Teens sat together chatting excitedly on Oct. 14 in the Glen Rock Public Library.  They met for an event called the Mashed Up Book Club, a club that ties together art, songs and book discussion.  

This club composed of generally sixth to eighth graders helps teens get involved with their local library and gives kids a fun environment to socialize. The public library collaborates with the local bookstore, The Curious Reader, to make this event possible.

Teen librarian Morgan Taylor is in charge of setting up the events. “The twist in our book club is that in addition to a book discussion, we try to discuss a music tie-in or make a playlist and also incorporate creating or drawing something that goes with the theme of the book,” she said.

This portrays the way kids interpret the book in all the artistic viewpoints, helping them express themselves and how they feel about the stories they read.

“Some readers love owning every book they read and some love being able to borrow and return their books, so we provide them with both opportunities,” said Morgan Taylor.

The club enables kids to surround themselves with books to enjoy and even interests them in buying the books if they enjoyed them.

“While I don’t think this book club is influencing them to read more than they already do, it’s giving them a forum where they can discuss books and process them on another level that they might not when reading on their own,” Taylor said.

The Glen Rock Public Library holds events like this every few months.  There will be another Mashed Up Book Club on Nov. 8, and anyone who is a middle/high school student is welcome to join at anytime.