Six reading groups across the UK have been shortlisted for this year's Penguin/Orange Reading Group Prize; the UK's only annual award for reading groups. And one of those six is the Wivenhoe Bookshop Reading Group. Now in its fifth year, the aim of the prize is to find the reading groups that illustrate individuality, reflect diversity of reading choices and demonstrate the pleasure of shared reading. The shortlisted reading groups are: The Bretton Book Group (Cambridgeshire). This all female group comprising nine members has evolved into a book themed activity group that explores books and reading in diverse ways such as through theatre, literary festivals and events The Parish Reading Group (Leicestershire). This all women group, consisting of 10 members drawn from remote villages in Leicestershire, have been meeting for 2 years and write a regular book review column for the Parish Newsletter Bredhurst Women's Institute Reading Group (Kent). This all female group was formed under the auspices of Bredhurst Women's Institute and choose their books from a variety of sources to ensure all members tastes are catered for. The Litronauts - Hove Reading Group (East Sussex). This all female group have been meeting for the past eight years in a park café in St. Anne's Wells Gardens. The group's manifesto is to be adventurous in their reading choices from non-fiction to plays to classical fiction and beyond. The Wivenhoe Bookshop Reading Group (Essex). This mixed sex group has over 100 members and meets in a local restaurant to mix good food with great reading. Willerby and Kirkella NWR Book Group (East Yorkshire). This all female group have been meeting for 27 years and have read upwards of 300 books together. Entrants were asked where they meet, what they read, how they choose their members and what their reading group means to them. Entrants were also asked to write up to 500 words about what makes their reading group special. Kate Jones, literary agent and Chair of judges commented; "As the Penguin/Orange Readers Group prize enters its fifth year, we were delighted by the strength and variety of the shortlist. What the entries reflected this year more than any other, is that reading is bringing people together and is a passion to be shared by men, women, young and old!" The winning group will be announced any day now. The first prize will be a day for up to eight members of the winning group at Penguin's central London headquarters.
Ginny Waters with some of the members of the Wivenhoe Bookshop Reading Group
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