About The Willoughby Book Club
At The Willoughby Book Club we have been matching readers with books they'll love since 2012.
Through our bespoke subscription service, every book is chosen by a real
person, who takes the time to understand the reader behind the questionnaire:
their tastes, their favourite authors, and the stories that have stayed with
them long after they've turned the final page.
In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, we remain
proudly human. We believe there is something special about readers
recommending books to other readers.
Today, we send thousands of carefully selected books to
readers across the UK and beyond, helping people discover new authors,
rediscover their love of reading, and enjoy the excitement of a book chosen
especially for them.
How It All Began
The Willoughby Book Club story began with a simple idea:
choosing the next book to read shouldn't feel overwhelming.
We wanted to recreate the experience of walking into an independent bookshop and having a
knowledgeable bookseller place the perfect book into your hands, but with the added bonus of having that book sent directly to your door.
Well over a decade later, that principle still guides everything we do.
About The Willoughby Book Club
At The Willoughby Book Club we have been matching readers with books they'll love since 2012.
Through our bespoke subscription service, every book is chosen by a real
person, who takes the time to understand the reader behind the questionnaire:
their tastes, their favourite authors, and the stories that have stayed with
them long after they've turned the final page.
In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, we remain
proudly human. We believe there is something special about readers
recommending books to other readers.
Today, we send thousands of carefully selected books to
readers across the UK and beyond, helping people discover new authors,
rediscover their love of reading, and enjoy the excitement of a book chosen
especially for them.
How It All Began
The Willoughby Book Club story began with a simple idea:
choosing the next book to read shouldn't feel overwhelming.
We wanted to recreate the experience of walking into an independent bookshop and having a
knowledgeable bookseller place the perfect book into your hands, but with the added bonus of having that book sent directly to your door.
Well over a decade later, that principle still guides everything we do.
Owner & Director
Marianne Chala
Owner & Director
My love of books began long before I ever imagined working with them. As a child, I would often be found perched in the branches of a cherry tree with my nose in a book, or buried under the covers reading by the light of a torch. Today, I lead the company alongside a team of passionate readers and experienced booksellers.
When I'm not working, you'll usually find me doing much the same thing I've always done: reading, chatting, and making art inspired by my love of the natural world. The authors I return to time and time again are Tove Jansson and PG Wodehouse, whose books are always close to hand for wit, wisdom and life advice.
Alisha Chauhan
Customer Service Administrator
I’m the Customer Service Administrator here at Willoughby, but I also take photos, videos and plan our social media each month. It’s been over 6 years since I started at Willoughby and have tried my hand at many things from packing books to social media! I’ve always loved reading, ever since I was little. There’s even photo evidence of me reading at family parties.
I tend to read a mix of most fiction genres, but I do have a special place in my heart for any kinds of folklore or magical realism-infused stories.
Olivia Turner
Book Selections Specialist
I'm one of Willoughby's Book Selections Specialists and I've been a part of the team for just over 5 years now.
I love reading lots of different things- weird fic, translated, introspective. Some of the best books I've read recently include: Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa, Big Swiss by Jen Beagin, and A Touch of Mistletoe by Barbara Comyns.
I also study Italian and can be found shouting random phrases at everyone in the office (which I'm sure they greatly appreciate).
Nicola James
Wrapping & Packing Assistant
I'm Willoughby's Wrapping and Packing Assistant and I've worked at Willoughby for almost three years now. I'm the office's chief snack provider and am obsessed with anything sporty. I aim to go Wimbledon every summer, as it's my highlight of the year!
I've recently joined the Benjamin Myers fan club, having recently read and loved The Offing and The Perfect Golden Circle. I can't wait for what this year's reading will bring. The team often refer to me as a 'machine' for how quickly I work, regularly timing me to prove how speedy I am!
Aishah Morshed
Operations Administrator
I've been Operations Administrator here for three years and can often be found with my big ol' pair of headphones on as I busily run around the office.
My colleagues are thankful for this, as I've long been banned from using the office speaker due to my 'unique' taste in music.
I'm a big fan of re-reading my favourite books. Some of my favourite books to re-read are To Kill a Mockingbird and The Hunger Games- books that really hold up to a second, third, or fourth re-read!
Fun at Willoughby!
Some of the antics we get up to at the office 🥳
Want to know a little bit more about the team ? Check out out Blog!
The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller The atmospheric cover drew me to this 2025 Booker short listed book, and...
Fruit Fly by Josh Silver Fruit Fly by Josh Silver was surely the book of the summer? And quite right,...
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, sharp debut that digs in to a very current issue with...
The Willoughby Book Club has been busy curating bespoke book subscriptions since way back in 2012. We've learned lots along...
Why Readers Trust Us
We are readers first and foremost.
Our team includes experienced booksellers and passionate
readers with broad knowledge across a wide range of genres and interests. We
don't rely on algorithms or artificial intelligence to choose books. Every
recommendation is made by a human being who carefully considers the individual
reader.
No two subscriptions are exactly the same because no two
readers are exactly the same.
We are also proud to support reading beyond our own
subscribers. For every subscription purchased, we donate a book through our
partnership with Book Aid International, helping to share the joy of reading
more widely.
A Small Business With Big Ambitions
We are a small, independent, female-owned business based in
Leicester, and we're proud of it.
Our size allows us to remain personal, responsive, and
genuinely invested in every subscription we send. We know that behind every
order is a real person, whether they're treating themselves or choosing a
thoughtful gift for someone they love.
Our aim is simple: to help people discover books they'll
remember, recommend, and return to for years to come.
Why Readers Trust Us
We are readers first and foremost.
Our team includes experienced booksellers and passionate
readers with broad knowledge across a wide range of genres and interests. We
don't rely on algorithms or artificial intelligence to choose books. Every
recommendation is made by a human being who carefully considers the individual
reader.
No two subscriptions are exactly the same because no two
readers are exactly the same.
We are also proud to support reading beyond our own
subscribers. For every subscription purchased, we donate a book through our
partnership with Book Aid International, helping to share the joy of reading
more widely.
A Small Business With Big Ambitions
We are a small, independent, female-owned business based in
Leicester, and we're proud of it.
Our size allows us to remain personal, responsive, and
genuinely invested in every subscription we send. We know that behind every
order is a real person, whether they're treating themselves or choosing a
thoughtful gift for someone they love.
Our aim is simple: to help people discover books they'll
remember, recommend, and return to for years to come.