The Reading Society is a student-led extracurricular group which meets to discuss a new book every three weeks. We meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm (BST) via Zoom to discuss everything from classic fiction to topical nonfiction, poetry to plays. All students are welcome, regardless of what course you’re studying at Arden or what year you’re in – and we welcome a range of perspectives. Recently students have read and discussed George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Franz Kafka’s The Trial, and Aja Monet’s My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter.
Society members have collaborated on the reading schedule for 2022, which features a range of exciting titles such as Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, Pheobe Waller Bridge’s Fleabag, and Grimms’ Fairy Tales, as well as creative writing workshops and quizzes. All texts can be accessed and read through Arden Library’s ebook platforms.
If you want to meet students from all over the world, read and discuss books by a diverse range of voices, get to grips with the Arden library platform, and expand and apply your learning through extracurricular discussions, then join the Reading Society family today. Every longstanding Reading Society member will receive a Reading Society tote bag and bookmark for joining and regularly attending meetings.
What do students say about the Reading Society?
“My favourite aspect of the Reading Society has been hearing from a diversity of voices and meeting new people.”
“Taking part in the Reading Society can have a positive impact upon your studies and your career: it helps you develop your public-speaking, discussion, and listening skills, and it improves your critical thinking.”
“The discussions are relatable and help me in my everyday life.”
Each member of the Reading Society will be sent a free book bag and bookmark from Arden University Students' Association, in thanks for your participation.
James Nixon our Reading Society Lead
It is such a privilege to chair Reading Society meetings and engage with such a diverse group of students. I am always motivated by students’ commitment to the society, and am inspired by their fresh and critical readings of texts. The regular discussions are fun and informal, members have grown to develop friendly relationships and we all get to geek-out over our love of reading.
My academic background is in English Literature and Creative Writing. I have a BA English and American Literature degree and an MA in Creative Writing; currently I am in the final stage of a practice-based PhD in Creative Writing. Based on my experience of creative practices, we have begun to conduct occasional creative writing workshops as part of the Reading Society schedule in order to respond to texts which we have read. These workshops are always respectful and offer students an opportunity to gain constructive feedback on their writing. I hope that Reading Society membership continues to grow; I can speak for current members in saying that we welcome everyone and look forward to hearing your perspective on the books we read together!
Contact James Nixon the reading society lead for more information.