‘Eating Animals’ informative to new students

For most college students, time is spent focused on studies rather than what foods are being ingested.

This summer, incoming students will be challenged to think about the foods that they eat.

A joint committee comprised of UNC and Duke faculty, staff and students chose “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer as the 2011 Summer Reading Program book selection.

“The joint committee had student members from Duke and UNC who were extremely thoughtful in reviewing the nominated titles and selecting finalists that they thought would appeal to incoming students,” said Jan Yopp, the dean of summer school and chairwoman of UNC’s selection committee.

The book is a nonfiction account of Foer’s research into America’s eating habits, and how people justify their eating choices.

Shandol Hoover, the associate director for New Student and Carolina Parent Programs, said the summer reading selection has to provoke interesting discussion, and must be at the appropriate developmental level of incoming students.

Other criteria include a topic that would be relatable to students, content that is intellectually stimulating and an author that would be a good speaker.

“After reviewing more than 450 nominations from both campuses, the joint committee felt this book would challenge students to think about decision-making as well as give them information about how America’s food is produced,” Yopp said.

Other finalist titles included “The Dew Breaker” by Edwidge Danticat, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, “Losing My Cool” by Thomas Chatterton Williams, “The Sea” by John Banville and “Shop Class as Soulcraft” by Matthew B. Crawford.

Hoover said one of the goals of the program is to encourage incoming students’ participation in the University’s intellectual climate through critical thinking and active discussion.

While the program is intended for incoming freshmen and transfer students, others can be involved by leading discussions.

Yopp said that the committee wanted to select a book that students otherwise might not have chosen to read.

“Personally, I hope that students will look at the author’s research and how he came to his own decision about ‘Eating Animals’ as a model for making important life decisions for themselves,” Yopp said.

Junior Lucy Barber, a fan of Foer’s popular book “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” said that hearing Foer speak at Duke last spring sparked her interest in reading “Eating Animals.”

“I think it’s a great book on the subject because of his use of storytelling in combination with relaying what can sometimes be overwhelming facts,” she said.

Erica Eisdorfer, the support services supervisor at Bull’s Head Bookshop, said that they have already sold many copies of the book.

“I haven’t heard anything negative about this one,” she said. “People seem to feel favorable.”

While the book has been criticized for being a “guilt trip,” Barber found it to be telling because Foer has the same interest as the average customer.

“He makes a conceit at the beginning of the book that he doesn’t claim to be a food expert, just a curious consumer as we all should be.”

Cheryl Molinatto, a nutrition education consultant with UNC Counseling and Wellness Services, said that although she has not read the whole book, she is encouraged by the selection.

“It is important for all of us to be more aware of the food system and the global impact of the food we eat,” Molinatto said.

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