Articles

Explore the debate and science of Beach Books.

April 9, 2020

Farewell to Beach Books

David Randall

It's time to say goodbye to our decade-long survey of college common readings. 

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October 23, 2019

College Summer Reading: A Mandated Dive Into ‘Oppressed Minorities’

Rachelle Peterson

NAS Policy Director Rachelle Peterson evaluates the current state of common reading programs, beginning with a bizarre choice by Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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November 20, 2018

Mediocre Books Confirmed

Peter Wood

A comment on a recent study noting the unchallenging nature of common reading program books. 

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October 12, 2018

Common Reading for Common Activism

David Randall

Common reading programs should be for exposing college students to excellent literature, not propaganda. 

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August 28, 2018

Hillsdale's Common Reading Program

David Randall

 A common reading program deserving of replication.

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July 13, 2017

Florida College Common Reading

David Randall

Those who want to see the best practices for a college common reading program, David Randall argues, should look at Florida College.

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July 5, 2017

The New York Times and Others Cover NAS's Beach Books Report

National Association of Scholars

Recent articles on college summer reading assignments noting NAS's analysis in Beach Books.

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May 24, 2017

Beach Books: 2016–2017

David Randall

A report on the books assigned in 2016–2017 as "common reading."

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