All incoming students read the same book over the summer, and the semester begins with a lively gathering with the author, students, faculty, and staff.
Every year Simon’s Rock selects a book that promotes interdisciplinary conversations about the intersection of cultures by a contemporary living author. Book One is an opportunity to read a great book, discuss it with the author, and hear others reflect on the same text.
While students enter Simon’s Rock with diverse experiences, and they go on to pursue highly individualized paths of study, programs like Book One, as well as Writing and Thinking and First Year Seminar, provide a common language and a touchstone for further conversations. The shared foundation helps foster a learning community.
The 2020 Book One selection is Grief Sequence by alumna Prageeta Sharma '89.
The author of each book selected for the Book One curriculum visits campus at the start of the academic year to discuss the book. This event, open to the public, invites the greater community to participate in the ongoing conversation around the themes and topics raised in Book One.