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Common Read

About Common Read

Calhoun Community College, in partnership with The University of Alabama in Huntsville and the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, is excited to be involved in several Common Read events across its three locations and the community throughout the fall semester. The Common Read program is a community reading collaboration with the goal of building bridges within the community through sharing the same stories. This annual effort, akin to a community-wide book club, features events throughout the city that highlight a selected book, story, author, and theme.
Flyer for the 2025-26 Calhoun Common Read featuring "Bite by Bite" by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, with a book cover image, event details, summary, author bio, and partnering organizations’ logos.

2025 – 2026 Common Read Events

This year’s festivities will include a diverse range of creative and literary performances, live music, and workshops to help inspire community building and disability awareness!

Common Read Kick-Off

  • Sunday, August 24, 2025 – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • The Orion Amphitheater
  • Calhoun Community College, with support from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL), will kick off its annual Common Read. Food, workshops, and more fun will be available for all to enjoy. The event, inspired by Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s Bite by Bite, will be themed around food and how food shapes our memories and our identities.

A Taste of the World

  • Tuesday, September 09, 2025 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • HSV Grand Foyer
  • In partnership with the International Club, A Taste of the World will be a celebration of food and culture. Students, faculty, and staff will be able to learn and have fun while attending this free event.

CommuniTea

  • Tuesday, September 09, 2025 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Decatur Campus

  • Wednesday, September 10, 2025 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • HSV Grand Foyer
  • Students, faculty, and staff will be able to get tea from Piper & Leaf, while also getting information about the year’s Common Read.

Neurodiversity Awareness and SPA Day (A Neurodiversity Club Event)

  • Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM with panel discussion from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
  • Huntsville-Research Park Site, Main Foyer and Library

  • Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM with panel discussion from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
  • Decatur Campus, Brewer Library
  • In partnership with the Neurodiversity Club, this Spa Day will spread awareness of different neurodivergent conditions. Near midterms, the club will invite other groups and clubs to set up booths/tables/spaces for students to congregate at pop-up events to collectively engage in mental health activities: read, write, color, craft, sew, play music, Lego, etc. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate and attend.

“Let’s Dish!”: A Campus-Wide Book Discussion

Presented by Common Read, the Library, and STAR Institute
  • Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Library, Huntsville Sparkman Building

  • Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Decatur Brewer Library
  • Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend a discussion of Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s Bite by Bite. In addition to taking part in an exciting literary conversation, attendees will receive lunch. Janelle Brown, the owner of Brown Books & More, will moderate this engaging discussion. Door prizes will be awarded by the moderator.

Author Visit & Workshop

  • Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Workshop: Multifunction Room, Huntsville
    Lecture and Signing: Grand Foyer, Huntsville
  • Students, faculty, staff, and the public are invited to join us for a speaking engagement featuring acclaimed author Aimee Nezhukumatathil. There will be a workshop, author lecture, reception, and book signing.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

  • Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Decatur Campus

  • Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Huntsville Research-Park Site
  • This event is an interactive dining experience designed to engage participants in a thought-provoking exploration of food insecurity, economic disparity, and social class. Attendees will be randomly assigned to one of three simulated dining environments—ranging from fine dining to a limited-item menu—highlighting the realities faced by individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Through this immersive experience, participants will gain deeper insight into the challenges of food access in our communities.

Virtual Book Discussions

Join community members in live, virtual book discussions hosted by the Huntsville – Madison County Public Library!
  • More info coming soon!

Past Book Selections

  • 2023-2024 Selection: Thi Bui’s The Best We Could Do
  • 2024-2025 Selection: Alice Wong’s Disability Visibility and James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store