The Common Reader program started at Sam Houston State University in the academic year 2008 to 2009. Fast forward to this year, the common reader book is titled “Sitting Pretty” by Rebekah Taussig.

She visited the university on Nov. 15 and  hosted 4 events in the LSC Orange Ballroom. Writing the Senses began at 11:00 a.m., then a Disability Awareness Workshop at 2:00 p.m., followed by a Keynote and meet-and-greet.

She signed copies of her book after the events were done for the day.

Taussig wrote a memoir-in-essays about her life growing up during the 90s and early 2000s. She mainly writes about living in a society where she didn’t feel represented.

As a disabled woman, she is able to reflect on ableism and how it affects her everyday life. She spent most of her keynote speech addressing the subject.

The university has a selection committee composed of staff, faculty, and students. The committee’s job is to narrow many choices to ultimately select one book that can resonate with the Bearkat community.

They review book nominations and select which one will be the official common reader for the selected year.

Copies of the book are usually available with the Bearkat Bundle when its adopted by your class or at the Academic Success Center’s Welcome Desk located on the main floor (2nd floor) of the Newton Gresham Library.

The SHSU Common Reader program was created to bring books to life for students and faculty. For more information, contact commonreader@shsu.edu.