Kalamazoo’s SUMMER COMMON READING joins new students, faculty, and staff in a conversation about a novel they have read during the summer. Summer Common Reading is an important first step in building a cohesive, dynamic, educational community. To share a book means we all begin "on the same page"--literally. By reading this book attentively, discussing it with peers and faculty, connecting it to other academic disciplines at the college, the Summer Common Reading experience is seen a microcosm of, and a model for, a liberal arts education.

The fall 2009 novel is Rachel Kushner's novel Telex from Cuba.

Past SCR authors and novels include:
1999-Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams
2000-Richard Ford, Independence Day
2001-Chang-rae Lee, A Gesture Life
2002-Ha Jin, Waiting
2003-Ann Patchett, Bel Canto
2004-Aleksandar Hemon, Nowhere Man
2005-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Purple Hibiscus
2006-Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything Is Illuminated
2007-Edward P. Jones, The Known World
2008-Junot Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Since 2000, the author of the chosen novel has visited campus during orientation to augment discussion of the work.

The Summer Common Reading Committee:
Mickey McDonald, Provost
Andy Mozina, English Department
Zaide Pixley, Dean of the First Year & Advising
Di Seuss, English Department