The process starts with each member putting in their initial recommendations and those going onto one ballot. Then, from that ballot students pick their top three. The final book is decided from the three top voted picks off the ballot. Though, there are some guidelines, such as no books that are part of a series.

"We also, because we try to pride ourselves in diversity, we avoid the same authors and we avoid the same authors back-to-back," Kani said. "On top of that we also have e-board picks… (which) do a good job at promoting underrepresented authors and stories."

This is similar to the phrase decorating the header on MSULA’s Instagram: "Dedicated to exploring literature while attempting to uplift stories written by underrepresented authors." This is the top guideline in all the book decisions from MSULA.

Some of the recent books they’ve read include "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie and "If We Were Villians" by M.L. Rio. In conversation about their books, MSULA discusses more than just plot. Members delve into conversation based on current events and pop-culture in relation to the books.

"Sure, we talk about the plot and the characters but, right now we’re reading ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ and we talked about the gaming industry and misogyny," Kani said. "We try to kind of scope it out more so that people can still contribute to conversation."

A big fan of these conversations and of pop-culture references, international relations senior and social chair of MSULA Shae Eckles loves to talk about the books MSULA reads.

"Reading a book with someone you don’t know, you get to learn so much about their personality and their person," Eckles said. "I’ve learned some very interesting things about what people have to say about books."

Though membership is encouraged, MSULA has no overbearing commitments or requirements. Everyone is welcome to the conversation because it's often related to greater events within the book and in the real world. English sophomore Jordan Ivonen felt immediately welcomed when she joined in fall 2023.

"I just jumped in, and it was like there was immediately so much going on," Ivoven said. "But it wasn’t overwhelming, like in a very good way, it was loud. There was a lot of people talking and there was a structured chaos that was very welcoming."

The group also hosts events such as jeopardy, movie nights and fundraisers. People are encouraged to come even if they don’t regularly attend meetings. But MSULA still hopes that people come to meetings and find a love for reading.

"I adore reading because it challenges you as a person and it forces you to look at things differently because everyone’s got blind spots. I think reading really helps you figure out where your blind spots are." Kani said. "It’s really scary to see like in my senior seminar class the professor asked 'who has read a book in college?' and only three people raised their hands."

Recent conversations surrounding book bans have been worrisome for Eckles, who believes all books should be accessible. 

"It’s just like so heartbreaking as someone who spends so much time reading and talking about books," Eckles said. "Something that should be accessible to everyone is being able to be manipulated by policies."

Kani has been a reader her whole life, and with book bans causing limited access and technology taking the focus away, she takes care to safeguard this passion she has always had.

"I don’t want to lose something I’ve been doing my whole life which is reading," Kani said. "Reading helps you cognitively, it helps you with empathy, it helps you with a lot of things. I picked it back up regularly and this club helped me do it because I didn’t want to lose that."