The Book Club

Maya joined a book club because she loved reading, but she was scared to talk to strangers. The first meeting, she sat in the corner, listening, not saying a word. The next meeting, the leader asked her what she thought of the book. Maya hesitated, but she spoke up. She talked about her favorite parts, her least favorite parts, how the book made her feel. The other members listened, nodding, asking questions. Maya felt welcome, like she belonged. She started looking forward to the book club meetings, to talking to the other members, to sharing her love of books. She realized that she had been scared for no reason—everyone was kind, everyone wanted to connect. The book club taught her that it’s okay to be shy, but it’s also okay to step out of your comfort zone. Sometimes, the best friendships start with a shared love of something.