Nestled in the recesses of the Upper F hallway, a special group of students meet together every other week to discuss the latest reading in the RHS Book Club. They’ve read short stories on heists (Agatha Christie’s “The Jewelry”), they’ve read longer nonfiction pieces (Michael Sandel’s “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?”) and they’ve read dystopian classics (Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower”) plus many more titles.
How do they pick what to read? Ms. Frisby, the club’s advisor, said that members of the club vote on which book they want to read, promoting a very free environment where everything is on the table. “We also sometimes have a trial period … to see if we want to keep reading,” she explained. This flexible structure has allowed club members to sample a wide range of books, and carefully select the best ones before devoting the full efforts of the club towards it.
At meetings, the club members discuss the latest portion of their reading (they usually read in manageable chunks decided by the members), and share their opinions or reactions in regards to what they read. When members haven’t caught up all the way in their reading, Ms. Frisby says they are forgiving, and that they are “looking to hear your voice when you are ready to share!” And perhaps the best part of the club meetings? The delicious snacks, of course.
Since its start last year, the Book Club has found much success in cultivating a greater love of reading among students and exposing them to new and unique perspectives. The club has fostered a community of reading—and not just reading but smart reading; discussions promote greater understanding of the text among participants and enriches their array of literary knowledge. Doubtless students are better prepared for their English classes through the club, all while having great fun along the way.
This club meets after school every other Wednesday in Ms. Frisby’s room (F204) and are currently reading a Japanese novel called “If Cats Disappeared from the World,” which is a thoughtful narrative about devil’s bargains and what makes life worth living. This club is charming, entertaining, intellectually stimulating, and of course open to all who are interested!
