Common Reading Experience

Welcome to our common reading experience! As a first-year student, you’ll read a book selected by a team of faculty, staff, students and community members in an English or UNIV course. The team chooses books that lead to insights on identity, gender, race, ethnicity and civic responsibility.

In addition to class discussions and assignments, you can participate in events that engage with the book’s themes. We hope you’ll be inspired to go beyond the book, and bring the sense of community and new perspectives you acquire to all your NIU experiences.

The book for the 2021-2023 academic years is the New York Times bestseller “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah. Learn more about the book.