{"id":256,"date":"2026-04-22T08:50:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/?page_id=256"},"modified":"2026-04-22T15:50:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T19:50:06","slug":"previous","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/previous\/","title":{"rendered":"Previous Common Read Selections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-umflint-templates umflint-template-default_no_jumbotron\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);min-height:50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-371\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/61\/files\/2025\/03\/Blue.UCEN_.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#FFF\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-secondary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1c8a9d91cc995ed8a1252dcdf7d430a1\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(31.152px, 1.947rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.863), 55px);font-style:normal;font-weight:600;text-transform:uppercase\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Previous Common Read Selections<\/mark><\/h1>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-3\">\n\t\t\t\n<button class=\"btn btn-section w-100 px-0 wp-menu-block-toggle mobile-nav-toggle d-none\" data-target=\"wp-menu-block-side-menu\">\n          <span class=\"h-100 mr-3 mt-1 d-block mobile-nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t  <\/span>\n          Common Read<\/button><nav id=\"wp-menu-block-side-menu\" class=\"wp-menu-block sidebar-nav wp-block-umflint-menu-block\"><div class=\"nav-sidebar-title-container\">\n                <div class=\"nav-sidebar-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\">Common Read<\/a><\/div>\n                <a class=\"nav-sidebar-title-close\" href=\"#\" data-target=\"side-menu\" aria-label=\"Close\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"50\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n                        <title>close<\/title><path d=\"M19,6.41L17.59,5L12,10.59L6.41,5L5,6.41L10.59,12L5,17.59L6.41,19L12,13.41L17.59,19L19,17.59L13.41,12L19,6.41Z\" \/>\n                    <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n            <\/div><ul id=\"menu-side-menu\" class=\"menu nav nav-sidebar flex-column\"><li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-7\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-7 nav-item\"><a title=\"About\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/about\/\" class=\"nav-link\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-221\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-221 nav-item\"><a title=\"Events\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/events\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-250\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-250 nav-item\"><a title=\"Author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/author\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Author<\/a><\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-278\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-278 nav-item\"><a title=\"Previous Common Reads\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/previous\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Previous Common Reads<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-9\">\n\t\t\t\n<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb mb-3\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\">Common Read<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\">Previous Common Read Selections<\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c\">More Than a Decade of Shared Reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Common Read program has brought students, faculty and staff together around a single book each year since 2011. Each selection invites campus-wide conversation on important contemporary issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Between-Two-Kingdoms-A-Memoir-of-A-Life-Interrupted-by-Suleika-Jaouad-.jpeg\" alt=\"Book cover for &quot;Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted&quot; by Suleika Jaouad, showing a person and a dog sitting on top of a yellow van by the water.\" class=\"wp-image-258 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Between-Two-Kingdoms-A-Memoir-of-A-Life-Interrupted-by-Suleika-Jaouad-.jpeg 662w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Between-Two-Kingdoms-A-Memoir-of-A-Life-Interrupted-by-Suleika-Jaouad--199x300.jpeg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of A Life Interrupted<\/em> by Suleika Jaouad (2023-24)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A memoir of illness, a narrative of the making and remaking of intimacies and relationships, an exploration of how heartbreak and illness produce writing and art, and the tale of a road trip across the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22Between%20Two%20Kingdoms%22,AND&amp;query=any,contains,Jaouad,AND&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=rank&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;mode=advanced&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22Between+Two+Kingdoms%3A+A+Memoir+of+A+Life+Interrupted%22&amp;offset=1&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Cbook-braille%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2022\/05\/IMG_2116.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover of &quot;I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir&quot; by Malaka Gharib, featuring a cartoon person with star-shaped glasses in front of a group of people.\" class=\"wp-image-78 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2022\/05\/IMG_2116.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2022\/05\/IMG_2116-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir<\/em> by Malaka Gharib (2022-23)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The autobiographical story of Gharib&#8217;s struggles through childhood, youth, and early adulthood to come to terms with her bi-ethnic identity, as the child of immigrants, a Catholic Filipina mother and Muslim Egyptian father, and life in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22I%20Was%20Their%20American%20Dream:%20A%20Graphic%20Memoir%22&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=date_d&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;facet=frbrgroupid,include,9016960873995388929&amp;lang=en&amp;offset=0\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22I+Was+Their+American+Dream%22&amp;itemType=book&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-thsis&amp;author=Gharib%2C+Malaka\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"647\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/he-Home-Place.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover for &quot;The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature&quot; by J. Drew Lanham, featuring a blue background with brown tree branches and a flying bird silhouette.\" class=\"wp-image-276 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/he-Home-Place.jpg 647w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/he-Home-Place-194x300.jpg 194w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man&#8217;s Love Affair with Nature<\/em> by J. Drew Lanham (2021-22)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A lyrical tribute to the natural world: its beauty, resilience, and diversity. Drawing on the history of his African American family, rooted in the soil and woods of South Carolina, Lanham reflects on the development of selfhood and his intimate connection to and love of place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=any,contains,%22The%20Home%20Place%22%20AND%20Lanham&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, The Home Place by J. Drew Lanham\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22The+Home+Place%3A+Memoirs+of+a+Colored+Man%E2%80%99s+Love+Affair+with+Nature%22&amp;offset=1\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, The Home Place by J. Drew Lanham\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Tell-Me-How-It-Ends.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover with the text &quot;Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions&quot; by Valeria Luiselli.\" class=\"wp-image-275 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Tell-Me-How-It-Ends.jpg 645w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Tell-Me-How-It-Ends-194x300.jpg 194w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions<\/em> by Valeria Luiselli (2020-21)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Luiselli, a prominent writer and MacArthur Fellow, drew on her experience as an interpreter for unaccompanied refugee children in New York City immigration courts for her essay. Prompted by the intake questions, Luiselli reflects on the border, family and childhood, community, national identity and belonging, and language itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=any,contains,%22Tell%20Me%20How%20It%20Ends:%20An%20Essay%20in%20Forty%20Questions%22&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;facet=rtype,include,books&amp;lang=en&amp;offset=0\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, Tell Me How It Ends by Valeria Luiselli\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22Tell+Me+How+It+Ends%3A+An+Essay+in+Forty+Questions%22&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, Tell Me How It Ends by Valeria Luiselli\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Sing-Unburied-Sing.jpeg\" alt=\"Book cover of &quot;Sing, Unburied, Sing&quot; by Jesmyn Ward with award seals and a quote from O, Oprah Magazine.\" class=\"wp-image-274 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Sing-Unburied-Sing.jpeg 230w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Sing-Unburied-Sing-197x300.jpeg 197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Sing, Unburied, Sing<\/em> by Jesmyn Ward (2019-20)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A moving novel focused on a quest for family and love in the dangerously racist and deeply impoverished fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi. Ward is a MacArthur Fellow and National Book Award winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22Sing,%20Unburied,%20Sing%22,AND&amp;query=creator,contains,Ward,AND&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=rank&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;mode=advanced&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22Sing%2C+Unburied%2C+Sing%22&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital&amp;author=Ward%2C+Jesmyn\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/The-Sixth-Extinction-An-Unnatural-History-by-Elizabeth-Kolbert.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover of &quot;The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History&quot; by Elizabeth Kolbert, featuring a yellow background and an orange skeleton of an animal.\" class=\"wp-image-266 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/The-Sixth-Extinction-An-Unnatural-History-by-Elizabeth-Kolbert.jpg 662w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/The-Sixth-Extinction-An-Unnatural-History-by-Elizabeth-Kolbert-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History<\/em> by Elizabeth Kolbert (2018-19)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kolbert&#8217;s Pulitzer Prize-winning book reports on major human-induced challenges facing natural life across the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/permalink\/01UMICH_INST\/1vgmh5i\/alma990128107130106381\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22The+Sixth+Extinction%22+AND+Kolbert&amp;offset=1&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Cbook-braille%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/We-Need-New-Names-by-NoViolet-Bulawayo.jpeg\" alt=\"Book cover with yellow background and blue and maroon text reading &quot;We Need New Names&quot; by NoViolet Bulawayo, with a white bird silhouette.\" class=\"wp-image-267 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/We-Need-New-Names-by-NoViolet-Bulawayo.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/We-Need-New-Names-by-NoViolet-Bulawayo-193x300.jpeg 193w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>We Need New Names<\/em> by NoViolet Bulawayo (2017-18)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A novel of displacement and relocation that speaks to people&#8217;s movements across cultural and political borders in the contemporary world, it begins in a Zimbabwean shantytown, is narrated in the remarkable voice of a young girl, Darling, and ends in Detroit and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Edwidge Danticat, novelist, essayist, and our inaugural Common Read author, describes it as &#8220;an exquisite and powerful first novel, filled with an equal measure of beauty and horror and laughter and pain.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22We%20Need%20New%20Names%22,AND&amp;query=creator,contains,Bulawayo,AND&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=rank&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;mode=advanced&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22We+Need+New+Names%22+AND+Bulawayo&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Cbook-braille%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"232\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Between-the-World-and-Me-by-Ta-Nehisi-Coates-.jpeg\" alt=\"Book cover of &quot;Between the World and Me&quot; by Ta-Nehisi Coates with a National Book Award winner seal.\" class=\"wp-image-268 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Between-the-World-and-Me-by-Ta-Nehisi-Coates-.jpeg 232w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Between-the-World-and-Me-by-Ta-Nehisi-Coates--199x300.jpeg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Between the World and Me<\/em> by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2016-17)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Written as a letter to his son, Coates explores what it means to be black in America. This National Book Award winner also appeared on many best-of-the-year lists when it was published in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22Between%20the%20World%20and%20Me%22,AND&amp;query=creator,contains,Coates,AND&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=rank&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;mode=advanced&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22Between+the+World+and+Me%22+AND+Coates&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-mic%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Cbook-braille%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"226\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Dead-Man-Walking-by-Sister-Helen-Prejean.jpeg\" alt=\"Book cover for &quot;Dead Man Walking&quot; by Sister Helen Prejean, featuring a small black-and-white image of a person walking down a dark corridor.\" class=\"wp-image-269 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Dead-Man-Walking-by-Sister-Helen-Prejean.jpeg 226w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Dead-Man-Walking-by-Sister-Helen-Prejean-194x300.jpeg 194w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 226px) 100vw, 226px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Dead Man Walking<\/em> by Sister Helen Prejean (2015-16)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Published in 1994, the book is widely heralded as a profound reflection on capital punishment and has also been the basis for a film and an opera. The memoir speaks to issues of capital punishment, the criminal justice system, the humanity of perpetrators, and the claims and needs of direct and indirect victims of brutal crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,Dead%20Man%20Walking,AND&amp;query=creator,contains,Helen%20Prejean,AND&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=rank&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;mode=advanced&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22Dead+Man+Walking%22+AND+Prejean&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-mic%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-mss%2Cbook-braille%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-cassette%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"232\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Fire-in-the-Ashes.jpeg\" alt=\"Book cover for &quot;Fire in the Ashes&quot; by Jonathan Kozol, with subtitle &quot;Twenty-Five Years Among the Poorest Children in America&quot; and a blurred image of a child standing outdoors.\" class=\"wp-image-273 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Fire-in-the-Ashes.jpeg 232w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Fire-in-the-Ashes-199x300.jpeg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Fire in the Ashes: Twenty-Five Years Among the Poorest Children in America<\/em> by Jonathan Kozol (2014-15)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This book revisits the children and families about whom Kozol has written in earlier works. Some of the stories are about defeat and the inability to overcome almost impossible odds. Others are accounts of resilience, determination, and creativity, of children emerging whole and full of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22Fire%20in%20the%20Ashes%22,AND&amp;query=creator,contains,Kozol,AND&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=rank&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;mode=advanced&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, Fire in the Ashes by Jonathan Kozol\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22Fire+in+the+Ashes%22+AND+Kozol&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, Fire in the Ashes by Jonathan Kozol\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/he-Submission-by-Amy-Waldman.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover for &quot;The Submission&quot; by Amy Waldman, winner of the American Book Award and a national bestseller, featuring a cityscape background within the title text.\" class=\"wp-image-272 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/he-Submission-by-Amy-Waldman.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/he-Submission-by-Amy-Waldman-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>The Submission<\/em> by Amy Waldman (2013-14)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Set in New York City, this novel is about perspectives and tensions in the wake of 9\/11. It raises broad questions about identity, respect, and belonging; uses of public space and the nature of art; and the behaviors of politicians and the media. It particularly explores Muslim-American identities and experiences after 2001.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22The%20Submission%22,AND&amp;query=creator,contains,Waldman,AND&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=rank&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;mode=advanced&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, The Submission by Amy Waldman\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22The+Submission%22+AND+Amy+Waldman&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, The Submission by Amy Waldman\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"569\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/The-Immortal-Life-of-Henrietta-Lacks.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-271 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/The-Immortal-Life-of-Henrietta-Lacks.jpg 569w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/The-Immortal-Life-of-Henrietta-Lacks-171x300.jpg 171w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks<\/em> by Rebecca Skloot (2012)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This widely reviewed and praised work of non-fiction focuses on the history of both U.S. medical research and one multi-generational African-American family. Skloot visited UM-Flint as part of the Common Read in the Fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22The%20Immortal%20Life%20of%20Henrietta%20Lacks%22&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;lang=en&amp;offset=0&amp;facet=rtype,include,books,lk\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22The+Immortal+Life+of+Henrietta+Lacks%22&amp;itemType=book%2Caudiobook&amp;itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-mic%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Caudiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-digital%2Caudiobook-lp\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"257\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Brother-Im-Dying-by-Edwidge-Danticat.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover for &quot;Brother, I'm Dying&quot; by Edwidge Danticat, featuring black-and-white family photos on a yellow background.\" class=\"wp-image-270 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Brother-Im-Dying-by-Edwidge-Danticat.jpg 257w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/22\/files\/2026\/04\/Brother-Im-Dying-by-Edwidge-Danticat-202x300.jpg 202w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 257px) 100vw, 257px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.469), 20px);font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Brother, I&#8217;m Dying<\/em> by Edwidge Danticat (2011)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of Michigan-Flint inaugurated the Common Read program in Fall 2011 with Edwidge Danticat&#8217;s &#8220;Brother, I&#8217;m Dying,&#8221; her 2007 memoir that bridges Haiti and the United States and demonstrates the power of words to recreate worlds of both suffering and love. Ms. Danticat visited the UM-Flint campus on March 13, 2012. During her time at UM-Flint, she participated in a writing seminar with faculty and students and delivered a public presentation on her book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umich.primo.exlibrisgroup.com\/discovery\/search?query=title,contains,%22Brother,%20I%27m%20Dying%22&amp;tab=NewEverything&amp;search_scope=FLINT_Everything&amp;sortby=date_d&amp;vid=01UMICH_INST:FLINT&amp;facet=frbrgroupid,include,9074608584764511434&amp;lang=en&amp;offset=0\" aria-label=\"Find it at the Thompson Library, Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat\">Find it at the Thompson Library<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/search?q=%22Brother%2C+I%E2%80%99m+Dying%22&amp;itemType=audiobook%2Cbook&amp;itemSubType=audiobook-cd%2Caudiobook-cassette%2Caudiobook-digital%2Cbook-printbook%2Cbook-digital%2Cbook-thsis%2Cbook-largeprint%2Cbook-braille\" aria-label=\"Find it at another library, Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat\">Find it at another library<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/previous\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-256","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=256"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/256\/revisions\/279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/commonread\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}