The Year of the Book
is a nine-month celebration of and engagement with books
— books of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction —
sponsored by the Department of English Language and Literature.
For each month of the academic year, September through April,
we have selected a contemporary book (or books)
of high literary and cultural merit that will be read by the University and local communities
and will be the subject of discussion on campus.
We warmly invite you to join us in reading and thinking about these books.
Plese note that the University Bookstore is offering 20% discounts on these works
during the month in which each is being discussed and read.
Book List
March: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
This month, Dr. Jessica DeSpain will be facilitating two book chats about Pollan's book and relationship of literature to food and sustainability.
One of the New York Times' ten best books of the year in 2006, Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma addresses an enduring human question: what should we have for dinner?
A combination of non-fiction expose and creative non-fiction, each of Pollan's chapter takes readers on a journey of one meal, in the process allowing use to "Meet our Eats." Pollan's chapters explore the industrial food complex, large-scall organic production, the local food movement, and the foraging and hunting habits central to human evolution.
The University Bookstore will be offering 20% discounts on the book through the Month of March.
Events
On-Campus
March 13
Sustainability Chat in Partnership with the Student Organization for Sustainability
Maple/Dogwood Room
11:00-12:00 (You may also like to stay after for chats facilitated by Dr. Andrew Theising and Dr. Linda Markowitz)
Off-Campus
Book Chat at the Township Grocer in Downtown Edwardsville
March 21
102 N. Main St.
12:00-1:00
Cleveland Heath will be catering lunch during this event
Although attendees must pay for their own meals, we request that you e-mail your selection one week in advance of the date to Prof. Jessica DeSpain. Choices include:
Pozole (braised pork, hominy, cabbage, spicy aioli in house made pork broth) $6; Butter Lettuce Salad (butter lettuce, green beans, marble potatoes, red onion, creamy whole grain mustard vin) $9; Kale Salad (garlic, crushed red pepper, parmesan chips, lemon vinaigrette) $7; BLT w/ Fries (oven cured tomatoes, Rensing's bacon, house mayo, lettuce, toasted Pullman bread) $8; Pulled Pork Sandwich w/ Fries (Rensing's pulled pork, house made pickles, topped with blue cheese coleslaw, pretzel bun) $11
April: Magic City by Yusef Komunyakaa and Blood Dazzler by Patricia Smith
