The Big Read 2022-23

Welcome to the Big Read

A very warm welcome to Hallam’s Big Read. Now in its 4^th year, the Big Read provides a unique opportunity for all students and staff to come together to explore important themes and make new connections. Each year, the Big Read showcases a book which we think our University community will enjoy reading, whether as part of a course or independently. Free copies of the Big Read are available to students and staff and a programme of related events runs throughout the academic year.

This year's Big Read book is I Belong Here – A Journey Along the Backbone of Britain by Anita Sethi. Part memoir, part travelogue, the book follows Sethi’s journey from trauma to recovery, as she sets out from the Peak District and reconnects with the landscape of the North. The book explores what it means to belong – to a place and an identity – a theme we hope all readers can connect with as we embark on a new academic year. 

We’d love to see a photo of your copy of the book, wherever you might be reading it, and hear your thoughts: tag us with #hallambigread on social media.

Competition

As part of The Big Read 2021-22, we held a writing competition and awarded prizes. 

Keep an eye out for similar events and opportunities for this year's Big Read happening soon!

Getting your free copy

If you want to get a free copy of I Belong Here, you can either:

• Pick up a copy from one of the collection points on City and Collegiate campuses.
• Request a copy to be sent to you if you can't come on campus or need the book in an accessible format

Contact us

You can reach the Big Read team by email at bigread@shu.ac.uk