QUIRKY bookshop owners have started up a reading group for enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Siblings Richard and Jacqueline Kemp are holding a monthly meeting at Madcap Books, in High Street, Ruislip, to discuss books of any and every kind, over wine, tea and coffee.

Richard said: “It is clear there is a real desire on the high street for more community interaction and the book club is an expression of this.

“What is rare is to find people who are happy to have a mixed book group. The people requesting a group appear to come from every walk of life and age demographic.

“It is exciting to see how vibrant this book club will be.”

The club meets on the second Thursday each month from 8pm.

The current book is Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie, which tells of Gen Loxley, still struggling to move on eight years after her daughter Beth is stillborn, and her husband, Art, who puts pressure on her to try IVF.

Book clubs have grown in popularity in recent years, driven by the success of TV shows such as Oprah Winfrey, and Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan’s This Morning programme on ITV, which both featured book clubs and gave recommendations.

? If you are interested in joining the Madcap Books book club, drop in and buy a copy of Close My Eyes then join the group at its next meeting on July 11.

The Kemps hope to be able to sell the group’s monthly selection to members at a discount.