Join Colgate’s new reading initiative focusing on Tenth of December by George Saunders

Looking for that perfect summer read? Something more than the typical beach-blanket mystery? Look no further, because Colgate University has just the story for you.

You are urged to sign up to read the title story of George Saunders’s latest book, Tenth of December. The collection of short stories has won wide acclaim for the author, with The New York Times calling it “the best book you’ll read this year.”

A new university initiative, called Colgate Reads, is using the short story as a way to foster a collaborative literary discussion and to provide participants with an opportunity to interact with the author when he visits campus this fall.

Anyone interested in joining Colgate Reads should sign up and be counted. You will receive an invitation to an online book forum, a link to a live Q&A session with the author on September 9, and information on how to be in the audience either online or in person when Saunders reads at Colgate’s Memorial Chapel on September 10.

Saunders was recently named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. He is a bestselling writer of short stories, novellas, essays, and children’s books.  His writing has appeared in Harper’s, The New Yorker, and GQ. He was named a MacArthur fellow in 2006.

“We encourage people to read this wonderful story, first and foremost, but also to consider taking part in the conversation about ‘Tenth of December’ and to take advantage of this opportunity to engage with the author himself, ” said English professor Jane Pinchin, who is leading the initiative with colleague Jennifer Brice.

The reading initiative has a goal of 2,013 participants, a number purposely chosen because the year 2013 is special at Colgate due to the university’s quirky connection with the No. 13.

Pinchin and Brice hope that regional bookstores and public libraries — as well as high school English teachers, book groups, the campus community, and others — will encourage visitors and members to take part in Colgate Reads.

“Sharing and discussing great books is what we do here at Colgate,” said Brice. “We’re excited by the idea of using technology to broaden the conversation and make it available to anyone who chooses to take part.”