You Should Read....: 2016 Nonfiction

Recommended by Oscar Gil-Garcia, Sociology and Anthropology:

One of the most significant books I have read in my life, which inspired me to pursue academia as a vehicle for liberation and to apply the teachings of Fanon to listen to the needs and concerns of some of the most dispossessed peoples of the world. While certainly limited by a masculinist lens, his prose and aspirational message for liberation is inspiring. To see a fellow man of color excel in his field of practice - psychology - who exposed the damaging impact colonialism has, and the ongoing marginalization of natives - read colonized - under a neocolonialist regime has much applicability in the contemporary era where "terror" serves as a stand-in for a permanent state of siege toward people who are other than white. The following passage continues to reverberate in me, and hope that it inspires in you in bringing about social change: "The first thing which the native learns is to stay in his place, and not to go beyond certain limits. This is why the dreams of the native are always of muscular prowess; his dreams are of action and of aggression. I dream I am jumping, swimming, running, climbing; I dream that I burst out laughing, that I span a river in one stride, or that I am followed by a flood of motorcars which never catch up with me. During the period of colonization, the native never stops achieving his freedom from nine in the evening until six in the morning." (p. 51)

Recommended by Katie Kondry, Class of 2016:

In her memoir, Jeannette Walls carefully recounts her unconventional upbringing. Growing up with dysfunctional, nonconformist parents, Walls takes on many familial responsibilities in order to provide for her younger siblings. While Walls's story is ultimately one of success, it is not her resilience that makes this memoir a modern classic, but the many regrets she is left with despite escaping poverty. Exquisitely written, this work is a must-read for young adults in the twenty-first century.

Recommended by Bridget Gourley, Chemistry and Biochemistry:

Napoleon’s Buttons provides captivating stories that link key molecules with important milestones in both ancient and recent history. Learn about the molecules that are responsible for the opium wards, that are at the base of prosperity and at the heart of Mediterranean culture, that fueled the slave trade, that helped lead to women’s movements, drove the age of discovery and more. Even stories you may know will probably provide some new insights. A truly liberal arts tour of 17 key classes of molecules that have done much to shape history, a fun intellectual read.

Recommended by Victoria Houghtalen, Class of 2018:

It is an increasingly timely piece as we head towards one of the most divisive and gendered elections in our history. Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to ever seek the American presidency, called for a cultural, political, and sexual revolution away from the Grant administration in 1872. Thirty-eight years before women were granted the right to vote, Woodhull was a divisive figure that surpassed the perceived radicalism of Elizabeth Cady Stanton or Susan B. Anthony. This novel recounts her life and offers some explanation as to why her name was lost with history.

Recommended by Sherry Mou, Modern Languages and Asian Studies:

To read Zhuangzi or not to read Zhuangzi, let Winnie-the-Pooh decide for you! Read this book and you won't need to read any others. Well, maybe. Then, maybe not. . . Wait, which book? It doesn't matter, just read and enjoy!

Recommended by Dana Dudle, Biology:

Jahren's honest memoir of a successful (though flawed) scientist doubles as a stunning love letter to her long-time scientific collaborator and to the botanical world that inspires them both. Her vivid and funny stories of friendship, persistence, creativity, and occasional despair will resonate with anyone who feels driven by curiosity to pursue an unlikely passion.

Recommended by Kya Simmons, Class of 2016:

Created in the South Bronx in 1973, hip hop has become a global sensation, but do you really know who the hip hop pioneers are? Take a historical journey through the pages of a graphic novel that will tell you about the best to ever touch the turntables, to bust rhymes on the mic, to grace the dance floor and to tell tales through graffiti.

Recommended by Jonathan Li, Class of 2016:

At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade’s worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. In Kalanithi's memoir, he talks about the irony between medicine and mortality. But most importantly, he offers a unique insight of the meaning of life and death. This book brought me to tears.

Recommended by Tim Cope, Geosciences:

Most books on Earth history and geologic time focus disproportionately on the most "recent" half-billion years, when life as we know it evolved. Hazen's book gives equal weight to all 4.5 billion years of Earth history, and provides a fascinating look at how the Earth itself evolved. In simple, non-technical language, Hazen explains what we know about ancient Earth history, how we know it, and why it's important. And his lively, engaging prose means it doesn't take 4.5 billion years to read!

Recommended by Hannah Viti, Class of 2016:

I read this book during Women, Culture and Identity during my Junior year. This was a transformational text for me and for the other women in the classroom. This book has become a bible of sorts for me. hooks writes about love. “Learning to love our female selves is where our search for love must begin” (104). hooks, and this text, helped teach me to truly love myself, then others. Read it with a female friend if you can-- there will be much you’ll want to talk about.

Recommended by Brian Casey, Outgoing University President:

Didion's careful, and carefully gorgeous essays, not only represent an early exemplar of the "New Journalism" movement--in which writers of non-fiction and journalism self-consciously borrowed techniques from fiction--but present one of the strongest moments in the rise of memoir as the central form of late 20th century writing. These are essays that show a writer struggling with her demons while the world around her seemingly falls apart. This is writing in it's purest, most stunning form.

Recommended by Suman Balasubramanian, Mathematics:

One of the most moving stories about a small town library cat Dewey, that came from threadbare beginnings and touched so many lives while creating a lasting impact on the community and the world. If you believe that pets have the most therapeutic impact on the lives they touch, then this book is certainly up your alley.

Recommended by Deepa Prakash, Political Science:

This is an amazing book about hubris and the vulnerabilities that come with being all powerful.

Recommended by Rachel Goldberg, Peace & Conflict Studies:

This is a deep and hard book, but powerfully revealing of the ways intercultural misunderstanding can be terribly costly. It tells the story of a Hmong family struggling with North American doctors and medical systems that never really take them seriously. The story it tells really shows how easy it is to assume your mirror on the world is the only one full of true reflections.

Recommended by Suman Balasubramanian, Mathematics:

The original reviewers of the book describe it as follows : "A truly funny book from one of the best scientists and researchers of the twentieth century, Nobel Prize winner, Richard Feynman. In his funny and irreverent style, he recounts his outrageous adventures, from discussing atomic physics with Einstein, to ideas on gambling with Nick the Greek. A truly enjoyable read from one of the most brilliant minds." (Source: Review from book jacket)

No matter how many years have passed, I still love reading about Professor Feynman's insane love of physics and his passion for the subject that has shaped his entire life. A rare but funny insight into one of the greatest teachers of physics of all time. A truly wonderful read.

Recommended by Rachel Goldberg, Peace and Conflict Studies:

I love this because it is a wonderfully human story of Robyn Davidson, who gave herself the personal challenge, for reasons I think even she can’t fully explain, to travel 1,700 miles of Australian desert with four camels and a dog. She is no super woman, has no previous camel insight, for some reason this particular challenge just called out to her. I think it’s her realness and self-respect I like best.

Recommended by Kate Smanik, Assistant Dean of Students for Spirituality, Service and Social Justice:

In this wonderfully readable text Douglas and Rhonda Jacobsen create a vivid portrait of the role of religion in higher education. Over the course of five years of research and conversations with experts and practitioners at a wide variety of institutions the Jacobsens are able to piece together an account that both spans the history of religion in higher education and points out six current sites of productive engagement around questions of faith on campus.

Recommended by Kevin Bugielski, Class of 2016:

Alison Bechdel’s family tragicomic, Fun Home, offers readers an opportunity to explore the lives of members in the LGBTQ+ community. Bechdel highlights the changing relationships between her family members as she and her father Bruce both decide to come out of the closet. A comedic spin on an otherwise serious subject, Fun Home is sure to make it to the top of your “favorites” list.

Recommended by Tiffany Hebb, Librarian:

In Jesmyn Ward's memoir, she writes poignantly about the 5 men in her life who all died in a short timespan, due to various causes that she links back to systemic inequities facing black men in rural poverty. An essential, beautifully written, and heart-wrenching work that highlights the tragedies that still abound in a "post-racial" world.

Recommended by Bridget Gourley, Chemistry and Biochemistry:

Each chapter is a short biography of a woman whose science won the Nobel Prize (even if the scientist wasn’t recognized in the award). Each story talks about their science but more importantly about their lives. Some of them married, some didn’t. Some had children, some didn’t. Some faced pressure to do or not do science. Ultimately, you learn there are many ways to have a wonderful life in science, how much fun it can be and at times how hard they worked. Like every scientist in the book there were really good times in her life and challenging times and issues. The chapters can be read in any order. To me the book is a fun inspiring read, my personal favorite is the chapter on Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkins.

Recommended by John Caraher, Physics and Astronomy:

Dr. Kristin Neff offers an engaging, practical, research-supported guide to maintaining your emotional health through mindful self-compassion. Neff weaves scientific explanations and personal narratives with guides to a variety of easy-to-learn practices, ranging from formal meditation to her 3-step, do-anytime/anywhere "self-compassion break" (something I've found both powerful and extremely simple to use). Everyone can benefit from this, whether you feel depressed and anxious or are simply interested in getting better at managing life's ups and downs.