Dal Reads

Dal Reads is designed to encourage people in the Dalhousie community to share their love of books. Launched in 2009, the program brings the Dalhousie community together through the shared experience of reading the same book and taking part in programming related to the book.

Programming may include author readings, book club-type discussions, film viewings, and other events and opportunities to celebrate a shared love of reading. In addition, Faculty members may choose to include the Dal Reads book in their course curriculum.

In 2015, the Dal Reads Steering Committee decided to focus on first-year undergraduate students. By selecting this group of students, Dal Reads aims to provide a common intellectual experience that will serve as both an introduction to Dalhousie University and to post-secondary academic life in general. We hope that this format will encourage lots of discussion and the development of exciting new and innovative programming.

A Dal Reads book:

• must be written by a living author
• must be able to generate discussion and exchange of ideas
• must be appealing to a broad range of readers of varying ages, literacy levels, and life experience
• must be in print and available for purchase in paperback
• must be strongly written with elements that will generate excitement among readers.

Dal Reads aims to:

• provide first-year students with a common intellectual experience that will serve as an introduction to both Dalhousie University and post-secondary academic life in general
• encourage reading for pleasure
• provide an opportunity for connection (students, faculty, staff, undergrads, grads, regardless of area of study)
• provide a unique social activity
• draw on the social elements of reading
• provide an opportunity for the Dalhousie Libraries to promote the collection in a new way
• connect with the curriculum and other university activities and interests

We look forward to seeing you around campus this fall with your copy of the Dal Reads selected book for 2018!