Held in the library, book club’s relaxed schedule and democratic method of choosing their books could contribute to its growth substantially this year under sponsor and librarian Joan McCarthy.

“I think there are more people in the club now than five years ago,” McCarthy said.

The book club does not stick to a syllabus or range of topics. At the moment they are reading A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, which is about a boy who meets a monster who helps him cope with his mother’s terminal illness, a darkly funny story. They just finished with Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, a comedic book about his hard past. McCarthy said the book can literally be any book that crosses a student’s mind and wins by a majority vote. The only part that she pitches in with is helping members in acquiring the book.

“We don’t really stick to any type. We just pick,” McCarthy said.

With the book club being a club where students read books and discuss them, it is popular opinion that those who are not in their comfort zone with reading are not suited for it.However, McCarthy puts those opinions to rest with her assertion that it is not a club meant only for those who are good at English or enjoy reading.

“I think anyone who can read should join. You don’t have to be an expert or enthusiastic reader to be included,” McCarthy said

A deterrent not only placed on the book club but every club and activity is the time it takes up in a student’s schedule. A student’s life at school is arduous and McCarthy made it clear they take this into consideration with the club’s activities.

“We cancel once the tests start coming in, or if students ask to, since they have so much homework,” McCarthy said.