When I first entered LSU I, like every other incoming freshman, was introduced to LSU’s new summer reading program. A program that requires freshmen to read a book predetermined before they even enter as freshman. Most of us were not interested in reading a book that was handed to us among the heaps of other freshman papers and paraphernalia informing us of how we too can succeed academically and socially at LSU. You could not even check your paws account without seeing a ton of email informing us of all the many benefits and requirements of the program. We were told that we would have to read “Fast Food Nation” for our freshman English class. After realizing that this book must be important, most of us spent a little of our time reading the book over the next few months when we got a chance. I remember students asking around to see if anyone had read the book, since we were told we would have to anyway. It seemed that many of us had either read the book, read half the book and were rushing to read the rest before classes resumed or had never even turned the first page cover of “Fast Food Nation.” The first day of class arrived and we sat in our seats with “Fast Food Nation” in our book bag or out on our desk. To our surprise the teacher did not even mention the book. After class we heard the “I told you so’s” and the “thank God I did not read that book” from many student’s. It was if the constant badgering from University officials for us to read “Fast Food Nation” had not even occurred. One of the purposes of the program was to have a “common reading experience” for all entering freshman, that is one thing I could agree with. We did all have one thing in common, and that was the fact that our efforts to read the book or not read the book was a complete waste of time. I personally read “Fast Food Nation” for myself and found it to be a great book. Fast Food Nation was an attempt for author Eric Schlosser to reveal “The dark side of the All-American Meal.” The book went into great detail about American’s infatuation with fast food without regard of the consequences. Like most college students I find myself going through the drive-thru of many fast food restaurants. So why not hear more about the origins of my favorite fast food joint, especially since I spend a good amount of time in the rec trying to run off that 770 calorie Quarter Pounder with cheese I ate for lunch. Although I still think that McDonald’s has the best fries and the book did not make me stop eating fast food, at least I became more conscious of what I was eating. Friends and classmates of mine who also took the time to read “Fast Food Nation” also agreed that the book was an unexpected good read. Now LSU is in its second year of the summer Reading Program and this time the administration promises that the program has advanced from it’s first year. This year’s book is called “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder. The book is a biography of one man’s inspirational story of overcoming poverty and by using knowledge and problem-solving skills learns to help many people around the world. So, new incoming freshman are faced with that same question. Will the book be used in their English classes? After reading up on the program I stumbled upon the its website, which is easily accessed by clicking on the Reading Program icon on LSU’s home page. Irv Peckham, the director of first-year writing says “A majority of English 1001 or 1002 teachers will be expecting their students to have read “Mountains Beyond Mountains” before the fall semester even starts… Many 1001 teachers will use samples of the book as profiles and will take subjects for research directly from the book.” It’s something about the words “many” and “majority” that still leads me to wonder how many professor’s will want to fall in those categories when just a year ago they did not. Currently, I am surrounded by incoming Freshman who are now in the same predicament as I was last summer. Having experienced the first year of the program first hand, I know how the implementer’s of the program stressed how essential the book would be for the progression of Freshman. I can only hope that the proper school official’s approach of getting incoming freshman more interested and willing to read the book will change. Now when I am asked by freshman whether or not they should bother to read the book, I recommend that they do. It’s better to be safe then sorry. After all, they still may find themselves enjoying Pulitzer prize winner Tracy Kidder’s. “Mountains Beyond Mountains” beyond the initial doubts.