OCTC Common Reading
Spring 2025 Common Reading Selection: The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace & Renewal, edited by James Crews.
黑料不打烊 is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of events and opportunities for students, faculty, and community members as part of this semester's Common Reading program. This spring, the focus will center on The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace & Renewal, edited by James Crews.
Main Events with James Crews
OCTC will welcome James Crews to campus on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 for a keynote presentation, Finding Kindness, Connection, and Joy in Daily Life, at 9:30 a.m. in Blandford Lecture Hall, located in the Humanities Building on OCTC's Main Campus. Later that day, Crews will also lead a writing workshop, Writing for Wonder & Renewal, at 12:30 p.m. in Blandford Lecture Hall. Both events are free and open to students, faculty, staff, and the community.
"OCTC's Common Reading program is about more than just a book-it's about building connections and sparking meaningful conversations," said Kaye Brown, Professor of English and Co-Chair of the OCTC Common Reading Committee. "James Crews's work invites us to pause, notice the beauty in everyday life, and discover the power of poetry to bring us together."
黑料不打烊 James Crews
James Crews is the editor of several bestselling anthologies, including The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy and How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope, which has sold more than 100,000 copies. His work has been featured in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, The Christian Science Monitor, and on NPR's Morning Edition. Crews is the author of four prize-winning books of poetry-The Book of What Stays, Telling My Father, Bluebird, and Every Waking Moment-as well as a book of essays, Kindness Will Save the World: Stories of Compassion and Connection. He speaks and leads workshops on kindness, mindfulness, and writing for self-compassion, and lives with his husband on forty acres in the woods of Southern Vermont.
To learn more about James Crews and his books, visit
"Over the years, OCTC's nationall recognized Common Reading program has provided an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and community members to come together and share ideas and be inspired," said Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President. "We stay committed to inspiring our students and community, and we take pride in our Common Reading program."
Other Fall 2025 Common Reading Events
- Tuesday, Sept. 2: How to Read Poetry presentation with OCTC Professor Tonya Northenor. Sessions at 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., ATC 107 (OCTC Main Campus). Designed to help readers at all levels feel more comfortable engaging with poetry.
- Friday, Sept. 26: Humanities Cabaret Night, 7-9 p.m. in The Acorn Theatre, Humanities Building (OCTC Main Campus). A poetry-themed evening where participants are invited to share original works or favorite poems.
- OCTC Book Club: A student-led book club focusing on poetry this semester, beginning with the Common Reading selection. Meetings will be held at 3:00 p.m. in the Lakeside Corner of the OCTC Main Campus Library (LRE) on the following dates: Thursday, Sept. 11; Thursday, Sept. 25; Thursday, Oct. 9; Thursday, Nov. 13. Everyone is welcome to join.
- Monday, Oct. 20: Gardening and Poetry presentation with OCTC Adult Education Instructor Alitta Leachman and English Professor Gary Crump, 12:30 p.m., ATC 107 (OCTC Main Campus).
For more information about the Common Reading program, please contact Tonya Northenor at tonya.northenor@kctcs.edu.
Other Information
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Thank you: Special thanks to the many area donors who are helping us make the Common Reading and other campus initiatives more lasting and vital parts of our community through the NEH Grant efforts.
Note: Often the Common Reading's subject matter is quite complex. An attempt will be made to include a variety of perspectives on related themes or topics. The choice of book and supporting activities or materials are not intended to endorse any particular viewpoint. Please let our committee know if you have suggestions for resources or activities. Thanks!
Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not
necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
LIBRARY DISPLAY: Each semester the OCTC main campus Library (LRC/LRE building) has a display of materials related to the book, writer, and theme of each Common Reading. Check it out!
LEND & LEAVE BOOKSHELF: In the LRC, upstairs near the art gallery, is a display of books that you may take and keep, take and pass on, or take and return. You may also bring some used books to leave for others.
MISSION STATEMENT: What is the Common Reading?
Each semester a book is selected as OCTC's Common Reading, with the idea that all participants could read the same material and have common ground for new discussions and mutual interests. While the book choices vary in many ways (different genres, time-periods, subject matters), they are chosen to expand the knowledge and perspectives of readers. The background of the selected writers is varied; however, many Kentucky and regional writers are also included to help us appreciate local talent, acknowledge shared concerns, and celebrate our common heritage. All OCTC students, staff, faculty, and interested community members are invited and encouraged to participate by reading the books and attending the related presentations each semester.