College of Liberal Arts Alumni Book Club
Join the online CLA Alumni Book Club to connect with fellow Gophers! In this online community, alumni can connect with each other and enjoy books related to lifelong learning, professional development, social issues, and more. There is no cost to participate—just get a copy of the book to enjoy!
Join the virtual alumni book club
Book club members are offered a 20 percent discount at our independently-owned University Bookstores.
Previous titles
- Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov
- This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
- The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
- The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
- On a Night of a Thousand Stars by Andrea Yaryura Clark
- Horse by Geraldine Brooks
- The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
- Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
CLA Authors & Alumni
Author and Regents Professor of Creative Writing Julie Schumacher and Antonia Angress (MA '21, creative writing) discussed their books The Shakespeare Requirement and Sirens & Muses, the writing process, and all things academia—satirical and otherwise— at a virtual event on April 6, 2022.
Current Book Discussion
By Her Own Design
From March 15 through May 17, 2024, the CLA Alumni Online Book Club selection is By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley.
"The incredible untold story of how Ann Lowe, a Black woman and granddaughter of slaves, rose above personal struggles and racial prejudice to design and create one of America's most famous wedding dresses of all time for Jackie Kennedy."
From Harper Collins Publishers: “1953, New York City. Less than a week before the society wedding of the year where Jacqueline Bouvier will marry John F. Kennedy, a pipe bursts at Ann Lowe’s dress shop and ruins eleven dresses, including the expensive wedding dress, a dress that will be judged by thousands. A Black designer who has fought every step of the way, Ann knows this is only one struggle after a lifetime of them. She and her seamstresses will find the way to re-create the dresses. It may take all day and all night for the next week to accomplish the task, but they will do it.
1918, Tampa. Raised in Jim Crow Alabama, Ann learned the art of sewing from her mother and her grandmother, a former slave, who are the most talented seamstresses in the state. After Ann elopes at twelve with an older man who soon proves himself to be an abusive alcoholic, her dreams of becoming a celebrated designer seem to be put on hold. But then a wealthy Tampa socialite sees Ann’s talent and offers her an amazing opportunity—the chance to sew and design clothing for Florida’s society elite. Taking her young son in the middle of the night, Ann escapes her husband and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
Based on the true story of one of the most famous designers of the twenties through the sixties who has since been unjustly forgotten, By Her Own Design is an unforgettable novel of determination despite countless obstacles and a triumph celebrated by the world."
Why join?
Connect with fellow CLA alumni & friends
Joining the book club will introduce you to CLA alumni and friends across industries, generations, and geographies, while accommodating your engagement when and where you are most comfortable.
Be a part of a lifelong learning community
Improve your mind, gain wisdom, keep up with a constantly changing world and nurture a thirst for knowledge through the discussion, reflection, and sharing of perspectives with like-minded people in a safe platform.
Reading is good for you
Research has proven that when we read we become mentally stronger. From improving on focus and concentration, to developing stronger analytical thinking skills, to reducing stress, to reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer's later in life, the health benefits derived from reading are innumerable.
What to Expect Once You Join
Sign-up page
The sign-up page will include a description of how the book club works, answers to frequently asked questions, and information about the first book. The sign-up page will still be open for new participants throughout the year.
Content emails
This book club will be managed by PBC Guru. For each book, PBC Guru sends out emails with content that prompts discussions in the online forum. An email may include a link to a review, article, podcast, Ted Talk, or video. Other specialty emails provide a way to announce the vote for the next book, communicate with discussion leaders, and send out periodic surveys.
Online forum
The online forum is where book club members can introduce themselves, discuss the book and learn from other participants. Participants log in with the username and password that they created during the sign-up process. This is not a Zoom-style video call but rather a discussion forum where members can hold conversations in the form of posted messages.
FAQs
The first book has been pre-selected in order to get the club up and running. Afterwards, alumni book club members will vote between several options each period and select each book based on participants’ interests.
Books will be read every two months. Each book will take an average of six hours to read, so if you have 30 minutes a week to read you’ll do just fine. If members of this virtual community are particularly busy with work, family, or other obligations and can't read or finish a book, that’s okay. If you can only read part of a book and contribute a little to the online discussion then that's okay too. The goal of this program is simply to connect CLA alumni through relevant, interesting topics.
No. All discussions around the books occur through an online forum. There will not be in-person or video-style discussions. The advantage is you can participate anywhere you have internet access and on days and times that are convenient to you. Members may be invited to streaming or in-person events in the future as an added benefit to the book club.
Participation is free for CLA alumni! You are responsible only for obtaining a copy of the book—you can buy, borrow, or download a copy of the chosen book.
Discussions will occur through an online forum. Our book club has a dedicated moderator who manages the forum and poses questions to the group, shares relevant articles, and facilitates conversation about topics in the book. Members are encouraged to post and share as well. This format allows for ongoing conversation and makes it easy for alumni to connect with each other. This will not occur in a Zoom-style or other video setting.
Professional Book Club (PBC) Guru helps companies and alumni associations implement and manage professional reading programs. The College of Liberal Arts is teaming up with PBC Guru to help make this alumni program a great experience for all participants.
We have answers! Feel free to send an email directly to Megan Mehl (mmehl@umn.edu) with CLA Alumni Relations and she’ll be happy to help.
Alumni can join the book club at any time and do not have to participate in every reading session. If you have questions please contact Megan Mehl in the CLA Alumni Relations Office at mmehl@umn.edu We look forward to reading with you!