Freshman Reading Book 2009
The Freshman Reading book for 2009 was Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell. Mr. Gladwell is a staff writer for The New Yorker. He was formerly a business and science reporter at the Washington Post.
Summary
The author describes the main subject of his book as "thin-slicing": our ability to gauge what is really important from a very narrow period of experience. In other words, this is an idea that spontaneous decisions are often as good as—or even better than—carefully planned and considered ones. Gladwell draws on examples from science, advertising, sales, medicine, and popular music to reinforce his ideas. Gladwell also uses many examples of regular people's experiences with "thin-slicing." For additional information click here.
Click here for Q&A with the Author
Freshman Reading Book 2008
The Freshman Reading book for 2008 was Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. Ms. Ehrenreich offers a first-hand account of what it was like to hold a minimum-wage job in three American cities in the late 1990s.
Ms. Ehrenreich visited Florida Atlantic University on Thursday, September 25, 2008. FAU students, faculty, and staff were invited to attend her discussion entitled "Race, Gender and Class in the Upcoming Election". Following her talk, the FAU community gathered in the Barry and Carole Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium to hear Ms. Ehrenreich speak on her book Nickel and Dimed. Afterwards, a book signing and reception was held in the Grand Palm Room. Approximately 1,000 FAU students, faculty and staff joined in the activities.
Keeping in tune with the message of the book, the Center for Civic Engagement and Service and the Office of Student Retention, helped to raise awareness of hunger and poverty during the week of September 22-26. Click here for a list of these activities.
Click here to view more photos of Ms. Ehrenreich's event.
Freshman Reading Book 2007
The Freshman Reading book for 2007 was The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean.
"Like the orchid, a small thing of grandeur, a passion with a pedigree . . . The Orchid Thief shows [Orlean's] gifts in full bloom. " ——The New York Times Book Review.
Ms. Orlean was invited to FAU to speak at the first inaugural Freshman Convocation on Sunday, August 26, 2007. Approximately 1,500 first time in college Freshmen attended. Afterwards, there was a reception and book signing.
