The Academy's own reading circle

Aaniqa Hemnani of 9H writes about the campus fiction club. A unique aspect of residential life at the Academy, the reading group is celebrating on year since its creation.

We started the fiction club in 2017 under the guidance of our librarian, Ms. Manjuushaa. Previously known as the reading club, the fiction club was created to promote reading as a hobby on campus, and to bring together those who enjoy it. The club meets once a week to read in a group and to discuss the books we have read. We even peformed skits on the books that we had read in late September 2018.

The Fiction Club promotes reading and learning together as a group, building our communication and leadership skills. We’ve all heard that books are food for the brain. But some of us struggle with sitting down and actually finishing the stories. We often can’t find the time, and sometimes don’t have the motivation. In a group, however, we tend to get competitive and try to be the first to finish the book. We also set deadlines so we can get together to discuss our books, and this also makes us want to finish them. Some of the novels we have read include "Peril at End House" and "The Boy with the Tiger's Heart" by Agatha Christie, "Five go to Billycock Hill" by Enid Blyton, and "The Fault in our Stars" by John Greene. 

Another benefit is that reading as a group can develop teamwork skills. Author and entrepreneur, Neil Blumenthal says, “From a team dynamic standpoint, it helps build strong working relationships. It helps build trust when you create what is a safe environment to share ideas or to debate ideas.” This is something we have tried to emulate in our group. At the fiction club, we hold the ability to appreciate different perspectives in high regard.

Fiction club has taught me that lives are like stories. The further you get into it, the more it makes sense!

By Aaniqa Hemnani

The fiction club meets every Sunday at the library. New members are always welcome!