Introduction

The Tufts University Common Reading Program is designed to furnish all incoming first-year and transfer students with a shared intellectual experience, providing a foundation for critical thinking. Chosen by a committee comprised of students, faculty and staff, we hope that the book read by all incoming Jumbos will foster conversation among new students, returning student leaders, staff and faculty, and engender a sense of community that will help ease the transition to college life.

The Common Reading Book will be sent to each new student’s home address in the beginning of July. Each student should come to Tufts having read the Common Reading selection and expecting to engage in conversation with their fellow students, Orientation Leaders and advisors.

Previous selections for the Common Reading Program include Zeitoun (by Dave Eggers), This I Believe (edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gedimen), Mountains Beyond Mountains (by Tracy  Kidder), All Souls (by Michael Patrick MacDonald), The Blue Death (by Robert Morris), Brother, I'm Dying (by Edwidge Danticat) and The Story of Stuff (by Annie Leonard).