Book Clubs
University Honors College (UHC) book clubs, in keeping with our spirit, actively challenge students to broaden their literary base. We encourage students to become more critical and active readers who embrace unfamiliar texts and avail themselves of the in-depth treatment that group discussions elicit. Reading should be viewed as an opportunity to develop, not a chore of homework.
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” Mark Twain
Book clubs are conceived of and run by students and staff alike. Some are recurring weekly events that manage smaller texts, such as Pizza and Prose, and Pizza and Plays, while others are monthlong readings that culminate in a single group discussion. Paid for by the honors college, books are distributed to interested students with the expectation that they meet and discuss the book. On more than one occasion a themed dinner party has been thrown to celebrate the discussion night.
Pizza and Prose
Pizza and Prose is a reading group that meets weekly to read and discuss works, typically nonfiction, selected by the student members of the group. Each member gets the opportunity to select the reading for the week, which is then provided by UHC, along with the pizza for the discussion, for all those in the group. Our goal, in addition to the more basic aim of providing an opportunity for intellectual community, is to give students a chance to engage materials that they wouldn't otherwise encounter in their course work. We've read scholarly works on topics ranging from quantum physics to the gnostic gospels; we've also read materials from Internet resources on various timely topics. If reading more than you have to because you think it's fun is your idea of a good time, then you will love this group. If you are interested, please contact Nate Hilberg at nhilberg@pitt.edu.
Pizza and Plays
Pizza and Plays is a voluntary reading group that meets once a week. The group chooses the plays, UHC buys the books, and the group gets together once a week over pizza to discuss the week’s reading. The plays that are chosen are generated out of individual interests and group discussion, but in general the group usually reads a mix of classic (loosely defined) and modern works. In the past, the members of the group have ranged from people who have never read a play before to literature and theatre arts majors, so the group encompasses a wide range of interests and perspectives. If you're interested in joining Pizza and Plays, contact Mike Giazzoni at giazzoni@pitt.edu.