Common Book author Eggers to speak on Auburn campus Sept. 12

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The talk by Dave Eggers will be postponed due to travel issues caused by Hurricane Irma. The university will try to reschedule it for a later day.

Dave Eggers, author of the international bestseller, "The Circle," will speak at Auburn University Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Student Center ballroom. He will discuss themes in "The Circle," which is Auburn’s Common Book for 2017-2018, and will share some of his life experiences. A book signing will follow the free, public event.

"Dave Eggers is an incredibly talented and insightful author, and Auburn University is thrilled to have him visit this semester as part of the Common Book program," said Jeff LaMondia, program chair for the Common Book: One Book One Auburn program. "We look forward to hearing his unique perspective on the societal impacts of social media and technology as well as continuing the discussion on campus and in the community over the fall semester.

Eggers, a writer, editor and publisher, has received numerous national and international accolades since he began writing in 1990s. The most recent was an International Dublin Literary Award.

"The Circle" is the first work of fiction selected for the Common Book: One Book One Auburn program since its inception in the fall of 2010 and has been compared to George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World." Reviewers' comments about the book include those of Lev Grossman of Time: "Big Brother is still haunting us"; Michiko Kakutani, of the The New York Times: Eggers shows us a world "in which privacy is obsolete"; and Karen Valby of Entertainment Weekly: the "encroaching tentacles of the world's most powerful Internet company demands your thoughtful and committed attention."

During fall semester, the various themes presented in this year's Common Book: One Book One Auburn selection will be explored in courses, lectures, film screenings, service projects, exhibitions, public discussions and other programs. The Auburn community is encouraged to participate in programming on Auburn University's campus and at the Auburn Public Library.

The Common Book: One Book One Auburn program is an initiative of the Office of Undergraduate Studies in partnership with the Auburn Public Library. By creating a shared reading experience for students, faculty, staff and the wider Auburn community, Common Book: One Book One Auburn seeks to provide insight into the human condition while developing lifelong habits of intellectual curiosity and engagement.

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