Everyone is welcome at book club. We read a range of texts, new and old, fiction and non-fiction and voices from around the world. It is a place where we listen as well as discuss. You don’t have to be an A-Level English student, we have medics, geographers…you name it! If you are interesting in reading, whether you are loud or quiet…we want you!
About Book Club
What our students say about book club:
- ‘fun, chatty, safe environment’
- ‘all members and the lovely Ms Hallas as so warm and welcoming’
- ‘best thing ever. I have really rekindled my love for books by joining book club an have found so many amazing friends.’
- ‘I absolutely love it, the books we have read have given me a different perspective on different topics and the group is very welcoming’
- ‘We read a range of different book genres that are influenced and chosen by us’
- ‘Discussions are insightful’
- ‘encouraged to read a variety of books I wouldn’t have typically picked up before joining the club’
- ‘It’s a great space for talking with a variety of people’
- ‘Super fun’
- ‘Gave me lots of insight into new genres/authors and offers a safe space to have a chat and a laugh’
What and When?
Book Club meets weekly in the English Department.
This year’s books were:
- Great Gatsby
- Klara and the Sun
- The Turn of the Screw
- The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
- Fahrenheit 451
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- Project Hail Mary
Skills
- Communication
- Oracy
- Critical thinking
- Recognising and engaging with alternative views
- Critical reader
- Developing empathy and understanding of the world and people around us
- Current affairs
- Developing inference
- Confidence
Lydia (Biology, Psychology, Sociology)
“I really enjoyed book club this year and even though not all of the books I enjoyed there was a lot of books that I loved and would’ve never read on my own. The lessons are always fun and I look forward to book club. I also like that there isn’t any pressure to read a book if you’re not enjoying it”
Ayesha (Lit, History, Politics)
“In book club, there are a variety of books that you get to read. Books that you wouldn’t have picked up before and books that create important discussions. You meet people who have similar (and different) opinions as well as a variety of book preferences. There are many thoughtful and insightful discussions that come from our book club. Whether we’re reading a dystopian, sci-fi or a modern classic there are always aspects of each book and genre we come to appreciate once we have discussions. Besides reading we also host many quizzes and games relating to books. You can also recommend your favourite reads and vote on which books are read next. Overall, for anyone who wants a community of people to share opinions on regarding your reads, book club is for you”.
Maci (Biology, Chemistry, Textiles)
“I joined book club part of the way through the first book. I really enjoyed book club, and everyone is always extremely welcoming and friendly. I had originally stopped reading due to gcse exams and had struggled starting again. Book club really helped and always encouraged me to read. It sparked new interest in a range of books, and made me think about parts of books, evaluating what I preferred. It also helped me be more confident and start new friendships”
Ruby (Classics, Lit, Law)
“I really enjoyed book club this year. It was a very good way to get involved as a lower sixth and to come out of my shell for the first year in a new college. All of the books we read were very good books, I didn’t personally enjoy them all but I enjoyed the fact that book club got me reading books that I wouldn’t have read in my own time, and I have discovered new genres that I wouldn’t have considered liking beforehand. It is a very engaging and fun enrichment because we don’t just read books, there are also fun activities such as games, quizzes and debates. Overall I really enjoyed book club because it was very engaging and entertaining”.
Eve (Health and Social Care, Politics, Criminology)
‘This year, book club has enabled to meet new people, engage in different forms of activities and read different genres of books such as the Handmaids’ Tale, the Great Gatsby and Fahrenheit 451. I have really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone to try out books that I wouldn’t have read before”
Eliza (Textiles, Graphics, Psychology)
“Book club has been my favourite extra-curricular since I joined last year. As someone who never read much and couldn’t find the time – or any book I enjoyed- book club brought back my love for reading, and I found ways to make time for reading so I could join the discussion. I often found myself rushing to read the pages in time but soon learnt the laid-back nature of the club. One thing I love about the club is the community. You are completely free to be yourself and voice your opinions, and if you don’t like the book – that’s fine too! I have made many new friends through book club, but I couldn’t write this review without mentioning how fantastic Ms. Hallas is at leading and thinking of new fun activities to do”.