Article: My book club horror story; Book clubs sound so genteel, but they're a hotbed of one-upmanship and female rivalry that takes you right back to your schooldays.

Byline: HELEN KIRWAN-TAYLOR

Helen, it's me-' said the voice on the other end of the phone sheepishly. 'We've been talking, and it's just that we thought you would be happier in a different kind of book club- one that is more intellectually challenging, perhaps.' That was that. No hearing, no appeal, no mercy. I had just been chucked out of the very social Hugh Street book club whose members include Kimberly Fortier, publisher of The Spectator, the writer Sarah Standing and casting director Celestia Fox.

I can't say it came as a surprise. My best friend reminded me that I was not like other people. 'When most people get bored or frustrated by their book ...

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