Written by Holly Morrison

@holly.morrison

Thumbnail Photo by Patrick Power Library

While more traditional, in-person book clubs have been put on hold due to COVID restrictions, virtual book clubs have risen in popularity. SMU’s new alumni book club is tailored for the new world of online meetings, and comes at a time where personal connections are more crucial than ever. There is no fee involved in signing up, and you can either buy your books at a local bookstore or take them out from the local library. This book club is designed to put SMU alumni from all over the world in touch with each other, while also enjoying a good book.

While SMU has converted to virtual operations, events held by campus organizations have definitely not stopped. These days, you can find any number of events happening online, including panels, webinars, and other types of networking events. Chantal Caissie, the Alumni Officer of the SMU Alumni Association, had a few things to say about the reasons for developing an online book club. “We've done a few webinars and online panels, but wanted to find more ways outside of Zoom for alumni to engage in an interactive way (and to try to avoid the "Zoom Burnout" phenomenon!)”. Entering into February, just under a year of SMU switching to online operations, it’s heartening to see that there is still so much room for new and exciting types of events for alumni.

Another important part of this book club is that it provides the opportunity for alumni from all over the world to connect online to discuss the reading. It also allows for alumni to grow and learn together, and expand their social networks. The fact that this book club can be run online, and SMU alumni can be living anywhere but can still join in, definitely gives it an advantage over other book clubs that typically meet in person.

The book club was designed with PBC Guru, a company that manages book clubs for various companies, professional societies, and universities all across North America. It is through them that forums will be in place for alumni to discuss the books they’ve read, along with anything else relevant. For the SMU Alumni Book Club, one book will be chosen to be read over a three-month period, totalling 4 books over the course of the year. There will be various forums moderated by a member of PBC Guru with questions about the book posted for book club members to comment on at their own pace.

The first book was chosen by the SMU Alumni Association from a list of books given by PBC Guru. It is From the Ashes: My Story of Being Metis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle. This debut memoir follows the life of Jesse Thistle, a Métis-Cree scholar who grew up in the Canadian foster-care system. After dropping out of high school, often living on the streets, and becoming addicted to both alcohol and drugs, education and community support helped him to find his way to the life he now leads as a rising Indigenous scholar.

Published in 2019, From the Ashes is highly acclaimed, becoming a selection for CBC Best Canadian Non-Fiction Book of the Year, as well as an Indigo Book of the Year, a finalist of the 2020 Canada Reads competition and the winner of the Indigenous Voices Award. If this book has piqued your interest at all, look no further for a reason to pick it up than for this book club.

From the Ashes is the SMU Alumni Book Club’s pick for January through March, and then a new book will be voted on by the members of the club. On what types of books the club hopes to tackle, Chantal Caissie explained: “We're hoping to include works by faculty and alumni, Nova Scotians, and issues and stories we think will be relevant to Santamarians. We're also committed to including works by female and black, indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) authors for each poll.”

Another aim of this book club is to foster a love of reading in everybody who joins, as well as to gain the benefits of reading and lifelong learning. The SMU Alumni Book Club page on PBC Guru cites two studies on the benefits of reading, which include better sleep, reduction of stress, and improved relationships. In addition to these benefits, reading has been shown to increase verbal and emotional intelligence as well as creativity, and even promote neuroplasticity in the brain.

Any alumni, faculty, or staff of SMU is welcome to join this book club to see these benefits in their own lives as well as have the chance to read some amazing books. More information about the book club can be found here, and the sign up for the club is on the book club page from PBC Guru. Happy reading!