Reading is Fun...damental

Olivia Tormenta
Kappa Kappa Gamma

There’s a new trend catching on at Kappa Kappa Gamma this semester and it definitely isn’t Hunter’s new wedged excuse for rain boots. What the sisters of the Beta Tau chapter are all feeling trendy about is reading. As in real books, not CollegeACB. With the help and support of many of my fellow Kappas, we were able to launch our very own book club this fall.

This idea had come to me over the summer after finishing Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen. That’s when I took to our beloved listserv to share this idea with my sisters. By the end of the day, I had over twenty people interested and by the end of the week, thirty five passionate girls eager to begin this ongoing sisterhood event, and the list is still growing.

Since we all have a demanding course load, I wanted to choose books that would be fun and that people would actually want to take an hour or two out of their busy days to read. The first one that came to mind was the newest edition to Chelsea Handler’s New York Times best sellers, Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me. Written by her closest friends and family, this        memoir will provide us with just the right dosage of slightly inappropriate entertainment.

The second book on the club list is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Now a major motion picture, this three-person narrative set in the 1960s tells the story of African American housekeepers who have spent their lives caring for white children. Through trials of hope, humor, and heartbreak, The Help will certainly have us reaching for the tissues.

Keeping things democratic, I decided to leave the third and final read for the fall semester up to a vote of the group. We will also discuss possibly reading a trilogy in the spring.

This new element to our chapter just so happens to represent our philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, or RIF for short. This organization encourages literacy and emphasizes the value of reading to children of all ages. Throughout the year, we do our part by donating books to local hospitals and day care centers and raising money toward this common goal at our semi-annual Car Wash and Kick Ball events. 

The book club is not only a unique sisterhood actiivty, but something we can bond over within our chapter and talk about with others in the Greek community. If the book club is a success or not remains to be seen, but with such a positive response already, it is hoped it will be a sisterhood event that continues for years to come. 

Olivia is a junior studying writing, psychology and management. You may contact her at ovtormen@sr.edu.