AHS Book Club "A Novel Idea" encourages reading for fun

For the first time in recent years, Aurora High School finally organized its own book club. Created by english teachers Mrs. Melissa Lindley and Mrs. Rose Brown, the club will meet every two weeks to discuss different topics, each centering on a passion for reading.

“We started it two months ago with an initiative to promote reading for pleasure,” said Brown, creator of the club along with Lindley.

The club, dubbed “A Novel Idea” by its current members, is open to any students who would like to discuss books they’ve read recently or reading in general.

“Instead of having one book, we talk either about a specific subject or what we’re reading now,” said Brown. “We recognize that people are busy.”

This is great news for students interested in the club that might be busy with other extracurriculars and not have time to read a lengthy book each month to participate. “If people can’t make it or they’re busy, that’s fine,” said Brown.

With a meeting every two weeks, the club serves as a sort of discussion for bibliophiles to recommend, or constructively criticize, the latest novel they’ve dug into. “You just go around and talk about a specific book,” said Annasha DeSouza, sophomore. Attendees are encouraged to bring the book they’re going to discuss and a quote or two from it.

Each meeting has a predetermined topic as well. For example, the last subject was like a “Book Roast” about the book you most dislike. Around thirteen people came to that meeting, and the administrators are looking to get more students to come by advocating regular members to bring along a friend or two. Everyone is more than welcome to stop by, even if they can’t stay for the entirety of the meeting.

“I really like going to reading club,” said Abbey Ingram, junior. “It’s fun getting to talk about different books with other people, and we always have food, so that’s awesome.”

A Novel Idea’s next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 21 in the library. The subject is “Books to Movies” and attendees are encouraged to bring quotes about reading and to get others involved. Plus in the meantime, feel free to tweet about the club and spread the word using the club’s own #AHSReads.