Those who are born2read are as diverse in their individual backgrounds as close-knit in their shared love for English language literature. We do not have membership applications, permissions, and rejections and there is no fixed members’ list. We believe in getting together sans bureaucracy, simply by indulging in literature, exploring it in all shapes and forms, and sharing our thoughts.
Members’ book attitudes
Every book lover has their quirks—so do we.
Do you recognize yourself in our members’ book attitudes?
We might be your people. Join us for our next book discussion!
Members’ book recommendations
Every book reader has their favourites—here are ours.
A deep-dive into human identity—but not into detective work: “Indian Killer”
We discussed Sherman Alexie’s Indian Killer on July 13, 2023. Alexie’s 1996 “feel-good novel about interracial murder” (according to the author) intertwines the personal life-story of John Smith, born native and adopted by white parents (evidently oblivious to Pocahontas), with the murder-mystery of a serial killer dubbed the “indian killer”…
We discussed Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer: A Memoir on June 15, 2023 as part of our Pride Month Special. Kobabe’s 2019 graphic novel shows the author’s own journey to eir non-binary gender identity and has been at the heart of the ongoing U.S. censorship debate. We talked about the text…
We discussed Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys on June 15, 2023 as part of our Pride Month Special. Thomas’s 2020 YA novel follows latinx trans boy Yadriel on his journey to acceptance—by himself, his brujx community, and Lady Death—and love—with Julian who kick-starts the plot as an accidentally summoned spirit and…
collaborators’ mission statements
Even bookish people need some friends—we love collaborating.
Linnemann—Bücher und mehr
… is a family-run bookshop in the Südring shopping centre directly next to Paderborn University’s campus, where book club sessions take place. Linnemann has a diverse assortment including a section of English books and a shelf with a PADERBORN2READ selection display, established in October 2023. Each term’s books of choice are in stock and can be shopped as a bundle.
FRAG—Fachschaftsrat für Romanistik, Anglistik und Germanistik
… is the student committee representing Paderborn University’s students of Romanic Studies, English and American Studies, and Germanic Studies. PADERBORN2READ and FRAG are collaborating to organize book events, for example during Paderborn University’s annual reading week.
Book of the Month
… is a project by Paderborn University’s Department of English and American Studies, started in April 2017. The reading recommendations are written by staff and students and range from current bestsellers over classic literature to non-fiction books. PADERBORN2READ has individual members contributing reading recommendations and shares each term’s book club favourite.