories, Ratings
Your legacy list should feel like your group. A basic list of titles is helpful, but adding personal context makes it special.
Ways to personalize:
- Add a member quote about the book
- Record your club’s final rating (out of 10 or stars)
- Include photos of your group reading or discussing the book
For emotionally impactful reads, check out Books That Help With Stress Relief and Relaxation — they often end up on legacy lists.
How to Display Your Legacy List Creatively
Once you’ve built the list, don’t just hide it away. Displaying it can make your reading space more personal and give your club something to be proud of.
Display ideas:
- Print a poster with book covers and mini reviews
- Use a cork board with string and index cards
- Design a minimalist wall grid with favorite titles
- Turn it into a club zine with your top 10 reads each year
See how others personalize reading spaces in Bookshelf Organization Styles.
Keep It Going: Update It Each Season or Year
Legacy lists aren’t just a one-time project. Like any good reading habit, they grow over time. That’s what makes them powerful.
Tips for consistency:
- Assign a “Legacy Keeper” who updates the list
- Review your list every 3–4 months
- Celebrate milestones like your 25th book added
Use the 2025 Reading Goals article to help your club stay consistent and reflective.
And if you want more ideas for celebrated books, Goodreads’ Best Books of 2024 is a great place to draw inspiration.
How many books should go on a legacy list?
Start small—5 to 10 books. Add slowly as your club grows.
Can we include books we didn’t all love?
Yes, especially if the discussion was memorable.
What tools should we use for organizing it?
Google Docs for simplicity. Notion or Canva for design.
How often should we update it?
At least once per season or after every 3–4 books.
Should it be private or public?
Totally up to you. A public version can attract new members or inspire others.
