2017-2018 Common Book Selection
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Open Books-Open Minds Committee is pleased to announce that the 2017-2018 Common Book is:
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Hailed by Toni Morrison as "required reading," a bold and personal literary exploration of America's racial history. In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation's history and current crisis. Coates shares with his son--and readers--the story of his awakening to the truth about his place in the world through a series of revelatory experiences, from Howard University to Civil War battlefields, from the South Side of Chicago to Paris, from his childhood home to the living rooms of mothers whose children's lives were taken as American plunder. Beautifully woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage, Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.
Spring Events
Be sure to check out all of the events we have planned for this spring!
Click to view the spring events poster.
Spring Film Series
13th, directed by Ava DuVernay (2016)
Wednesday, February 14, 2 - 4 p.m., Faculty Center Classroom (Donovan)
Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay (2014)
Wednesday, March 28, 2 - 4:30 p.m., Gaige Hall 200
Click to view Film Series poster.
RSVP on the Facebook event pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/OpenBooksOpenMinds/events/?ref=page_internal
Seventh Annual Open Books - Open Minds Student Conference
Join us on April 13, 2018, for a day featuring student projects inspired by Ta-Nehisi Coates's
Between the World and Me.
View more details on the program here:
2018 Student Conference Program
Our keynote speaker is
Angie Thomas, author of the bestselling novel The Hate U Give, the 2018 book selection for
Reading Across Rhode Island, sponsored by the Rhode Island Center for the Book. Tickets for Gaige auditorium for the keynote are now sold out, but overflow seating will be available to watch the event via live-stream: Gaige 200, 102, 203, & Adams Library.
Be sure to book your registration soon!
To view the live-stream of Angie Thomas's keynote on the day of the conference, follow this link:
http://demo.mediasite.oshean.org/Mediasite/Play/bad86b9d019549de966f90112bda50a51d
Download Conference poster
2018-2019 Book Selection Voting Now Open!
Please help us choose the 2018-19 Common Book! After a year of soliciting input, discussions, and meetings, we have arrived at a wonderful selection of three works of fiction:
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Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson (2015)
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Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017)
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The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016)
You can find descriptions at the link, and once you have reviewed the books, vote for the book you would like to see become the Open Books-Open Minds 2018-19 selection!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VVQJGB6
Voting ends March 15, 2018.
