A new chapter has begun on campus for all of the University of Mississippi’s book-loving students. The Ole Miss Book Club had its first meeting for new members on Thursday, Sept. 28.  

Senior political science and psychology major Sarah Smith is the creator of the Ole Miss Book Club. She not only wants to create a space where students can meet new people and discuss all things about books but also aims to establish a book community on campus where everyone is welcome to join.  

Smith hatched the idea after hearing from her aunt that her cousin at a different university had a book club. With her aunt’s encouragement, Smith gained the confidence to spearhead the development of a collaborative space at UM. 

“I was telling her how I really wish there was a book club on campus so I could also talk about books with other people just because I also love reading and talking about books,” Smith said.  

Smith shared her ambitions to craft a warm environment for students to immerse themselves in books across a variety of genres with input from about 50 current club members. 

“I want it to be welcoming to everybody, and I want everybody to meet new people,” Smith said. “There’s a wide variety of books, and I want everybody to be able to find books that they enjoy.” 

With hopes of making reading more accessible to everyone, Smith aims to establish a free library on campus where students can donate books  and find new ones to pick up and read.  

Smith’s personal favorites range from science fiction to romance. 

“I love ‘The Silent Patient’ (by Alex Michaelides). I read it a few years ago, it is still, like, my number one — I absolutely love it,” Smith said. “I also loved ‘Things We Never Got Over’ by Lucy Score and ‘Kindred’ by Octavia Butler.” 

For the Ole Miss Book Club’s first selection, they will read “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt. To keep up with the Ole Miss Book Club, follow them on Instagram.