We are often told that reading is very important for us. It improves our vocabulary, keeps our brains active and gets us away from the constant digital distractions of modern life. However, many of us would rather be in bars in London or hosting parties, instead of staying in bed reading a novel.

Is it possible to combine reading with what some would call real life? Of course, you could always take a magazine with you to top restaurants, but that would do nothing for your meal. On the other hand, you could go to a book club, a social hangout where you can relax, read books and discuss them with like-minded people.

Forget the days where book clubs were restricted to the elderly couples front room in the rural country-side with tea and scones and well ages jam and cream, there are some great book clubs happening in exclusive members club and some great social hotspots right now. Trade in the brew with crumpets and replace with wine, canaps and a discussion of the classics.

Does that make reading books an expensive hobby? Not in the least: they're a cost-effective way to build your self-esteem, improve your memory and - of course - keep yourself entertained. And in far too many cases, books are vastly superior to any celluloid version Hollywood could ever produce.

Books are coming back in style. It can define your status to strangers just as much as your dress sense. So the next time you find yourself struggling to balance your social life with reading books, remember that you can become a part of your own VIP members club by finding your nearest book society, grabbing that pen and signing up.