New book club embraces freedom to read

English teacher Kailyn Bettle said she is excited to announce the launch of a new book club, the Freedom to Read Society, open to all students interested in exploring great literature. The club meets every Tuesday during Tiger Time in Bettle’s classroom, offering a welcoming environment for book lovers of all kinds. This club is a space for students to not only enjoy great literature but also engage in important discussions about the rising issue of book bans in schools across the country.

This semester, the club held its first meeting on Feb. 4 and announced that they will read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Book club member sophomore Emily Beneke shared her excitement. “I love how Evelyn’s character is so complex. With only reading one chapter so far, I can tell the themes are love, identity and the struggle to stay true to yourself in a world that wants to define you. I think a lot of people can relate to Evelyn’s journey in different ways.”   

Bettle agreed that Evelyn is complex. “Evelyn is a strong, unapologetic woman who isn’t afraid to make tough choices. The way she navigates her relationships and career is empowering, and it makes you think about how women are portrayed in the media. Definitely a good read, and I hope it is interesting enough to draw in new readers to the club.”

As members dive into the book, they will also examine the topic of book bans and censorship, a hot topic that has sparked intense debate. “The idea of banning books is concerning, especially when those books offer valuable insights into different cultures, histories and ideas,” Bettle said. “The Freedom to Read Society encourages students to think critically about what is being removed from libraries and classrooms and encourages our right to read freely.”

Beneke said, “The more we read, the more we understand the world around us. Banning books feels like shutting down the opportunity to learn about things that matter.”

For those who are passionate about protecting students’ rights to read freely, the Freedom to Read Society provides an opportunity to speak up. Meetings are held every Tuesday during Tiger Time in Bettle’s room number 716 in the grey community. Grab your copy of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, join the discussion and become part of a group that values the freedom to read.