From Book Club to Campus-Wide Engagement: The Power of a Graphic Novel in a First-Year Common Reading Program

Abstract

Since it started in 2013, the Goldey-Beacom College library has hosted and led a book
club for students with the financial support of the Student Government Association
(SGA). The book club has been more than just a forum for discussion; it has been a place
to build and foster community, exploring themes and narratives, such as bullying and
immigration, to racism, including those presented through fiction and nonfiction, and
diverse media like graphic novels. This commitment to inclusivity in content and format
laid a solid foundation for what would become a significant step forward in the college’s
approach to our Common Reading Program.