Book Jackets, the on-campus book club hosted its inaugural Storybook Gala on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Student Activity Center (SAC), inviting students to step into a night inspired by some of the fiction books they read in their group.
The event, which ran from 7:30 to 10 p.m., was entirely student-run and led by club co-founder and vice president Bella Issa and president Ursula Saadeh, with support from treasurer Maddie Keil and faculty advisor Heidi Thoenen.
The gala was designed to bring a touch of fantasy to campus, offering students a formal, literature-inspired experience at an affordable price. Tickets were only $8 and included a free raffle ticket for gift baskets donated by various organizations. The night also included BW-catered food, music, and themed decorations.
“We wanted to give a different community an enjoyable, fancy night, while also making our cute little dreams about these fantasy balls come true,” Issa said.
The Storybook Gala was born from the Book Jackets’ mission to foster a love for reading and create immersive experiences tied to literature, while also being able to take a step away from classes. The idea took shape over winter break, allowing organizers to focus on budgeting and maximizing event planning.
“I think my favorite part of being a student in a student-run club is being able to connect with people outside of classes,” Keil said.
A key feature of the event decorations-wise was a faux stained-glass window, created by Issa, which served as a photo backdrop to enhance the magical atmosphere. The group hopes the gala will become an annual tradition, bringing students together through storytelling, creativity, and shared literary passions.
In its regular meetings, the club focuses primarily on fiction, often selecting books that align with heritage months and student interests. In addition to reading and discussing books, the club also hosts hands-on activities such as bookbinding workshops and a book-finding initiative. They have also collaborated with Circle K to create a Free Library on campus.
“Our mission is that we want to create as welcoming of a space as possible, while also showing people diverse perspectives through books,” says Issa.
With hopes of making the Storybook Gala a recurring event, club members see this as just the beginning. Despite financial restrictions that limit rolling over fundraiser money from year to year, they are exploring larger fundraising opportunities to support future activities. The club is also preparing for its February book discussion, featuring “Faebound” by Sarah El-Atifi, and a spring bookbinding event.
Students interested in joining can follow the club on Instagram at @bookjacketsss for updates and event details.
