A short checklist of criteria to use along with scoring sheets to evaluate common reads for university programs such as the FYE program. Developed by author Rohit Bhargava. For more information, visit www.rohitbhargava.com/fye.

1. THE NON-OBVIOUS GUIDE TO SELECTING THE
PERFECT COMMON READ (CHECKLIST VERSION)
Which of these qualities accurately describe this book/author?
 APPROACHABLE:
Can every student relate to the topic, tone and style of the book and is it relevant to the first-year experience?
 PRACTICAL:
Will the book help students develop key skills they can use throughout their lives and is it easily actionable?
 ENGAGING:
Is the book’s tone and writing style down-to-earth and interesting? Is it challenging without being overwhelming?
 IMPORTANT:
Does the book address a topic that is significant in the lives and futures of the students, as well as the world?
 FLEXIBLE:
Can the book be easily applied to FYE programming and can faculty members incorporate it into reading lists?
 AVAILABLE:
Is the author (a) living! and (b) a dynamic speaker willing to customize a program and visit campus?
 NON-OBVIOUS:
Does the book offer a unique perspective and are students unlikely to have already read the book in high-school?
 PROVOKING:
Does the book inspire students to grow intellectually, foster empathy and spark discussion without being divisive?
 DIVERSE:
Is the book written from a diverse or global perspective and does it encourage more inclusive thinking?
 SUBSTANTIAL:
Is there enough depth to sustain a semester (or full year) of discussion without being too long (ie – under 300 pgs)?
 ACCESSIBLE:
Is the book available as paperback, ebook + audio for students (regardless of disability) for under $20 per book?
 CREDIBLE:
Has the book/author won awards or critical acclaim to underscore the credibility of the book and author overall?
BOOK TITLE:
REVIEWER NAME:
SCORE:
How many
boxes were
checked? 12
TEMPLATE
DOWNLOAD
ALWAYS EAT LEFT HANDED IS A COMMON READ THAT MEETS ALL 12 CRITERIA!
Would you like to learn more or request a FREE review copy of the book?
VISIT WWW.ROHITBHARGAVA.COM/FYE

2. THE NON-OBVIOUS GUIDE TO SELECTING
THE PERFECT COMMON READ (SCALE VERSION)
To what degree do these qualities describe this book/author?
APPROACHABLE: Can every student relate to the topic, tone and style of the book
and is it relevant to the first-year experience?
PRACTICAL: Will the book help students develop key skills they can use throughout
their lives and is it easily actionable?
ENGAGING: Is the book’s tone and writing style down-to-earth and interesting? Is it
challenging without being overwhelming?
IMPORTANT: Does the book address a topic that is significant in the lives and futures
of the students, as well as the world?
FLEXIBLE: Can the book be easily applied to FYE programming and can faculty
members incorporate it into reading lists?
AVAILABLE: Is the author (a) living! and (b) a dynamic speaker willing to customize a
program and visit campus?
NON-OBVIOUS: Does the book offer a unique perspective and are students unlikely
to have already read the book in high-school?
PROVOKING: Does the book inspire students to grow intellectually, foster empathy
and spark discussion without being divisive?
DIVERSE: Is the book written from a diverse or global perspective and does it
encourage more inclusive thinking?
SUBSTANTIAL: Is there enough depth to sustain a semester (or full year) of
discussion without being too long (ie – under 300 pgs)?
ACCESSIBLE: Is the book available as paperback, ebook + audio for students
(regardless of disability) for under $20 per book?
CREDIBLE: Has the book/author won awards or critical acclaim to underscore the
credibility of the book and author overall?
BOOK TITLE:
REVIEWER NAME:
SCORE:
What was the
total score
from all lines?
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
RATE THIS BOOK:
5 is best and 1 is worst.
60
TEMPLATE
DOWNLOAD
ALWAYS EAT LEFT HANDED IS A COMMON READ THAT MEETS ALL 12 CRITERIA!
Would you like to learn more or request a FREE review copy of the book?
VISIT WWW.ROHITBHARGAVA.COM/FYE