Deadline for 2009 Campus Read Suggestions - March 6, 2009

In the fall of 2009, BSC is hosting Dr. Indu Anand, a Fulbright Scholar from India whose field of study is art history with a specialty in Islamic Art. Having Dr. Anand on campus gives us a unique opportunity to read a book from South Asia/Middle East/Near East with an authority right on campus.

The Campus Read Committee is still gathering suggestions for the 2009 Campus Read. The deadline is Friday, March 6, 2009.

The basic rules are few:

1. The book must be in print and in a paperback edition to ensure that it is available and affordable.
2. The book should be reasonably short…about 200-350 pages.
3. The Campus Read selection should be an engaging read that will generate lively discussion.
4. The book, as any other Campus Read book, should explore any of the universal themes of literature such as coming of age, abuse of power, triumph over adversity, the importance of the individual, conflicts with self, others, and nature, etc.

There has been some misunderstanding on campus that we will be studying and promoting Islam in our Campus Read. We hope the information above clears up that misunderstanding. The Fulbright Program out of Washington, D.C. has named its project Direct Access to the Muslim World, but this is not the theme of the Campus Read nor is the study of Islam as a religion the purpose of Dr. Anand's visit. Rather, this is a wonderful opportunity for us to take advantage of an international perspective of our world.

Several books have already been suggested for the 2009 Campus Read, some fiction and some non-fiction. Most are available at the BSC Library (if so, the call number is noted); the others are on order.

2009 Campus Read Suggestions (so far) -- We want to hear from you, too!

• The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (PN 6747 .S245 P4713 2007; DVD at Media PN 1997.2 .P47 2008)
• In the Name of God by Paula Jolin (On order)
• Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (DJ 292 .H57 A3 2007)
• Kabul: a Novel by M. E. Hirsh (On order)
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (PS 3608 .O832 K58 2005; DVD at Media PN 1995.9 .S87 K584 2008)
• Now They Call Me Infidel by Nonie Darwish (On order)
• Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi (PE 64 .N34 A3 2003)
• The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (PS 3558 .A42169 R45 2007)
• The Sewing Circles of Herat: a Personal Journey through Afghanistan by Christina Lamb (On order)
• Slumdog Millionaire (Original title: Q & A) by Vikas Swarup (On order
• The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra ; translated by John Cullen (On order)
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (PS 3608 .O832 T46 2007)
• Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace -- One School at a Time / by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (LC 2330 .M67 2007)
• The White Tiger: a Novel by Aravind Adiga (On order)

Campus Read Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the Campus Read Committee is scheduled on Friday, February 20, 2009, in the Alumni Room, Student Union Building, from noon to 1 p.m.

What should we read about the Muslim world? Suggestions needed

The 2009 Campus Read will begin Fall Semester and the Campus Read Committee has decided that this year’s book will relate to the Muslim world.

Why? Because BSC is hosting a visiting Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Indu Anand, Principal at Janki Devi Memorial College in New Delhi, India, through the Fulbright Visiting Specialists Program: Direct Access to the Muslim World. Dr. Indu Anand will be on our campus from September 20 through October 31, 2009.

What should we read? Please post your suggestions on the blog. The rules are few:

1. The book must be in print and in a paperback edition to ensure that it is available and affordable.


2. The book should be reasonably short…about 200-350 pages.


3. The Campus Read selection should be an engaging read that will generate lively discussion.

These titles have already been suggested:

• Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Available at BSC Library: DJ 292. H57 A3 2007)


• Now They Call Me Infidel by Nonie Darwish (On order for the BSC Library)


• Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Available at BSC Library: PN 6747 .S245 P4713 2007; also available in DVD: Media PN 1997.2 .P47 2008)


• The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (Available at BSC Library: PS 3558 .A42169 R45 2007)

We want to hear from you!