Read 'Go as a River'

CMC’s 2026 Common Reader "Go as a River" engages students, staff, and community members with a series of talks this fall with author Shelley Read.

CMC’s Common Reader program selects one book every year and offers it for free distribution across the dozens of communities CMC serves – followed by a series of discussions, author talks and conversations at CMC campuses.

This year’s common reader, internationally award winning “Go As A River,” invites us into the life of Victoria "Torie" Nash, a young woman growing up on a peach farm in rural Colorado during the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of the creation of the Blue Mesa Reservoir and the flooding of the town of Iola, this work of historical fiction explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and finding home in the face of much tumultuous change.

Books will be available to staff and faculty May 7 and 8, 2026 at CMC Days, and available to students and community members at CMC front desks and libraries June 1, 2026.

Help us celebrate Colorado’s 150 years of statehood and sesquicentennial birthday with fifth generation Colorado author Shelley Read.

The author, Shelley Read, will tour our district and talk at eight sites from October 19-27.