First Year Experience, The Ohio State University

Buckeye Book Community

Buckeye Book Community

One of the largest book clubs in the nation
As a new Buckeye, you'll receive a complimentary copy of one of this year's BBC books at orientation to read at your leisure over the summer. Return to campus autumn quarter prepared to discuss the book and participate in a variety of campus programs, including author visits, faculty-led discussions, and expert panels.

Common experiences through reading
Buckeye Book Community books are selected by academic colleges/schools with the intention of creating a context for conversation about issues of importance in today's world. Faculty lead discussion groups to explore the issues from the perspective of their specific fields of study.

Meet critically-acclaimed authors
An exciting part of the BBC is the chance to meet and hear from the authors.

2008 BBC selections

The Language of Baklava

Diana Abu-Jaber
“The “language” of Diana Abu-Jaber’s memoir takes many forms: American life, Jordanian culture, memory, recipes—and even a chapter on HTML. Mostly, it’s Abu-Jaber’s journey between the two diverse cultures of her life—living in New York and growing up with her Jordanian father, Bud (aka Ghassen Saleh). Along the way, she introduces a cast of eccentric characters, unique locales (shish kabob cookouts at Lake Ontario, goat stew feasts in the desert), and recipes that range from American college student (Grilled Velveeta Sandwiches) to Mediterranean treats (Mad Genius Knaffea).

Who’s reading The Language of Baklava?
Colleges of the Arts and Sciences
(including Art, Biological Sciences, Computer Information Science, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Middle Childhood Education, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Music, Pre-Health Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Image of life on the color line book cover

Mountains Beyond Mountains

Tracy Kidder
Written by Pulitzer-prize winning author Tracy Kidder, this nonfiction narrative follows Dr. Paul Farmer, a Harvard-educated physician and infectious disease specialist, as he undertakes the modern-day quest of bringing medical care to the world’s most needy. The book’s title, taken from the Haitian proverb “Beyond mountains there are mountains,” is an apt metaphor for the enormity of the world health crisis: just as you solve one problem, there’s another one right behind it. Undaunted, Dr. Farmer and his Partners in Health medical charity scale “the steep gradient of inequality” in an effort to cure the world.

Who’s reading Mountains Beyond Mountains?
School of Allied Medical Professions (including Biomedical Science) • Dental Hygiene • College of Education and Human Ecology • College of Engineering • Fisher College of Business • College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences • Knowlton School of Architecture • School of Environment and Natural Resources • College of Nursing •School of Pharmacy • College of Social Work

Note: Exploration areas (Exploration, Health Professions Exploration, Management & Industry Exploration,and Science & Technology Exploration) will have a choice between the two books.

Other Useful Links for First-Year Students
Academic Calendar Academic Departments Walter E. Dennis Learning Lab Ohio State Bookstore Career Connection Counseling and Consultation Current Students site Ohio State History and Traditions Recreational Sports	University Housing Religious Life Office of Student Financial Aid Student Activities and Campus Programs Student Safety Undergraduate Academic Services University Registrar Wexner Center for the Arts Columbus, Ohio
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