The ‘Books and Bears’ ELC Reading Club returned on July 2, 2024, featuring the book The Cat Who Saved Books as its centrepiece. Held on the 9th floor of the Science Tech Tower from 2:50 PM to 4:00 PM, this reading club aimed to not only promote extensive reading among students, but also to provide a space for individuals who enjoy reading to come together and share their passion for books.
Just like the previous Books and Bears Reading Club, the venue was adorned with yellow picnic mats, plush toys, and twinkling fairy lights. These elements were carefully chosen to create a warm ambiance conducive to thoughtful discussions about the book.
The Cat Who Saved Books, authored by Sosuke Natsukawa, has garnered acclaim for its heartwarming tale of a cat who goes on three magical adventures to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them. Translated into over 10 languages, the book captivates readers worldwide with its whimsical narrative and deep love for literature.
The afternoon’s reading club was led by Chan Yi Ryong from S1 Washington and Cheong Jia Yin from S1 Chicago. The presenters skillfully guided a stimulating discussion, exploring the storyline, analysing characters, and highlighting impactful quotes that resonated with participants’ daily lives.
Despite the modest size of 15 participants, who were mainly from Ms Evon’s class, the session brimmed with lively engagement. Almost all the participants took turns to share their insights on the book and responded thoughtfully to the presenters’ queries. Not only that, the discussion ventured into profound themes, such as the transformative power of books and the reasons behind teenage disinterest in reading.
The ELC Reading Club once again proved to be a vibrant gathering of lively engagement and meaningful interactions. The intellectually stimulating session left the participants eagerly anticipating future meet-ups, highlighting the club’s role in building a community of enthusiastic readers and thinkers.
Cheong Jia Yin (S1 Chicago)
I am delighted to have chaired the reading club physically for the very first time. It was a special moment that I will never forget. Apart from that, I feel more confident presenting in front of other students. I believe that I improved not only my delivery but also my content in the presentations I gave. Chairing a reading club is such an incredible experience that I enjoyed.
Chan Yi Ryong (S1 Washington)
I am very happy to have chaired the reading club. It was a fulfilling experience to be able to talk about the book which I love deeply to others as well as lead a discussion based on it. Other than that, I have also learnt the art of facilitating engaging conversations and creating a space where ideas flowed freely and connections flourished. I strongly recommend everyone to take up this challenge and at least do it once in your high school years.
Tan Yen Jin (S2 Canberra)
This was my first time attending a reading club and with all candour, it was quite a pleasant experience. The atmosphere was comfortable and being with my friends while listening to the presenters felt especially comforting after a long day of school. After the presentation, we were posed a few questions of our own opinions regarding their story and I responded accordingly. Overall it was a lovely experience and I’d be fine with doing it again.
Koh Kai Jer (S2 Canberra)
Attending the reading club for the first time was truly exciting and thought-provoking. I had the opportunity to explore diverse viewpoints on a whimsical yet profound tale. The hosts’ ability to effectively summarise and respond to our thoughts on the spot was incredibly impressive; it’s definitely not something I could even begin to imagine myself doing. We also learned from Madam Boo that the hosts selected the novel, wrote the script, and crafted the presentation entirely on their own. They deserve praise for the time and dedication they put in to make this reading club session a success. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to joining the next one.
Amos Wong Shi Yi (S2 Canberra)
Joining this reading club was a pleasant experience, doing it with friends didn’t hurt either. I appreciate how the presenters took their time to carefully explain details in this story. I certainly learned more than I had expected.
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