Growing up, I have always been an avid reader. I was always a more advanced reader than my peers and felt like my love for reading made me strange. When I first arrived here at Chewonki, I got all settled in and then I pulled out my book and went to sit under an apple tree in orchard field. It was a beautiful 80 degree day, and it showed no sign of being the start of the fall. Within five minutes multiple people had come up to me and asked me what I was reading and they all seemed genuinely interested. It was strange to have other people be interested in my reading or asking me if they should read the book I was reading. Why would they take my advice? 

When I realized that many of the people here were avid readers, I was elated. I had finally found my people. Some of my favorite parts of everyday life here at Chewonki are curling up in my cabin surrounded by some of the greatest friends I have ever made and reading a book. I’ve only been a month and as I explore the campus and the other cabins I have found incredible spots to read, I have also discovered that many other cabins have little “libraries.” Many students came to the semester with 5 or 6 books each and shared them around cabins as well as the whole semester. If you have a book that you love, chances are someone here has it, or if not, someone has read it and has been just as obsessed with it as you. 

One of my favorite features of this campus is the library in the dining hall. There are a few shelves that are just brimming with impeccably written books. You can count on having an incredible book to read at all times, and if you are searching for that next incredible book, all you have to do is ask. It’s always fun to form little book clubs as well or talk to your friends about their books and progress. Here at Chewonki, I found my little reader community, and I am loving every minute of it. 

Ada LaTarte, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, MN