University of Tennessee’s Center for Student Engagement hosted a “Book Nook” and book swap in the Student Union on Sept. 24. The event included book-related crafts, such as making your own bookmarks, along with light refreshments, a Kindle giveaway, soft jazz music and the opportunity to connect with fellow readers. Students could either bring in a book to trade or choose from a selection of free books. The traded books covered genres from science fiction to romance and even included cookbooks. Katja Fischer, a freshman economics major, remarked on the availability of genres. “The space is very thoughtful. I like the creative craft space, and it’s fun to get a genre of book that I wouldn’t usually read,” Fischer said. Fischer’s sister, Eva, who is a sophomore finance major, especially loved the bookmark craft, noting the variety of materials available. The craft space included book-themed stickers and papers, lace, retro-style letters to glue and other materials. Students were encouraged to meet new people, share recommendations and connect with peers in a wide array of majors, from architecture to finance. The event brought people from different interests and backgrounds together to bond over one common theme: their love of reading. Julia Fawaz, a freshman biology major, commented on the atmosphere that the book swap created. “This means a lot to me because I’ve been a big reader for a long time,” Fawaz said. “I usually go on Goodreads to get recommendations prior to reading books. “However, it’s nice to pick up new books that I didn’t know I would be interested in. It definitely creates a more book-centered community. ”
The Center for Student Engagement hosts a variety of social, career-centered and cultural events throughout the school year. You can find upcoming events on the Vol Connect app.