The Kingston University Big Read
Join the Big Read
If you are a new student starting Kingston University in September 2022, you will receive a free copy of this year's chosen Big Read title The Gravity of Us, by Phil Stamper.
To take part in the Big Read, just read the book over the summer and join in the discussions when you arrive at university in September. Current students and staff will read the same book so you will have plenty to talk about when you meet. You might also like to share the book with your family and friends – finding out how different people read the same book can be fun and interesting.
Once you get to Kingston University there will be lots of opportunities to share your thoughts – as well as the chance to meet the author and have your book signed in person. For now, bear in mind that all the students coming to Kingston, as well as the staff and students already here, are having the same experience. You are part of one enormous book group.
The Big Read 2022
The Gravity of Us is a coming-of-age novel about 17-year-old, social media journalist Cal, who is forced to move to Texas when his dad becomes an astronaut for NASA. There he meets the attractive and sensitive Leon. Will he be able to cope with the changes, not only to his home and family, but to his dream?
KU alumnus and author Phil Stamper grew up in Dayton, Ohio and received his MA in Publishing with Creative Writing from Kingston University. His other novels include As Far As You'll Take Me, Small Town Pride and Golden Boys. He now lives in New York City with his husband and dog.
Check out this special message from Phil Stamper.
Kingston University Big Read Book Club
This autumn we will be hosting our third Kingston University Big Read Book Club. During these unique online events, we will hear from a wide variety of Kingston staff members and alumni, who relate their fields of expertise to specific chapters from The Gravity of Us.
The programme (below) will span a wide range of subjects, from social media and journalism to mental health and space.
Big Read Book Club Events
What is the Big Read?
Kingston University has a really strong sense of community and since 2015/16 we have been building this through the development of our award-winning Kingston University Big Read.
First offered in 2015, the Big Read aims to make those coming to the University feel welcome before they arrive, and create links between them and the staff and students already here.
On meeting their offer, each new student (undergraduate and postgraduate) will receive a free copy of that year's special edition Kingston University Big Read title. Current students and staff will be invited to help themselves to a free copy from one of the many locations across each of the University's campuses – and they will be available by the end of June, so they can be taken away on holiday and discussed with wider family and friends.
The scheme is based on similar projects in the US which have shown that creating a community through shared reading before students arrive helps them feel welcome, settle in quickly – and adjust to their new life as a student. Whereas a few universities in the UK have experimented with reading schemes linked to specific types of books (e.g. prize winners) within particular faculties, Kingston is the first UK university to establish a scheme on such a wide scale, and to involve both the full university and the local community.
Colleagues from Kingston University attending the prestigious Times Higher Education's Annual awards where the project secured 'Widening Participation/Outreach of the Year' in November 2017
How the Big Read developed
The potential relevance of the project was explored through questionnairing first year students in 2015. After a very positive response, we trialled the scheme for those joining the University in autumn 2015. Students loved it, and talked of their excitement at receiving a 'gift' from their University – as well as feeling 'expected' and 'welcomed'. One of the most interesting findings, however, was the impact the project had within Kingston University staff. Many were more eager to participate than had been anticipated. The title chosen for the first Kingston University Big Read was Nick Hornby's About a Boy.
Since 2016, the process for choosing the book has been much more complex. The starting point is suggestions made by staff and students. All suggestions are carefully analysed according to a number of criteria considered important, for a book that all would read. The information is loaded into a database so that comparisons can be made. The result is an algorithm, which produces a shortlist of six titles. A panel of volunteers spends months reading and deliberating, before coming to its final decision: the chosen Kingston University Big Read.
Previous winning titles
- 2015: About a Boy by Nick Hornby
- 2016: The Humans by Matt Haig,
- 2017: My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal
- 2018: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
- 2019: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
- 2020: Airhead by Emily Maitlis
- 2021: The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney by Okechukwu Nzelu
In 2016/17 we shared our Big Read with Edinburgh Napier, to explore how pre-arrival shared-reading worked across two universities committed to widening participation. In 2017/18 we worked with Wolverhampton University and in 2018/19 with Wolverhampton, Edge Hill University and the University of the West of Scotland. In both 2020/21 and 2021/22 we worked with Edge Hill University and St. George's University. This year, 2022/23, we are working with St. George's University and Royal Holloway University.
Big Read partners
We work with many partners to bring you the Kingston University Big Read. These include, but are not limited to, publishers, authors, Kingston Borough, and the Higher Education sector. We have worked with Wolverhampton University, Edge Hill University, The University of Western Scotland, St. George's University and Royal Holloway University. All are institutions committed to widening participation. If you would like to know more, or consider becoming a partner too, please contact us at kubigread@kingston.ac.uk.
Contact us
If you would like more information regarding the Kingston University Big Read, to suggest a title, or to volunteer to be part of an upcoming selection committee, please contact us at: kubigread@kingston.ac.uk.
Alternatively for press information, please contact the Kingston University Communications team.
