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Common Reading Program Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement

WSU Calls for Common Reading Book Nominations for 2024-25

Daniel Rieck
The Washington State University Common Reading Program has opened nominations through April 3 for the 2024-25 book to be used in first-year and other courses. “We are putting out the call well in advance of when the next common book will actually be in use because we want to give faculty plenty of time to evaluate the selected book and make plans as to how to use it in their classes,” said Karen Weathermon, program director. She said the book selection will be finalized by summer. » More ...

Kimmerer Lecture Rescheduled for Feb. 21

Daniel Rieck
“Braiding Sweetgrass” author Robin Wall Kimmerer has had to cancel today’s planned virtual Common Reading Invited Lecture at Washington State University Pullman originally set for 6 p.m. The event will be rescheduled soon, said Karen Weathermon, director of the Common Reading Program. Details about the rescheduled lecture, watch parties, and more will be posted on the Common Reading website as they become available. The complementary lunch prepared by Dining Services will still be served today at Hillside, Northside, and Southside centers. » More ...

Kimmerer Lecture Prompts Lunch Feast, Watch Parties, Museum Booklet

Daniel Rieck
As Washington State University readies for Braiding Sweetgrass author Robin Wall Kimmerer’s virtual lecture at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening, campus programs are sharing unique ways to engage first-hand in the common-reading inspired event. The lecture, titled, “What Does the Earth Ask of Us?,” is free and open to the public. Dining Services is offering a special luncheon menu Tuesday that is inspired by the book at all three Pullman campus cafes. Starting late Tuesday afternoon, several groups are inviting students and members of the WSU community to join watch parties to enjoy the lecture together. And the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU is producing a booklet to inspire visitors to find ties between works of art currently on display and themes found in Braiding Sweetgrass. (Notice: Robin Wall Kimmerer has had to cancel her lecture for the evening of 1/31 and will reschedule it soon for a later date.)

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WSU Common Reading Features Robin Wall Kimmerer Lecture Feb. 21

Daniel Rieck
Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of the common reading book for 2023, Braiding Sweetgrass.
Washington State University announced that Robin Wall Kimmerer, award-winning author of Braiding Sweetgrass, will be the featured guest speaker at the annual Common Reading Invited Lecture Mon., Jan. 31, at 6 p.m. The virtual event is free and open to the public. “We look forward to welcoming the author of this year’s common reading book to speak to WSU and the community,” said Karen Weathermon, director of the Common Reading Program. (Notice: Robin Wall Kimmerer has had to cancel her lecture for the evening of 1/31 and will reschedule it soon for a later date.) » More ...

Common Reading Teaching Guide Makes Online Debut

Daniel Rieck
Cover of the 2022-23 common reading book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

PULLMAN, Wash.—For the first time in its 16-year existence, the Washington State University Common Reading Program has produced a detailed guide to help faculty and staff better use the year’s common book strategically and effectively in classes, assignments, activities, and programming.

“The 58-page booklet is online and packed with information, ideas, examples, and references to bring to life the 2022-23 book, Braiding Sweetgrass, for first-year and other students in creative and even fun ways,” said Samantha Solomon, principal investigator on the grant that funded the guide’s creation.

“The project for me personally was very rewarding, as I had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who made me think about the content in a new way,” she said. “I also think this guide will be helpful to many people in the WSU community who want to use the common book but aren’t sure what role it could play in their learning environment.” » More …

WSU Selects Braiding Sweetgrass as Next Common Reading for Students

Daniel Rieck
Cover of the 2022-23 common reading book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University has selected as its 2022-23 common read for first-year and other students the book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Cover of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Published in 2013 by Milkweed Press, it features essays that convey scientific knowledge as well as indigenous lore and reflections on subjects such as the relationship between humans and the land, sacred traditions, agriculture and land use, environmental threat and regeneration, climate change, and more. The book is divided into five sections: planting, tending, picking, braiding, and burning sweetgrass. » More …

WSU Welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning Poet Natalie Diaz for Feb. 9 Reading

Daniel Rieck
Natalie Díaz will deliver a virtual reading for the 2022 Common Reading Invited Lecture on Wednesday, February 9 in the evening. Díaz is a Pulitzer Price winning poet and writer and the author of the poem American Arithmetic in A Tale of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation.

Pullman, Wash.—The Washington State University Common Reading Program and the Visiting Writers Series (VWS) will co-sponsor a reading by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author Natalie Diaz at 6:00 p.m. Wed., Feb. 9 via YouTube Live.

The event is open to the public and free of charge. A question-and-answer session will follow the virtual reading.

Diaz’s poem, “American Arithmetic,” is featured in this year’s common reading book, Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation. The book is used in dozens of classes for first-year and other students.

“We are pleased to co-sponsor with the Visiting Writers Series the poet’s address to WSU students, faculty, staff, and community guests,” said Karen Weathermon, Common Reading director.

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WSU Common Reading opens nominations for 2022-23 book through Nov. 15

Daniel Rieck

Pullman, Wash.—Have you read a good book lately that you think could spark Washington State University campus conversation around an important topic? One that could be used in classes across several disciplines in addition to providing a base for campus-wide programming?

The Common Reading Program announces that nominations for the 2022-23 book are open through Mon., Nov. 15. More information and the form can be accessed on the Book Nominations page on the Common Reading website.

“The next book will be the sixteenth in as many years,” said Karen Weathermon, director of the program. “Thousands of WSU students have benefitted from the program since it began, and from classroom discussions and faculty- and guest-expert lectures based on topics raised in each book.

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WSU Common Reading Offers Exam Copies of New Book to Faculty for Classes, Programs

Daniel Rieck
Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation. Edited by John Freeman.

PULLMAN, Wash.—Requests from faculty are now being accepted for digital exam copies of Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation, the 2021-22 common reading book, said Karen Weathermon, director of First-Year Programs, of which the Common Reading Program is a part.

“Anyone considering using the book for courses or programming aimed at students is encouraged to complete the online request for a digital exam copy,” she said.

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May 3 Book Request Deadline: Teaching Academy Book Club Using New Common Reading

Daniel Rieck

The WSU President’s Teaching Academy will be joining the WSU Common Reading Program for the 2021-2022 academic year by supporting a book club for faculty to read Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation edited by John Freeman. Their goal is to consider how the text can be applied to their classrooms and used to encourage their students’ engagement with topics related to social equity.

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