Beyond the Book: The Measure
Your Denison story doesn’t end at graduation — it’s just another chapter. Beyond the Book is more than a book club; it’s a space for alums to explore powerful stories, new perspectives, and themes rooted in the shared experiences of women. Through fiction and nonfiction, professional and personal development reads, and beyond, we’ll dive into Denisonian-selected books that inspire, challenge, and connect us.
Each book selection has been thoughtfully recommended and voted on by a group of volunteers, ensuring that our reading list reflects the interests, experiences, and voices of our Denison community.
While our discussions highlight the narratives that shape women’s lives, all alums are welcome to join the conversation. Come for the books, stay for the connections — because every story is better when shared.
About The Measure by Nikki Erlick
The Measure is a speculative fiction novel in which every adult on Earth receives a mysterious box containing the exact number of years they will live. This thrusts society into a divisive choice: do they want to know how long they will live? If so, what will they do with that information? The story follows eight characters from different walks of life as they grapple with this life-altering knowledge, exploring themes of destiny, choice, love, and loss. It’s a story about human resilience, hope, and how people choose to live when faced with the ultimate question of mortality.
Beyond the Book is inspired by the Four Forward initiative, celebrating the first four women to receive degrees from Denison. While Beyond the Book discussions are often rooted in the shared experiences of women, the program is open to all Denisonians interested in engaging with its themes and conversations.
