By LAURA DANIEL
Tiger Media Network
Fantasy fans dove deep into dragons, queens, and ancient prophecies during Hays Public Library’s fantasy book discussion, which concluded at the end of June. The featured title was “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon—an epic, nearly 850-page novel that inspired rich conversation around the elements that make fantasy such a compelling genre.
Hays Public Library’s Public Services Librarian and organizer of the book club, Jessica Shields, explained the selection process.
“At the end of each year, I compile a list of popular fantasy titles, and our club members also submit their own recommendations,” she said. “We all vote, and the most popular picks make up the reading list for the upcoming year. “The Priory of the Orange Tree” was one of the top choices for 2024.”
Shields noted that June was been the ideal month to read the novel.
“We take a break in May, which gave everyone extra time to get through the book. Plus, June is Pride Month, and the book’s strong LGBTQ+ representation made it a meaningful and timely selection,” she said.
The library’s fantasy book club brought together readers who shared a love of the genre and encouraged members to explore subgenres or titles they might not have normally picked up. While not every participant always enjoyed the chosen book, the emphasis remained on open-minded discussion and discovering new perspectives.
“I loved hosting these discussions because they allowed me to see the book through someone else’s eyes,” Shields said. “Hearing different interpretations often made me want to revisit the book and reflect on it in a new way. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.”
Over the years, the club continued to grow, fueled by the rising popularity of the fantasy genre and the welcoming atmosphere of the group. Whether someone was a lifelong fantasy reader or just curious to try something new, the Hays Public Library’s fantasy book club offered a chance to connect, explore, and reimagine the worlds between the pages.
There will be two book clubs that will take place in July. Starting Monday, there will be a True Crime Book Club, and on Wednesday, there will be a Mystery Book Club. Both will take place at 6 p.m. at Hays Public Library.