Community Spotlight
By Lisa Duncan and Mariel Guosios / Matthew staff | Edited by Brontë Delmonico
Professor Shannon Russell is an Associate Professor of English Literature and the director of the Creative Writing Institute at John Cabot University. She inaugurated a Book Club that meets on Wednesdays from 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Attendees are meeting this spring semester to read and discuss Ocean Vuong’s debut novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, in preparation for Vuong’s visit to John Cabot on June 11.
In light of this new Book Club, we had the honor of interviewing Professor Russell, who kindly shared her insights on the club and her hopes for its future.
What motivated you to start the Book Club?
While the initial inspiration for the club was to prepare students for poet and novelist Ocean Vuong’s visit to John Cabot in June, Professor Russell wishes to “bring communities together” through the mingling of students, faculty, and staff alike in a shared love for literature. In her own words, “it’s not a class, it’s a book club.”
Since meetings are hosted during lunchtime, pizza and beverages are provided to those who attend.
Why did you choose to focus on this book in particular this semester?
Professor Russell selected this book due to its popularity with her students. When announcing Vuong’s visit, she noticed how positively students reacted, and thus chose this book as the focus for this semester’s Book Club.
With Vuong’s upcoming visit as well as future visits from other authors, Professor Russell’s wish is for students to attend not only for the hopes of seeing a well-known person, but because they have read the authors’ works and are looking to form a connection on that basis. By attending the Book Club and participating in discussions of the books, students will be more prepared for authors’ visits when the time comes, making for “a more meaningful encounter with the writers,” she said.
Additionally, she felt that it was a nice change from the type of reading typically assigned in university classes, and that it could provide students with alternative forms and genres of literature.
She also said she hopes the Book Club encourages students to “read for fun” and to “share what literature means” to each of them.
With the help of the university, Professor Russell is kindly subsidizing the purchase of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, making it easily accessible and affordable for anyone who wishes to become involved with the Book Club. The book can currently be found at the Almost Corner Bookshop for a reduced price of €5 for club attendees.
Could you tell us a bit more about the club in general? Anything those interested in it should know?
Anyone and everyone are welcome at the Book Club. It was designed to bring together students, faculty, and staff in a shared love for literature. When reading a book, it’s important to approach it from different perspectives, which is why students from all fields of study are encouraged to attend and contribute.
According to Professor Russell, the discussions fostered in the Book Club are a stand-alone from the book, because they are not dependent on attendees having necessarily read it. The book’s currency and its topics means everyone can have something to contribute––whether it be questions or ideas.
Nobody is getting tested, Professor Russell assures: the Book Club is an open community structured around relaxed and meaningful discussions of literature over a slice of pizza and pleasant company.
How do you feel about the club’s turnout so far?
Professor Russell said she is pleasantly surprised at how successful the club has been so far, but she hopes to involve more non-English Lit. students in future meetings. The Book Club is open to everyone, regardless of their major.
“It’s not meant to be a club for English Lit. Majors, it’s meant to be a community,” says Professor Russell.
The Book Club is also open to faculty and staff, and Professor Russell has been happy to have professors and librarians alike join the students in the discussion. The involvement of students and faculty creates an open and relaxed atmosphere where everyone is free to express their opinions.
What do you envision for the club in the coming years?
Professor Russell’s hope is to carry on the Book Club in the future; to continue reading books in an open and creative environment in preparation for the guest authors invited to visit John Cabot every semester, as well as to encourage reading outside of the classroom.
The Book Club also encourages reading for pleasure outside of the classroom and sharing students’ insights with other like-minded individuals in an open and welcoming environment.
Professor Russell left us with the inviting message that the Book Club is set to inspire students to “get reading” and to “share what literature means to [them].”
2024 SUMMER INSTITUTE OF CREATIVE WRITING AND LITERARY TRANSLATION EVENTS CALENDAR
WEEK 1
- Launch of the Institute for Creative Writing and Literary Translation, A Reading by Writer in Residence Rachel Cantor.
- Tuesday May 21, 6:30 pm
- Secchia Terrace
- Private reception to follow.
WEEK 2
- Writing Fact/Writing Fiction. Matthew Kneale and Silvia Giagnoni with Moira Egan.
- Tuesday May 28, 6:30 pm
- Secchia Terrace
- Master Class: Rachel Cantor.
- Wednesday May 29, 5:30 pm
- Secchia Terrace
- A Poetry Reading by Jahan Khajavi, Introduction by Elizabeth Warren.
- Thursday May 30, 7:00 pm
- Secchia Terrace
WEEK 3
- Translation as Activism: Marzia D’Amico with Allison Grimaldi-Donahue.
- Monday June 3, 6:30 pm
- Secchia Terrace
- Poet to Novelist: A reading by Cynthia Marin, Introduction by Elizabeth Farren.
- Thursday June 6, 6:30 pm
- Secchia Terrace
WEEK 4
- Ocean Vuong: A Reading.
- Tuesday June 11, 6:30 pm
- Lemon Tree Courtyard
- Private reception to follow.
WEEK 5
- Writing the Brontes: Rachel Cantor reading and discussion with Shannon Russell.
- Monday June 17, 6:30 pm
- Secchia Terrace
- Creative Writing Showcase: Readings by students and faculty.
- Thursday June 20, 6:30 pm
- Secchia Terrace
- Private reception to follow.
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