Skip to Main Content
Chico State

Book in Common

A hardcopy of Our Migrant Souls sits on a chair in dramatic lighting.

Powerful Narrative Addressing Concept of What It Means to Be ‘Latino’ Chosen for 2024–25 Book in Common

Héctor Tobar’s “Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of ‘Latino,’” works to decode the meaning of ‘Latino’ as a racial and ethnic identity in the modern United States and gives voice to the anger and hopes of younger Latinx people.

A book, titled "How the Word is Passed," sits on a ledge

Deep Look into America’s Relationship with Slavery Named Book in Common for 2023-24

Confronting America's legacy of slavery, the selection for the 2023-24 Book in Common is Clint Smith's “How the Word is Passed.”

Two copies of a book titled The Best We Could Do, one is closed and the other is open

Illustrated Memoir ‘The Best We Could Do’ Named Book in Common for 2022–23

The 2022–23 Book in Common is Thi Bui’s “The Best We Could Do,” a 2017 illustrated memoir about the author’s family’s journey from Vietnam to the United States and the universal struggles of connecting with family, culture and identity.

A book titled "There There" sits among a field of grass.

Book in Common Challenges Perception, Narrative of Native Tribes

President Hutchinson encourages participation on the Book in Common Reading Challenge as an opportunity to honor and learn about Native American communities and systemic racism.

A book titled "There There" sits among a field of grass.

‘There There’ Announced as the Book in Common for 2021–22 Academic Year

'There There,' the bestselling novel by Tommy Orange, has been selected as the Book in Common for the 2021–22 academic year.

CSU, Chico Hosts ‘How to Be an Antiracist’ Author Kendi for Virtual Book in Common Discussion

As the culminating event for this year's Book in Common, “How to Be an Antiracist,” Chico State will host a virtual discussion with best-selling author Ibram X. Kendi on April 21.

The sun shines through the trees on the Kendall Hall lawn.

A Lasting Commitment to Being Anti-Racist

Relegating Black history to one month each year is less than adequate if we are truly serious about combatting racism and ending violence against Black and brown people in this country. Black history is American history.

The new Book in Common selection is pictured.

Book in Common Selection for 2020–21 Academic Year Announced

Ibram X. Kendi’s “How to Be an Antiracist” has been chosen as the Book in Common for the 2020–21 academic year.

Oakes smiles as she sits in a small cabin beside a fireplace

Book in Common Author Oakes Explores Climate Change

The author of this year's Book in Common selection, Lauren E. Oakes, will lead a virtual lecture on April 22.

The character Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" as other actors pose behind her.

Let’s Learn, Together

President Hutchinson invites the campus and community to take part in upcoming events that showcase the University's spirit of lifelong learning.

This year's Book in Common, "In Search of the Canary Tree," rests against a tree outside Kendall Hall on a sunny spring day.

CSU, Chico and Butte College Announce Book in Common for 2019-20 Academic Year

Chico State and Butte College have jointly chosen the Book in Common for the 2019-20 academic year.

California State University, Chico President Gayle Hutchinson and Butte College President Samia Yaqub have jointly announced the two institutions’ upcoming Book in Common will be “All They Will Call You” by Tim Z. Hernandez

‘All They Will Call You’ Aims to Honor Anonymous Plane Crash Victims

Author Tim Z. Hernandez discusses the synchronicity of how this year’s Book in Common, "All They Will Call You," came together and its relevance today.

California State University, Chico President Gayle Hutchinson and Butte College President Samia Yaqub have jointly announced the two institutions’ upcoming Book in Common will be “All They Will Call You” by Tim Z. Hernandez

CSU, Chico and Butte College Announce Book in Common for 2018-19 Academic Year

A deadly plane crash, a social injustice and the backlash that followed are all part of the Book in Common selected for academic year 2018-19.

A member of the audience hold Gloria Steinem's book, "My Life on the Road."

‘In All Her Gloria’ Gallery

Browse through the photo gallery highlighting Gloria Steinem's visit to Chico State for the 2017 Book in Common.