# NotebookLM for book clubs and reading groups

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/use-cases/notebooklm-for-book-clubs  
Section: Use cases  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Free + Pro

Reading groups load a book or its chapters into NotebookLM to prepare discussion questions tied to the text. NotebookLM Ultra Exporter splits an EPUB by chapter on import with Pro, and exports the questions, a character or concept map and a study guide as PDF or Word for the group.

## Quick facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Stages | Collect sources, work in NotebookLM, export the result |
| Outputs | Discussion sheet (.pdf); Theme map (.png); Reading guide (.docx); Audio recap (audio file) |
| Cost to start | Free. Each linked guide states whether its output is Free or Pro. |

## Steps

1. Install [NotebookLM Ultra Exporter](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/notebooklm-ultra-exporter/afchokljnhhggkhedfbmkcmdagjmjchj) in desktop Chrome, then refresh any open NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) tab.
2. Create a notebook for this piece of work and add the sources listed below.
3. Generate and save the answers, reports or Studio items you need.
4. Export each result in the format its destination accepts, then check the file.

## 1. Collect the sources

- The book: [EPUB book](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/epub-book-to-notebooklm).
- Reviews and interviews: [bulk URLs](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/import/bulk-urls-to-notebooklm).

## 2. Work in NotebookLM

- Ask for questions that cite a page or chapter.
- Generate a mind map of themes.
- Use the [discussion questions prompt](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/classroom-discussion-questions-prompt).

## 3. Get the result out

| Output and guide | Format |
| --- | --- |
| [Discussion sheet](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/notes-to-pdf) | .pdf |
| [Theme map](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/mind-map-to-png) | .png |
| [Reading guide](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/reports-to-word) | .docx |
| [Audio recap](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/audio-overview-download) | audio file |

> Only load books you have the right to use this way, and keep the files private.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does it work with a Kindle book?

Only with files you can lawfully open as EPUB or PDF. The extension does not remove copy protection.

### Can NotebookLM answers be trusted for this?

NotebookLM answers from the sources you give it and cites passages, which makes checking fast, but it can still misread a source. Open the cited passage for anything you will reuse, and keep the export as your record of what was checked.

## Related guides

- [Export NotebookLM notes to PDF](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/notes-to-pdf)
- [Export NotebookLM mind maps to PNG](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/mind-map-to-png)
- [Export NotebookLM reports to Word](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/reports-to-word)
- [Download a NotebookLM Audio Overview as an audio file](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/audio-overview-download)
- [NotebookLM for personal knowledge management](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/use-cases/notebooklm-for-knowledge-management)
- [NotebookLM for writers and authors](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/use-cases/notebooklm-for-writers)