Auburn University Common Book Program - Feature Story Page
As Auburn welcomes students back for the fall semester, thousands of first-year students are stepping on campus with their first assignment already completed. In addition to laptops, pens and notebooks, students are also bringing this year's common book, The Music of Bees.
Following the distribution of copies to incoming students during Camp War Eagle, this year's selection offers more than just a shared text; it provides a unique collective experience centered around the novel's themes of family, loyalty and finding purpose. The book's premises – richly told in author Eileen Garvin's true story of three strangers who find unity and friendship through their personal struggles and triumphs – are already resonating with many of Auburn's newest students as they transition to college.
“It's so important to find community because that's your support system,” said William Hill, a pre-engineering freshman from Los Angeles, California, who participated in a similar program in high school. “The program at my school paired older students with younger ones to read the same books, which allowed us to come together for book clubs, which was pretty fun.”
“I have always thought that the Common Book was an amazing program. Garvin does a wonderful job highlighting the importance of community and the power of engagement – which is really at the heart of our student experience.”
— Jeff LaMondia, Elton and Lois Huff Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Common Book Steering Committee Chair.
Established in 2010, Auburn's Common Book program aims to engage first-year students in a shared educational experience fostering community and collaboration. Each year, a different book is selected for its relevant themes and integrated into class discussions and campus events. Following a brief hiatus during the pandemic, the steering committee reimagined the program last year to extend its connection to campus and expand its engagement with the broader Auburn community. In addition to the Auburn Public Library, the program has partnered with several local bookstores, including Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers, Well Red and Well Red: Second Story.
Gathering Wisdom
Set in the quiet town of Hood River, Oregon, Garvin's story chronicles the lives of three unlikely friends who cross paths while working on a bee farm. Each character, grappling with personal hardships, finds comfort and strength in one another through their mutual passion for bees. Forging a unique bond, each heals from their past traumas, gains wisdom from one another and improves their mental health.
Drawing on her own experiences as a beekeeper and infusing her love of nature, Garvin's story delves into the intricate connections between community and personal resilience through the therapeutic nature of beekeeping.
A national bestseller, The Music of Bees conveys core themes Garvin argues are fundamental to the human experience – a premise that resonates with Auburn students, many of whom recognize the importance of these connections in shaping their college journey.
“When I think of bees, I immediately picture them building hives,” said McKae Sarkowski, a senior in organismal biology and former student worker at the AU Bee Lab. “The story made me think about how we are all part of a bigger community we call home. Every student works hard and tries to find ways of creating something meaningful that we hope benefits everyone.”
As faculty integrate the book into their courses, several campus units are planning numerous activities throughout the fall, including a kickoff event hosted by the Auburn University Bee Laboratory, or AU-BEES, on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Melton Student Center. Sponsored by the College of Agriculture, An Evening with the Auburn University Bee Lab welcomes the campus and local communities to enjoy a short documentary about the lab and meet several beekeepers featured in the film.
In addition to incoming students, LaMondia has distributed over 1,000 copies of the book to parents, alumni and local community members, frequently engaging in discussions on its themes and highlighting how they resonate with the collective goals of Auburn's faculty and staff.
“The idea of bees traveling from flower to flower, gathering and dispersing pollen, is a fitting metaphor for our students' journey through their academic classes, involvement in campus activities and interactions with each other," he said. "The very purpose of college is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and build our academic community, which is so similar to an ecosystem.”
Author Buzz
A noted author, Garvin is also recognized for her acclaimed memoir, How to Be a Sister, and her latest novel, Crow Talk, released last April. Both texts feature her frequent themes of human connection, nature and personal growth. In addition to her literary work, Garvin is also an avid apiarist. Tending to more than 60,000 honeybees, she often draws inspiration from the beauty of her native Pacific Northwest.
The semester's events will conclude with a campus visit from Garvin on Oct. 22, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the Student Activities Center Auditorium. Following her talk, attendees can participate in a question-and-answer session and a book signing. Priority seating will be given to those who register in advance.
A complete list of upcoming events, including the link to register for Garvin's visit and to request a free copy of The Music of Bees (including pick-up information), is available on the Common Book website.
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