In an effort to promote college-wide literacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a sense of community, Santa Ana College officially adopted an annual initiative called The Book of the Year Program in Fall of 2009. Since then the Teaching Learning Committee (TLC), and the Nealley Library have worked collaboratively to sponsor and promote the college-wide reading of the selected title.
Everyone in our college community, (students, faculty and staff) was encouraged to read the Book of the Year (BOTY), and all were invited to attend Book-of-the-Year college programs and activities related to the themes of the selected title. Most of these programs and events were presented during the Spring semester. College staff and students of all disciplines were also encouraged to read and discuss the BOTY throughout the academic year and weave BOTY themes into curriculum via class discussions, writing, speaking, or visual arts assignments.
The Book of the Year Program was discontinued in 2019.
"Regardless of our differences or the disparities in our stories (we) are united by our humanity. "
- Ovo Adagha & Molara Wood
One World: A Global Anthology of Short Stories
SAC's 2017 - 2018 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book One World: A Global Anthology of Short Stories available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Programs and events related to the 2017 - 2018 book of the year selection:
Reading Circles: See the World through Short Stories
Join the Reading Circles in The Learning Center, Dunlap Hall, D-307. Read for Fun! Discover People and Places! Explore New Cultures!
"...this is your country,...this is your world,...this is your body,
and you must find some way to live within all of it"
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
Between the World and Me
SAC's 2016 - 2017 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book Between the World and Me available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Programs and events related to the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 semesters:
“There was nothing pretty or elegant about their robot. Compared to the gleaming machines other teams had constructed, Stinky was a study in simplicity. The PVC, the balloon, the tape measure— in each case they had chosen the most straightforward solution to a problem." ― Joshua Davis Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream SAC's 2015 - 2016 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Programs and events related to the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 semesters.
"We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced." -Malala Yousafzai I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban SAC's 2014 - 2015 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Programs and events related to the 2014 - 2015 book of the year selection:
San Bernardino Deputy Probation Officer II, Maria Venegas, and Survivor of Human Trafficking, Sandra Armenta
Wednesday, May 27, The Teaching Learning Committee and the Nealley Library present STAND UP and SPEAK UP for EDUCATION!, a testimonial forum consisting of student panelists and audience participation. Refer to below for program.
“There are always surprises. Life may be inveterately grim and the surprises disproportionately
unpleasant, but it would be hardly worth living if there were no exceptions,
no sunny days, no acts of random kindness.”
― T.C. Boyle
The Tortilla Curtain
SAC's 2013 - 2014 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book The Tortilla Curtain available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Programs and events related to the 2013 - 2014 book of the year selection:
“I’d cry, if only I had the time to do it.”
- Kathryn Stockett
The Help
SAC's 2012 - 2013 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book The Help available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Programs and events related to the 2012 - 2013 book of the year selection:
“He'd learned long ago: perfection isn't what families are all about.”
― Jamie Ford
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
SAC's 2011 - 2012 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Department involved: ESL (English as a Second language) at (CEC) Centennial Education Center
Course involved: Language Arts and ESL
Professor who participated: Susan Gaer
Number of students involved: 34
Method(s) used to incorporate book or themes of book w/students: Book Discussion and Facebook Page
Outcomes of Activity: Students wrote letters to Jamie Ford and received responses
Above: Book Club - Morning Group
Above: Book Club - Evening Group
“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things
humans can do for each other.”
― Randy Pausch
The Last Lecture
SAC's 2010 - 2011 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book The Last Lecture (English and Spanish versions) available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
"People who live on hills sleep so close to the stars they forget those of us who live
too much on earth. They don’t look down except to be content to live on hills.
One day I’ll own my own house but I will not forget who I am or where I came from.”
- Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street
SAC's 2009 - 2010 Book of the Year
The Nealley Library has copies of the book The House on Mango Street (in English and Spanish) available for checkout (2-week loan period). Stop by the Library to borrow a copy!
Programs and events related to the 2009 - 2010 book of the year selection:
Dr. Mary Castellanos is a Counselor at Santa Ana College and has been in Latina leadership both locally and at the state level. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Pathology, a Master of Science Degree in Counseling and a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Castellanos was also recognized for her work in creating the Latina Student Center at Santa Ana College in 1993 and has worked diligently in breaking down barriers to academic success for students, especially Latinas. She has provided a significant role in the professional development of the Counseling Department and has been honored with the Profiles in Excellence Faculty Development Award through the Academic Senate. She also received the Golden Apple Award from the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund and the Outstanding Hispanic Educator Award from LULAC. She has made an impact on student success and has touched the lives of hundreds of Latinas who might not otherwise have succeeded in college.
Leticia Lopez-Jaurequi graduated from Yale University in 1980, attended UCLA film school and co-produced documentaries for PBS in the eighties. She received an Emmy in 1987 for the production of "Asylum", a documentary about Salvadorean refugees. In 1992 she received a MA in Spanish and a TESOL certificate and has been working at SAC teaching Spanish since 1994. She is currently editing short stories focused on immigrant girls in the US.
Angelina Veyna teaches U.S. Women’s History, Mexican History, Mexican American History, and Mesoamerican History and says that history is her passion. She is a native of Anaheim and her dream is to write the history of Mexicans in Anaheim. She is a member of the Orange County Mexican American Historical Society. Ms. Veyna has her BA from UC Irvine, a Master’s from UCLA and has taken additional coursework at the University of New Mexico. She loves to travel and is hoping to one day go to Istanbul, Turkey. Her life objective is to pay tribute to Mexican/Mexican American women (and men) by documenting their history.
Dr. Sharon Brown, Professor of Digital Arts collaborated with Sandon Larsson, professor in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program to develop media productions based on themes from the House on Mango Street.