The International Book Club
The International Book Club, established in 2018, was founded with the vision of fostering intercultural understanding, collaboration, and personal transformation through action-oriented reading. Our core values of compassion, respect, humility, and a commitment to sustainability guide our efforts to empower individuals across the globe.
Guided by the belief that books possess the unparalleled ability to empower individuals, the International Book Club embraces the notion that shared narratives transcend borders and language barriers, enabling us to conquer life's challenges through collective wisdom. We understand that cooperation among nations is fundamental to achieving lasting world peace, and we proudly contribute to this endeavor through the threads of understanding woven in our literary discussions. Our dedication to citizenship and community underscores our mission. We acknowledge that altering our perspectives can fundamentally change our perception of the world and its issues. Through the books we select, we exemplify these values and seek to spark meaningful conversations and growth. Spanning continents and cultures, the IBC boasts a vibrant community of members hailing from countries such as Poland, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, and the United States. Striving to weave the threads of global understanding, we invite you to join us on this enriching journey of exploration, connection, and positive impact as we read and discuss Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffa, the 2025-2026 One Book Project/International Book Club selection.
2025-2026 One Book Project/International Book Club Author
Deborah Jackson Taffa’s Whiskey Tender, a 2024 National Book Award Finalist, was also a 2025 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction longlisted title. Named one of 2024’s Top 10 books by The Atlantic, Audible, and Time Magazine, her debut was also included on best and notable lists at The New Yorker, Elle, Esquire, NPR, The Washington Post, Oprah Daily, and Publisher’s Weekly. The debut was an Amazon Editor’s Best Choice Book for the year as well. With awards and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, PEN America, MacDowell, Hedgebrook, the Ellen Meloy Foundation, Tin House, A Public Space, the Kranzberg Arts, and the NY Summer Writers Institute, Deborah is currently working on her second story collection.
A citizen of the Quechan (Yuma) Nation and Laguna Pueblo, Deborah earned her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Prior to her job at IAIA, she taught Creative Nonfiction at Webster University and Washington University in Saint Louis. She also served as an Executive Board Member with the Missouri Humanities Council where she was instrumental in creating a Native American Heritage Program in the state.
Editor Emeritus at the literary magazine, River Styx, her writing can be found at The Rumpus, Boston Review, Los Angeles Review of Books, A Public Space, Salon, Huff Post, Prairie Schooner, The Best Travel Writing, The Best of Brevity: Twenty Groundbreaking Years of Flash Nonfiction, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, and elsewhere. Her play, “Parents Weekend,” was performed at the Autry Theater’s 8th Annual Short Play Festival in LA.
In recent years, Deborah has had the incredible honor of reading a series of poetic interludes for
composer Gary Gackstatter’s Chaco Symphony featuring the Grammy nominated flautist,
R. Carlos Nakai. She will be performing with the symphony in Durango, Colorado, on March 15, 2024.
She can be found on various social media sites as @deborahtaffa.
From: deborahtaffa.com
How Can I Get Involved?
- Discussing the book in your classes
- Vlogging and blogging on the IBC blogging site
- Participating in our four scheduled zoom sessions
More information on all of these activities can be found below.
As a participant in the International Book Club, you will be eligible to receive your own personalized electronic International Book Club Certificate of Participation.
Class Discussions
Participants in the International Book Club are invited to use the discussion questions below, organized by chapter, in class and book club discussions.
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Vlogging and Blogging
Participants in the International Book Club are invited to share their opinions and viewpoints on various issues from the book through the vlogging and blogging site below.
Zoom Sessions
All International Book Club participants are invited to join us via Zoom as we come together for a real-time discussion of Sitting Pretty. Each session will focus on different sections of the book and will cover different questions and topics. All sessions will begin at 10am Pacific Standard/California time. Please follow the links below for each session's discussion questions and a link to the zoom session.
Resources for Instructors
For guidelines when communicating with or about disabled people, please visit this website:
When writing reflections, encourage your learners to use The Reflective Act Acronym (Nowak, 2020, pp. 135-136):
R – recap your story (storytelling)
E – evaluate (usefulness, utility)
F – formulate (hypotheses)
L – learn by teaching others (LbTo)
E – experience (effects/consequences)
C – create new meaning (frames of reference)
T – think (positively)
I – inquire (ask questions, try to answer them)
V – venture (take a risk at expressing what you think)
E – elaborate your process of learning (develop lifelong learning)
A – achieve (goals)
C – challenge (ideas, beliefs, assumptions)
T – transform (change yourself, reconstruct meaning)
Nowak, S. A. (2020). Refleksja w kształceniu językowym. Zastosowanie dzienników w nauczaniu zorientowanym na działanie. Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Pedagogicznego. Prace Monograficzne nr 992. (Translation: Reflection in language education. The use of journals in action-oriented teaching).
Our Pillars and Our Purpose
Our foundation rests upon four pillars that underpin our mission:
- Collaboration: At the heart of our club lies the value of partnership. We recognize that intercultural understanding is essential for a harmonious world. By uniting readers from diverse backgrounds, we build bridges that transcend borders, fostering connections that enrich our global community.
- Empathy: Books are vessels that carry us into the lives and experiences of others. Through literature, we aspire to cultivate empathy on a profound level. We seek to elevate our capacity to comprehend the joys, challenges, and perspectives of individuals worldwide.
- Sustainability and Humility: Our commitment extends beyond the pages of the books we read. We strive for enduring education, embracing the principles of respect and humility. By remaining open to continuous learning, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.
- Action-Oriented Learning: The International Book Club is not just a forum for discussion; it's a platform for meaningful action. We believe that knowledge gained through literature empowers us to effect positive change in our lives and communities. We encourage members to channel their insights into actionable initiatives that make a difference.
Our core beliefs underscore our purpose:
- Inclusivity: We advocate for a world that recognizes and embraces the intrinsic worth of every individual, irrespective of their background or beliefs. Our reading community embodies the spirit of inclusiveness, fostering an environment where diverse voices are celebrated.
- Community Engagement: We understand the potential of collective efforts in driving societal progress. Through our shared commitment to citizenship and community involvement, we strive to contribute positively to the issues that shape our global society.
- Thoughtful Reflection: We acknowledge that true understanding begins with introspection. By critically reflecting on the challenges that confront our world, we equip ourselves with the tools to effect meaningful change.
- Practical Impact: Our exploration of literature is merely the beginning. Armed with insights gained from our readings, we are dedicated to translating inspiration into tangible actions that drive positive transformation.
Our selection of books mirrors our values, exemplifying our dedication to the principles we uphold. From Baz Dreisinger's Incarceration Nations to William Kamkwamba's The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind to Reyna Grande's A Dream Called Home to Carlotta Walls LaNier's A Mighty Long Way to the upcoming "Sitting Pretty" by Rebekah Taussig in Fall 2023, each choice is a testament to our commitment to enlightenment and change.
Contact Us
For more information on how you can get involved in the International Book Club, please contact:
Dr. Emerson Case
Department of English
California State University, Bakersfield
ecase@csub.edu