A popular Shepton Mallet book group has secured town council funding to keep its community discussions free.

Literally Shepton received a community grant from Shepton Mallet Town Council in November, allowing its Book Talk sessions at Shepton Community Bookshop to continue without charge.

The group meets on the first and third Thursday of every month from 6pm to 8pm at the town centre bookshop, with organisers encouraging new faces to come along.

Each session features an optional theme aimed at sparking conversation and broadening reading choices.

Upcoming themes include non-fiction in March, books with a number in the title in April, and a mystery book gifted by another Book Talk member in May. June's theme invites readers to pick an author who shares their first, middle or surname, while July focuses on books linked to the 2026 Pantone colour "Cloud Dancer". In August, readers are invited to bring a book written in the year they were born.

Organisers stress the themes are purely suggestions and that any book is welcome for discussion.

They say the aim is simple — to encourage a love of reading and provide a relaxed, friendly space for book lovers in Shepton Mallet to come together.