Social Justice Book Club

The Social Justice Book Club provides a space for Buffalo State University community members to have meaningful conversations about challenging topics.

During spring 2024, we are reading a collection of short stories by Justin C. Key, entitled The World Wasn't Ready For You.

"Black Mirror meets Get Out in this gripping story collection reminiscent of the work of Octavia E. Butler, which deftly blends science fiction, horror, and fantasy to examine issues of race, class, and prejudice—an electrifying, oftentimes heartbreaking debut from an extraordinary new voice." (HarperCollins Publishers)

We will meet in person on Thursdays, beginning on February 8th, from 12:30 to 1:30 PM, in Bacon 204. Meeting dates are 2/8, 2/22, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, and 4/18. At each meeting, we will discuss one of the short stories contained in Key's book. At our final meeting of the semester, we will be joined virtually by the author, Justin C. Key!

Thanks to generous funding from the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program and Student Leadership and Engagement, print copies of the book will be provided to book club participants. The book club is open to faculty, staff, and students of Buffalo State University.

Fill out this form to join the book club and gain access to the readings. (Note: past participants of the book club should still fill out the form! Thanks!)

This program was made possible with the support of E. H. Butler Library, Equity and Campus Diversity, Student Leadership and Engagement, the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program, the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies interdisciplinary minor, the Grant Allocation Committee, the Anne Frank Project, and Haymarket Books.

The Social Justice Book Club logo was designed by John Gardner.

Spring 2024 readings

Fill out this form to join the book club and receive a free copy of the book (while supplies last).

• February 8: "The Perfection of Theresa Watkins"
  • Content note: cancer, schizophrenia, suicide
• February 22: "Afiya's Song"
  • Content note: slavery (and its related violence)
• March 7: "Wellness Check"
  • Content note: pandemic
• March 21: "Now You See Me"
  • Content note: pregnancy
• April 4: "The World Wasn't Ready For You"
  • Content note: police violence
• April 18: author's note
  • Optionally, you may choose to read one of the stories we skipped. See below for any relevant content notes:
    • "Spider King"
      • Content note: incarceration, suicide, insects, body horror
    • "One Hand in the Coffin"
      • Content note: child death, child abuse, self-harm
    • "Customer Service"