In late September, students leaving JKM Library find a cemetery at their feet. The Artist Collective-designed tombstones mark the graves of books deemed too dangerous for the masses. Banned Books Week challenges students to crack the spines of the works that scare us, and no one champions the cause more fully than Beyond the Page Book Club. Sure, the club offers plenty of opportunities for students to give bookbinding a try or craft a wand straight out of Ollivander’s. But there are also chances for members to delve into a perilous, powerful literary adventure. Your guide: President Rachael Owens.
Why did you choose Chatham?
I fell in love with the campus first. I wanted to attend a college in an urban environment, but I also liked that the school itself, while surrounded by such an incredible city, is so peaceful and beautiful. When I learned more about the school, I knew that a small, liberal, all-women’s, and very connected community was right for me.
What are you studying at Chatham?
I’m a double major in English and Women’s Studies, with a minor in Creative Writing. I love literature, so the English major was never a question. It was after taking Representations of Race and Gender with Wardi that I knew I wanted to add Women’s Studies as well. It’s given me a new perspective on my own life, and also a new understanding of literature.
Aside from Book Club, what else are you involved in on campus?
I’m also Copy Editor for The Minor Bird, Secretary for Creative Writing Club, a member of Sigma Tau Delta, and a Chatham Scholar. It all keeps me very busy, but I love all of the different connections I’ve made through these organizations and the great events I’ve been a part of.
How did you get involved with Book Club?
Any opportunity to discuss my favorite books appeals to me, and the club hosted so many great events my first year. The former Chair of Book Club, Jenny Schollaert, was very enthusiastic, and that enthusiasm easily spread to other members.
Why is Book Club important to you?
Beyond the Page Book Club is a great opportunity for students from any major to connect and discover new literature. However, I also appreciate everything Book Club does for the community, such as Banned Books Week and our Book Drive. These events raise awareness of issues and better the community, allowing our enthusiasm for books to go beyond discussion
What is Banned Books Week? What did the club do to recognize the week?
Banned Books Week is an annual celebration of books that have been censored or banned to educate the public about these issues. The club selects a featured novel every year and brings a guest speaker to campus to discuss the novel and censorship issues with students. We also collaborate with other student organizations, such as the Artist’s Collective, which does a display every year for Banned Book Week (which can currently be seen on the quad and in the library). Additionally, we table for the event in Anderson and post about banned books on social media, leading to many discussions with students that may not be familiar with the event.
Why should students read banned books?
All of the greatest books have been banned. They can be controversial or upsetting, but those are the books that we should be reading. Books should challenge how we think and give us insight into the lives of others, not just confirm what we already think about the world.
Why did you choose The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian for this year’s featured book? What do you appreciate most about it?
The novel is funny and enjoyable for young adult readers, while still addressing so many important issues: racism, bullying, death, etc. These are issues that teens often have to deal with, so shielding them from literature that effectively addresses such issues is ridiculous to me. The book also gives voice to Native Americans, a marginalized group that certainly needs better representation. I appreciate the many barriers this novel can break down, allowing any reader to better understand the Native American experience, and also Sherman Alexie’s humorous narrative.
What else will Book Club be up to in the academic year ahead?
There’s a lot to look forward to this year. We’ll be at Mocktails, doing a Book Drive, hosting a craft night, celebrating National Poetry Month, and potentially bringing more guest speakers to campus. Our first club meeting is coming soon, and we’ll be discussing events that members would like to see on campus, so I’m sure there’ll be so much more on our schedule soon.
How can students get involved with Book Club?
Anyone that is interested can feel free to email me at rowen@chatham.edu. Even if you don’t have a lot of time, we would love to have you. We’re not a “book of the month” club with assigned reading, because we understand how busy class keeps everyone. We also love to have a variety of students, so even if you aren’t an English or writing major, you’re more than welcome to join. Every event and meeting is open to the entire campus.
What do you love most about being a Chatham student?
It’s difficult to pin down, but I suppose what I love most is the community. The women I’ve met at Chatham are incredible. They are intelligent and empowering, and never before I have I felt so connected to a community as powerful, connected, and accepting.
Speed Round!
If you could choose one author – dead or alive – to give you heartfelt advice for the rest of your life, who would it be and why?
Kurt Vonnegut. I love his writing—it’s so humorous in such a dark and heartbreaking way. It can be depressing as hell, but also weirdly encouraging. His writing is full of those paradoxes. He’s always made the world a little clearer to me and given me a new perspective.
What was your favorite book as a kid?
A Series of Unfortunate Events. It’s such an intelligent and well-written books series for kids, and it always felt like Lemony Snicket understood what being a kid was like, without being condescending or relying on clichés.
What is your favorite book that you’ve read for a class at Chatham? Why?
In my first semester at Chatham I took Intro to Creative Writing with Dr. McNaugher, and there was so much great literature we studied in that class. I’m going to cheat a little and say my favorite book was an anthology, The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry. It’s full of great poetry that taught me so much about being a writer, and made me really fall in love with poetry for the first time.
eReader, hardcover or paperback?
Paperback!
What’s the funniest book you’ve ever read?
Breakfast of Champions, by Kurt Vonnegut. It’s a twisted kind of humor that will also make you uncomfortable, but it’s still humor.
What’s your favorite movie based on a book?
Atonement is the first one that comes to mind. The book and movie are both breathtakingly beautiful, and I think the movie does a fantastic job bringing the perspectives of different characters to the screen. I would highly recommend the book and movie.
Which book had the biggest impact on your life? Why?
Cat’s Cradle. It introduced me to Kurt Vonnegut and is such a weird little novel, showing me that literature doesn’t have to look like everything I’d been reading in my high school English classes.