Hostos Reads
Formerly known as the Book of the Semester Project, Hostos Reads is a year-long common reading initiative aimed at fostering a spirit of inquiry and community across disciplines and throughout the campus. We invite all members of the Hostos community—both students and staff—to participate in this enriching experience.
The Hostos Reads project builds upon the foundation laid by Professor Robert Cohen, who led the Book of the Semester Project since 2005. It is now guided by the Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Council. The project’s primary goal is to cultivate a culture of reading, dialogue, and community building through shared engagement with a common text.
Goals of This Project:
- Community Building
- Highlighting Campus and University Resources/Student Talent
- Fostering Inter-Departmental Connections
- Creating a Shared Intellectual Experience
- Enhancing:
- Critical Thinking
- Self-Awareness
- Diversity and Global Awareness
- Cultural Competence
- Teaching
- Learning
Book Nomination Guide for Hostos Reads
As faculty, staff, and students consider nominating a book, we recommend using the following criteria as a guide:
Does the book:
- Offer an engaging, accessible read?
- Address subject matter relevant to the disciplines and educational mission of Hostos?
- Lend itself to related events or activities?
- Appeal to a wide range of students?
- Provide opportunities for classroom use across various disciplines and academic departments?
- Support integration with other college initiatives (e.g., student clubs, Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Earth Day, Hostos’ 50th anniversary)?
- Have relevance to student life (e.g., coming of age, diversity, relationships, family, self-exploration, identity, justice, immigration)?
Additional considerations:
- Is it available in paperback at a reasonable price?
- Is the book’s length manageable for readers to complete with ease?
- Is it portable and available in an easily accessible format?
- Is the book notable (e.g., an award winner or recommended by reputable journals, magazines, or websites)?
- Is the author available and willing to visit Hostos for a discussion?
- Can the book be purchased at a discounted rate from the publisher or author?
The Center for Teaching and Learning will accept nominations for the Hostos Reads book for the academic year. Once the nomination period ends, an interdisciplinary group composed of faculty, staff, and students (6 to 8 people) will evaluate the nominations based on specific selection criteria, such as relevance to the college community and educational value.
The committee will recommend three books, which will be presented to the college community for a vote to select the winning book. The voting process will take place during April and May, and the winning book will be announced during the CTL Annual Professional Day in May.
Resources Inspired by Books
We’ve curated a collection of book-based resources for professional development and general teaching. These materials offer valuable opportunities to gain new insights, enhance your skills, foster meaningful dialogue in the classroom, and stay current with the latest advancements in your field.
Coordinators

Cynthia Jones
CJONES@hostos.cuny.edu
(718) 518-6807

Carlos Guevara
Cguevara@hostos.cuny.edu
(718) 319-7974