臺師大圖書館讀書會: Spring 2025 Groups

Hi! I’m Angelica, nice to meet you! I propose the topic of Daily Life. I chose this topic because it is simple yet essential, offering a foundation for meaningful discussions. At the same time, it is flexible and open to incorporating suggested topics of interest from the group, ensuring a diverse range of viewpoints, conversations and discussions.
Through this topic, we’ll explore various aspects, including everyday life and routines, work and profession, and social norms and relationships, as well as how they differ across cultures. All topics will be explored through situational dialogue.
Each session will be heavily invested in interactive discussions, encouraging everyone to share their own experiences and viewpoints. These exchanges will allow us to explore how daily life influences our personal lives and shapes our understanding. The goal is for participants to feel comfortable discussing relatable topics and improve their English in a practical context. Note that there is no right or wrong in the context that touches on personal experiences and diverse perspectives, particularly in areas where views may vary due to cultural, moral, or ethical differences.
By the end of the course, I hope we’ll have a deeper appreciation for the diversity of daily life and feel more confident in daily conversations using the English language.

Welcome to the Greek Mythology Reading Group!
•
Session Structure:
Each session: 2 hours
First hour: Introduction to the myth and group discussion
Last 30-40 minutes: Role-playing and dramatic interpretation of the myths
In this group, we’ll explore fascinating Greek myths and their connections to the English language. Over 5 sessions, you’ll not only learn about these timeless stories but also discover how they influence modern expressions and words we use every day. Here's the content we'll cover:
The Myths We’ll Explore:
1.
Narcissus and Echo
Learn where the word “narcissist” comes from (hint: it’s about self-obsession!)
Understand how the word “echo” originates from the tragic nymph, Echo.
2.
Orpheus and Eurydice
Discover the myth of Orpheus, and explore themes of love, loss, and the idea of turning to stone by looking back.
Discuss this myth’s connection to universal patterns found in myths worldwide (e.g., Frazer’s Golden Bough).
3.
Europa
The continent Europe is named after the princess Europa—find out why this story still matters today!
4.
Cupid and Psyche
Cupid represents love in English, but what about Psyche? Explore the myth’s connection to the soul and emotional transformation.
5.
Interactive Learning:
•Step into the shoes of mythological characters and bring the stories to life through dramatic readings!
•Acting out the myths will let you explore different perspectives and experience the drama firsthand.
In the final session, vote for your favorite story and get creative as we prepare for a fun, theatrical performance!
 

Hello everyone! My name is Sarah, and I’m from Korea. I’m studying at the Graduate Institute of Management, and I’m excited to be leading our discussions on travel and tourism over the next five sessions.
A little about myself—I love exploring new places and learning about different cultures, which is one of the reasons I’m here at NTNU as an international student!
Over the coming sessions, we’ll be exploring various aspects of travel, with the goal of understanding how it impacts us and the world around us. We’ll discuss topics such as the effects of tourism on local communities, sustainable travel practices, current travel trends, the role of technology in travel, and the cultural exchanges that occur when we explore new places.
We’ll be using articles and other reading materials to support our discussions. While it’s not necessary to prepare or read the articles beforehand, doing so can provide more context for our conversations. Don’t worry if you haven’t read them in advance, as we’ll go through the key points during each session.
I’m looking forward to our discussions and hearing your experiences. Let’s get started and hope we can make the most of our time together!
Thank you, and see you all soon!

Hey there, fellow humans!
Let’s face it—we’re all in this together. Living, studying, and figuring out life side by side. But here’s the thing: while some of us are naturally gifted at building amazing friendships, others (like me, maybe you?) have to learn the art of connection. And guess what? That’s totally okay!
Whether you’re a social butterfly or someone who’s still figuring out how to navigate friendships, there’s always room to grow. And that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Welcome to our “How to Win Friends and Influence People” reading session! This isn’t just any book—it’s one of the top 3 best-selling books of all time, and for good reason. It’s packed with timeless wisdom on how to build meaningful relationships, make people feel valued, and, well, win friends (as the title suggests).
But here’s the best part: this isn’t a lecture. It’s a community. A space where we can all share ideas, ask questions, and learn from each other. Every session will end with some fun “homework”—applying what we’ve learned in that sessions in real life and sharing our experiences in the next meetup. Trust me, it’s going to be eye-opening, hilarious, and maybe even life changing.
If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen your friendships or make new ones, this is your chance. You’ll meet amazing people who, just like you, are eager to learn and grow. So, if you’re ready to level up your friendship game, come join us. Let’s read, share, laugh, and grow together. Who knows? You might just leave with not only new skills but also some incredible new friends.
See you at the session!

We will be reading a few short passages from Margo DeMello’s Animals and Society, which is free to be downloaded from our library website. (https://www.lib.ntnu.edu.tw/holding/doQuickSearch.jsp?action=view&param=%2Fsearch*cht%3F%2FXanimal%2B%2Bsociety%2B%26SORT%3DD%2FXanimal%2B%2Bsociety%2B%26SORT%3DD%26SUBKEY%3Danimal%2B%2Bsociety%2B%2F1%252C352%252C352%252CB%2Fframeset%26FF%3DXanimal%2B%2Bsociety%2B%26SORT%3DD%266%252C6%252C )

This reading group  is designed to engage students in the hope that they may also have a better understanding of  animals as they have been entangled in human civilizations. Issues covered may include companion animals, controversies of zoos, nature documentaries, conservation, and overfishing. Topics may vary according to our needs and interests.

Our reading group will explore issues about animals in relation to human societies and cultures. Topics and  passages read willl be selected from the book on the basis of the consensus between me and the participants.  Relevant videos will also be part of our discussions, which may take various forms like activities, games, group  work as well as competitions. Participants are welcome to join our sessions prepared. If you are too busy to finish materials, you're still welcome to join our sessions.

The followings are sample outlines for our discussions:

Companion Animals

😃The Pet Animal

Discussion: History of Pets and Donna Haraway’s Companion Species; Wolf Children 狼的孩子雨和雪 (2012) and Human-animal Border

What Separates Humans From Animals? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHmoAP9T5gw

This popular-science short video will serve as a listening practice geared toward TOEFL-IELTS. Some academic ideas will be briefly explained by the teacher and used in the discussion on film Wolf Children.

Zoos and Captive Animals

😀Display, Performance, and Sport

Debate: Do Zoos Protect or Harm Animals? Should Zoos Remain Open or Be Shut Down?

Material:

How Do We Fix the Zoo?

https://youtu.be/05nDoxdSzwY?si=FME2QHuNrFwifyi2

Why Zoos Sometimes Kill Animals?

https://youtu.be/8GH0TcmTQ6Q?si=YhU1ekVxwNmkfneB

Debate: Do Zoos Protect or Harm Animals? Should Zoos Remain Open or Be Shut Down? (Students will be asked  to prepare in advance for the positions they support and engage in a brief debate. Next they will be asked to  switch sides in order to help cultivate their empathy and learn to agree to disagree.)

Are you fascinated by how poetry can transport us to different eras, stir our emotions, and open our minds to fresh ideas? If so, I’d love for you to join my Library Poetry Reading Group, where we’ll dive into three key periods of poetry: Romantic, Modern, and Contemporary.
In our group, we won’t simply read poems—we’ll really explore them. We’ll learn to unpack the layers of meaning in each verse and appreciate the historical and cultural contexts that shaped these works. My goal is to create a warm space where we discuss how poetry has evolved and how poets from different eras express universal human experiences.
We’ve carefully selected a range of poems that capture the essence of each period. We’ll start with the emotionally charged verses of the Romantic era, then move on to Modern poetry’s innovative styles, and finish with Contemporary works that speak to today’s world. We’ll include classics like Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata and Mary Schmich’s Wear Sunscreen, among other thought-provoking pieces that promise to spark lively discussion.
Each session offers a chance to discuss themes, techniques, and the backgrounds of the poets while learning to analyze imagery, tone, and symbolism step by step. Whether you’re new to poetry or a longtime fan, this group is designed to deepen your understanding, boost your English skills, and connect you with fellow  literature lovers.
So, if you’re ready to embark on this literary adventure and explore the power and beauty of poetry, please join me. Let’s travel through time together, one poem at a time, and discover how these timeless works can inspire and transform us.

Hello everyone! My name is Alex Socop, and I am an indigenous K’iche’ Maya person from Guatemala, currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Psychology and Counseling at National Taiwan Normal University. I have always been passionate about good storytelling—whether in movies, series, or literature—and I believe that books offer a unique window into history, society, and the human experience.
This reading group is an opportunity for us to explore Southeast Asian literature in English and discuss its relevance to different cultural perspectives, including my own as an indigenous person from Central America (Caveat: “Central America” refers to a region in the middle of the Americas, the continent. Please keep in mind that “Central America” does not mean that I come from the central United States).
This semester, we will read “This Earth of Mankind” by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, one of Indonesia’s most influential writers. Set in Java in 1898, during Dutch colonial rule, the novel follows Minke, a young Javanese aristocrat navigating a world of racial hierarchy, political oppression, and the power of education. Through Minke’s journey, we will explore themes of colonialism, identity, language, and resistance, many of which resonate across different histories, including those of Guatemala, Taiwan, and other countries that have experienced colonization or occupation.
At the same time, I would also like to spark relevant discussions on the similarities and commonalities that still persist in modern times, despite our different historical contexts and experiences from those depicted in the novel.
We will meet every other Monday, reading four chapters every two weeks and sharing our insights in an open discussion format during the sessions. This group is a space for students of all backgrounds to exchange perspectives, connect sociohistorical commonalities, and deepen our understanding of literature as a  reflection of history and the human condition.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and engaging in meaningful discussions with all of you!

Our reading group will explore texts by North and South American writers to reveal the diverse artistic, cultural, and political landscape that has evolved since the discovery of America. By engaging with a wide array of American literary works, students will recognize the political and artistic interconnectedness of seemingly disparate cultural contexts. We will delve into crucial historical moments in the founding of American societies through selected passages from classic American novels, revolutionary poetry, and insightful literary criticism. Texts may include Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian, Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, Pablo Neruda’s Memoirs, José Hernández’s El gaucho Martín Fierro, and Tzvetan Todorov’s The  Conquest of America. Time permitting, we may also explore excerpts from Neruda’s Residence on Earth,  Borges’s essays on Martín Fierro, Carl Sandburg’s Chicago Poems, McCarthy’s The Crossing, Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance and Other Essays, among others, to enrich our  understanding and appreciation of world literature.

Are you curious about European culture? Interested in travelling there some day for vacation, or perhaps for your studies or work? Do you like stories? Then this is the group for you! 
In this group, we will talk about stories from Europe (ranging from the Viking myths of Scandinavia to the fairytales collected by The Brothers Grimm), and use them to discover different European cultures.
There are around 50 countries in Europe, so it’s safe to say we won’t be able to cover every country in just 5 sessions. Instead, we will focus on whichever countries the members want to talk about in particular. For the first session, we will talk about stories from the United Kingdom (i.e. Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland), which has, in the past, been a favourite of group members. But after that, members will be invited to suggest countries they’d like to learn more about through stories!
We will have a reading each session, discussing at least one story from a particular European country. Members won’t be expected to read everything beforehand— but do expect to discuss the article in question during the session. 
Logistical details, such as time and place of the sessions, can be discussed and modified as we go along :)

 

 

Hi! My names is JJ! At the moment I’m enrolled as a second year student for the master’s degree in English. I’m from a Guatemala, a country located in Central America! I came to Taiwan three years ago and I fell in love with its food, its people, its night markets, its natural landscape. I’m passionate about literature, sports, culture, music and history and today I want to share with you some of my interests so that we can discuss and learn from each other, while practicing your English skills!
The reading group that I’m proposing takes you into a journey to discover Latin America. In the five session that we will share, we’ll be reading five short stories by Latin American authors that deal with different sensibilities and issues across time and space. We will touch periods such as:
Pre-Columbian Period — before the discovery of America
Colonial Period — 16th century all the way up to the early 19th century
Independent Period — 19th century, when the grand majority of countries that we know today came to be
20th Century — a period of social upheaval, development and political change
Post Millennial Period — the 21st century with its tech developments and new anxieties, unresolved issues and the urgent climate change conversation
The aim is that through a discussion-based approach you can have the chance to explore a glimpse of this colorful region of the world, pose your own questions, immerse in the Latin American culture, read some interesting and vibrant short stories, and above all practice your English skills, while having fun!
So I hope that this piques your interest and you can join me and get to know each other in the group sessions! Have a good one!