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UW Alumni Book Club

Personal stories, timely topics, transformative fiction… Let’s dig into some amazing books together! All curious readers are welcome at the UW Alumni Book Club.

Together, we read a book about every two months. Choose just one or all five — whatever works for you.

The free online forum has suggested timelines and prompts for online discussion. Join us for special events that take the conversation to the next level!

“So often we think of reading as a solo activity, but with discussion it improves and elevates the experience.” —Marilyn Conover Watt, ’76, ’81

Now Reading:

“The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise” by Pico Iyer

Reading period: March 18–May 20, 2023

For our next selection, UW Alumni Book Club is partnering with UW Alumni Tours to read the latest from acclaimed travel writer Pico Iyer. From mountain-tops to mosques, from remote beaches to silent cemeteries, what does it mean to search for paradise? The author has journeyed around the world for decades and written extensively about travel, history and philosophy. In “The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise,” Iyer explores ideas of where we might discover utopia. Weaving insights from his travels across Asia, Europe and Australia, Iyer looks for meaning in holy places and war zones alike. This is a surprising and lovely exploration of whether inner peace can be found in our earthly lives.

“In his guise of travel writer, Iyer has really been our most elegant poet of dislocation.” —The Guardian

Get your copy:

UW Alumni Book Club readers can save 10% on “The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise.” Use code UWAAIYER in-store and at ubookstore.com. (UWAA members: this discount DOES combine with your Pack Rewards discount for a total savings of 20%!)
*Some restrictions apply; visit ubookstore.com/disclaimer for full details. Coupon code must be given to cashier to receive discount in-store; non-Pack Rewards members receive a 10% discount with this coupon code. Valid through May 20, 2023, in-store and at ubookstore.com.

More to explore:

Readers’ Voices

Thurs. April 6 | 3–5 p.m. PST | online

The PBC Book Club forum is our online hangout, where readers can log in and discuss the book day or night. Amy Goodloe, ’12, our longtime book chat moderator, hosts a live chat session on April 6 from 3-5 p.m. PT. You’re invited to keep sharing your insights and observations about travel, philosophy, and more throughout the reading period!

Pico Iyer: In-Person and Online

Tues. May 2 | 7:30 p.m. PST
Town Hall Seattle and Online

Pico Iyer is coming to Seattle Arts & Lectures! Be there in-person or online to hear this prolific author speak about his newest work, “The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise.” Author Ruchika Tulshyan will lead the Q&A. UWAA members enjoy discounted tickets. UW Alumni Book Club readers can get their discount code in the online forum.

Coming to Town Hall Seattle for this event? Stop by the UWAA table in the lobby! Meet Kate Rickard, Director of UW Alumni Tours, and discover how you can learn about the world through our amazing travel program. Amy Goodloe, ’12, our friendly book chat moderator, will also be at the event to provide your literary fix. See you there!

Get your tickets

Campus Connections

Throughout Spring | Online and In-Person

Does “The Half Known Life” make you want to explore the world? The UW can connect you to deep thinkers and amazing performers from around the globe through their online and in-person events! We’ve highlighted a few favorites below, but the events calendar has even more to choose from.

Fatoumata Diawara: Experience the captivating stage presence of one of Africa’s most vital musicians!
Sat. April 15 at 8 p.m. PT | Meany Hall — Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater
Visions of the Katsura Imperial Villa: Ken Oshima discusses the architecture and gardens of this cultural treasure of Japan.
Wed. April 19 at 7 p.m. PT | Online and at Gowen Hall
Embosquecerse: This international collaboration explores new relationships with nature as dance melds with forest sounds.
Wed. May 17 at 7:30 p.m. PT | Meany Hall — Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater

Plan Ahead:

Reader’s Choice: “The Overstory” by Richard Powers

Reading Period: May 27–July 29, 2023

Dianne Harris, Dean of the UW’s College of Arts and Sciences, suggested three of her favorite books for our summer read. The readers’ votes landed on “The Overstory.” This novel presents interlocking fables about people who learn to see the world from the trees’ point of view. Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction!

2022-2023 Reading List

Reading Period:
Aug. 5–Oct. 7, 2022

Reading Period:
Oct. 14–Dec. 16, 2022

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

Reading Period:
Jan. 6–Mar. 10, 2023

The Half Known Life in search of Paradise by Pico Iyer

Reading Period:
Mar. 18–May 20, 2023

Reading Period:
May 27–July 29, 2023

2022-2023 UW Alumni Book Club Archive

“Free Speech: A History From Socrates to Social Media” by Jacob Mchangama

We teamed up with our partners at UW Impact to delve into a very timely topic! From the lawyer and human rights advocate who brought us the “Clear and Present Danger” podcast comes “Free Speech: A History From Socrates to Social Media.” This debut book traces the first recorded glimmers of free speech in ancient history. Follow its progress (and setbacks) through conquests, revolutions and changing technology. Why has free speech so often has led to societal panic and brutal backlash throughout the course of history?

“A vivid, highly readable account of how today’s most pitched battles over free speech reflect tensions and impulses that are as old as history itself.”
― Suzanne Nossel

Recorded Event

The Trickier Side of Free Speech

UW Impact, the UW Alumni Association’s legislative advocacy program, hosted a discussion that explores the contemporary issues and challenges associated with free speech. State Senator David Frockt, media litigator Caesar Kalinowski, ’17, and UW political science professor Victor Menaldo brought their insights and experience to the panel.

What parts of free speech are the least understood? What threats or rollbacks of this revered hallmark of American democracy might be on the horizon? Does the First Amendment create challenges in maintaining order during political or social unrest?

Senator David Frockt
46th Legislative District, D-Seattle

In the decade he has served in the Washington State Legislature, David Frockt has championed health care, higher education, a clean environment and firearm responsibility. Frockt currently serves as vice chair of the Ways & Means Committee and the Health & Long Term Care Committee.

Early in his Senate career, Frockt served in his party’s leadership in the Senate. Long considered an effective legislator even when his party was in the minority, he has served as the Senate’s lead capital budget writer. He has worked to alleviate homelessness, increase access to behavioral health services and build strong communities throughout Washington.

Frockt graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in political science and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Caesar Kalinowski IV
Media Litigator at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Caesar Kalinowski, ’17, takes an expansive view of his clients’ First Amendment and intellectual property rights, regularly defending lawsuits targeting expression, religious practice, and fair use of artistic material.

Drawing on his background in global special operations and intelligence collection, Kalinowski loves working in small teams under demanding circumstances to push back on government overreach. He also regularly litigates issues related to press freedoms and fair reporting on matters of public concern, in addition to championing First Amendment and Section 230 protections for social media platforms and technology providers.

Kalinowski completed his bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Studies from the American Military University and earned his Juris Doctorate degree with honors at the UW School of Law.

Victor Menaldo
Professor of Political Science, University of Washington

Victor Menaldo specializes in comparative politics and political economy. His interests include property rights, industrialization, innovation, liberal democracy and development.

Menaldo is affiliated with the Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences, Near and Middle Eastern Studies and the Center for Environmental Politics. He co-founded and co-leads the UW Political Economy Forum. His book “Authoritarianism and the Elite Origins of Democracy” examines what actually happens when democracy displaces authoritarian regimes, in terms of the lived experiences of citizens.

Menaldo graduated from Colorado College with an M.A. in philosophy. He went on to earn his M.A. in political science from Claremont Graduate University. He was awarded a Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University.

“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Reading period: Oct. 14–Dec. 16, 2022

We threw it back to 1818 — just in time for Halloween! “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” is an acclaimed gothic novel with elements of both horror and science fiction. Behind the lumbering monsters and dramatic murders, Mary Shelley’s story has a deeply political and philosophical slant. What are the consequences when scientists are not willing to take responsibility for their creations? Who is the real monster here: the irresponsible researcher determined to play God, the strange creature reanimated on stormy November eve, or the society that universally responds to difference with fear and rejection?

“Learn from me… at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge.” —Victor Frankenstein

Nancy’s Picks: Diving Deeper into “Frankenstein”

Nancy Pearl is an American librarian, best-selling author, literary critic, well known speaker and the former Executive Director of the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library.

She is also a legend among librarians. During her time on the faculty at the Information School at UW, Nancy trained new librarians in the art and science of helping patrons find their next good reads. UW Alumni Book Club invited her to recommend some other books after they’d picked up “Frankenstein” this reading period.

The juicy list she compiled offers a few different angles on Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel. Dig into more spooky stories and early science fiction from the Victorian age. Explore the unconventional lives of the writers, artists and poets of Mary Shelley’s circle. Then discover modern women writers who are taking science fiction in bold new directions, as well!

See Nancy’s Picks

Meet Nancy Pearl

Nancy Pearl is a former UW faculty member and current UW Master of Library and Information Science advisory board member.

Nancy is widely known for her 2003 notable book “Book Lust,” which guides people through finding the right book for the right mood. During her time on faculty at the Information School, Nancy taught Readers Advisory, a course that trains new librarians in the art and science of helping patrons find their next good book. You may also recognize Nancy as the model for Archie McFee’s quirky librarian action figure.

Nancy is the former executive director of the Washington Center for the Book at Seattle Public Library. In 2011, Library Journal selected Nancy as Librarian of the Year. In 2021, the National Book Foundation named her “Literarian,” which is awarded to an individual for a lifetime of achievement in expanding the audience for books and reading.

“The Book of Form and Emptiness” by Ruth Ozeki

Reading period: Jan. 6–Mar. 10, 2023

We dove into the winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2022! Awkward teenager Benny Oh starts hearing the voices of inanimate objects after his father’s death. The noisy clutter of his mother’s hoarding drives him to take refuge in a local library, where at least the books know how to whisper! This complex, offbeat and magical story will have you thinking about the roots of creativity — and the ways we try to fill the empty spaces in our lives — in all new ways.

““This tale of a mother and son finding their voices… is both deeply affecting and uplifting.” —The Guardian

Recorded Event and Related Readings

Libraries as Safe Spaces

Wed. March 1 | 5 p.m. PST | Online

Inspired by Benny’s journey, we invited three iSchool Huskies who are serving their communities at public libraries in urban and rural centers to gather in conversation. Our panelists they shared insights about libraries being more than a place for books.

CiKeithia Pugh, Early Learning Program Manager, Seattle Public Library
Tess Wilder-Cervantes, ‘15, Supervising Librarian, Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch, Seattle Public Library

Nancy’s Picks: Diving Deeper into “The Book of Form and Emptiness”

A legend among librarians, Nancy Pearl is well-known for her talent in helping readers find their next great read. She’s so good, she taught a class on this skill to future librarians here at the UW!

UW Alumni Book Club invited Nancy to recommend some other books after they’d picked up “The Book of Form and Emptiness” this reading period. The juicy list she compiled offers a few different angles on our quirky and complex novel. Explore beginners’ guides to the practice of Zen Buddhism. Browse playful novels that focus on the power of letters, language, books and words. Get recommendations on some of Ruth Ozeki’s earlier novels as well!

See Nancy’s Picks

Meet Nancy Pearl

Nancy Pearl is a former UW faculty member and current UW Master of Library and Information Science advisory board member. Nancy is known for her 2003 notable book “Book Lust,” which guides people through finding the right book for the right mood. During her time on faculty at the Information School, Nancy taught Readers Advisory, a course that trains new librarians in the art and science of helping patrons find their next good book. You may also recognize Nancy as the model for Archie McFee’s quirky librarian action figure.

2021-2022 archives

2020-2021 archives

2019-2020 archives

Share Your Book Ideas!

Have suggestions for upcoming book club titles?
Submit your ideas to our Book Club Suggestion Form.

Check out the books that have already been suggested.

The UW Alumni Book Club is a collaboration between UWAA, the UW Libraries, the University Book Store—and passionate readers like you.

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