During the year we spent at home, time seemed to stream together in a never-ending river of uncertainty. Free time was common and many people didn’t know what to do. This was why a lot of home-bound students, including myself, turned to reading to fill their free time. It was something that didn’t feel like a chore or homework and was enjoyable, while still fending off the feeling of guilt for “not being productive” – the perfect middle ground.

Students joined together to create a book club here at Hays in order to share their interest in reading. Should consider joining, meetings are every Monday after school in Mr. Bailey’s room (A221), and the current book of discussion is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

We listen to good music, play games, and bring baked goods. Current member, Lyla Sunley, 10th, said, “[book club’s] really fun. We read books.” If that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will.

Find more information at the Instagram page @litterallylit.

Reading gives us somewhere to go, whether a fictional world that’s completely unparalleled to ours like The Hobbit, or back in time to a period of life that puts things in perspective, like the civil rights movement. It can teach us things or just be a fun way to spend time.

So, this is your sign to pick up a book, be it fantasy, nonfiction, romance, horror, anything, and to start reading. If you try a few different books and still don’t like it, no harm, no foul. But I bet you’ll enjoy it, as well as the opportunity to join book club.