Co-Founder of Woodland’s Book Club, Paul Geary, and president Ava Naclerio shared their views on the club’s purpose and founding.
Being a teacher in the field of literature, Geary expressed the idea that he sees the club as the perfect way for students and staff alike to show their love of reading and to share the books and genres that they enjoy the most. Naclerio, despite not being present during the club’s creation, still agrees that the purpose of the club is to bring together students who are like-minded and enjoy reading and sharing their taste in literature.
“It’s a place where any readers– casual, hobbyist, readers at home– can find out what friends are reading,” Geary went on. “We try to meet once every few months during advisory.”
Upon asking about the club’s creation, Naclerio explained, “I was not here when it was created. I was appointed as president in my junior year.”
“It’s sometimes hard to find a community; Book Club allows us to gain connections to share books with and have a place to go in Woodland,” she pointed out.
Geary made it clear that the inspiration behind the creation of the club was that it was something that he and Jodie D’Alexander, one of Woodland’s media specialists, came up with a while ago. The club was made with students in mind who enjoy reading inside and outside of educational purposes. He targeted the club to be “for kids who read outside of class and school.”
The club itself is not all too strict, as more often than not it’s a free choice in terms of what books are being read and shared.
“[It’s] Usually free choice, but sometimes we suggest certain genres to read,” Geary said. “Sometimes we do book swaps.”
Naclerio described the contents of each meeting as going “around the table to ask questions and make sure we share our new insights and any messages we took away from the books. We’ve done book secret Santas. One time we all read a Hunger Games book and then went to see the movie after.”
For students who inquire about the club, Geary suggests asking himself, D’Alexander, and/or Naclerio for more information. When asked about the club’s exclusivity, he was quick to reply with one word: “Open.”
Geary made it very clear that the club is open to any and all who are interested;the purpose is to find and unite readers in the Woodland community. In agreement, Naclerio described the club in a similar manner.
“It is completely open to anyone; you could just show up and we’ll invite you to the chat. You could bring a friend. Tag along with somebody,” she announced.
If you have any interest in reading, whether it be in your own time or during the confines of the school day, consider Woodland’s one and only Book Club.
