Eunhee Kim, ASA Book Club Executive Officer
Reading helps us learn, encounter different points of view, and expand the way we see the world. But reading is a solitary activity. A book club turns that individual experience into a shared one. Books give us a reason to gather, but the conversations that follow—the stories we share, the perspectives we hear, and the relationships we build—are what stay with us.
Creating a Space for Conversation
When I took on leading the ASA Book Club, my goal was simple: to create a space where people in our statistical community can gather and feel comfortable being themselves—not only as statisticians, but also as people. Sometimes that means being willing to be vulnerable. And when people feel safe enough to do that, conversations move beyond the book and open into something deeper.
That mission feels especially relevant today. After the isolation experienced by so many during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now as artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes how we work and communicate, the chance to simply talk and listen to one another has become more valuable.
How the Book Club Evolved
The ASA Book Club began in 2024, building on an earlier effort by the Committee on Women in Statistics and Data Science. In its first year, participants met in small groups over several sessions in the fall and winter to discuss The Lady Tasting Tea and Start With Why.
In 2025, we launched a monthly format that broadened the range of topics—from statistics and data science to leadership, AI/technology, and human behavior. This expansion gave participants more opportunities to join discussions that interested them.
In 2026, we introduced our first annual theme—AI—with four AI-related book selections. In June, we partnered with Statisticians in the Pharmaceutical Industry for a joint discussion of The AI Con, reaching a broader international audience. We also hosted our first in-person Book Club event at the Joint Statistical Meetings this August, where Daily Leadership author Michael Link joined us for the discussion. More recently, the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section provided funding for the Book Club’s activities.
The Human Side of Statistics
In July, Diane Michelson of JMP facilitated a discussion of George Box’s memoir, An Accidental Statistician. She called the chance to discuss the book with statistically minded people “a delight.” Three of Box’s former students joined the discussion and shared memories of their time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, including stories from Box’s famous Monday beer and statistics gatherings. Their firsthand perspectives offered a glimpse of Box as both a person and statistician while bringing the history of the field to life.
I found this especially meaningful. The discussion brought together the statistical and the personal—the work itself and the relationships formed around it. It was a reminder of the human side of our statistical community that we do not always get to see.
Carolina Liskey of the Medical University of South Carolina, a regular ASA Book Club facilitator, added, “The ASA Book Club is a gathering place for those who love reading and statistics, where we foster community by sharing ideas and learning from the experiences of others at different levels in their professional careers with respect, curiosity, and open-mindedness.”
Upcoming Fall Discussions
We look forward to more conversations this fall:
- October 16, noon to 1 p.m. ET: The Cost of Conviction, a special virtual event with author Steven Sloman (Brown University), facilitated by Eunice Kim (Microsoft)
- November 13, noon to 1 p.m. ET: AI Snake Oil, facilitated by Elisavet Sofikitou (US Food and Drug Administration)
Books might be the starting point, but what they make possible can reach far beyond the page. The ASA Book Club creates space for the people behind the statistics, the stories we carry, and the human connections that grow from sharing them. To learn more about the club, sign up for the mailing list.
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