This year’s book is Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen.
The Common Book initiative at SNHU provides students with the opportunity to join their peers and professors in a common reading experience and in the pleasure of talking about books.
Water for Elephants was selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students because of its high interest and its potential for satisfying discussion.” We will continue to develop plans for using the book in our academic classes and in special social events on campus in the fall.
Based on preliminary discussions, essential questions might include the following: What is the value of caring for others –and being cared for? What constitutes a successful life? What are the benefits and detriments to living a very long life? How can our experiences, including our mistakes, make us wise?
Freshmen receive the selected book at summer orientation with the expectation that they will read in advance of their arrival on campus in September for Freshman Week. Their participation is intended to provide an introduction to the intellectual climate and culture of the college community. Students will have an option to extend their discussion in English and writing classes and in wider campus events during the school year.
In addition, the University sponsors The Montaigne Essay Contest, an annual opportunity for freshmen to write essays on topics provided to them at orientation. This contest is optional for students. It offers a prize to the winner of a $1,000 scholarship and the honor of being recognized and serving on the Common Book Committee, which will select the book for the following year.
We hope our choice of this Common Book will generate important and interesting conversations throughout the coming academic year!
