2026 Common Book

Auburn University has selected Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life by New York Times bestselling author and journalist Eric Weiner as the 2026 Common Book. The selection anchors a shared academic experience for incoming students and aligns with Auburn’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through its campuswide programs and initiatives.

A central component of Camp War Eagle, the Common Book Program introduces incoming students to Auburn’s academic community through a shared reading designed to foster critical thinking, meaningful dialogue and engagement beyond the classroom. Complimentary copies of the text will be distributed to all incoming students during summer orientation, with additional copies available to faculty and staff.

Released in 2024, the book blends history, biography, and personal reflection to explore the life and habits of mind of Benjamin Franklin, presenting him as a curious, self-educating thinker whose approach to learning and public service remains relevant today. Through Franklin’s writings, experiments, and civic commitments, Ben & Me explores themes central to the first-year college experience, including intellectual curiosity, resilience, ethical decision-making, and engagement within diverse communities. The book encourages students to reflect on how education can serve both personal growth and the common good, providing a foundation for campuswide conversations, events, and programming throughout the 2026–27 academic year, including tentative plans to bring Weiner to campus.