Big Read: Alumni Chapter

"I think there's something that can bring a community together – and that's reading." Big Read author Phil Stamper

Join Kingston University students, alumni and staff for this year's Big Read! The Big Read brings together Kingston's community through a shared reading experience and offers opportunities to learn together and enhance our understanding of the world.

Big Read 2022

We are delighted to announce this year's Big Read book is The Gravity of Us by best-selling author and Kingston alumnus Phil Stamper.

The coming-of-age story follows teenager Cal, whose life is uprooted when his dad is picked for the world's first mission to Mars and the family move to Texas, where Cal meets Leon. The story is inspired by the families of the NASA astronauts making space explorations during the 1960s.

Phil Stamper graduated with a masters in publishing with creative writing from Kingston University and has since had four books published with LGBTQ+ themes.

Big Read Book Club

• 31 August to 5 October 2022

This year's Big Read Book Club is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your Kingston University community. The Big Read team will be hosting weekly discussions with a panel of academic and alumni special guests, exploring different themes from The Gravity of Us, from music and space to mental health and dreams.

Find out more about the Big Read Book Club >

Order your copy

A special edition of The Gravity of Us is available to Kingston alumni for £9 (UK delivery) or £12 (international delivery). Please order your copy via the Big Read: Alumni Chapter order form below.

Delivery note: We hope you will receive your book within 10 working days of placing your order. If you have any queries, please get in touch with us at alumni@kingston.ac.uk.

Inspire the Future

Our Inspire the Future campaign supports Care Leaver Bursaries, the Student Hardship Fund and Opportunities Fund with the goal of inspiring excellence and access for all students at Kingston University. If you would like to support the Inspire the Future campaign, please use the 'Additional donation' option below. Thank you.