Starting a Book Club and Other Ways to Meet People

Lately, I've been feeling the need to expand my tiny circle of friends. Not that I have much free time to spend with them, but I'd like some options.

My neighbor came up with the idea of starting a book club--really just a good reason to get a group of women together to have tea (she's Irish) or wine (so am I) and a good excuse to make sure she reads. I am all for it, of course. The only time I really chat with the women in my neighborhood is at the bus stop with the kids, and that's all for 6 minutes at a time.

While she's been talking it up to a dozen people, I am left with the task of figuring out what exactly a book club entails. I did a little research and, fortunately, found some guidelines. We could follow Oprah's Book Club, but that seems like cheating. Instead, I think I'll piece something together from some other clubs.

Also, because I love to entertain, and again, want to meet people, I was thinking of hosting a holiday cookie swap. Is that so utterly domestic and lame? Desperate maybe?

I'll keep you posted.