By Ans Stork, Contributing Writer
Photos by Alex Allen

The Mini Marx, a small free bookshelf on the first floor of the Marx Library, made its debut in 2022. As of this year, it has given away 2,200 books. Mike Itaya, the creator, wanted to do something similar to the Haunted Bookshop in downtown Mobile. 

Mike’s mission, as well as his wife Ellen’s, was to encourage people to read recreationally. His idea for the Mini Marx was to accept donations from students, parents, and professors and then set them on the shelf for anyone to pick up. “It’s fun to tell you the truth…to see what people take,” says Mike. The Mini Marx offers a wide variety of books, including cookbooks, fantasy, young adult, romance, classics, and poetry. Not only do they offer free books, but they also include puzzles on the shelf. 

Along with the Mini Marx, a book club was created by Mia Holloway in the spring of 2025. Since her freshman year, Mia had always wanted to start a book club at South, and her junior year was when she made that dream come true. 

When the book club started last semester, only five people joined. That gave the club less of a variety when choosing a book. As of August 28, their first meeting, 13 members, including Mia, were there. With all the new interest, Mia says, “I’m excited to see what other genres we get with the turnout.”

They meet once a month to discuss books and also get together at Chai Time on a selected Tuesday each month for a “hangout,” as Mia puts it. The manager of the establishment reached out this summer, wanting to sponsor a club at the school, and giving the club a discount. There they talk, socialize, and enjoy good drinks. During the regular meetings, the club gets together to talk about the book, share theories or questions, and do an activity based on the book. Ellen Wilson, their advisor, attends these meetings, sometimes bringing snacks for the club. As a college student, Mia understands that it may be difficult to get through a book in a month, so even if you haven’t read it, she welcomes members to join and listen in. 

When it comes to choosing the monthly book, they employ a voting system. Mia creates a wheel to spin with recommendations from members. Once she has three titles, she creates a Google Form with a poll for members to vote on the next book. Also, with every book the club chooses, Wilson orders copies for the library for members to rent. 

They have read titles such as, If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio, The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and The Princess Bride by William Goldman. They are currently reading Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. To learn more about the USA Book Club and stay up to date, follow them on Instagram at @usabookclub.