Cathy of Silver Spring, Maryland tells how simplicity is the key to keeping a diverse reading group, whose members range from age 27 to age 60, together.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your group.
A. We have a core group of 10 to 12 women, with a few folks coming in and out. The age range is 27 to 60. We've been meeting since 1987.

Q. How often and where do you meet?
A. We meet on Sunday afternoon, every four to six weeks, skipping July and August. We alternate houses for our meetings and have the December meeting in a restaurant.

Q. What are your meetings like?
A. The hostess leads the discussion; sometimes we use reading guides. The hostess makes light snack and serves dessert while we are talking about the next book.

Q. What kind of books do you read?
A. Mainly fiction, with a long selection over the summer.

Q. How do you choose your books?
A. The prospective hostess chooses. We've done it both ways--sometimes we go month to month, other times we know a couple months ahead what we'll be reading.

Q. What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the group read?
A. Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Reader by Bernard Schlink, and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.

Q. Is there anything noteworthy about your group that you would like to share?
A. The group has had a total of 9 kids and is still going strong--infants are welcome until they are moving.

For some members it's a 60 to 70 minute drive, so sometimes it is a challenge but it's well worth it.

Q. How do you keep things fun?
A. I think the wide age range is a positive--it's usually a pretty lively discussion.

Q. What advice would you give to other reading groups?
A. Keep it simple and use e-mail for reminders or changes.