Good Company is not for people who are perpetually “too busy” to read. We are all busy. The point is choosing to make a little room for books anyway.

Audiobooks count. E-books count. A determined DNF counts if you read enough to arrive with an actual opinion.

Looking at the cover occasionally does not count.

Across every three-month period, members should make a genuine attempt to read at least two of our three selections and participate meaningfully in at least two discussions.

You do not have to be loud. Quiet people are good company too. But there is a difference between being quiet and being absent.

This is not an audience. We are all part of the thing.

You are allowed to have a bad month. You may get sick. Work may attempt to swallow you whole. Life may simply become life.

Tell us and request a pause. Return when you have room to read again.

What we cannot have is an entire book club full of people apologising every month for not reading books.

If you neither read nor participate for two consecutive book cycles, we will check in.

If you do not respond within seven days, or remain inactive without requesting a pause, you will be removed from the active club.

It is not a public trial. It only means active membership is for people who are currently able to participate.

Roast the plot. Prosecute a fictional character. Question the author’s entire decision-making process.

Do not insult, mock or condescend to another member because they understood the book differently. No intellectual gatekeeping. No turning every discussion into your personal TED Talk.

Disagree with the opinion. Not the person. Make your point, and then make room.

Our WhatsApp group makes members’ phone numbers visible. This does not make it a networking directory, customer list or dating app.

Do not use a number obtained through Good Company for unsolicited private messages, romantic advances or commercial promotions.

If you would like to continue a conversation privately, ask first. Let the person say yes.

Do not forward messages or voice notes, screenshot private conversations, share members’ phone numbers or repeat personal stories outside the club.

Do not add members to unrelated groups without permission.

The room only works if people can trust it.

We will follow a reading schedule. If you read ahead, good for you, Hermione.

Before discussing anything beyond the agreed chapters, add a clear warning:

Then leave enough empty space that someone scrolling cannot see the spoiler accidentally.

If you are wondering whether something counts as a spoiler, cover it. Peace is better.

Keep the WhatsApp group centred on books, gatherings and the occasional literary detour. No chain forwards, unrelated viral content, broadcast spam or constant business promotion.

Review content notes and scene-skip guides where provided — we genuinely recommend skipping the spicy scenes. At events, tell the host if you do not want to appear in photographs or on @readwithgoodcompany. No explanation required.

And please RSVP honestly. If your plans change, update us.

Curators and administrators may delete messages, redirect disruptive conversations, mute the group for announcements, issue warnings, restrict event access or end a membership.

Harassment, bullying, discrimination, serious privacy violations, repeated unwanted contact or behaviour that makes the club unsafe may result in immediate removal.

Not every moderation decision will become a group debate. Sometimes we will protect the room and move on.