Help pick the next KU common book

KU Reads: A Common Book Experience is inviting students, faculty, staff, and campus community members to help shape the next KU Reads: A Common Book Experience by nominating a book for the 2027-2028 academic year. The KU Reads initiative, a partnership among KU Libraries, the Hall Center for the Humanities, and Academic Affairs, uses a shared reading experience to spark conversation, connection, and learning across the KU community.  

Submit nominations for the 2027-28 common book via the online nomination form through September 22. 

Programming for this year’s common book selection, “Orbital,” by Samantha Harvey is already underway, with events and classroom integration planned for throughout the 2026-27 school year.

Winner of the Booker Prize, “Orbital” follows six astronauts aboard the International Space Station as they circle the planet, reflecting on humanity, connection, and the fragile beauty of our shared home.  

Free copies of the book are available to the KU community for personal or classroom use by request, with pickup available at Watson and Anschutz Libraries.  

Students, faculty, staff, and community members can take part in a variety of events inspired by “Orbital” including: 

• From Lawrence to Low-Earth Orbit: An evening with Jayhawk astronaut Loral O’Hara, Thursday, October 8, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Kansas Union Ballroom. 
• Crocheting the Universe, collaborative project with KU Reads and the Office of Community Impact. Join us for regular crochet and chat sessions, all levels of experience welcome.  
  • October 1, 3-4 p.m., Anschutz Library (AIC) 
  • October 29, 3-4 p.m., Watson Library (Kettle) 
  • November 19, 3-4 p.m., Anschutz Library (AIC)  
• “Ad Astra: A Kansas Story Written in the Stars” exhibit: The “Ad Astra” exhibit traces Kansas' remarkable throughline in human spaceflight with artifacts on loan from the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, alongside documents and photographs from the Dole Institute of Politics and Kenneth Spencer Research Library. The exhibit runs through December 18. 
• KU Common Work of Art: “Winter Flight,” landscape painting by Kay WalkingStick, on view in the Empowerment Collection Exhibition at Spencer Museum of Art. 

Familiarity with the book is not required to participate in any of the events. Questions can be directed to commonbook@ku.edu.