Penn State Reads, a new common reading program for first-year University Park campus students, is designed to provide a shared experience among new students, encourage intellectual engagement within and beyond the classroom, stimulate critical thinking, and foster a deeper connection to Penn State's mission and core values. The book "Beautiful Souls: Saying No, Breaking Ranks and Heeding the Voice of Conscience in Dark Times" by author Eyal Press has been selected for the 2013-14 Penn State Reads program.