Ready Set Read:

24 hours spent reading and forging friendships through the love of literature with the Bookish society.

Finding your feet at university can be difficult, especially when it comes to finding friends with similar interests to you. But the Bookish society not only offers a space to relax after a long day of Uni but also an opportunity for book lovers to bond over their favourite authors, characters and genres. And on the 22nd of February the Bookish society hosted their most ambitious event yet, a twenty-four-hour readathon.

Beginning at 2pm the executive team welcomed in members into the Atrium which was dotted with beanbags and a bar fully stocked with snacks. Many readers came with bags filled with books and blankets alike. A big weekender for the book lover if you will.

“We’ve been planning this since August.” Shares Becca Farrell (treasurer of the Bookish Society). “We wanted to create an event that we knew our members would enjoy. We always try and listen to our members about what they would like to see.”

The Bookish Society’s events aren’t always this long, the society meets every Monday evening during term time at 6pm in the Causeway Teaching Centre.

“We do a lot of different events. Last week we held a ‘blind date with a book event, the week before that we created book journals.’”

Alongside this, the society showcases two books each month for members to read and discuss. The execs share how the Bookish society offers an alternative to your typical book club, curating events that allow members to follow their own literary preferences.

“We hold our events at the same time and day each week. We want to make it a space where our members can go and relax after a tough Monday.” Society President Emily Prewitt explains. “We try to give people a space to take a break from all the academic reading of Uni.”

The bookish society certainly achieved this aim during their readathon, not only this but as a society they managed to read a whopping 10,862 amongst forty-six attendees. Flued on by pizza, nine members of the society managed to make it through the full twenty-four hours.

But all of this reading isn’t just for pleasure, the Bookish society was able to raise £290 for the National Literacy Trust.

“It’s a really important charity to us, the average reading age in the U.K is around 12 years old.” Emily explains. “They do some really important work, not just going into schools but also community settings and prisons.”

As the sun rises over the Atrium, members discuss the joys of the past hours, discussing how wonderful and restful it has been to dedicate so much time to reading. Whilst other members discuss the joy of being surrounded by so many of their fellow Bookish members.

It’s clear to see the positive impact the society has had on its members, through allowing them a space to bond over books and helping to create their own book loving community on campus.

“We really want to encourage as many people as possible to pick up a book, it’s such a powerful tool in helping your mental health.” Emily explains. “I think reading can help people connect with others and make lifelong friends whilst at University.”

When asked what she would say to anyone thinking about joining the society she shares that “You should come along, I’ve met some the best people through Bookish. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be the society’s president this year.”

By: Beck Norris (with edits by SL)