Oh, the agony!

Agony aunt Mrs Hudson solves your dilemmas

By the book

Q Having moved to a new village, I decided to start a book club as my husband has no interest in literature and I thought it would be a good way to meet people. There was enthusiastic uptake, but the club has since taken a disappointing direction. We take it in turns to choose titles and the vast majority are utter tripe, then any discussion lasts for all of five minutes before everyone launches into the wine and starts spreading village gossip. How can I get things back on track? J. M., Rutland

A There is only one way to get things back on your intended track and that is for you and only you to select all reading materials and to draw up an agenda of topics to be discussed, which should be distributed ahead of meetings and ticked off as you go along to ensure nothing is missed. Assign a different topic to each member of the group, then make them lead that particular part of the discussion—but don’t warn people which topic is theirs, as this would enable them to skip some of the reading. Spring it on them as they come through the door. Oh, and do away with the wine—soft drinks only from now on, if you want everyone to stay clear-headed for the serious academic discussion expected of them.

Or you could accept the fact that you have entirely misjudged the point of local book groups, allow your neighbours to continue enjoying themselves and sign up to a literature course.

In need of advice? Email your problem to mrs.hudson@futurenet.com