Want to learn more about the ReadUP book selection, The Leavers? The Clark Library has created a companion guide with author interviews, reviews, awards, and other resources. Visit the ReadUP site for the latest on upcoming events and opportunities to discuss the book. Faculty, staff, and commuter students can now pick up their pre-reserved copy of The Leavers from the Clark Library service desk.
ReadUP
ReadUP 2019-2020: Order Books Now
All students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in UP’s sixth annual ReadUP program. This year’s selection is The Leavers by Lisa Ko, who will speak on February 10, 2020 as part of this year’s annual Schoenfeldt Writers Series.
The Leavers, Ko’s 2017 debut novel, was a National Book Award finalist, winner of the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Fiction, and was named a Best Book of 2017 by NPR, Entertainment Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed, Bustle, Electric Literature, and others. According to a review in The Atlantic, “For topicality, Lisa Ko’s novel The Leavers, about an undocumented mother who suddenly disappears and the young American-born son she leaves behind, could hardly be better timed.”
ReadUP is the University’s annual celebration of literature in which the entire local campus community — students, faculty, and staff — are invited to read “one book together.” Free copies of each year’s selection are distributed by the Clark Library and in residence halls, and book discussion groups are formed in the residence halls and at faculty/staff brown bag lunches. The campaign culminates with a public lecture and discussion by the book’s author, as part of the Schoenfeldt Distinguished Visiting Writers Series. The author’s visit to the UP campus — and the efforts to get each year’s riveting selection into the hands, heads and hearts of UP students, faculty and staff — is sponsored by the Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writers Series, the Office of the Provost, Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life & American Culture, Clark Library, Office of Residence Life, the Office of University Relations, and the Office of Marketing and Communications.
To order your free copy, please click here. Orders will be taken starting Monday, October 21 through Friday, November 1. Starting Monday, November 11, students living in residence halls will pick up their books from their hall directors and for everyone else, books can be picked up from the Clark Library, any time between 7:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., at the main circulation desk.
Colum McCann Lecture to Cap Off ReadUP 2019
Author Colum McCann, whose Let the Great World Spin is this year’s ReadUP selection, will offer a lecture that is free and open to all on Wednesday, February 20, at 7 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium. He will also be available immediately after the lecture to sign copies of his book. This lecture is part of the Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writers Series. Other campus partners are the Office of the Provost, Garaventa Center, Office of Residence Life, Clark Library, and Marketing & Communications.
For more information contact the Garaventa Center at x7702 or garaventa@up.edu.
ReadUP Website: See the Latest!
The ReadUP website has been updated to include several photos of people all over campus reading this year’s book, and also a video by Lars Larson, English, highlighting compelling elements and possible takeaways from the book, at this link.
For more information contact Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, at eifler@up.edu.
ReadUP is Underway!
People all over campus have been spotted diving into Let the Great World Spin, the 2019 ReadUP selection. For an extra burst of inspiration about what to look for in Colum McCann’s novel, check out this 2-minute video with insights from Lars Larson, English. For a reading guide compiled by UP’s rockstar librarians and details about discussion groups and McCann’s February 20 visit to campus, check out the ReadUP website here.
UP’s Fifth Annual ReadUP Program: Get Books Now
All students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in UP’s fifth annual ReadUP program. This year’s selection is Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann, who will be speaking on February 20 as part of this year’s annual visiting Schoenfeldt Writers Series. This international best-selling novel won worldwide acclaim, including the 2009 National Book Award.
To order your free copy, please click here. Orders will be taken through Friday, November 2. Students living in residence halls will pick up the book from their hall director. For everyone else, books can be picked up from the Clark Library starting Monday, November 12, any time between 7:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., at the main circulation desk.
More information regarding upcoming book discussions and other highlights can be found at up.edu/readup.
Schoenfeldt, ReadUP Author Rebecca Skloot Lecture, Feb. 26
The entire University community is invited to take part in the culmination of the fourth annual ReadUP event, according to Thomas Greene, provost. This year features The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, who will speak on February 26 as a guest of the Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writers Series. Her lecture will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Buckley Center Auditorium.
This New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew. Though best-known for The Immortal Life, Rebecca Skloot has written more than 200 feature articles, personal essays, book reviews, and news stories for The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, Discover, and other publications. She served as co-editor of The Best American Science Writing 2011 and has worked as a correspondent for NPR’s Radiolab and PBS’s Nova ScienceNOW. Her 2010 book was a number one New York Times bestseller and was featured on more than 60 critics’ “best of the year” lists. It was the 2011 winner of the National Academies Communication Award for best creative work that helps the public understanding of topics in science, engineering or medicine.
The “One Book Together” series is a campus-wide common reading program aimed at bringing students, faculty, and staff together. More information regarding book discussions and other highlights can be found at up.edu/readup.
Final ReadUP Discussion Group, Feb. 22
All UP faculty, staff and students are invited to discuss this year’s ReadUP selection, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, in a final discussion group facilitated by Fr. Charlie Gordon, C.S.C., on Thursday, February 22, from noon to 1 p.m., in the Library Conference Room. Philosophy professor Thompson Faller, beloved retired member of our UP community, will join the conversation to add his knowledge of medical ethics. Light refreshments will be served; participants are encouraged to bring their lunch if desired. For a complete schedule of events related to ReadUP and author Rebecca Skloot’s visit to campus, please visit up.edu/readup. Questions about the book discussion can be directed to Fr. Charlie (gordon@up.edu) or Karen Eifler (eifler@up.edu) in the Garaventa Center.
Clark Library: ReadUP Books Available
There is still time to do some reading and participate in ReadUP. Extra copies of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks are available at the Clark Library service desk and will be given away while supplies last. The first discussion group meets on Wednesday, February 7, and author Rebecca Skloot will give a public lecture at UP on February 26. Visit the ReadUP site for the full schedule.
Clark Library: ReadUP Books Are Here
Did you sign up for a copy of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks? The pre-ordered books have arrived! The pick-up point for faculty, staff, and off-campus students is the Clark Library service desk between 7:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. On-campus students will get copies in their residence halls. More details about the upcoming book discussions are on the ReadUP website.