The Common Reading at College of Saint Mary brings students, faculty and staff together to read and reflect on one book and one theme each year. Common Readings have included both novels and nonfiction works and have explored topics such as the working class in America and immigration. 

All of the CSM community is encouraged to finish the Common Reading before the start of fall semester classes. Faculty tie the Common Reading into discussions and projects in their courses. First-year students hold multiple discussions of the Common Reading in Core Seminar, a required course, and during Orientation-Welcome Days, held for new students before classes start. And each academic division and administrative department in the College sponsors an on-campus activity or speaker. 

College of Saint Mary's Common Reading for the 2006-07 academic year is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. The College-wide theme corresponding to the text is "Reasons for Living."