Stories that open conversations
The 2026-27 Focuses on Civil Liberties and Features On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
The 2026-2027 Campus Community Book Project focuses on the theme of civil liberties and features On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder. On Tyranny is a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come. The Founding Fathers tried to protect us from the threat they knew, the tyranny that overcame ancient democracy. Today, our political order faces new threats, not unlike the totalitarianism of the twentieth century. We are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism, or communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience.
The 2027-28 Theme is Futures and Technologies
In 2027-2028, the Campus Community Book Project will focus on the theme of futures and technologies. Look out for the announcement of our book selection in spring 2027!
The 2025-26 Book Project Focused on Belonging and Featured Solito by Javier Zamora
The 2025-2026 Campus Community Book Project focused on the theme of belonging and featured Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. Solito narrates Javier Zamora’s 3,000-mile journey at the age of nine from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border to reunite with his parents. What was anticipated to take two weeks expands into two life-altering months alongside fellow migrants who will come to encircle him like an unexpected family.
One Book, Many Ways to Participate
Each project cycle brings together students, faculty, staff, academic appointees and community members through:
- Public lectures, performances and conversations
- Courses and classroom activities across disciplines
- Programs developed by campus and community partners
- Opportunities to engage with the author and the annual theme
- Shared resources for reflection and discussion
Programming is open to the public, and most events are free.
Founded in 2002, the Campus Community Book Project has featured dozens of titles that trace our community’s evolving conversations, concerns and aspirations.
Exploring Ideas Together
We endeavor to foster mutual understanding and respect among the many parts of our whole.” —UC Davis Principles of Community
Community through the Arts
How the Book Project Takes Shape
Each Campus Community Book Project cycle begins with a theme—not a book. The Director engages with groups across the university, including the Campus Council on Community and Diversity and the Inclusive Excellence Executive Leadership Team, to consider issues affecting UC Davis and the broader community. Out of this process emerges the theme for a future project year.
Once the theme is established, all members of the university and surrounding community are invited to nominate books. A volunteer selection committee reviews the nominations and recommends titles to campus leadership.
Selections are evaluated for their ability to:
- Inspire dialogue about important contemporary issues
- Raise questions with multiple possible answers
- Engage a broad audience
- Support teaching and learning across disciplines
- Invite participation from university and community members
- Generate a year of meaningful programs and conversations
Eligible selections may include nonfiction, novels, plays, short-story collections and essay collections. Books must be available in print, appropriate in length for coursework and written by a living author who may be available to visit UC Davis.
Each Book Project cycle begins with a theme selected to inspire timely, meaningful conversation. Once a theme is announced, university and community members are invited to recommend books that can engage a broad audience and support exploration across disciplines and perspectives. Nomination opportunities and deadlines are announced as each selection cycle begins.
The selection committee reviews community nominations and recommends a featured title for a future Book Project cycle. Members consider the book’s connection to the theme, accessibility, relevance across disciplines and potential to engage a broad audience.
The program planning committee develops the lectures, performances, discussions and other activities that accompany each annual selection. Members help connect the book and theme with university scholarship, community knowledge and opportunities for shared learning.