This year’s summer reading selection will give students a chance to explore themes of racism, stereotypes, sexual assault and the power of forgiveness.
“Picking Cotton” was chosen out of 282 nominated books due to the range of issues and the variety of perspectives it addresses.
Freshmen students and incoming transfer students will be expected to read and discuss the book as part of the Carolina Summer Reading Program.
The book was co-written by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton — both from North Carolina — with Erin Torneo.
The book is a true account of a reconciled relationship between a rape victim, Thompson-Cannino, and the innocent man, Cotton, who went to prison for 11 years for the crime after she picked him from a lineup.
The book was chosen by a nine-member selection committee composed of students and faculty.
“We were trying to find something that was really interesting and engaging for students, as well as a book that was recent,” said Bill Balthrop, the selection committee chairman.
“Something people could read in a reasonable amount of time and allowed for multiple views and perspectives on different issues.”
The Carolina Summer Reading Program, established in 1999, was designed to encourage a sense of community between students, faculty and staff.
“The purpose of the program is really to give students an opportunity to engage in the intellectual life of the campus as soon as they arrive, having an opportunity to think critically and to analyze, which is what I think Carolina is all about,” said April Mann, director of New Student & Carolina Parent Programs.
Participation in the program by freshmen and transfer students has been fairly consistent over the years, with last year’s participation slightly higher than the year before. Students are encouraged but not required to attend small discussion groups on the book at the beginning of the school year.
“I think participation really depends on the particular book chosen,” Mann said. “I think that last year’s book, ‘A Home on the Field,’ really resonated with that particular class.”
The selection of some previous summer reading books, such as Michael Sells’ translation of “Approaching the Qur’án,” were met with controversy by students and community members. The 2007 selection, Helen Prejean’s “The Death of Innocents,” also focused on inmates who had been wrongly accused.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
