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Common Read is a community reading program that brings neighbors together through a book. During the Fall 2023 semester, UAH is partnering with and for Common Read 23-24: Building New Lives.

Common Read 23-24: Building New Lives explores the Vietnamese Diaspora in the United States. The books for this year’s program are The Best We Could Do (2017) by award-winning graphic artist and novelist , and The Ground Kisser (2019) by Huntsvillian Thanh Duong Boyer. These books portray experiences of displaced persons searching for a better future, longing for a lost past, and struggling to make their way as mothers, immigrants, and refugees.

Events for Common Read 23-24 include student art displays, art workshops, book club meetings, and public discussions with Thi Bui and Thanh Duong Boyer. All of these events are free. Some are open to the public, but others require advance registration. Please consult the schedule below for details and participation restrictions.

Funding for Common Read 23-24 is provided by . For further information about Common Read 23-24, visit complementary announcements from our partners: , .

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, September 18

Event: Common Read CommuniTEA, combining tea from Piper & LEAF with access to the Huntsville Mobile Library
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Location: 102 Wynn Drive NW, Huntsville (Calhoun Community College—Huntsville Campus: Math, Science, and CIS Building)
Restriction: Public participation is limited. Please for this event.

Tuesday, September 19

Event: Common Read CommuniTEA, combining tea from Piper & LEAF with access to the Huntsville Mobile Library
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Location: 6250 Hwy 31, North Tanner (Calhoun Community College—Decatur Campus: Brewer Library)
Restriction: Public participation is limited. Please for this event.

November 1 through 30

Event: Student Art Display, with narrative storyboards and themed artwork from UAH, Calhoun, and Athens State students
Times: Monday–Thursday 8:00am – 8:00pm, Friday 8:00am – 12:00pm
Location: 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur ()
Restriction: Public participation is limited. Please for this event.

Tuesday, November 7

Event: , community conversation about Thi Bui’s The Best We Could Do
Time: 7:00pm
Location: 7914 Memorial Parkway, Huntsville ()
Restriction: No registration or restriction.

Wednesday, November 8

Event: , community conversation about Thi Bui’s The Best We Could Do
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Location: Virtual
Restriction: Contact Annie Phillips at 256.532.5961 or aphillips@hmcpl.org for login information.

Saturday, November 11

Event: Flow–Storytelling in Comics. Join UAH storyboarder and comic artist Nichole Hart for a workshop on telling stories in comics. Learn about storyboarding and page flows and create your own visual short story on paper. No experience needed: Beginners welcome. She will also offer tips and tricks for more advanced artists.
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: CAHS Project Space at 1047 (211 Seminole Drive SW, Huntsville)
Restriction: None.

Sunday, November 12

Event: Public Discussion with Thanh Duong Boyer, focusing on her life near the Cambodia border, the Vietnam War, and the diaspora.
Time: 12:00pm
Location: 142 Plaza Blvd, Madison ()
Restriction: No registration or restriction.

Monday, November 13

Event: Small Group Conversation with Thi Bui, focusing on her experiences as an author and graphic artist
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Location: Morton Hall, Room 100 (1310 Ben Graves Drive NW, Huntsville)
Restriction: Participation is restricted to UAH and Calhoun Students. ²ÝÁñÉçÇøs should register for this event. (Registration opens 10/1/2023. Check here for registration options.)

Tuesday, November 14

Event: Public Lecture by Thi Bui
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
Location: 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur (), or view a live stream on the UAH campus in Conference Training Center, Room 126 (1410 Ben Graves Dr NW, Huntsville)
Restriction: Please for in-person attendance. No registration is required to view the live stream, but attendees without a UAH Parking Tag should secure a Visitor’s Parking Pass from UAH Parking Services (Conference Training Center, Room 147)

Event: Reception with Thi Bui, including Q&A Session and Book Signing
Time: 11:00 – 12:00pm
Location: 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur ()
Restriction: Please for this event.