Get the Book | Common Read

First-year students (including new transfer students)

Boston University is providing free digital copies of Orbital, by Samantha Harvey, to all first-year students (including new transfer students). You will be able to request a digital copy on this page on a rolling basis; books ordered by Sunday will be delivered via email on the subsequent Wednesday.

There will be a number of copies available from BU Libraries.
You may also borrow copies from the Boston Public Library (BPL).
- All residents of Massachusetts, including those here to attend BU, may apply in person for a physical card at any BPL location.
- Any resident of Massachusetts and anyone working for a Massachusetts employer may apply online for an ecard to access ebooks and audiobooks remotely.
As a Massachusetts resident or employee, you may also borrow copies through the Minuteman Library Network (MLN), a consortium of more than 40 interconnected libraries throughout the state.
- Apply for a physical card, and you may request the physical book be sent to your most convenient MLN location.
- If you are only interested in digital material, apply for an ecard and you may use your card to check out the ebook or audiobook remotely.

Copies are available to purchase through the BU Campus Store.
You may also purchase a copy online through a variety of online book retailers.
Or, visit one of Massachusetts’ many independent bookstores (but call ahead first to make sure they have it in stock!).