If your new year’s resolution is to read more, to develop your own writing, or just meet new people and get out more, read on.

The Middlesbrough Book Group is a monthly group for people of all ages at Uncle Albert’s (opposite the train station).

It’s been going for 18 months and has hosted authors like Stella Duffy and it’s members have read everything from Boro bard Richard Milward to the Time Traveler’s Wife.

Run by New Writing North, it aims to be a book group with a difference  – no stuffiness (you don’t even have to have finished the book), and no attitudes – just canny people meeting up to talk, listen to music talk about new books and drink tea and cocktails.

How does a book group work?

The book group leader starts by getting everyone to introduce themselves as we often have new people, and then asks what people thought about the book.

From here it’s pretty relaxed, with members bringing up things they want to talk about, in regards to the book and other things that are related (film, tv, our own lives, anything really).

Want to get involved?

The book is informal, so you can attend whenever you want.

It’s on the first Tuesday of the month and the next books include The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin, Born Yesterday: The News as a Novel by Gordon Burn and The Shadow of a Smile by Kachi A. Ozumba .

For further information on the books, where to get them, and where to meet and when check out the group’s blog or join their facebook group.

By Germaine Leer on January 17, 2010