Christ Church Literature Society is a society for all Oxford students who are interested in literature – born out of conversations had between me, my friend Oliver Crosher (2025, Italian and Philosophy) (now the society’s secretary) and our tutor, Professor Charlotte Ross, last Michaelmas term. As lovers of literature we thought it was such a shame that the only reading we ever discussed was that which related to our tutorial essays and, ultimately, exams. We wanted an opportunity to discuss literature on a personal basis with the exceptional academics at Christ Church and the wider University. What books meant the most to them as people? Taking inspiration from shows such as ‘Desert Island Discs’, we decided to create an interview format which would put the question to academics: ‘If you could only recommend five pieces of literature to an undergraduate, what would they be?’ The name ‘Required Reading’ seemed to come naturally; surely these five special texts would be much more vital than any tutorial reading list.

This Hilary term we have had Academics from the faculties of Music, English, and Modern Languages  – joined by students ranging from English to Music to Mathematics. In addition to the four interviews we are hosting this term, we have also organised a number of social events in which people have been invited to create their own poems by highlighting news clippings, as well as a film night and a meadows walk.