In partnership with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI), the Lansing Community College Library brings you Beyond the Book, a community reading program for the LCC community. Beyond the Book is focused on embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through exploring books with themes related to gender and self-identity, cultural perspectives, accessibility, advocacy, and/or racial inequity, while fostering a greater sense of community.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, we will read Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu:
Interior Chinatown centers on Willis Wu, a young, modern, Asian American man who dreams of becoming a Hollywood star but feels stuck playing background "Generic Asian Man" roles. The Beyond the Book steering committee hopes that you will enjoy this bestselling and National Book Award-winning work of fiction distinctively written in the form of a screenplay. The book's themes include racism, stereotype and racial performance, immigration, assimilation, family, and popular culture.
While supplies last, free copies of the book will be provided to LCC students and employees. Individuals can pick up a copy at the library, and faculty and campus group leaders can request a set of books for reading and discussion. Beyond the Book strives to create an enjoyable and mind-expanding reading experience both inside and outside the classroom. Everyone in the LCC community is encouraged to read and engage with Interior Chinatown in the 2023-2024 academic year; please feel free to attend program events, even if you have not read the book yet or completely.
Check back for information on events to take place during the fall and spring semesters and for the library's research guide, which will include engaging resources for personal enjoyment and building curriculum.
Interior Chinatown
by Charles Yu
Research Guide
Use the Beyond the Book Research Guide to learn more about the book and explore related themes.
Previous Titles and Facilitators
2022-2023
Themes:
Global & Cultural Perspectives
Diversity & Racial Equity
How to be an Antiracist
by Ibram X. Kendi
2021-2022
Theme 2 - Global & Cultural Perspectives:
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of
Plants
by Robin Wall
2020-2021
Theme 1 - Gender & Self-Identity:
We Should All be Feminists
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Theme 2 - Global & Cultural Perspectives:
From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death
by Caitlin Doughty
Theme 3 - Accessibility & Advocacy:
The Sun Does Shine
by Anthony Ray Hinton
Theme 4 - Diversity & Racial Equity:
There There
by Tommy Orange
Facilitators:
Prof. Judy Allen, English
Prof. Tim Deines, English
Prof. Mel Hernandez, English
Sarah Garcia-Linz, Academic Success Coach
Prof. Christopher Manning, English
Angela Patrick
Eric Pouncil
Prof. Melissa Kaplan, Business, Communication & Arts
Prof. Mark Kelland, Psychology
Prof. Tamara McDiarmid, Criminal Justice
Eva Menafee, Academic Advisor
Loretta Osborn, Health & Human Services
Jonathan Rosewood
Ana Woehr, Academic Advisor
2019-2020
There There by Tommy Orange
2018-2019
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
2017-2018
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
2016-2017
Tomatoland by Barry Estabrook
2015-2016
The True American by Anand Giridharadas
2014-2015
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Have questions?
Contact librarian Caitlyn Stypa at stypac@lcc.edu.
Centre for Engaged Inclusion
Email: lcc-thecentre@star.lcc.edu
Phone: 517-483-9804
Location:
Arts and Sciences Building, Room 1313