Left to my own devices, would I do away with summer reading? No, I’d try a variation on it. Instead of assigning one book that is expected to do several things (inspire engagement, spark debate, build community), I would present the students with several books -- a menu of options -- in hopes of promoting reading. If they read none (yes, it’s true: some students don’t crack their summer reading) but go online for a “study guide,” they will not find one. The book is not on many syllabi. They will find reviews, which tend to be better written than cheat sheets and m...