Book Nominations Sought for U of I’s 2023-24 Common Read

MOSCOW, Idaho —  Community members are invited to nominate books for University of Idaho’s next Common Read.

The suggestions will guide decisions by U of I’s Common Read Committee, which selects a single book each year for the event that seeks to create a common intellectual discussion over a shared text between U of I students and employees across the state, as well as Moscow residents. The selected book will become U of I’s 16^th annual Common Read.

First-year students will be assigned to read the book in their studies and writing composition courses. The book may be included in other general education course curriculum.

“We look for books that open our ways of thinking and seeing, that challenge our knowledge and thought processes, and that increase our knowledge and understanding,” said Dean Panttaja, director of general education and Common Read committee chair.

The selection committee gives preference to books that address contemporary issues, can be used in a wide range of courses and are accessible to students of various reading levels.

Suggestions should be sent to Panttaja via email by Sept. 30 and include the following information: Title, author, area of focus (e.g. racism, immigration, resilience, etc.), and a brief statement on how it meets the selection committee’s criteria.

The 2022-23 Common Read is “So You Want to Talk About Race,” by feminist Ijeoma Oluo. Oluo will offer the keynote address in honor of the U of I Women’s Center’s 50th Anniversary at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 in the ICCU Arena.

Other recent Common Reads have included: Tara Westover’s “Educated; A Memoir” in 2018; Tommy Orange’s “There, There” in 2019; Cristina Henriquez’s “The Book of Unknown Americans” in 2020; and “Grit: The Power and Passion of Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth in 2021.

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Media Contact:

Kyle Pfannenstiel
External Communications Coordinator
208-329-8947
kylecp@uidaho.edu