BOOK GROUP

BOOK GROUP BUTTERFLIES by georgie mason, l6

I’ve never been a particularly enthusiastic bookworm, but with lockdown leaving me with what feels like infinite hours, I decided to join Mr Leask’s Litsoc (literary society) Team. Even post the weekly Zoom quiz, daily PE department workout and hourly BBC news update, I was still left twiddling my thumbs (at risk of sounding like my 68-year-old Gran), so why not?

I’ve always kept a book of some sort on the go for as long as I can remember, but I use “on the go” loosely. I would always eventually make my way through the neglected novel, but with the ongoing schoolwork, the endless clubs, the socialising and all-round hectic life, not to mention... Netflix’s existence, reading just got pushed down mylife’s priorities list.

Despite my joining of LitSoc being a quick, spontaneous decision (living life on the edge in lockdown, I know), after having ‘joined’ I started to have doubts. The option of unsuspectedly peering round a classroom door into a room full of book lovers, catching sight of the 1285-pagebook glaring at me from the table and scurrying off down the M-corridor out of nerves was not available in this new, virtual alternative. What if my fellow peers were Olympic standard reading intellectuals and I was completely unable to keep up with their unnatural pace? The Team ensured commitment, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. Also,cake bribery wasn’t an option… It’s been 2 weeks since this life changing decision of mine, and with my newfound wisdom I can confidently tell you there is nothing to worry about, much like the older sibling who returns from their first day of P3, a selfproclaimed mathematics genius having learnt how many sides an Octagon has.

Firstly, this commitment thing is working very well for me! I like the gentle pressure it places on me, like the subtle inspection of an examiner over my right shoulder during the last 60 seconds of an exam. It’s pleasantly motivating! Oh, and (shock, horror!) we actually discuss where everyone is up to in the book to ensure no one is left behind, turns out my peers aren’t supernatural beings who can read at a supersonic speed, the page number expectations are delightfully realistic.

Additionally, the novel we are currently reading (‘Warlight’ by Micheal Ondaatje) is a humble 285 pages - rather than the initial 1285 prediction. And you are most certainly not required to have devoted your entire life to books, we’re all fabulously busy!

So, join a virtual book club because you may be pleasantly surprised! Except for the no-cakesituation, I would anticipate disappointment in that region. A cake GIF simply doesnot suffice!