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Books-A-Million - Every year, a book is chosen through the Common Book program for all incoming freshmen to read in Henderson Seminar. In the past few years, books such as "The Kite Runner," "Enrique's Journey" and the newest addition, "Persepolis," have been chosen. Unlike most, "Persepolis" is a two-book read instead of one.

Chosen Books Share 'Common' Theme

By: Chris Rollins

Posted: 3/8/10

Henderson has many programs
to offer the students on campus.

The mass media department
on campus offers production
time for television, on-air broadcasting, on radio and reporting for the newspaper.
The aviation department offers real flight time as well as simulation time in a flight simulator.

The Student Activities Board (SAB) organizes contest,
concerts and a movie each week for students to view, along with many other programs.
In short, there is plenty to do at Henderson.

One can add Huie Library to the list of organizations that provide special programs
for students to participate
in.

However, this is no ordinary
book club. This book club has more interaction and communication than a normal book club would have.

The Huie Library has the Common Book program for the students and faculty.

This is a book club in which a committee picks a book for the entire campus to read and discuss throughout the period of around one year.

The program is open to everyone
on campus. Anyone can join, attend and participate
in these readings, discussions
and events.

Discussion of the book is encouraged for everyone who reads along throughout the year.

These discussions can be formal or informal depending
on the situation.

The book is often discussed
in seminar classes. Events offer another chance for participants to interact with each other.

The Common Book program
was started in the fall of 2006.

The first book for reading was "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. The book is chosen by a committee of members to be used in all of Henderson's seminars.

Books are placed on a nomination list by the committee
members.

These members are from nine departments.

Some of these departments include music, biology, theater
and English.

Anyone can suggest for a book for the nomination list, but the committee makes the final choice.

The committee members try to pick a book based on the contents relevance to students and readability.

Books that are popular in high school reading will not be chosen.

The book should be able to relate to several areas of the students' curriculum. The book should also be interesting
and fun to read.

Books that are controversial
are usually not chosen.

However, that does not mean that a book that under scrutiny will not ever be chosen.

Students have enough books already to read throughout the year. Another
boring book will not make the nomination list.

Books have to be enticing to read for the student for the program to be successful.
Some books are chosen over other books if the author
of the book is alive and is willing to give a speech at Henderson.

If the author is deceased, the event is still related to the book.

These books cost nothing to the student.

The books are bought from a budget.
The library also has several
events that relate to the book that is chosen during the first half of the year.

These can be special discussion
meetings or guest speakers that speak about the book.

Discussion meetings help encourage communication between readers.

Guest speakers from the past include an original author
and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Author Sonia Nazario was the guest speaker in 2008, which was the same year the committee picked her "Enrique's
Journey."

Kennedy was the guest speaker in 2007 for the book "Never Cry Wolf" by Farley Mowat.

The common book selection
for this year is "When the Emperor Was Divine" by Julie Otsuka.

The library is just one of the many departments with interesting activities for students
and faculty alike.

It is a chance for readers to relate books and their content
to their own lives.