They’re hot. They’re trendy. They help women form closer friendships. They introduce thinking women to Christ.

What are “they?” Book clubs. Even for busy women, it is easier to start and maintain a book club than you might guess — if you know these five secrets:

Secret 1. Book Clubs are the new "girls’ night out."

Oprah spotted book clubs as an important trend for sharing ideas and starting friendships.

To create a book club of your own, find four to 10 women who can participate. Advertise in your local newspaper and post notices at the library, churches and bookstores. In your announcements, include a short synopsis of the first book and include your contact info as in the following example:

Join our Book Club

We’re reading: The Potluck Club (A popular book club selection)

Synopsis: In the mountain-town of Summit View Colorado, six women regularly gather for potluck and prayer. But all too often their prayers carry misinformation, setting tongues to wagging in a serving of hilarity. The Potluckers include Evangeline Benson, an old maid who believes she owns the town. Vonnie Westbrook, who has carried a secret for far too long. Lizzie Prattle, whose perfect life spins out of control. Deputy Donna Vesey, who can't decide which man is the love of her life. Goldie Dippel, who’s had enough of her husband's waywardness. Busybody Lisa Leann Lambert who barges into the club on the strength of her delectable cinnamon rolls.

For more information, contact: YOUR NAME

Phone: YOUR PHONE

When women call for more information, ask their preferred time to meet (daytime or evening), day of week, as well as name and phone number. Also ask if they have friends who might also be interested. Remember: Personal invitations are the most effective way to find new members, so ask around and chat it up.

Secret 2. Formulate a game plan that works for your group.

Once you get a consensus on the hours people are available, you can choose a time and day of week. Then mail personal invitations with the details.

At the first meeting, the group can decide on a club format based on what suits the majority. There is no one-size-fits-all format. Some book clubs meet at a local church or public place, like a library. Many others meet in homes. Some meet at restaurants. Some meet once a month: some biweekly. Some read one book per meeting. Others read one book per year. There are no rules. It is about what works best for your group.

Many clubs select novels, romances, or the popular “chick-lit,” like The Potluck Club series which is a book about friendship written out of friendship. Other clubs stick with nonfiction, biographies, Bible studies and histories.

Whatever you do, advises veteran book club member Ruth Whatley of Ossian, Indiana, decide in advance of each meeting how much of the book you will read and limit the discussion of that section to one week only — even if you don’t get everything discussed. “Otherwise,” said Ruth, “the discussion becomes tedious and redundant and the book club becomes about ‘the book that wouldn’t die.’”