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welcome!whether you’re a long-time reader or a casual enjoyer, the book club at usfsp is open to all usf students. join us monthly, to read and chat about our current book of the month.we meet the last week of every month, so check back here for updated meeting dates and times.make sure to join our groupme and bullsconnect below for updates on when our meetings will be, what books we’re reading, and polls!

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We have finished hiring for the 2025 E-Board! Our new board members will be announced shortly, thank you to all that applied!

January 2024

In January 2024, we read Rouge by Mona Awad. Collectively, we gave the book 2.8 out of 5 stars. This is the first book we've ever read, as part of the book club!

We had a turn out of about 12 people, which is exciting because I (Riley) was only expecting about 8ish people.Some of our discussions about the book involved how, at times, we felt that it was a bit repetitive. While we understood that it was part of the story and the main character, Belle's, character, it got a little annoying sometimes.Overall, the book had mixed reviews, it had a introspective take on the beauty industry and mother-daughter relationships. Although, the book didn't dive as much into the topics of the beauty industry as it could've. We felt that there was lots of build up throughout the story, only to be wrapped up a little too quickly.

February 2024

In February 2024, we read Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Collectively we gave the book 2.9 out of 5 stars. Slightly better than last month's book, but thus far we're on a bit of a rocky start in terms liking the books.

We had a turn out of about 11 people, which is about the same as last time- but we did have a bit of a competing book club- which their's was next door and started at 5 pm, with ours at 5:30.Overall, there was a general dislike towards the book, and after talking I think I dislike the book even more now then when i started (originally a 3, now maybe a 2).While the general concept of the book was interesting, the overall execution of the book had many flaws. The concept of how the time travel works and how the time traveling goes against the books own previously established rules was confusing, the characters were somewhat flat and it took a while to know who was who.The story was divided into four different short stories, and, as a general consensus, the first story, "the lovers," was the least favorite and the second story, "husband and wife," was the most tolerable.The first story was very lackluster, and a poor way to start the book and introduce the readers into the world. The idea that the main character of this story would rather go back in time, rather than, presuming the story takes place in the present, just call up her (ex-)boyfriend, is so unappealing. The second story on the other hand, has a lot more personality to it, and has depth between the characters.All in all, most people agree that the story itself was a miss, and they have no interest in reading the sequel or watching the film adaptation. Although, many would be interested in watching the original play version that the book was written for.

March 2024

In march 2024, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. Collectively we gave the book 4.1 out of 5 stars. This is the best (!) we’ve given a book so far.

For this book club, This is the first meeting where we got funding! So I got traditional and gluten-free/vegan “sword in the stone” cupcakes- themed around the final event of the book and the King Arthur theme.This meeting, we had to have it on a thursday, rather than a wednesday, and so I think that affected our attendance. The past two meetings we had about 10-12 people, and this meeting we had 5 (</3).Overall, we really liked the book. The the magic system, realistic main character (although she can be annoying at time, although she’s 16 so it’s kinda justified), the diversity, and the exploration into grief.Some cons of the book was that some of the secondary characters were flat. Other than william, the other mages/order members, and specifically alice, had really no appeal to us. The order members had really no important factors or characters, and Alice was just straight up annoying.A factor of the book that got a few mixed reviews was the romance. It was pretty split between team Bree and Nick, Bree and Sel, Nick and Sel, and a throuple.Personally, I enjoyed Bree and Nick for the first half of the book, but it was a little rushed together- I would’ve preferred more of a slowburn. Then in the second half the author started to kinda give Nick side missions (why was he taking his dad to airport like 4 times?!) and that led Bree and Sel to get closer (enemies to lovers !!).Ultimately, this was a great ya fantasy book, and a lot people plan to read the sequel in their free time. we recommend!

April 2024

In April 2024, Severance by Ling Ma. Collectively we gave the book 4 out of 5 stars. Although, due to finals season it was more difficult to read this month's book.

In the month of April, we had two events: our traditional book club and our (first!) big event, "Reading by the Riverside."At Reading by the Riverside, we served croissants, fruit tarts, fruit, lemonade and handed out 20 copies of severance- for free! the event was in a picnic style, were attendees could hang out and read severance (or another book) and have snack before finals.Meanwhile at our April book of the month, in honor of our last event, we served Chipotle bowls for everyone!Due to finals week, and everyone only has a week to read the book. Of those that read it, the general consecous was very positive. Many would read more books by the author, and loved the storytelling and the plot of the book.We gave it a 3 out of 5 stars.

In May 2024, we read Yellowface by R.F. Kuang.The summer semester had just begun so, this meeting was held virtually over Microsoft Teams (with low turn out lol). So the host, Riley, was the only one in attendance.So to keep this review short, since i don't know the views on the book of others, I personally thought this was the best book club book thus far, and it's sad that I'm the only one that read (?) it. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars, and though that is was an insane, emotional, rollercoaster.No more summer meetings lol!

Our first book club of the fall 2024 semester, and we read the reappearance of rachel price! Although the meeting had to be delayed a week because of Hurricane Helene, we met and collectively gave this book about a 3 out of 5 stars!