The O’Fallon Public Library consistently aims to appeal to all members of the communities, and I am pleased to announce the New-Adult Book Club (actual name will be decided in the first meeting).
O’Fallon was looking for a club that would attract new adults. Along came Ally Ouimet, 25, fresh from
earning her Master’s in English Literature at SIUE and energized to continue sharing her love of words.
“I thought the library would be the perfect place to start a fun and lighthearted book club for people out
there like me who just need somewhere to belong,” Ally said.
“Because of COVID, a lot of new adults lost their late teenage experience and may have missed out on building a community of peers and friends. This may give them a chance to find people with similar interests, beliefs, and passions,” Allie explained.
The New-Adult Club will meet the first Monday of every month, 6:30-8 pm. Ally said she’s heard so
many stories of people who used to love reading but lost their passion once they got to school and had an immense amount of boring, required reading for class.
“My goal is to bring this passion back,” Ally said. “There are no boundaries in this group – one month we
might read the fluffiest romance, the next horror, and then a young adult coming of age.” She said all voices will be heard.
“We will discuss A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas during our first meeting and poll for
next month’s title, so think of ideas of what you might want to read together.”
Don’t sweat it if you haven’t read the book, just come and listen in to the conversation, Ally said.
“If you did not read the book, that is okay too because you might learn something and find it interesting enough to want to read it.”
“Sometimes reading can be intimidating for people, and hearing what others have to say about it can
ease that pressure a little bit and create some excitement that entices readers to pick up the book,” Ally said.
People of all educational backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to join. You will be able to participate in conversation just fine.
“Whether that be the characters, the settings, the plot, or the underlying messages. I want our meetings
to take us wherever they take us. I want it to feel like a bunch of friends all reading the same book, discussing what we liked, what we didn’t like, what we wanted more of. Honestly, the focus is simply books and whatever the readers make of them.”
This group is free, and no registration or library card is required.
There are many other engaging events at the library for people of all ages and interests. Please visit our website ofpl.info for our full calendar. Happy reading!
This article originally appeared in the O’Fallon Weekly.
The O'Fallon Public Library News 