The smell of a new book, the first crack in a book spine, or the first dog-ear fold on a page connects all book lovers. In AGHS’s Book Club, a sense of family, a love for reading, and fun connect all members.
During the 2022-2023 school year, Tiffany Hyun (‘25) approached Advanced English 9 and AP Seminar teacher Ashley Kim about creating a Book Club.
“When Tiffany first approached me about [creating a] Book Club, I was really worried that there weren’t going to be that many people who wanted to join,” Kim said.
Despite her initial concern, an average of 15 to 20 students attend meetings every Tuesday for Book Club held in Kim’s room 507. With a new book every 2 months, all genres are considered when choosing a book. A new book is typically started every quarter of a school year.
“At the beginning of the year we ask members what kind of genres they’re interested in,” Hyun said. “Then Mrs. Kim [and I] come up with a list of books we think members would like based on the genres. Once we come up with the list of books, members vote on what book they would like to read.”
Once settled on a book, Hyun assigns members two to four chapters a week to read. Then, at the next meeting, the members discuss the book with questions created by Hyun. Members discuss the book, what’s happening, and their favorite moment or character.
“I make a slideshow in theme with whatever book we’re reading,” Hyun said. “For questions that go on the slides, I pick open-ended questions. Stuff from the plot just to get our brains thinking about what happened in that chapter.”
In addition to creating the slides, Hyun provides snacks at meetings, copies of the books for members—provided they pay 10 dollars to the student business office for the book—and tries to create a welcoming and safe environment for all.
“I’ve really tried to create a safe space at the club by emphasizing that everyone’s thoughts are interesting and important,” Hyun said. “It’s really interesting to see everyone’s perspectives and questions that come up when reading different novels.”
Hyun welcomes students of all grade levels to meetings, and members can join at any point during the school year. Books are not forced upon participants, and members can choose whether to read a book or not.
“A couple of the clubs I’m in are like, ‘make sure you get this done’ [but] Book Club is just fun,” Charlene Cobbs (‘28) said. “I like how everyone gets to share something about their day before we start or what they liked in the book.”
With the start of second semester, Book Club continues their most recent novel, Twilight. Hyun and Kim are also preparing for the next year of Book Club, as it will be the first year with a new president and without Hyun.
“I hope that [Book Club] continues for a long time,” Kim said. “I think there is sometimes this awkward transition when the president leaves and a new president comes in. But, I’m hoping that that transition is more seamless in Book Club because I think we have created a strong community.”
Though the school year is far from over, Hyun is preparing in advance to pass on her presidency of Book Club. Being the founder of the club has filled Hyun with pride and joy, and she hopes it continues for years to come.
“I feel like I’ve tried to emphasize that readers are leaders. It’s our mission to emphasize the importance of reading to future generations,” Hyun said. “Reading is powerful. Words are powerful and knowledge is power.”
