Karis Hudgins, Social Media Manager   

After discovering that UNCG didn’t have a book club, Frankie Kelly decided it was time to take action into her own hands. “My best friend and I would read together all the time, so the idea was to create an outlet with no rules or expectations for people to come together and express their shared interests,” Kelly explains. The vision of the club was a simple but powerful one: build a community of book lovers and a space with no external academic pressure. 

She promptly began asking professors to sponsor the club, but the process of starting one from scratch did not go without its challenges. It took some time to find the right connections, but with persistence, Kelly was able to introduce UNCG’s first official book club in the fall semester of 2023. 

As the club entered its second year, it evolved into a safe space for students to take a break from academics, welcoming many new readers and inspiring old ones. Sadia Cramer, a member since its creation, shares, “I wanted to get back into reading and thought a book club could relight that spark for me.” The book club has served not only as an environment to discuss books but has helped members rediscover a passion for reading. 

Current president, Trinity Richardson, admires the community they have built. “This club has grown so much and continues to move in a positive direction,” she says. From trendy novels to controversial takes on fictional stories, current book bans to classical authors, there is no book topic off limits. She explains that meetings are not typical. Each time the group gets together they discuss something different. “We discuss almost everything book related. It’s a great time where we can chat about everything under the sun,” Richardson states. 

Most recently, the group read The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore, a quick read that became a fan favorite among members. While the genre of book choices changes monthly, the criteria is to pick low pressure and engaging novels. By doing such, the club honors Kelly’s original aspirations for the group to be an accessible and judgment free environment for all book lovers to enjoy.  

However, the club’s impact goes beyond simply providing a space for students to gush over their shared love of books. Richardson shares that there are 15 to 20 members, which allows for a relaxed environment and flexibility for more activities during meetings. Some weeks members craft bookmarks or paint tote bags. Other weeks they engage in activities such as karaoke or card games.  

For many, book club meetings have become an important part of their weekly routine, offering opportunities for new experiences. “Book club is also a way to meet new people and get out of my dorm,” Cramer highlights. She recalls her favorite club memory when members attended a drag bingo night hosted by UNCG’s Activities and Campus Events.  

Richardson says, “I would absolutely recommend Book Club to anyone at UNCG, especially those with a busy schedule because we meet once a week and there’s no mandatory attendance.” Whether you’re looking to take a break, dive deeper into reading, or expand your social circle, UNCG’s book club provides a welcoming space.  

Meetings take place every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the EUC Azalea room. More information and updates can be found on their Instagram page @uncgbookclub.