'DEAR' readers: Picking your next book

During a time when technology prevails, Dr. Kristina Bross, dean of the Honors Tutorial College (HTC), wanted to help students find time to relax with a book of their choosing. In collaboration with the Athens County Public Libraries Bookmobile, Bross created a Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) hour, dedicated to reading and relaxing with fellow students. 

Throughout the spring semester, DEAR was held at 35 Park Place or the Jefferson Hall Library for an hour every other week. Bross says students put immense amounts of work into their studies, so it is important to take a small moment and step away to relax. 

“I hear from so many students that they want to read more or that they miss reading for pleasure,” Bross said. "To be honest, it’s hard for me to find time in my schedule, even though I am an English professor at heart and have a stack of books on my bedside table."

HTC students Hanna Moore, Kaitlyn Whaley, and Matthew Jones attended the last event of the semester on March 4. We asked the students and Dean Bross for reading recommendations.

An HTC freshman communication studies major, Hanna Moore says she believes reading books helps open people's minds, no matter the genre. She says reading is a chance to step away from real life, exist in another world and see the lives of others through books, whether or not they're fictional.

“You find it easier to show empathy and sympathize with people by putting yourself in their shoes,” Moore says.

Currently reading: "Wuthering Heights," by Emily Brontë 

Favorite book: Whichever book she just finished—right now, "Project Hail Mary," by Andy Weir

Recommendation: "Project Hail Mary"

An HTC freshman English major, Kaitlyn Whaley says that reading gives people an escape from reality and lets them see the world in a different light. She adds that events like DEAR are a form of accountability, inspiring students to actually read books and offering the chance to "body double," or leverage the presence of others to stay focused.

“It could help people feel more motivated to read, and in turn, make them more motivated to read in the future as well,” Wahaly says.

Currently reading: "Written in the Stars," by Alexandria Bellefleur

Favorite book: "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," by Agatha Christie

Recommendation: "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd"

HTC freshman history major Matthew Jones says that by not reading, people are missing out. Jones wishes that more people, outside of DEAR, would find time to sit down and read, because without it they are losing information. It gives you the chance to learn something new, no matter the context. 

“I don't have to go to this thing," Jones says about DEAR. "I just want to read. I think that's pretty beautiful."

Currently reading: "Intercourse," by Andrea Dworkin

Favorite book: "Macbeth," by William Shakespeare

Recommendation: "Things Fall Apart," by Chinua Achebe and "Heart of Darkness," by Joseph Conrad

Dr. Bross says that for her, reading is something that is hard to fit into one's schedule, thus hosting events like DEAR gives people that opportunity. She is hoping to keep the tradition going next year and wants to include students outside of HTC.

Currently reading: "Revival" by Robert Scott Ross

Favorite book: "The Wife of Martin Guerre" by Janet Lewis

Recommendation: nonfiction: "More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI" by John Warner; poetry: "Rose" by Li-Young Lee; fiction: "The Mountain in the Sea" by Ray Nayler