Common Reading

For the Class of 2028, we have selected Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead, a national bestseller and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner. Sag Harbor is “a tenderhearted coming-of-age story fused with a sharp look at the intersections of race and class” (The New York Times) and explores themes of identity, belonging, place, and purpose. We are also happy to announce that you will have the opportunity to hear Mr. Whitehead give his keynote address as the 2024 Janet Weis Fellow in Contemporary Letters on Sept. 9 in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts.

We ask that you take the time to thoughtfully and carefully read Sag Harbor. The book explores themes of community, connection and belonging, all of which are important and relevant ideas for new Bucknellians. Reading this novel will give you a chance to exercise empathy while encountering new ideas. In addition to reading the book, we expect you to write and submit an essay before arriving on campus. The assignment is outlined on the Moodle page. The due date for reading the book and submitting the essay is Monday, August 5; the essay will be submitted via Moodle. This is your first academic assignment as a Bucknell student. An essential piece of academic life at college is moving beyond liking or dislinking an assignment to developing an ability to critically explore your thoughts and reactions to the material. As you read the book, pay close attention to new ideas and any parts of the text that challenge you. 

During New Student Orientation, you will meet in small groups to discuss the book with faculty and staff from a variety of disciplines and departments. We hope that you will take the time to think critically and reflectively about the story and themes as you read Sag Harbor.