When this year’s common reader was revealed to be The Rock Eaters by Brenda Peynado, I wasted no time diving into the short story collection. As someone who was not previously familiar with Peynado’s work, I became a fast fan while moving through her diverse and intriguing stories. For me, one of the most interesting things about The Rock Eaters is the way it seems to defy genre categories and conventions.  Merging elements of science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, and horror, the stories and the immersive, descriptive writing left me wanting to read more in the best of ways. This blending of genres also allows for themes to be explored in intriguing ways—from finding a sense of belonging to grappling with extreme emotion to living on the borderlands, Peynado walks her characters and readers through intense situations with perfectly-timed intrigue and suspense.

Because Peynado’s short stories are so nuanced and diverse, they are perfect for sharing with wide audiences. This means that Sigma Tau Delta chapters have the chance to engage with this year’s Common Reader in a number of ways at the chapter level. Whether you are planning to attend Convention in Denver, CO, from March 29 to April 1 or not, using some of the suggestions below to incorporate the Common Reader into chapter events can help you stay connected with others in the Society, even from across the country or the world.

1. Organize a Book Club

If you and others in your chapter are looking for a fun way to read The Rock Eaters together, consider hosting a book club for your members. This would provide a great opportunity for chapter members to get together outside of regular meeting times—and you could even invite potential new members to help with recruitment efforts!  The Rock Eater’s wide and varying themes and genres are sure to inspire plenty of thoughtful and engaging discussions.

2. Host a Read Aloud Event

Because this is a short story collection, it would lend itself well to doing a read aloud event. This could be organized for just chapter members or could be an event that you could invite other campus and community members to. Ask members to read from their favorite stories or invite people to come and listen as they discover the world that Peynado creates through her writing.

3. Hold a Trivia Night

If your chapter members have already explored The Rock Eaters on their own and are familiar with the book, think about hosting a trivia night. Use a Regents’ Common Reader Award to supply snacks and prizes for the winners and test your chapter’s knowledge of the stories in the book! As an added bonus, you can practice your trivia skills to prepare for Student Leadership’s Trivia Night at Convention!

Engaging with the Common Reader in any capacity is a great way to stay involved in the Society, and encouraging others in your chapter or potential members to read along could inspire your chapter to be more active or help someone make the leap to join Sigma Tau Delta. And, if your chapter does host an event based around The Rock Eaters, remember to apply for a Common Reader award to help offset costs!

Kaitlynn Sass
Student Advisor, 2022-2024
Xi Xi Chapter
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA