You can hardly breathe for a book club these days, but some stand out from the crowd. While once upon a time warm wine and crackers sufficed, now any reading group worth its salt will add in a different dimension - whether that's a particular type of book, or a certain way of reading it.

The bar for creativity has been set with a gathering of topless bookworms across the pond, with other clubs following suit in the adventure stakes. Take Emily's Book Club, which offers members a therapeutic stroll across Hampstead Heath as a backdrop to literary discussions, or the Nostalgia Book Club devoted to childhood fiction in Minneapolis.

Come take inspiration with a look at some of the world's most creative book clubs, both here and in the US. Click here for tips to set up your own book club or take a look at the UK's best hidden reading spaces here .

Creative and cool book clubs in Britain and the States