Read with us! SFU Surrey Monthly Book Chats

On February 25, join us for our first SFU Surrey Book Chat!

Maybe one of your new year’s resolutions is to read more. If you’re looking for a space to share what you’re reading, pick up some book recommendations, and gain new insights on different topics, then this is the place for you!

You are invited to join in our monthly book chats – an informal space to discuss books we’re reading and what we’re learning about them. This is a collaboration between the Surrey Social Committee and Fraser Library.

How does a book chat work?

Each month, there will be a theme and a list of suggested titles within that theme that you can choose from. You can choose a book that you’re interested in (or more) and take your time to read through the book(s) you’ve chosen.  Your titles can come from your personal collection, SFU Library, a public library, or a bookstore.

The book chat itself will take place on a particular day and will provide an informal space of conversation and sharing. All are welcome – you can come having read many books, one book, or a portion of the book. There will be a few guiding questions to help our conversation, but mostly it’s an opportunity for you to share what you’ve read, what you’ve learned, and what you like (or don’t like!) about it.

We want this to be an inclusive environment that fosters conversation, connection between staff and faculty, and promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion.

February’s Book Chat: Black History Month and Celebrating Black Voices & Stories

Our theme for February is Black History Month! For this month, we’d love for you to read books that are:

• Written by Black authors
• About Black figures and/or experiences

We encourage readers of all genres and formats. This includes: 

• Picture books (Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry), 
• Graphic novels (New Kid by Jerry Craft), 
• Young adult (The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas), 
• Genre fiction (The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory), 
• Literary fiction (Reproduction by Ian Williams), 
• Poetry (How She Read by Chantal Gibson), 
• Biography/memoir (‘Membering by Austin Clarke) and 
• Non-fiction (The Skin We Are In by Desmond Cole)

The SFU Library has a great list to choose from, which you can check out here. Print titles can be requested and delivered through Contactless Pick Up from any of the 3 campuses. Some eBooks are available online. All you need is your SFU ID.    

Your local public library will also have booklists for all ages like those at Surrey Libraries.  Many titles are available in print and downloadable formats.  Check your public library’s website for title availability, app information, and library card registration (many are offering registration from home).

Join us for our first book chat on Thursday, February 25 at 2 PM!

We will meet on Thursday, February 25 from 2:00-2:30 PM over Zoom. Zoom details will be sent to faculty/staff soon!

All staff and faculty are welcome, and we hope to see many of you there for a wonderful discussion on what you’ve been reading!

Stay tuned for the announcement of next month’s theme and date!

If you have any questions about the book chat, please feel free to reach out to Rachel Wong. Hope to see you on February 25!