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Rare Birds Book Club

Readers are often separated into two camps – digital or physical.

Some prefer physical books, paper pages bound and covered, and digital, Kindle lovers and the like who swear by reading their stories on screen.

I’m usually team paper book, but if reading digitally as well does good in Glasgow, you had better believe I’m dusting off my Kindle.

Rare Birds Book Club, a monthly delivery and digital book club, has more than 1600 subscribers.

To celebrate their growing readership and to give back to the community, the book club donated over 85 books to the Ronald McDonald House in Glasgow.

Ronald McDonald House is an independent Scottish charity providing a safe, welcoming and cost-free home-from-home for families of children who are being treated by local hospitals.

Rare Birds Book Club sent kids’ books along with 53 past-book club picks for the adults.

Club founder Rachel Wood was overjoyed to have started a small library within the House that will encourage guests to take much-needed personal time and engulf themselves in a world that only a book can provide.

She said: “With people confined to their homes over the lockdown period, we were incredibly lucky to see a huge boost in sales; people needed a pick-me-up and it helps that we are letter-box sized.

“It is scientifically proven that reading can help reduce stress levels in just six minutes, focusing your mind and helping you sleep better, so gifting a selection of books to an awe-inspiring place like Ronald McDonald House Glasgow, takes on all the more meaning for me.

“If I can encourage even a little wellbeing and escape during these families’ tough times, then that is the perfect way to give back in my book.”

The house director of Ronald McDonald House, Helen Craig, said: “Few could deny that time spent with a page turner of a book can lift your spirits and transport you to another place.

“Enjoying your favourite genre from mysteries, action, dramas and historical novels has been made a reality for our families by the generosity of Rare Bird Book Club who’ve donated 53 books for our parents to enjoy.

“Best of all are the many colourful children’s books that have been gifted as well, so the children can enjoy hearing soothing bedtime stories read aloud. A welcome distraction in a busy hospital environment.

“These books are offered for the families to keep and will be placed in their bedrooms ahead of arrival making their rooms all the more welcoming.”

As the Rare Birds Book Club grows, Rachel hopes to continue supporting Ronald McDonald House in Glasgow, as well as the Edinburgh location when it opens. The club is centred upon contemporary women’s fiction, selects only the very best pacey, interesting stories with gripping plotlines, amazing heroines, happyish endings, and smouldering love interests.

To join the Rare Birds Book Club visit rarebirdsbookclub.com