Embedded Files
maureen Dubouloz
CLASS OF 2023, CSW LIBRARY AMBASSADOR '22-'23maureen Dubouloz
"be open to reading in different ways -- try a book on tape when you're driving or cleaning your room."
"be open to reading in different ways -- try a book on tape when you're driving or cleaning your room."
Last Book You Read?
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.
One book you loved so much you go back to it (either would reread or do reread)?
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is a book I read when I was younger that I really loved. It was really easy to read while still having so much depth. I enjoyed the incorporation of history throughout the book; I felt as though I was learning so much about WWII.
One book that wasn't for you?
I thought the ending of The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco was fabulous. However, I found the book hard to read and slow moving. Possibly if I read it again I would understand better the intricate depth and nuance of the book.
How do you decide what to read next?
I usually decide what to read next based on recommendations from family or friends. I really enjoy reading autobiographies--often I will see someone that I admire post on social media an ad for their autobiography.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Once I start a book I need to slog through it even if it's not working. I always feel compelled to give the book another chance and finish reading it in case there is an unexpected ending. Same goes for tv shows or movies.
One book at a time or many? Why?
I can only truly focus on one book at a time to be able to fully cherish it. If I start reading multiple books at a time I feel as though I am not giving all my attention to each book and start mixing all the storylines together.
Favorite time to read?
I like to listen to books on tape (audiobook) before going to bed. I find it really relaxing and it helps me feel grounded and calm before going to bed. Sometimes it's really hard to find time to read during the day; I find it helpful to listen to books while I am driving or taking a shower.
Favorite spot to read?
My favorite spot to read on campus would be the Klutchman circle. That spot is very cozy and peaceful. At home, I like to read in bed.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is a must read. I know people of all ages and backgrounds who really enjoyed reading it. It touches on deep subjects but in a very humorous way that makes it relatable to anyone. It is also short and easy to read.
One book that changed you in some way?
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It was not an easy book to read as it is an intense story. However, I felt as though I learned so much about race in America. I think reading it as a white person, it really made me compare CSW to middle school and think about how important diversity is in schools.
One thing you want to be different about your reading life?
I wish I was able to find more time to read books for pleasure. Sometimes it feels like I get assigned so much reading in school it’s discouraging to find more time to read other books. Additionally, I have dyslexia so reading can be very relaxing but also time consuming.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
One piece of advice would be to be open to reading in different ways: for example to use books on tape which you can listen to while doing something else such as driving or cleaning your room.
What’s on your TBR (To Be Read?) pile?
Crying in H-mart by Michelle Zauner, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
BORN A CRIME by TREVOR NOAH
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It is an autobiography of the comedian Trevor Noah’s childhood in South Africa.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you’re interested in subject such as race, poverty, apartheid, African history especially if you like very engaging and funny author. You’re guaranteed to laugh out loud while reading the book.
FOR FANS OF: autobiography, comedy, witty, history, race, story about resilience
MAID: HARD WORK, LOW PAY, AND A MOTHER'S WILL TO SURVIVE by STEPHANIE LAND
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The autobiography of a woman going through domestic abuse and poverty.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s an amazing tale of resilience, mother/daughter bond and the intricacy and nuances of how domestic violence can look like.
FOR FANS OF: autobiography, psychology
NIGHT by ELI WIESEL
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The story of a family sent to Auschwitz during WWII.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's a historical biography on antisemitism and the reality of life in Nazi Germany.
FOR FANS OF: memoir, history, WWII, psychology
Brooke thompson
CLASS OF 2023, CSW LIBRARY AMBASSADOR 2022Brooke thompson
" don't label yourself as someone who reads or someone who doesn't read. You don't have to read 52 books in a year to be a reader!"
" don't label yourself as someone who reads or someone who doesn't read. You don't have to read 52 books in a year to be a reader!"
Last Book You Read?
The last book I read was The Book Thief by Markus Zusack. I read it in 9th grade for school, but I just reread it on my own time.
How do you decide what to read next?
I never really have a plan of what I want to read next, but usually I enjoy reading my friends recommendations. I enjoy realistic fiction books, but I am open to any kind of genre.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I would much rather abandon ship than continue reading. If I don't enjoy it, it’s very difficult for me to keep focused while reading.
Favorite time to read?
My favorite time to read would definitely be either very late at night or very early in the morning, anytime where there is peace and quiet.
Favorite spot to read?
In the summertime, I love reading outside early in the morning. It's super peaceful to just sit in my backyard by myself and have nature as background noise. I also really love reading really late at night in my bed.
One book that changed you in some way?
A book that changed me in some way was The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Reading it growing up really helped me to understand my own personal struggles and really shaped the kinds of books I enjoy reading.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Don't label yourself as someone who reads or someone who doesn't read. You don't have to read 52 books in a year to be a reader! I personally read much more in the summer just because of how stressful school can be during the year.
MALIBU RISING by TAYLOR JENKINS REID
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Taking place in 1980’s Malibu, 24 hours before Nina Riva’s Party, this novel is the culmination of generational secrets surrounding the Riva family. Siblings Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit, their mother June and father Mick make for a story about a fateful night, and what goes wrong.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The timespan of the book takes place in 24 hours, and makes for a good beach read.
FOR FANS OF: psychological fiction, family relationships and dynamics, historical fiction, beach reads
TRICK MIRROR: REFLECTIONS ON SELF-DELUSION by JIA TOLENTINO
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This book reflects on the difficulty of finding one’s self clearly in a culture revolving around self-delusion. Composed of 9 essays, Tolentino dives into people’s warped visions of the modern heroine and growing up in the age of the internet.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It gives an amazing perspective on the ways in which people have been influenced without realizing it and gives thoughtful insight on topical social events.
FOR FANS OF: feminist perspectives, self-reflection, essay collections
THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by NICOLA YOON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Told from the perspectives of both Natasha and Daniel, this story is about a girl and her family facing deportation to Jamaica in 12 hours, and an aspiring poet applying to Yale to become a doctor (his parents' wish). Meeting unexpectedly one day in New York City, they are both surprised by their connection to one another.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Although sometimes unrealistic, this book demonstrates two opposing personalities, how their interaction affects them both, and ultimately gives new perspectives.
FOR FANS OF: romance, alternating POVs, diverse characters
PACHINKO by MIN JIN LEE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This historical novel begins with a girl named Sunja in early 1900’s Korea, and how her decision to move to Japan comes with consequences for her family. It connects four generations of a Korean family moving to Japan in the midst of Japanese colonization, and explores the challenges and joys that come with that experience.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The author gives a glimpse into the history of Korea and Japan in the 20th century, and has incredibly resilient and detailed characters.
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, identity and acceptance, Asian history
milly chen
CLASS OF 2023, CSW LIBRARY AMBASSADOR 2022milly chen
"Think of the book you're interested in as a friend. Every time you turn a page, you're talking to a friend."
"Think of the book you're interested in as a friend. Every time you turn a page, you're talking to a friend."
Last Book You Read?
Something I've Been Meaning to Tell You by Alice Munro.
One book you loved so much you go back to it (either would reread or do reread)?
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.
One book not for you?
Lord of the Flies by William Golding. When I read it in middle school, several passages in the book depict scenes of violence. Although it reveals the evils of human nature in real life, it felt cruel to read.
How do you decide what to read next?
I will first decide if l want to read a book in English or Mandarin. Then, I will go to my friends for book recommendations based on the category l enjoy. l will also go to Goodreads to find new books written by the author I like.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
This depends on the situation whether l can make a choice. I would abandon ship to find a better fit, but l can slog through a book if l have to.
Favorite time to read?
In the afternoon during weekdays and the evening during the weekend.
Favorite spot to read?
I like to sit on a comfortable sofa or the swing chair outside when the weather is nice.
One book that changed you in some way?
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
There is no pressure to read, so do not feel that it is a task or obligation. Think of the book you're interested in as a friend. Every time you turn a page, you're talking to a friend.
EDUCATED by TARA WESTOVER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Following her journey from rural Idaho to the PhD program at Cambridge University, the author shares her struggle against her family’s isolationist religious beliefs. She encountered difficulties along the way, but she kept striving instead of giving up.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Tara's process of self-discovery is beautifully captured. Her moving story inspired me how l can teach myself new knowledge. Tara said that “Developing a sense of self and what you think. I think of [it] as this great mechanism of connecting and equalizing.”
FOR FANS OF: memoir, overcoming adversity
THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE by KAT DiCAMILLO
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Edward, a China rabbit, was proud of being loved by a little girl. One day he got lost and began an extraordinary journey. Edward never knew what love was; he lost love, learned to love and found love again.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The book depicts a warm story about love. In Edward's long journey, he not only saw the fate of the struggle and disillusionment, but also many sides of life — ugliness and selfishness, cruelty and indifference, selflessness and innocence, the fragility and impermanence. After reading this book, you will learn to love and regain the confidence to wait for love.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy fiction
THE KITE RUNNER by KHALED HOSSEINI
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The story tells of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy Afghan boy named Amir and Hassan, the son of his father's servant.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: “For you, a thousand times over.” is one of the most famous quotes. Reading the book at different times will provide different insights. Friendship is different from the kinship of blood and the love of hormones, but it unknowingly gives us courage and strength.
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction
A DOG'S PURPOSE by W. BRUCE CAMERON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The main character who is first Toby, and then becomes Bailey, Ellie and lastly Buddy during his reincarnations, exhibits unconditional love, especially for the boy, Ethan, whom he meets in his second lifetime as a Golden Retriever. Bailey loves Ethan at first sight and Ethan loves Bailey. They show their love for one another over and over. The love remains throughout the rest of the book during his remaining reincarnations as other breeds. He always yearns for Ethan and misses him.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book's main theme is unconditional love.
FOR FANS OF: human-animal relationships, dog stories, love
THE SHADOW THIEF by MARC LEVY
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The Shadow Thief tells the story of a boy who grows up with a special gift: e can steal other people's shadows - and the shadows confide secrets in him. These dark reflections come and go, revealing hidden insights into the person they belong to.
As the narrator grows older, he learns to use his gift to help him navigate schoolyard rivalries, his first love, and his encounters and friendships as a medical student. Through the mistakes he makes trying to improve other people's lives, he comes to realize that it's not too late to pursue his childhood dreams.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The fiction took me back to my childhood and evokes loving memories. Growing up means entering the adult world. Growth comes at a price. We all have a shadow of ourselves inside us when we grow up. Hiding all the unspoken, real needs in there. The author writes “If your childhood self had met your adult self, do you think the two would have gotten along so well that they would have become communists?” When we were young, we always wanted to grow up quickly and do whatever we wanted to do. But after growing up, we started to miss the carefree immature us.
FOR FANS OF: coming of age stories
TELLY STALEY
CLASS OF 2023TELLY STALEY
"[I] would rather read books I really enjoy rather than wasting my time reading something I hate."
"[I] would rather read books I really enjoy rather than wasting my time reading something I hate."
Last Book You Read?
I’m currently in the middle of ‘Light from Uncommon Stars’ by Ryka Aoki, though the last book I finished was ‘We Set The Dark on Fire’ by Tehlor Kay Mejia.
One book you loved so much you go back to it (either would reread or do reread)?
Gut reaction would be “Harry Potter” but the most recent one is ‘American Gods’ by Neil Gaiman. He's one of my favorite authors, and I think that American Gods is beautifully written. I haven't re-read the entire book, but I’ve bookmarked my favorite passages and chapters and re-read those frequently.
WE ARE NOT FROM HERE by JENNY TORRES SANCHEZ
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Three Guatemalan teenagers flee the violence and poverty of their hometown, leaving their families behind and relying only on each other as they make the dangerous journey to the United States.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This gripping, emotionally intense story illuminates the experiences of those who risk their lives to seek safety and an uncertain future in the United States. You may be haunted by this story (and these characters) long after you turn the last page.
FOR FANS OF: magical realism, fast-paced narratives grounded in current events
AMERICAN GODS by NEIL GAIMAN
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A roadtrip with Gods! It follows Shadow, an Ex-con on a roadtrip with a possible god, meeting possible gods. How fun!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I love how it was written and how it thinks of America and our values. Definitely deeper than you might think it is. They have a really great contrast of ‘old’ and ‘new’ gods in America. What I think is really wonderful is how Shadow is written, and how he begrudgingly goes along with everything.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, ancient and modern mythology, road trips
LIGHT FROM UNCOMMON STARS by RYKA AOKI
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It's a perfect mix of fantasy and realistic-fiction. The main character is trans, and the two other leads are gay. Outer Space shenanigans AND a deal with the devil for a music career!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: None of the cast is white, and most of the cast is LGBT. If you can follow along with multiple plot points, I highly suggest it. The writing is so funny and creative.
FOR FANS OF: LGBTQ + POC characters, outer space, multiple plot points
WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE by TEHLOR KAY MEJIA
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: An alternate universe Mexico where ‘inner-island’ girls are sent to a finishing school to train to be a wife. It focuses on two specific girls and their interactions with the ‘rebels’ and dealing with the family they were sent to.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Amazing world building, and the inner monologue of the main protagonist is beautifully written. The stakes in the novel seem real, and the main storyline is split up with a very nice enemies-to-lovers WLW plot line. Fanfic lovers (who I am) will appreciate it.
FOR FANS OF: enemies to lovers, WLW, alternate universes, Mexico
One book you hate?
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. I’ve read a lot of her works and I’ve just never been blown away. I enjoyed Fangirl but even then it wasn’t amazing. Just average.
How do you decide what to read next?
I usually find what books are similar to the ones I’ve read and liked. Or, just talking to other people and finding recommendations online. I’m pretty picky about my books, so it has to fit a specific criteria before I’ll even read the summary.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Abandon ship. I don’t have that much time to read for fun right now, and would rather read books I really enjoy rather than wasting my time reading something I hate.
Favorite time to read?
After doing homework. It’s a nice way to relax, but I’ve found that if I start to read before doing homework or right before bed I’ll never stop
reading.
Favorite spot to read?
The rightmost corner of my couch. I like to smoosh myself into the cushions to read.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
Good Omens by Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchet. I just think that it's really funny and everyone deserves to read it. Politically I think that everyone should read 1984 by George Orwell. I personally don’t agree with everything in the book, though I think books like that are really important to start a conversation. Plus, we got to do fun activities about it.
One book that changed you in some way?
The Search for Wondla’. I read it awhile ago, but it really stuck with me. I don’t remember the specifics of everything, but it’s still one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. Honestly I can’t remember really how it changed me, but it's still something that I carry with me.
MAYA GREGOR
CLASS OF 2024MAYA GREGOR
"...find a person or community that likes to read the same books as you, because there is nothing better than talking about your favorite books to other people who love them too."
"...find a person or community that likes to read the same books as you, because there is nothing better than talking about your favorite books to other people who love them too."
Last Book You Read?
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
One book you loved so much you go back to it (either would reread or do reread)?
I absolutely loved Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor and I’m currently rereading it now. It’s a high fantasy book like nothing I have ever read before. The characters are so complex and I can never really tell who is the hero or the villain. The writing is magical and the world building is gorgeous in a way that captivates me the whole way through.
One book you hate?
I am usually not one to hate books, but I was disappointed by The Leaving by Tara Altebrando. I was super excited about this book reading the plot summary; a mystery about kindergarten kids going missing, then returning with one less person. I thought the resolution was very anticlimactic and not the big shocking reveal I was hoping for. I also thought the romance was very forced and I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters.
How do you decide what to read next?
I get book recommendations from many different sources. A lot of them come from Youtube or Tik Tok, but I also get a lot of recommendations from friends and family. I already have a very long TBR and it’s always growing.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I like to give a book at least 100 pages before I decide that it’s not worth it. Sometimes it takes a bit of time for me to get into a book so I always try to give it a chance. I don’t want to force myself to read a book I don’t like because reading is supposed to be an enjoyable activity. Sometimes, it depends on the genre of the book. For example, I always finish a mystery novel because I really want to know the resolution.
Favorite time to read?
I like to read in the evening or late at night after I have done my homework and other tasks so I can relax.
Favorite spot to read?
My favorite spot to read is in my rocking chair in my room or on my bed.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I like everyone should read Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (my all time favorite book) because it is just a beautiful story in every way. While the plot, and world building are amazing, the characters are what really makes this book shine. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz is another book I think everyone should read. It has a simple plot because the focus of the book is the characters and Aristotle and Dante’s relationship. Aristotle is one of the most relatable characters I have ever read and I think everyone can see parts of themselves in him. I also really loved Heartless by Marissa Meyer. It is the origin story of the Queen of Hearts, and I think that villain origin stories are always so interesting and give you a new perspective of the “evil” character in a story.
One book that changed you in some way?
The Red Queen series showed me that reading can actually be fun. I used to hate reading, until my friends were debating which character in this book was better, so I decided to pick it up and quickly became engrossed in the story. It was the first series I read that wasn’t for school and I really loved it.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
I would say to find a person or community that likes to read the same books as you, because there is nothing better than talking about your favorite books to other people who love them too.
STALKING JACK THE RIPPER by KERRI MANISCALCO
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A young woman in the 1880s who is studying to be a forensic scientist and solves the case of Jack the Ripper.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is a thrilling, engaging mystery with a very satisfying and gruesome resolution.
FOR FANS OF: Historical fiction, murder mystery, romance
RED, WHITE, AND ROYAL BLUE by CASEY MCQUISTON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The First Son of the United States and the Prince of England have to stage a friendship while political tensions are high in the 2020 election. (not Trump and no Covid)
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Lovable characters and fun plot. 2020 but way better.
FOR FANS OF: romance, politics
THE DARKEST MINDS by ALEXANDRA BRACKEN
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In the future, a virus infects children and gives them powers. They are taken to camps so they can be controlled. They are sorted into colors based on how dangerous they are. The main character, Ruby, escapes the camp and is on the run.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Has the found family trope and entertaining adventures.
FOR FANS OF: Dystopian, sci-fi, revolutions
TAYLOR THOMAS
CLASS OF 2023TAYLOR THOMAS
"Be patient with yourself...find a book OR genre that really keeps you from sleeping… makes you just want to read one more page, when you know it’s really late at night."
"Be patient with yourself...find a book OR genre that really keeps you from sleeping… makes you just want to read one more page, when you know it’s really late at night."
Last Book You Read?
The last book I read, is the book that I am currently reading, a Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas.
One book you loved so much you go back to it (either would reread or do reread)?
I would love to reread American Street by Ibi Zaboi.
One book you hate?
Instead of saying “hated” I would say hard to get past the first page was Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein. It seemed very confusing to me. I have yet to read the entire book.
How do you decide what to read next?
I decide based on the specific genre that I like. Another way is by searching what other books the author has written if I am interested in the book I’m currently reading.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Again, Lord of the Rings is a good example. It's a book I'm being patient with...
Favorite time to read?
My favorite time to read is when I can’t go to sleep and I have run out of ideas on what to do.
Favorite spot to read?
...on my bed, sometimes with the fan on.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I would recommend reading American Street by Ibi Zoboi. If you are really into the fiction high school drama and romance then I think it’s for you. It also touches on the topic of drugs. I love how the author chooses to be real with it.
One book that changed you in some way?
Instead of saying changed me, I'd say inspired me in some way. It would be Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson because I was able to write more poetry. I loved that my inspiration was able to come from a woman of color. The fact that this book was a New York Times Bestseller just made me feel like I could do the same one day.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
One piece of advice would be to be patient with yourself. There will be times in life where you may not like reading at all and then all of a sudden you just have a fondness for it. I would say to find genres that you are drawn to, that interest you, that excite you. They say that books are supposed to help you fall asleep, but I’d rather you find a book or genre that really keeps you from sleeping… makes you just want to read one more page when you know it’s really late at night.
AMERICAN STREET by IBI ZABOI
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It’s about a girl who immigrated to America from Haiti. Her mother was supposed to immigrate with her as well but she got detained. The girl was able to learn and get around the country with the help of her aunt and cousins.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I love it because it’s surrounds high school life.
FOR FANS OF: high school, drama, romance
BROWN GIRL DREAMING by JAQUELINE WOODSON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It’s about Jacqueline Woodson (the author) who talks about her childhood as an African American, growing up in South Carolina and New York. It’s also about her finding her voice within these Jim Crow Laws and her “awareness of the civil rights movement”.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I love this book because it’s an autobiography written in the form of poetry.
FOR FANS OF: poetry, memoir in verse
ZANE LERWILL
CLASS OF 2023ZANE LERWILL
"FIND FRIENDS THAT READ!"
"FIND FRIENDS THAT READ!"
Last Book You Read?
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I know neither are books and are technically series, but definitely either the Harry Potter series or The Hunger Games series. I usually end up rereading both all the way through every year because they’re just SO good.
One book you hate?
I think in general I like most books and can always see something good about them - though if I had to choose one I would definitely say Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. All the other books in the Twilight series were somewhat enjoyable but that one was absolutely horrible and had no redeeming qualities.
How do you decide what to read next?
Right now I have such a long TBR so I’m working through that, but I usually get recommendations from my friends and from Goodreads.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Slog through - there’s something satisfying about finishing a really bad book and being able to rant about it to everyone you know!
Favorite time to read?
My favorite spot to read is probably in my bed or in the car.
Favorite spot to read?
My favorite spot to read is probably in my bed or in the car.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
The Great Gatsby. I just read it in WAR and was absolutely blown away. Such an interesting read - it has such a good plot and I feel like I could dissect it forever.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Find friends that read! One of my favorite things about books is discussing them with friends, as no matter how good the book is it’ll always be an enjoyable experience.
HEARTSTOPPER by ALICE OSEMAN
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The story follows the relationship of Charlie & Nick, focusing around the struggles they face and the happiness they find within each other.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s happy and wholesome! Sometimes we all need a book like that everyone now and then.
FOR FANS OF: LGBTQ+, romance, graphic novels, cute relationships
SIX OF CROWS by LEIGH BARDUGO
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A fantasy heist, attempted by a team of 6 unique and unforgettable characters.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Such a fun read. All the characters are so different - a joy to get to know them.
FOR FANS OF: Fantasy, action, character-driven stories, fast-paced books
REFUGEE by ALAN GRATZ
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A story about three different children from three different time periods, all refugees. The book tells the story of their journeys.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Beautiful and impactful book that sticks with you. While meant for those on the younger side, this book can definitely be appreciated by all ages.
FOR FANS OF: Historical fiction, middle grade, intertwining stories, books that make you think
THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V.E. SCHWAB
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A woman who makes a deal to live forever, but is cursed to be forgotten about by everyone she meets.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s thought-provoking, touching, and just really really interesting.
FOR FANS OF: Unforgettable and emotional stories, almost-realistic/historical fiction, romance
TALLULAH STALLVIK
CLASS OF 2024TALLULAH STALLVIK
"the joy someone gets from reading cannot be 'manufactured' or faked."
"the joy someone gets from reading cannot be 'manufactured' or faked."
Last Book You Read?
I am currently reading Song of Achilles, and before that the last book I read was Perks of Being A Wallflower (for about the hundredth time).
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
Oftentimes, I re-read books because they are nostalgic for me. I have read the Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and the Hunger Games series all a million times. Perks of Being a Wallflower and Little Women are two other books that I’ve read multiple times as well.
One book you hate?
I think the phrase “hated” is a bit harsh because if I tried to re-read books I’ve been disinterested by in the past now, I may have a different opinion about them. However, I remember disliking A Great and Terrible Beauty by Gemma Doyle. I think I was in 7th grade when I picked it up at my school library and the story simply didn't grip me.
How do you decide what to read next?
I wish I could say that I have an organized system, however I do not. I have actually been in a reading slump for a solid and have just recently managed to bring myself out of it. Because of this, I now have a very long book list. I hope to take some time to make my way through it during the rest of 2021. :)
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I would personally abandon ship for sure. I read for escapism and joy, and if a book is not bringing my joy then I believe it is a waste of my time.
Favorite time to read?
Probably at night. Reading late at night is so peaceful! Plus, I am a night owl anyways.
Favorite spot to read?
My favorite spot to read is usually on my bed because that is a very comforting place for me. However, when I am in Norway for the summer, I love reading outside.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I have not read very many classics at all, barely any to be honest. However, of my limited repertoire, I definitely think there are some books everyone should read. First off, the Hunger Games are such a staple dystopian series and can be enjoyed by so many ages. It is both very entertaining and filled to the brim with strong messages. Life of Pi is another book I think everyone should read because of how beautifully it is written and because of the interesting topics/conversations about life, humanity, religion, and philosophy it highlights. Little Women would be another phenomenal title everyone should read. It is simply such a beautiful, intricate, classic story. On a tad bit of a sillier note, I would also suggest everyone read a classic young-adult book series at least once (Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Narnia, Wrinkle in Time, etc). These book series people typically read in elementary or middle school can leave a remarkable, lasting mark on someone's mind and personality in a really amazing way.
One book that changed you in some way?
This is kind of silly answer, but definitely the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. These books were what first got me into reading and ancient history. Honestly, I might have to credit my passion for writing and reading solely on Rick Riordan’s books. All of the mythology series (Kane Chronicles, Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, Magnus Chase, and Trials of Apollo) were such an integral part of my childhood. This is part of the reason I included Percy Jackson as part of the “everyone should read.” It is an incredibly magical feeling to have such a strong connection to a children's series.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
This may not be super helpful, but you cannot force it. People are readers because they are meant to be and they love reading. The joy someone gets from reading cannot be “manufactured” or faked. It has to come from pure happiness in my opinion. If you know reading would make you happier but you are having trouble getting into it, just know that it is okay to go slowly. Read a little bit every day, or even every week, and just ease yourself into it.
SONG OF ACHILLES by MADELINE MILLER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Song of Achilles is a hauntingly beautiful re-telling of the myth of Achilles and Patroclus’ life, starting from childhood and leading up to the Trojan War. The earlier years are somewhat “made-up” because the greek myths do not cover that part of their life fully. They are also romantically involved in this book, which is something many historians have speculated on. I think this re-telling really does justice to the beauty and tragedy of their relationship unlike the original myths.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like greek mythology, then you will love this book. It is, after all, simply greek mythology and ancient greek life. The writing is, like I previously said, hauntingly beautiful. Everything feels so bittersweet and nostalgic. If you like sad romances, this is definitely a great book for you as well. It also offers lgbtq+ representation which is always amazing.
FOR FANS OF: Greek mythology, tear-jerkers, LGBTQ+ books
PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by STEPHEN CHBOSKY
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This young-adult coming of age novel is about a high school freshman named Charlie who is starting high school, dealing with mental-health struggles, and becomes friends with a group of seniors. It is a classic coming of age, with parties, dances, music, and romance and also how the overarching theme of mental health affects all of this.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The story is filled with that bittersweet, coming of age “vibe” which I find creates a book I simply cannot put down. It is also a relatively short read, meaning you can read it pretty fast if you are dedicated. It is also a very sad story as well, which I know a lot of people look for in a book.
FOR FANS OF: coming of age novels, tear-jerkers, music
1984 by GEORGE ORWELL
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: 1984 is a dystopian novel about a man who lives in a totalitarian society. Everything is monitored and kept under intense scrutiny. The book follows his life in this terrifying alternate world as he slowly but surely starts to stray from the strict guidelines and deeply rooted fear that Big Brother, the figurehead of the government, instills.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The topics of human nature, power, and control are really interesting and infinitely complex. The book itself is not a difficult read, however truly grappling with the themes and ideas presented can definitely be a struggle (in a good, intellectual way).
FOR FANS OF: dystopia, government analysis, overarching themes of control and totalitarianism
LITTLE WOMEN by LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: This well-known classic follows the daily lives of the March family. Many small, simple moments in their life add up to create a beautifully fabricated story of sisterhood, privilege, family, loss, and love.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book is such a classic for a reason. The story is just so simple and beautiful and very much so a comfort read for me. The writing itself could either be a reason to like the book or dislike it because the formal, “flowery,” complex writing of many classics are not enjoyed by all.
FOR FANS OF: classics, family dynamics, historical fiction
TRACY DOMITRZ
CSW COUNSELORTRACY DOMITRZ
"Try non-fiction right now and again when you are 30. allow yourself to fall deeply into a fantastical world when it feels right. like the classics or loathe them!"
"Try non-fiction right now and again when you are 30. allow yourself to fall deeply into a fantastical world when it feels right. like the classics or loathe them!"
Last Book You Read?
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen. Queer YA Rom Com. Need I say more?! Teenage Tracy wished for books like this to be on her “just read” list.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
Random fact: I only buy a hard copy of a book (shop small and local!) if it’s a reread/big love for me. So I have a very curated bookshelf. One book on that bookshelf, that I go back to over and over, is The Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. It is unique and genuine and beautiful and hilarious. She has since passed away and I pick it up, and flip to a page, whenever I need the comfort of a beautifully written word.
One Book You Hated?
If I hated a book I immediately forget about it - too much to read to think about the bad ones!
How do you decide what to read next?
I am a library FIEND - I use Libby (for ebooks) and the Somerville Public Library website to make ongoing lists. I will take recommendations from anyone, anywhere!
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Slog through! You never know until the last word.
Favorite spot to read?
The nook in my bay window, in a big cozy chair with coffee or tea or hot chocolate on hand. You can find me there, almost unmoving, for hours.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
Know My Name by Chanel Miller. Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted by Brock Turner, a Stanford student athlete, in 2015. The power in her words and her experiences should be required reading in all high school students (and for adults too!). Read it and then come find me and talk about it with me.
One book that changed you in some way?
In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. It’s hard to explain what this book meant to me. It showed me narrative styles and reconnected me to folklore I studied in college. She put on paper, in her words, feelings that I have had and carried with me, in a way that no other book ever has.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Try not to pigeonhole your tastes! Try non-fiction right now and again when you are 30, allow yourself to fall deeply into a fantastical world when it feels right, like the classics or loathe them! I think one of the best things that I was allowed at a young age was to try any and all books.
CINDER by MARISSA MEYER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A futuristic retelling of Cinderella with a feminist spin. It takes a minute to get into it and then, for me, it sucks you in. First in a series!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You like serial books, with strong female characters, a little bit of love, and a lot of fairy tale magic.
FOR FANS OF: YA, fairytale retellings, books in a series
TRULY DEVIOUS by MAUREEN JOHNSON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A very quirky high school, with a main character who is obsessed with true crime, and a series of mysteries!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s not your average YA book. The twists and turns are unpredictable and the story is both fun and spooky. It’s also part of a series!
FOR FANS OF: crime, mystery, YA, and a little romance
THE TRUTH ABOUT ANIMALS: STONED SLOTHS, LOVELORN HIPPOS, AND OTHER TALES FROM THE WILD SIDE OF WILDLIFE by LUCY COOKE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Animals, in a way you have never thought about them. I am wholly obsessed with this book and it’s on my bookshelf if you need a copy!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You like learning new things!
FOR FANS OF: Nonfiction, animals, having facts in your back pocket to impress people with.
LESS by ANDREW SEAN GREER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: An out-on-his luck writer, Arthur Less, travels around the world trying to make ends meet and figure out love and life.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It seems simple but it hits you in the gut. Absolutely, beautifully written.
FOR FANS OF: BOOKS!
FADILA TRAORE
CLASS OF 2022FADILA TRAORE
"Flip to a random page to see if THE book is interesting... [and] fill pockets of your day where you'd normally be mindlessly scrolling on your phone and pick up a book you enjoy."
"Flip to a random page to see if THE book is interesting... [and] fill pockets of your day where you'd normally be mindlessly scrolling on your phone and pick up a book you enjoy."
Last Book You Read?
You Are Your Best Thing by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown
One book you loved so much you go back to it (either would reread or do reread)?
Growing Up X by Ilyasah Shabazz
One book not for you?
I tried reading 1984 by George Orwell in 7th grade but I just couldn’t get into it. I don’t want to say I hated it but maybe I need to try reading it again!
How do you decide what to read next?
I love non-fiction books so I often choose them based on what topic I'm currently interested in, then I judge the title and read the little informational blurbs on the inside and back of book, and flip to a random page and read to see if the book is interesting.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Abandon ship! Or else I WILL fall asleep!
Favorite time to read?
At night an hour before I go to sleep.
Favorite spot to read?
My room. My bed. My living room at home.
One book that changed you in some way?
Reading The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas in 8th grade.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Fill pockets of your day where you would normally be mindlessly scrolling on your phone, and pick up a book you enjoy and read it instead!
NOTES FROM A YOUNG BLACK CHEF by KWAME ONWUACHI
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Chef Kwame Onwuachi's memoir, which dives into his experiences as young, Black chef breaking into a predominantly white industry and how his Black American and Nigerian cultures influence his style in his dishes.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s a great read that accurately portrays the experience of intersectionality as a first generation African in America.
FOR FANS OF: cooking, memoir, intersectionality
AYA: LIFE IN YOP CITY by MARGUERITE ABOUET AND CLÉMENT OUBRERIE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This graphic novel follows 19-year old Aya, who lives in Yop City, Ivory Coast. The year is 1978 and takes us through the everyday troubles and pleasures of her and her family and friends in Yop City.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's a lighthearted read if you are looking to escape!
FOR FANS OF: African culture, graphic novels, teenage life in 1970s Ivory Coast
MS. MARVEL by G. WILLOW WILSON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A Muslim American girl named Kamala who lives a double life as superhero Ms. Marvel.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's a Superhero!
FOR FANS OF: Marvel Universe, Marvel comics, graphic fiction
ANNE GLIDDEN
CLASS OF 2021ANNE GLIDDEN
"I really never read before I found my love for fantasy and sci-fi. I felt like people would think it was “junk” or lower quality because it wasn’t literary fiction. But once I got over that fear, I felt much more inspired to read."
"I really never read before I found my love for fantasy and sci-fi. I felt like people would think it was “junk” or lower quality because it wasn’t literary fiction. But once I got over that fear, I felt much more inspired to read."
Last Book You Read?
Vicious by V. E. Schwab. It’s about two obnoxious, arrogant, slightly sadistic men and their search for revenge.
One book you hate?
I absolutely could not stand The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. A ton of people recommend this book, but I just didn’t understand the appeal. The plot is nonexistent and the characters are flat.
How do you decide what to read next?
Honestly, Booktube really influences what I read. If I see something that sounds cool, I might pick it up at the library or the bookstore the next time I go. My friends also are bookworms, so I get a lot of “you gotta read this book, Anne!!!!”.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Ahh, this is a complicated question. If I’ve already read more than 60% of the book, I feel obligated to finish it. Otherwise though it's a real case by case scenario.
Favorite time to read?
I really enjoy reading before dinner, especially if it’s winter and it’s already dark out. But usually I have work to do, so second place goes to after dinner when, again, it's dark out.
Favorite spot to read?
I really love reading on this red (pink?) loveseat in my family’s living room. It’s cosy, soft, and in a corner, so I really get to unwind there. It makes the whole reading experience feel more atmospheric and enjoyable.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I feel like I haven’t read enough to really answer this question. There are definitely books that I love love love, but none that every single person should feel obligated to read. Come back to me in ten years, when I’m wiser and more well-versed in the literary community.
One book that changed you in some way?
I feel like every book changes you in some way, but in the case of “oooh this book made me a completely different person”, I don’t really have an answer. I think this question also goes to future Anne, who hopefully will have a more fleshed out catalogue of books read.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Pick up books that you actually find interesting, and not ones that you think people will approve of! I really never read before I found my love for fantasy and sci-fi. I felt like people would think it was “junk” or lower quality because it wasn’t literary fiction. But once I got over that fear, I felt much more inspired to read.
RAGE OF DRAGONS by EVAN WINTER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A young man seeks revenge at any cost, even death. This military fantasy follows Tau, a high common, who needs to climb the ranks in order to get what he wants.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This debut novel has a cast of all Black characters, and is inspired by African culture. It explores fantasy from a new perspective.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, dragons, complex magic systems
DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY by ADIB KHORRAM
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In this contemporary YA novel, you follow Darius on his trip to Iran, where he learns more about himself, his family, and his culture.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Complex family dynamics, mixed with an exploration of culture and mental health makes this book realistic and touching.
FOR FANS OF: slice of life, culture clashes, self-discovery, family history
THE WHISPER MAN by ALEX NORTH
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A father and his young son move to a new town for a fresh start. However, before long, mysterious events start to occur, including butterflies in locked rooms and voices from the outside window.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Want a little spook to your life? This one will be making you lock your windows and doors.
FOR FANS OF: chills down their spine, complex father-son relationships, and thrillers
THE NAME OF THE WIND by PATRICK ROTHFUSS
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Kvothe, or Kote as he is called now, retells his story of how he became an unassuming innkeeper. Tragic backstories, magic, training school, and romance ensue.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like magic schools, this book has that and plenty more.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy series, school settings, characters with mysterious backgrounds, multiple timelines
DMITRI KIRYK
CLASS OF 2021DMITRI KIRYK
"Listen to audiobooks in the car if you don’t think you have enough free time to read."
"Listen to audiobooks in the car if you don’t think you have enough free time to read."
Last Book You Read?
The last book I read is the book I’m currently reading: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
Hmm, it's difficult to choose. I’m a big re-reader of books. I love Hyperion by Dan Simmons. It's an extremely creative SciFi novel, with an anthology-like format and excellent world building. I’ve read it twice, and would definitely read it again.
One book you hate?
I wouldn’t say I hated this book, but I found The Da Vinci Code to be quite disappointing, after all the fame it had received.
How do you decide what to read next?
I have a Goodreads account, where I list books that I am interested in reading. Currently I make my reading decisions based on recommendations by my friends, or else I peruse my family members’ book collections for ones that interest me.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
For me, this depends on the fame and cultural significance of the book. If I am not enjoying a random novel that I got from a book store, I don’t feel at all guilty about putting it down. For more famous or classic books, I tend to make an effort to finish them, just so I know what people are talking about.
Favorite time to read?
My favorite time to read is on summer afternoons. Reading before bed makes me sleepy.
Favorite spot to read?
Anywhere outside, but recently in Mount Auburn Cemetery. I’m not trying to be edgy or goth or anything, it's just a very peaceful place.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I think everyone should read 1984. Firsty, it is so often referenced in the media that if you haven’t read it you might feel like you are missing out on something. Secondly, it is an excellently written and powerful book that everybody should experience reading.
One book that changed you in some way?
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz. Going in, I was somewhat skeptical about it and I can see how a person would think it is just another self-help book, but the context and time in my life when I read it made it very impactful. It was a book that made me rethink my habits and ethics, and try to become a better person.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Listen to audiobooks in the car if you don’t think you have enough free time to read. When I have the time and desire to read, I usually turn off my phone or put it in a different room. I find it difficult to focus otherwise.
ON EARTH, WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by OCEAN VUONG
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It is the debut novel of the Vietnamese-American poet Ocean Vuong.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like memoirs, emotional stories, and love stories, you will enjoy reading this.
FOR FANS OF: Poetry and beautifully written prose. The imagery and writing is moving and beautiful.
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by OSCAR WILDE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A 19th Century socialite’s denigration and descent into madness and evil.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like Gothic writing, and are interesting in history and the 19th century.
FOR FANS OF: Gothic writing, horror, history.
THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by LIU CIXIN
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Set over a long period of time, the book tells the story of humanity's first contact with extraterrestrial life and the effect it has on our civilization.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's extremely creative.
FOR FANS OF: Hard Sci-Fi, science, history
ORYX AND CRAKE by MARGARET ATWOOD
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In the future, the last human recounts his past love and the events which led to the end of the world as he knew it.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This creative Sci-Fi book by Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood tells a beautiful love story and vision of an ambiguously apocalyptic yet optimistic future.
FOR FANS OF: Adventure, Romance, Sci Fi
LIFE OF PI by YANN MARTEL
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The story of Pi Patel, a teenager from India. He recounts his childhood growing up on a zoo, his relationship with religion, and finally his astonishing story of his boat journey across the Atlantic.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I might have chosen this as my book that everyone should read. Everyone should read it.
FOR FANS OF: adventure, philosophy, realistic fiction, survival
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON by DANIEL KEYS
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Presented as the journal of a man born with an extremely low IQ. He tells his story as he undergoes a scientific experiment to increase his mental capacity. While the premise may seem somewhat outdated, the book is sensitive and gripping, as the reader becomes attached to the life of Charlie Gordon.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book has a very unusual style of prose, changing to reflect the protagonist’s mental state as the book progresses.
FOR FANS OF: science, short stories, psychology
LIZZI CRONIN
LIZZI CRONIN
CLASS OF 2021, CSW LIBRARY AMBASSADOR
"Always carry a book with you... Write in the margins."
"Always carry a book with you... Write in the margins."
Last Book You Read?
This Bridge Called My Back by Cherrie Moraga and Gloria Anzaldua
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
EveryWhere Disappeared by Patrick Kyle.
One book you hate?
I Am Not a Slut by Leora Tanenbaum.
How do you decide what to read next?
I ask everyone all the time what they are reading.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Always abandon ship unless it is a difficult political science/history/theory based text--you only have so much time!
Favorite time to read?
Right when I wake up.
Favorite spot to read?
The library, the dinner table, on a swing.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer because you probably won’t end up stuck in the middle of the woods one day but if you do, this is the book for you!
One book that changed you in some way?
Moon by Anne Kent Rush.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life? (Here are 3)
Always carry a book with you
Write in the margins
Trade books with your friends
WHAT ABOUT TOMORROW? : AN ORAL HISTORY OF RUSSIAN PUNK FROM THE SOVIET ERA TO PUSSY RIOT by ALEXANDER HERBERT
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Through zines, archives and interviews Herbert gives us an engaging text that captures the historical patterns of a fundamental youth subculture. An essential and intimate look at Russian punk and its influence!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Thoroughly researched and capturing generations of shows, bands and music contraband this book reads more like a script than a historical text, not too difficult to digest and strewn with gig posters, lyrics and show photos.
FOR FANS OF: Ryan’s Youth Subcultures class, punk, anti fascism in the history of music, the Soviet Era
WINTER HOURS by MARIE OLIVER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Grounding and personal, this book is a collection of prose and poems from none other than Mary Oliver herself. She speaks of turtle eggs, reflections on her own poems and the “thousand unbreakable links between each of us and everything else”.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Very good company during disaster and or cyclical death of the known in your life! Slim and easy to carry around too if you need a quick cry on public transport.
FOR FANS OF: If you’re a fan of Miss Oliver this is the closest you will get to having a conversation with her. Otherwise this is a lovely book if you are interested in some fundamental poetry reads.
THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS by URSULA K. LE GUIN
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A science fiction book from 1969 set in the Hainish universe that follows Genly Ai, native to the planet Terra but sent on a mission to the planet Gethen, home to androgynous beings neither male nor female. Genly Ai must navigate their politics and social ways all while trying to convince the Gethenians to join the united nations of the universe, Ekumen.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Often compared to great works like Lord of the Rings, this is a beautiful and incredibly important work of literature and vivid world building.
FOR FANS OF: Science fiction, humanity’s role in nature, examining nationalism, gender
ELI KEEHN
ELI KEEHN
ENGLISH FACULTY, DORM PARENT
"Follow your genuine interests. If you’re reading something because you have to, or because you feel like you have to, you’ll resist it. "
"Follow your genuine interests. If you’re reading something because you have to, or because you feel like you have to, you’ll resist it. "
Last Book You Read?
The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin (reread). I just finished rereading this one with the students in my Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Club D block. It gets off to a bit of a slow start and is VERY intense emotionally - I forgot just how vivid and shocking some of her imagery is - but it’s ultimately a really fascinating and powerful story.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. I first read it when I was about eight or nine, and I reread it and the other two books in the series every couple of years. It is a beautiful, intricate fantasy series that taught me so much about how to treat other people compassionately.
One book you hate?
The Devil and Webster by Jean Hanff Korelitz. This one I read as part of a book club I was in briefly with some friends. It’s a campus novel, a genre I normally love, but it was just flat - trying to be really topical and insightful about “political correctness” conversations on college campuses, but ultimately felt glib and silly to me without enough complex characters to liven anything up.
How do you decide what to read next?
Recommendations from friends, mostly, although I use the New York Times Book Review pretty often as well, especially around the holidays when they publish their lists of notable books of the year.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I always finish novels; I’ll abandon nonfiction, but usually that abandonment is only temporary. I find it pretty easy to pick nonfiction books back up, but novels are usually an all-or-nothing proposition for me.
Favorite time to read?
Weekend afternoons and evenings. It’s hard for me to read during the week - I like reading for hours at a time if I can.
Favorite spot to read?
On the couch, or in the gray armchair I’ve had since I was very little. I’ve been reading in that chair for thirty years, but unfortunately it was a lot more comfortable when I was a lot smaller.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
Shakespeare comes closest to having this status for me, but I hesitate to say so; I’m sure people can get by just fine without reading Shakespeare. For me, at least, Shakespeare was transformative - I think he’s one of the most empathetic, imaginative writers ever, and surprisingly clear and accessible once you get some key skills under your belt.
One book that changed you in some way?
Reading The Great Gatsby in my eleventh grade English class showed me how much joy it can be to dig deeply into a novel from a close reading, sentence-level point of view. A lot of that had to do with my brilliant teacher, and I trace my whole professional life back to the way she pushed us to articulate how the language of that novel works.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Follow your genuine interests. If you’re reading something because you have to, or because you feel like you have to, you’ll resist it. (This is why assigned reading can be so difficult, and why teaching at CSW is so great - for the most part, if you’re in an English class, it’s because you want to read the books for that class.)
ON BEAUTY by ZADIE SMITH
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It’s primarily about the experiences of a mixed-race, mixed-nationality family in New England. The father is a white man, a professor at a fictional college outside of Boston, married to a Black woman. He is a very liberal atheist, and the main conflict of the novel starts when his son tries to get romantically involved with the daughter of his main rival, a super conservative/religious and very successful Trinidadian professor.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s very funny and insightful, and shows off Zadie Smith’s virtuosic ability to write characters from a huge range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds; every character’s voice feels specific and genuine.
FOR FANS OF: campus novels, British novels, contemporary social issues
COMMAND AND CONTROL by ERIC SCHLOSSER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This is a nonfiction book about the history of the American nuclear weapons program. It is absolutely terrifying - the number of accidents and close calls we’ve had with our nukes is no fun to think about. It’s a brilliantly structured book, alternating between an overview of the program’s history since 1945 and an almost novelistic account of one particular accident, in a missile silo outside Little Rock, Arkansas in 1980.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s an amazing piece of investigative journalism - I’m in awe of the amount of research it must have taken - but it never feels slow or boring.
FOR FANS OF: Fast Food Nation (the writer’s other major book, about McDonald’s), history, the military
RED MARS by KIM STANLEY ROBINSON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A super-realistic account of developing a Martian colony and terraforming the planet. It’s a three-book series that starts with the first long-term human settlement and ends with a totally transformed planet and society.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: For me the best parts about it are Robinson’s visions of how we might restructure society to be more socially and economically equitable. In real life he is a pretty committed socialist, and his science fiction shows that influence strongly. At the same time it’s an incredibly rigorous novel from a scientific point of view; you will learn a lot about Martian geology.
FOR FANS OF: “hard” science fiction, space travel
LA ROSE by LOUISE ERDRICH
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This book has a very intense, disturbing premise - a man accidentally kills his neighbor’s young child in a hunting accident, and following ancient Ojibwa custom, gives his own son away to the grieving family as a way of atonement. It’s a sad story but also a beautiful and hopeful one, and Erdrich is in complete control as a novelist; you trust her completely to carry this challenging and intricate narrative.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It will make you think about big ideas like family, justice, and community without ever hitting you over the head.
FOR FANS OF: sad books, Indigenous American stories
WREN REARDEN
WREN REARDEN
CLASS OF 2022
"Reading, and the relationship between a book and its reader, is completely in the hands of the reader. Books have the power to change people, but only if their reader is willing to be changed. "
"Reading, and the relationship between a book and its reader, is completely in the hands of the reader. Books have the power to change people, but only if their reader is willing to be changed. "
Last Book You Read?
The last book I read was Ain’t I a Woman by bell hooks.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This book will forever be a comfort read.
One book you hate?
I don’t often hate the books I read, however, Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl is the one exception. I think it was the overwhelming amount of secondhand embarrassment I had for the characters that made it difficult to enjoy.
How do you decide what to read next?
I have a list in my notes app where I keep track of book recommendations!
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Depends. Oftentimes I’ll abandon the book, read something else to cleanse my palate, then come back and try to tough it out.
Favorite time to read?
During the school year I find it challenging to find time to read so the bulk of my reading happens either when I’m supposed to be sleeping, on the weekends or on breaks.
Favorite spot to read?
Pre-COVID, my favorite spot to read was on the commuter rail, or the T. I’ve found that if I’m in a bookstore or in a library a comfy spot on the floor also works.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I’m not sure I’m capable of recommending a universal book. Everyone has different things they’re looking for in a book and different life experiences that change how a book will impact them so it’s hard to find one that covers all the bases.
One book that changed you in some way?
I think every book I’ve read has had an impact on me in one way or another so it’s hard for me to pinpoint just one. I will say, though, that the books that have changed me the most (the best ones, in my opinion) are the ones that inspire me to write.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Read what you want! Make reading that little something you do for yourself during your day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes.
Reading, and the relationship between a book and its reader, is completely in the hands of the reader. Books have the power to change people, but only if their reader is willing to be changed.
ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by OCEAN VUONG
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A letter from a son to his first-gen immigrant mother.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Every sentence in this book packs an emotional punch. It is beautiful and heartbreaking till the very end. Chef’s kiss.
FOR FANS OF: the queer Asian American experience, poetic prose
WUTHERING HEIGHTS by EMILY BRONTE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The love story of two of the most unlikeable characters ever: Cathy and Heathcliff. This book is the epitome of chaotic good; made for the masochistic reader.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you ever wondered what that Kate Bush song was about, this was it!!
FOR FANS OF: flawed protagonists, melodramatic 19th century banter
WE ARE OKAY by NINA LACOUR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A girl’s struggle to confront her loneliness and the death of her family.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book is the perfect mixture of queer grief and queer joy.
FOR FANS OF: bite sized reads, sad gay yearning
FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC by ALISON BECHDEL
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Alison Bechdel’s relationship with her father and growing up in a small Pennsylvanian town.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Bechdel’s drawings are witty and capture the all too relatable fear of becoming your parents. This book will make you want to reexamine your own childhood.
FOR FANS OF: coming of age stories but make it lesbian, graphic memoirs
ELISABETH WEBER
ELISABETH WEBER
CLASS OF 2023
"There is no competition on how fast, how much, or what you read. All that matters is that you enjoy yourself."
"There is no competition on how fast, how much, or what you read. All that matters is that you enjoy yourself."
Last Book You Read?
The last book I read was Scythe by Neal Shusterman.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I generally like to reread books that I liked, but I definitely always like to go back to the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan as well as a German book called “Die Buchspringer” (The Book Jumper) by Mechthild Gläser, which is sort of my comfort book.
One book you hate?
I’ve never really hated a book. All books have their flaws, although some have many more than others.
How do you decide what to read next?
It really depends on how I’m feeling at that particular moment and what’s available. Usually I just grab a book that seems particularly interesting at that moment, even if I’ve read it already. I also choose books that were recommended to me, and most of the time they are really good.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I generally slog through books, even if it's just a few pages at a time. However, if there is another book that I really want to read at that moment, I might take a quick break to read that and then come back to it.
Favorite time to read?
Before going to sleep. Usually it helps me fall asleep. Other times I stay up way too long reading. Either way it’s a win win situation.
Favorite spot to read?
Anywhere comfy where I don’t have to sit up straight, preferably my bed.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
There are so many amazing books out there to be read that I think it’s up to you to find the books that intrigue and interest you.
One book that changed you in some way?
Honestly, I don’t think there is a singular book. All of the books I have ever read have shaped and changed me in some way, even just a little.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Read what you want and what makes you happy. There is no competition on how fast, how much, or what you read. All that matters is that you enjoy yourself.
A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER by HOLLY JACKSON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A high school senior investigates a murder case from her school to prove the supposed murderer is innocent for her capstone project and gets far more entangled and obsessed than she intended.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The plot is intriguing and sucks you in. The characters are interesting and, most of all, believable, especially the main character. As you follow her journey in the investigation it almost feels like you’re there with her, connecting dots and making theories.
FOR FANS OF: mystery, fiction
GOOD OMENS by TERRY PRATCHETT AND NEIL GAIMAN
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: An angel and a demon who rather like humans and the Earth try to stop the apocalypse in late 20th century England.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s really fun to read and the characters are great. Aziraphale and Crowley both toe the lines between good and evil in a way that makes you laugh while contemplating: what is good and evil, really?
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, humor, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
SIX OF CROWS by LEIGH BARDUGO
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A famous thief puts together a team of criminals to pull off an almost impossible heist in a world with magic, intrigue and schemes.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: While it has a slow start, this book is a page turner almost all the way through. There are plenty of surprises and twists that will make you want more. The world building is super interesting and the characters are complex. Each brings their own skills and traits to the table and each does their part in really bringing the book to life.
FOR FANS OF: YA fantasy, adventure, romance, crime
ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by ANTHONY DOERR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This book follows the lives of a blind French girl and an orphan German boy in France during World War II while each separately try to survive and escape the horrors of the war until their paths inevitably cross.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s beautifully written, to say the least. The dual perspective of this book is particularly interesting, both of the characters’ journeys weaving in and out, paralleling and contrasting until they collide, with the horrors of the war always present and forever altering them.
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, dual perspectives
MARIELLE HORSTMANN
MARIELLE HORSTMANN
CLASS OF 2022, CSW LIBRARY AMBASSADOR
"There is something so satisfying about completely forgetting about your obligations and diving into a good book."
"There is something so satisfying about completely forgetting about your obligations and diving into a good book."
Last Book You Read?
The last book that I read is called The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
For me, reading is about comfort and escape. I like to read to enter another world and forget about mine. One book that I could read a million times and never get sick of is Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I think because I have read it so many times, it feels comfortable for me, and soothing because I know how things are going to turn out (also Harry Potter).
One book you hate?
The Help. I wouldn’t say that I absolutely hated The Help. While I thought it was interesting, and it definitely entertained me, the stereotype of this white woman being a savior for the black community really bothered me while I was reading, because it’s a very prevalent and often problematic way of portraying a situation.
How do you decide what to read next?
Reading for me is a very off and on process, and when I am reading a book it is usually a testament to the book, and me interested in it, instead of a habitual reading pattern. That being said, I’m a huge fan of Goodreads, which is sort of like a social media for books, and it is awesome. I also really appreciate suggestions from my peers for books.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
If a book is not working for me, I NEED to finish it, if not only for the purpose of getting it done with. I don’t like the idea of not knowing what happens at the end of the story, so unfortunately even if I’m not enjoying a book I will finish it.
Favorite time to read?
This is going to sound bad, but my favorite time to read is definitely when I should be doing something else. There is something so satisfying about completely forgetting about your obligations and diving into a good book.
Favorite spot to read?
My favorite spot to read is my bed. It’s where I am the most comfortable, and honestly where I am most likely to pick up a book, however, I will read anywhere where I feel the need to escape or am very bored.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I’m not sure that I have any of those titles. Of course I have books that have changed me personally, but none that I feel confident would be universally life changing.
One book that changed you in some way?
The Great Gatsby. I cannot exactly pinpoint the way that this books changed me, but the first time I read it, it was for an English class here at CSW, and I was immediately intrigued by the conflict and themes prevalent in the story and reading more in depth in a classroom setting made these themes sink in even more. I guess in general it was an eye opening book that was very different to anything I had read before it.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Don’t force it. Read when you want to, not when you feel like you should. My experiences with trying to make myself pick up a book when all I really wanted to do was just go to sleep have never been pleasant, it's better to read when you really want to.
SALT TO THE SEA by RUTA SEPETYS
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Salt to the sea is a story about four individuals during World War II, all living separate lives and having separate struggles, then fate leads them to the same boat, where their lives all meet.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's dramatic, interesting, and definitely emotional. The characters are unique, and the historical perspective adds a layer of reality to the story.
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction
TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN by JOHN GREEN
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A pretty average teenage girl who has pretty severe anxiety is swept up into a mystery of a billionaire who goes missing, where she meets the billionaire's son.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I found the main character to be very sympathetic and interesting. I haven’t read a lot of books about people who struggle with mental illness but seeing her perspective was really impactful.
FOR FANS OF: young adult, mystery, and a hint of romance
MIA VITtimberga
MIA VITtimberga
CLASS OF 2022
"I don’t think you should view reading as a chore, but if you do want to make it a habit...I think making time throughout the day is a good way to do that."
"I don’t think you should view reading as a chore, but if you do want to make it a habit...I think making time throughout the day is a good way to do that."
Last Book You Read?
The last fiction book I read was The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, and the last nonfiction was The Universe in Your Hand: A Journey Through Space, Time, and Beyond by Christophe Galfard.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I absolutely love The Goldfinch and The Secret History, both by Donna Tartt. (I just started reading another book of hers, The Little Friend). I’d love to reread those at some point. And I’ve reread the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series an unhealthy amount.
One book you hate?
I couldn’t get into Catcher in the Rye and Lord of the Flies. I know that’s two, but I dislike them both equally.
How do you decide what to read next?
I mainly find books through Goodreads - if you log a book that you liked, they’ll recommend books similar to it. My to-read list on Goodreads is currently 95 books long. I also do judge books by their cover, so if I see something in a bookstore that I’m drawn to, I’ll most likely end up picking it up.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I force myself to finish books, but if I’m not enjoying reading it, then I’ll probably just skim through it so I don’t have to put myself through too much torture.
Favorite time to read?
Whenever I have time :)
Favorite spot to read?
I don’t really have a favorite spot, but I do love reading outside when it’s sunny.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I’d say Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. It’s a good easy-to-read take on philosophy and spirituality, if that’s something that interests you.
One book that changed you in some way?
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith was one of the first classics I ever read, and it really solidified my love for classic literature.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
I think in order to make it a habit, you have to start by setting aside designated reading times throughout your day. When I’m getting back into reading after a slump, I’ll set aside two 15-minute blocks a day where I’ll sit down and read. I don’t think you should view reading as a chore, but if you do want to make it a habit, then personally I think making time throughout the day is a good way to do that. Of course, you’re never going to enjoy reading if you’re not reading enjoyable books - so find titles that interest you.
LESS by ANDREW SEAN GREER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Arthur Less is a failed novelist who’s about to turn fifty. He’s just found out that his ex-boyfriend is about to get married - and he’s been invited to the wedding. Instead of going to the wedding, Less decides to accept every half-baked literary invitation he’s received, sending him on an impromptu trip around the world.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s the perfect mix of comedy and melancholy. The main character is well written, and there’s some really great prose as well.
FOR FANS OF: humor, fiction, LGBTQ+ lit
WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE by MARIA SEMPLE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A woman goes missing, and to find out where she went, you must travel through an immense web of lies and mysteries to find out the truth about her.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You might like this book because you can’t put it down! I found myself completely unable to think of anything other than the deep mystery of Bernadette the whole time I was reading this book.
FOR FANS OF: mystery and drama
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by OSCAR WILDE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A man who sells his soul to be young and beautiful forever.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Exquisite is not a word I use often, because I try to avoid sounding pretentious, but there’s really no other way to describe the way Wilde writes. The characters are complex and the plot offers insight into some interesting topics.
FOR FANS OF: classics, fantasy, dark academia
A LITTLE LIFE by HANYA YANAGIHARA
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Four friends who met in college: Malcolm, JB, Willem, and Jude and their lives.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like books that will rip out your heart and stomp on it, you will definitely like this book. It’s absolutely stunning to read, you will fall in love with the characters. But don’t read it if you don’t want to cry a lot.
FOR FANS OF: longer reads, character-driven novels, contemporary fiction, LGBTQ+ themes
ORYX AND CRAKE by MARGARET ATWOOD
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A man named Snowman, who went by Jimmy before humankind was destroyed by a plague, is trying to survive in a world where he may be the last human remaining. The story is told with constant shifts between past flashbacks and the present, and as it goes on, we learn how humanity fell and Snowman’s role in the fall.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You’ve probably heard of The Handmaid’s Tale, which was also written by Atwood. In my opinion, Oryx and Crake is just as good (if not better) than Handmaid’s Tale. It has all the elements of a dystopian future and social commentary that Atwood is so well known for, with chilling prose and complex characters.
FOR FANS OF: speculative fiction, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic fantasy
CATCH AND KILL: LIES, SPIES, AND A CONSPIRACY TO PROTECT PREDATORS by RONAN FARROW
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Ronan Farrow is a Pulitzer-winning investigative reporter who helped to break open the Harvey Weinstein case, which in turn started the #MeToo movement. This is his firsthand account of his experience doing so.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Farrow offers some terrifying insight into just how much influence Weinstein had over Hollywood - and the lengths he went to keep Farrow and other reporters from exposing him. It’s a fast-paced novel that you won’t want to stop reading once you’ve started.
FOR FANS OF: nonfiction, politics, journalism, crime
THE SONG OF ACHILLES by MADELINE MILLER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The story of Greek hero Achilles, retold through the point of view of his friend and lover, Patroclus.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is one of the books that will break your heart, but in the end, you’re grateful you read it. The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is beautifully done, and I love the descriptive writing - you can tell the author put a lot of research into this novel. (I also recommend her novel Circe).
FOR FANS OF: mythology, LGBTQ+ themes, romance, historical fiction
CHLOE-MAYA FUNK
CHLOE-MAYA FUNK
CLASS OF 2023, co-head Read This!
"...Reading is worth your time, your energy, your attention, because books can change you. "
"...Reading is worth your time, your energy, your attention, because books can change you. "
Last Book You Read?
The last book I read was a book called “Dress Coded” by Carrie Firestone. It was a really powerful middle grade novel about the sexist dress code at a middle school and the students that fought against it.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I don’t have as much time to re-read my favorite books as I did when I was in elementary and middle school, but I do find myself going back to some of my favorite graphic novel series, like “Check Please!” by Ngozi Ukazu and “Heartstopper” by Alice Oseman whenever I need a quick read or a pick-me-up.
How do you decide what to read next?
Well considering that my Goodreads to-read shelf is currently occupied by over a hundred titles, I always have something that I am looking forward to reading next. My dad is a children’s book author, and my mom is an even bigger reader than I am, so I have been exposed to lots of different amazing books and authors on a daily basis since before I can remember. I am also very lucky to have some amazing friends who also love books, and a great community of readers at CSW who I can nerd out with and get recommendations from at Read This! meetings. Going to Read This! always makes my day and if I am ever stuck in a reading slump, meeting with my fellow readers and book lovers changes that in an instant.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Honestly, I often delude myself by trying to walk the plank for as long as I can but I tend to abandon ship. If a book is not working for me, I’ll let it go and pick something else. I want reading to make me feel good, and books have often been a refuge for me, so if a book isn’t working for me I’ll take a break or pick up something else. Not every book is perfect for every kind of reader, and you just have to find what works for you. Sometimes I’ll go back to books that I stopped reading, but more often than not I’ll move on to the next adventure.
Favorite spot to read? Time?
Anywhere and always? Haha, I don’t know, whenever it strikes my fancy I guess! Pre-quarantine I took the train to school and that was pretty much my only time to read during the week so I treasured it. It was so peaceful to read with the gentle rocking of the train and low humming of voices around me. Now that I spend almost every waking hour inside my house, my reading time is less scheduled. I have found myself really enjoying reading in bed in the mornings (especially on weekends). The light coming through the windows in the early morning is so energizing and it is very relaxing to wake up slowly while reading a good book.
One book that changed you in some way?
I think every book you read changes you at least a little bit, and if it didn’t then it couldn’t have been a very good book; stories are meant to change you. The first book that comes to mind as one that changed me is a book I read in 6th grade (and have re-read over half a dozen times) is called “Some Kind of Happiness” by Claire Legrand. I remember the day that my dad came home with this book saying how he thought I would like it since I had enjoyed “Foxheart”, another book by the same author. Reading “Some Kind of Happiness” for the first time, and every time since, has been heartbreaking, uplifting, and magical. It deals with mental health, and family drama so beautifully. I loved the characters and the setting, and the book became the one that I went to for comfort (the dust jacket has since been worn thin and is now ripped in places and soft to the touch). The novel showed me the wonders of being curious and what it means to tell your stories. It is mysterious, magical, and hopeful, and after reading that book I have never looked at a story in the same way.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
For some of us reading can be intimidating, or seem pointless and like a waste of time, or maybe you just aren’t sure where to start and how to become a reader. I think part of that is definitely because we are required to read for our education almost daily, and that kind of reading can sometimes be exhausting. It can taint your relationship with books and make reading feel like a chore. But as someone who has grown up surrounded by books (quite literally) I can say that reading is worth your time, your energy, your attention, because books can change you.
So where to start? Well, my advice is to start small. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Read a little bit at a time, and ease yourself into it. Make it something to look forward to, not something that you have to check off of your to-do list. Find things about reading that you like, whether it be a sunny spot to read, or a guilty pleasure book. Reading is reading, and finding what you like to read can be hard, but know you can always ask around. And if you ever need help with recommendations or where to start, come to Read This! We’d be more than happy to have you. Until then, happy reading!
SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS by CLAIRE LEGRAND
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A girl named Finley who loves to write and is spending the summer with her grandparents and extended family (who she has never met).
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is a really emotional and sweet novel that deals with mental health and family problems, and shows the wonder of magic and imagination. It is beautifully written and is one of my all-time favorites.
FOR FANS OF: family stories, magical worlds, mysteries, the power of imagination
GRACELING (GRACELING REALM #1) by KRISTIN CASHORE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In a fantasy world where people with two different colored eyes are graced with extraordinary powers, a girl a name Katsa, who is graced with the art of killing, must uncover the secrets of her grace and journey to a land far away where lies are more abundant than truths.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Katsa is one of the coolest characters I have ever read about and I love her so much! The characters and storytelling in this book are amazing and the series just gets better and better. If you like fast paced and engaging stories with some mystery, this one's for you!
FOR FANS OF: badass female characters, witty dialogue, superpowers
CHECK PLEASE! BOOK 1: #HOCKEY by NGOZI UKAZU
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Check Please! Is a graphic novel about a gay college student named Bitty who plays hockey and loves to bake.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE graphic novel because it has loveable and supportive characters, beautiful friendships and hilarious interactions. it never fails to make me laugh and always leaves a huge goofy smile on my face. This is the first book I turn to when I am having a rough time and I hope that by sharing it, I can help you through one too.
FOR FANS OF: graphic novels, wholesome main characters, witty humor and lots of laughs, lgbtqia+ representation, hockey brodom
WHITE ROSE by KIP WILSON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: White Rose is a historical YA novel written in verse about Sophie Scholl, a German college student who joined the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group against the Nazi Regime during World War II.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The poetry in this novel is beautiful and the story is extremely emotional and captivating. If you want a book that you can’t bear to put down, this one's for you.
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, family stories, poetry, inspiring female characters, speaking up for what is right
SIX ANGRY GIRLS by ADRIENE KISNER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Six girls who form a rival mock trial team at their school and explore friendship, feminism, and the power of using art to make change
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book features laugh out loud humor and an amazing cast of characters that band together to discuss important topics and make change in their community. It is a very fun and empowering read, and I learned a lot while reading it.
FOR FANS OF: feminism, friendship, lgbtqia+ representation, debate and mock trial, social justice, knitting
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE by DAN GEMEINHART
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Coyote and her father live on a repurposed school bus and spend their days driving along old highways and going on adventures. When Coyote gets news that calls her all the way across the country, she must race against the clock to get to her destination, all without letting her father on to what she is doing? Sounds easy, right?
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This novel truly is remarkable. Along the way, Coyote and her dad pick up travelers, who each have their own stories and destinations. The writing in this book is so heartfelt, emotional, and funny and Coyote has such a great character voice that you can’t help but fall in love with her.
FOR FANS OF: adventure, travel, family stories, friendship
KATIE BAUM
KATIE BAUM
CLASS OF 2021, co-head Read This!
"there’s a book out there for everyone. "
"there’s a book out there for everyone. "
Last Book You Read?
The last book I read was The Priory of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. I would say it’s the best book I’ve read this year!
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I love rereading books so it’s hard to pick one. But a book that I have been going back to recently is Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. I think I have read it 4 times in the past year since I discovered it!
One book you hated?
I know people often say they could never hate a book... but I can! A notable one would be Of Blood And Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It was a recent read, so don’t even get me started.
How do you decide what to read next?
Well, of course, there is Ian Haut… but I also use Goodreads and I get a lot of recommendations from CSW’s book recommendation group Read This! I like going to the library and picking books with really good covers (I am very guilty of judging books by their covers).
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I always slog through books even though it is sometimes miserable. I love the feeling of finishing a book, even if I didn’t enjoy the book itself.
Favorite time to read?
Late, late, late at night.
Favorite spot to read?
Curled up on a couch or in a comfy chair.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
This is a hard question. I think I’m going to go with how I would have answered this question when I was 12 and say Wonder by RJ Palacio. No one is ever too old to read that book.
One book that changed you in some way?
Recently I would say And I Darken by Kiersten White. While overall this book was more good than great, it changed the way I think about the portrayal of female characters in books, especially in the Young Adult genre. The main character was ambiguous and brutal, but with a strong set of morals in a way I hadn’t seen before in a female lead. I’ve found myself coming back to And I Darken often when thinking about strong, nuanced women in books.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Find books that you are genuinely really excited about reading! Reading can be really fun, and there’s a book out there for everyone. And check out some graphic novels!
ON A SUNBEAM by Tillie Walden
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This is a graphic novel about a group of outcasts who work as a restoration crew in space. They travel to different planets and fix old buildings that are falling apart. The newest member of their crew is trying to find her girlfriend, who mysteriously disappeared one night from their boarding school.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book is gorgeous. Every single page is beautifully drawn in full color, with expansive landscapes and expressive characters. The world building is cryptic and a little bizarre, but it only makes it better, for example, their spaceship looks like a fish!
FOR FANS OF: diverse characters, graphic novels, coming of age in space
THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amar El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Who even knows, really? If anyone can figure out what this book is actually about, please let me know. The story follows two agents from different sides of a war through time and space. Red works for The Agency, and Blue for The Garden, and they travel through different threads of history trying to secure the best possible future for their side of the war. Through the course of this, the two women start exchanging letters and maybe even fall in love?
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s confusing and beautiful and genre-bending.
FOR FANS OF: sci-fi, poetry, doomed love stories, time travel, books that don’t make sense
RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE by Casey Mcquinston
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: What if the First Son of the United States and the Prince Of Wales fell in love? That’s what happens in this book, and it’s fantastic.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is a pretty fluffy love story, but it is set to the backdrop of politics, so it tackles themes like race, sexuality, and the responsibilities that come with being a public figure. The characters are unique and appealing and I fell in love with them almost immediately.
FOR FANS OF: romance, escapist fiction, doomed love stories
SHADES OF MAGIC SERIES by VE SCHWAB
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: 4 different versions of London, the boy who travels between them, and the thief he falls in love with. Plus: magic, mayhem, pirates, and princes.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The writing is strong and the plot is twisty and fantastic. I have never been so attached to characters as I have to the ones in this series. Delilah Bard is who I want to be when I grow up (kidding, but barely). I recently found out there will be three more books published in this series in the nearish future and I still have not recovered.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, characters who are the worst but you still love them, slow-burn romances, doomed love stories, long books
CARRY ON by RAINBOW ROWELL
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This book is basically what would have happened if Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were roommates and also secretly in love with each other. Except they are named Simon and Baz, and Baz is a vampire. Also instead of Voldemort, the villain is called the Humdrum.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s bizarre and funny and super light. In the world of this book, magic spells take the form of common phrases, such as “open sesame” or “clean as a whistle,” which makes for some hilarious quotes.
FOR FANS OF: Harry Potter, doomed love stories (sensing a pattern, anyone?), coming of age with dragons
SHI SHI Jacobs
SHI SHI Jacobs
CLASS OF 2020
"Read to get inspired! Read to learn about diverse experiences and stories. It will shape your perspective on topics and will enrich your ideas. "
"Read to get inspired! Read to learn about diverse experiences and stories. It will shape your perspective on topics and will enrich your ideas. "
Last Book You Read?
Severance by Ling Ma, but I just started reading Little Children by Tom Perrotta!.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I would love to re-read some of my favorite books from my childhood and early adolescence. I seem to forget a lot of their plots now, but I remember how inspiring and immersive they were when I was younger. I used to be a huge fan of works by Rebecca Stead and Rainbow Rowell, and some other favorites include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Giver Series, and Looking for Alaska.
One book you hated?
I have yet to find one that I hate.
How do you decide what to read next?
I usually depend on book recommendations that come from my friends and family. If I find an author I particularly enjoy, I’ll look to see what other works they’ve written and go from there. I am very much a visual thinker; I know that you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but if the cover of a book is visually appealing to me, I’ll be more inclined to check it out.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Depends on the situation. If it is a book that was recommended to me, I will slog through it. Otherwise I am more likely to abandon it :(.
Favorite time to read?
During times of transition–which can be any time during the day! Books ground me and give me a familiar place to return to. I often find myself reading more while I am traveling some place or am entering a time of uncertainty or change.
Favorite spot to read?
On the train, in a coffee shop, or anywhere with some sort of background noise really. I let the words on the page transport me to some place far away and distract me from my surroundings.
One book that changed you in some way?
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Read to get inspired! Read to learn about diverse experiences and stories. It will shape your perspective on topics and will enrich your ideas.
A TALE FOR TIME BEING by Ruth Ozeki
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: When Ruth discovers the diary of a 16-year-old Japanese girl named Nao Yasutami washed up on the beach, she becomes engrossed in the life of the young, mysterious diary owner. As she reads through each diary entry, Ruth learns of Nao’s past, as well as her future plans to end her own life. But before her planned suicide, she is determined to document the story of her great-grandmother, a Zen Buddhist nun over the age of 100. This novel explores topics of life, death, time, and meditation.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: There was never a time where I was bored while reading this novel. I had to constantly remind myself that what I was reading was purely fictional. There was a long period of time after finishing this book where I kept thinking about it.
FOR FANS OF: multiperspectivity, metafiction
THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME by Richard Connell
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Rainsford, a big-game hunter, finds himself shipwrecked on an isolated island in the Caribbean. He soon learns that he is not alone on the island, and through his encounters, the line between hunter and prey, human and animal, becomes blurred.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This short-story is influenced by big-game hunting safaris in South America and Africa during the 20s. Its suspenseful plot will have you on the edge of your seat for the entire duration!
FOR FANS OF: action, adventure
INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The short life of Christopher McCandless and the allure of the American wilderness.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Krakauer weaves his own experience into his work which creates a really interesting parallel between Chris and himself. I am a big fan of fiction, but this was probably one the first pieces of nonfiction that I truly enjoyed.
FOR FANS OF: adventure, literary nonfiction, nature and the outdoors
YOU & A BIKE & THE ROAD by Eleanor Davis
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A thoughtful graphic memoir that documents the author’s solo cross-country bike tour exactly as it happened.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I love Eleanor Davis’ illustrations. They are simple and playful but get the point across delightfully. Her method of story-telling is fresh, genuine, and is filled with good humor.
FOR FANS OF: memoirs, illustration, humor
IAN HAUT
IAN HAUT
CLASS OF 2021, 2019-2020 CSW LIBRARY AMBASSADOR
"Go towards the books that interest you, not the ones people tell you that you should read."
"Go towards the books that interest you, not the ones people tell you that you should read."
Last Book You Read?
Crescent City book 1: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.
One book you hated?
I’ve dropped a lot of books because I just didn’t like them, but I’m not sure there’s a book I actually hate.
How do you decide what to read next?
Goodreads, Instagram, or Katie Baum (Class of 2021)
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
I jump ship a lot, but often come back later and try again - I jumped ship the first time I tried to read Six of Crows, and now it’s one of my all-time favorites!
Favorite time to read?
Either right after I wake up on the weekends, or late at night.
Favorite spot to read?
Anywhere with sun and/or blankets.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
I think the reading experience is different for everyone and very personal. I can’t really think of a book I believe everyone should read, and I’m not sure there is one.
One book that changed you in some way?
I think every book I’ve read has had an impact on me, but one that really changed me was Night by Elie Wiesel.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Go towards the books that interest you, not the ones people tell you that you should read. If you’re not enjoying a book or aren’t interested in it after giving it a shot, then don’t read it. Reading should be something you do for your own enjoyment, not out of an obligation.
SIX OF CROWS AND CROOKED KINGDOM by Leigh Bardugo
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Six of Crows is set mainly in the 1700s Amsterdam-inspired city of Ketterdam, in the fictional Grisha-verse. A team of six criminals, led by the infamous Kaz Brekker, try to pull off a near-impossible heist involving magic, a deadly drug, romance, and impossible escapes. If they succeed, they would become rich beyond their wildest dreams and maybe even save the world … if they don’t murder each other first.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is a truly character-driven book. You will find yourself empathizing with each of the six main characters, even if some of them are a little evil. The book deals with themes of discrimination, isolation, and what makes a person good or bad. It’s a page turner for sure, with great action sequences that are balanced well with the relationships that build through the book.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, adventure novels, romance and LGBTQ+ representation, complex characters
STAND STILL, STAY SILENT by Minna Sundberg
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In a post-apocalyptic world filled with magic, danger, and Scandinavian mythology, a group of six explorers from the last remaining civilizations embark into the ‘silent world’ of destroyed Europe.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This graphic novel is made really great by the characters, who are all complex and interesting people with unique flaws. The magic system is unlike any I’ve read about before, based on both classic Nordic mythology and ancient Finnish religion. This book really cannot be put into any genre because it has a bit of them all - horror, comedy, slice of life, dystopian, fantasy, etc.
FOR FANS OF: dystopian fantasy, coming of age (kind of), mild existential horror, amazing characters
THE WITCHER SERIES by Andrzej Sapkowsk
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The Witcher books follow the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter, or witcher, and his adoptive daughter, princess Ciri. After the Empire of Nilfgaard attacks Ciri’s country and leaves her stranded and alone, she joins Geralt, his friend Dandelion, and the sorceress Yennefer on their adventures.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: While the plot itself deals with destiny, royalty, monster slaying, and other grand fantasy adventures, the place this series really hits home for me is the relationship that builds between Geralt and Ciri. This book definitely fits into the ‘high fantasy’ category, but the most impactful part of it is the father-daughter relationship that Sapkowski builds.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, adventure, action, family bonds, magic and monsters, and morally grey characters
THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In 1800s Europe, young Lord Henry Montague, or Monty, is about to embark on his grand tour accompanied by his sister Felicity and his best friend Percy (who he is very much in love with). The tour quickly becomes more than he bargained for, however, and Monty, Percy, and Felicity are sent on a thrilling and very dangerous manhunt across Europe.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Mackenzi Lee does an amazing job depicting the conflict that Monty feels around his sexuality and role in life. The book is exciting and fast-paced, but still makes time to develop the characters and go into the complexities of growing up and falling in love.
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, LGBTQ+ literature, coming of age, romance, adventure
THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGY by V.E. Schwab
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Kell Maresh is one of only a few magicians able to travel in between the four dimensions, Gray London, Red London, White London, and Black London, which has been destroyed. In the magic-less world of gray London, Lila Bard is a thief who’ll do anything to feel alive. When kell comes across a mysterious stone from the long-dead Black London, he and Lila are sent on a wild adventure through the different worlds, trying to save the existing Londons and each other.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This series is incredibly well-written and some of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. The books stand out because of the original setting, incredible characters, and well-paced plot. In all three books, I completely forgot the outside world as I was reading.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, adventure, multiple dimensions, magic, complex characters
BEN IBBETSON
BEN IBBETSON
SPANISH TEACHER, COLLEGE COUNSELOR
" Reading will expand your worldview, help you see things from different perspectives, and you’ll learn new words!"
" Reading will expand your worldview, help you see things from different perspectives, and you’ll learn new words!"
Last Book You Read?
Broken Harbor by Tana French
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I re-read Salem’s Lot by Steven King. I interpreted it very differently than when I first read it as a teenager! I would like to re-read The Talisman by Steven King and Peter Straub.
One book you hated?
I don’t hate any of the books I’ve read.
How do you decide what to read next?
I have an incredibly long reading list. I am guided by recommendations from family and friends and I like to read the next book in a series. For example, I’ve read a few Jack Reacher books and am looking forward to reading the next one in the series!
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
My advice is slog through. For example, Black House by Steven King and Peter Straub (I sense a pattern developing). It’s over 600 pages long. I wasn’t feeling it after 100 pages, stuck with it, and ended up loving it.
Favorite time to read?
Summer. I love to read outside in the garden in the sunshine. Also, I have more time for pleasure reading in the summer.
Favorite spot to read?
Outside in the garden or in bed before going to sleep. I always read a few pages before going to sleep, no matter how tired I am.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
If you have the opportunity to take 100 Years of Solitude with Derek, please do so. That book changed my life. I’ve read it in Spanish and English. All I’ll say is that some translations of the novel are better than others. You will never think of ice and magnets the same way again after reading the first chapter!
One book that changed you in some way?
100 Years of Solitude. Also, Love in the Time of Cholera (Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote both books). I was fortunate enough to co-sponsor Love in the Time of Cholera with a student named Sarah Hertel-Fernandez several years ago. We had a great discussion! I also loved Watership Down when I was younger, although General Woundwort gave me nightmares (and still does). It really impressed upon me the importance of preserving the natural world and the animals that live in it.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Read! Reading will expand your worldview, help you see things from different perspectives, and you’ll learn new words! Dedicate at least an hour each day to reading. No matter how busy you are. Also, talk to friends and family about books. In order to get recommendations and to discuss the books you’ve read.
INTO THIN AIR by JON KRAKAUER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: What happens when too many people try to summit Mt. Everest at the same time in really bad weather? Read this book and find out!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you want to read an account of an attempt to climb the highest mountain in the world from the perspective of someone who was there.
FOR FANS OF: Mountain climbing, adventure novels, and anyone who has ever dreamt of climbing Mt. Everest!
THE GIRLS by EMMA CLINE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It's loosely based on the Manson Family.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I was motivated to read it after seeing [the film] Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It’s a good book if you want to learn more about the Manson Family in a fictional format.
FOR FANS OF: Los Angeles in the late 1960’s, the movie Once a Time in Hollywood, The Manson Family
100 YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel García Márquez
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A multi-generational story of the Buendia family, who live in the fictional Colombian town of Macondo.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I don’t know where to begin. I think that this novel has something for everyone to enjoy.
FOR FANS OF: magical realism, the history of South America
SALEM'S LOT by STEPHEN KING
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Vampires! A small New England town! A small New England town that is overrun by vampires!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you are a fan of horror fiction and/or vampires.
FOR FANS OF: horror fiction, vampires
AMERICAN DIRT by JEANINE CUMMINS
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A mother and her son are on the run from the leader of a Mexican drug cartel. This is a controversial novel. Why? Read it and see what you think!
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you are interested in current events in Mexico, the influence of drug cartels in Mexico, and the ongoing immigration debate in the U.S.
FOR FANS OF: Ben’s Spanish Current Events class (and for anyone interested in learning more about immigraton from Mexico to the U.S. in a fictional format).
ONE WAY OUT: THE INSIDE HISTORY OF THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND by ALAN PAUL
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The Allman Brothers Band. They are my favorite band (I saw them live more than 75 times).
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you are a fan of the Allman Brothers Band then I strongly suggest reading this book. It’s not the only book that has been written about the ABB, but it’s far the best. Band members wrote the prologue and the epilogue!
FOR FANS OF: The Allman Brothers Band, music
LUCY WARD
LUCY WARD
CLASS OF 2023
"Read for yourself. Allow more time for reading good books! And less time reading books out of a sense of obligation."
"Read for yourself. Allow more time for reading good books! And less time reading books out of a sense of obligation."
Last Book You Read?
I just finished My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I’m a huge fan of fantasy books. I think my favorite series is The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
One book you hated?
I don’t think it’s possible to hate a book :) Although, I have been frustrated with how a few books ended.
How do you decide what to read next?
Whatever strikes my fancy at the library. Whatever my friends recommend. Whatever's on the top of my “To Read” list.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Slog through it, I don’t give up on books.
Favorite time to read?
In the morning. When I wake up on the weekends, I always grab a book, sit in my bed and read for a few hours. I can’t read before I go to bed or I’ll stay up WAY too late.
Favorite spot to read?
I like to find a little patch of sun, and curl up with a book.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
Any book by Angie Thomas or Sarah J. Maas.
One book that changed you in some way?
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Before I read it, I didn’t realize a book could pack such a powerful punch, and yet be so heartbreaking. Whenever someone asks for a recommendation, I always point them to this book.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Read for yourself. Allow more time for reading good books! And less time reading books out of a sense of obligation. When you read books that you actually want to read, you'll find it more difficult to put it down.
THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Set in the 1700s, it’s the story of Henry “Monty” Montague, who is embarking on his Grand Tour of Europe- one last teenage year of wildness before he is supposed to take over as his father’s heir and get down to the deadly boring business of being an adult.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The characters are so lovable, I didn’t want to leave them behind. The book is a hodgepodge of a bunch of genres, but they blend together perfectly.
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, YA adventure, own voices queer rep
THE UNEXPECTED TRUTH ABOUT ANIMALS: A MENAGERIE OF THE MISUNDERSTOOD by Lucy Cooke
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Unraveling myths about animals
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s absolutely hilarious! I also now know a bunch of useless but absolutely freaking fascinating knowledge!
FOR FANS OF: science writing, nature, humor
THE CROWN'S GAME by Evelyn Skye
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Vika Andreyeva and Nikolai Karimov are the only two enchanters in Russia and with political unrest increasing in neighboring empires, the tsar needs an enchanted by his side. But which of the two will take that title and walk out with their life?
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s full of magic, murder, a love triangle, and Russian history.
FOR FANS OF: fantasy, historical fiction, magic
I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER by Erika L. Sánchez
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A teen dealing with her sister’s sudden death and the secrets that follow.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s poignant but often laugh-out-loud funny. It’s a very real book and there’s a part of it that everyone can connect to.
FOR FANS OF: realistic fiction, lies and mystery
ROSANNA SALCEDO
ROSANNA SALCEDO
DEAN OF EQUITY + INCLUSION
"Make reading a mindful practice. Get comfortable, find a quiet spot if you can, tune everything else out, transport yourself..."
"Make reading a mindful practice. Get comfortable, find a quiet spot if you can, tune everything else out, transport yourself..."
Last Book You Read?
Dominicana by Angie Cruz, and I’m currently reading Gods of Jade and Shadow, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
So many!
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
One book you hated?
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (for so many reasons!)
How do you decide what to read next?
Growing up, throughout my education, most of my assigned reading was the English cannon--mostly dead, white men. I loved many of these books, and often found ways to relate to them personally, but when it is my choice, I almost always choose to read books written by women about women, particularly women of color. Why? Because there were few opportunities to do this when I was young, and today there are so many more female and diverse voices.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Slog through, you never know what nuggets lay within...
Favorite time to read?
Saturday and Sunday mornings before anyone wakes up in my house.
Favorite spot to read?
On my couch in the living room with natural light shining through the window.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
Beloved by Toni Morrison--a work of art. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston--also a work of art. 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; also a work of art, even though he’s not a woman :-)
One book that changed you in some way?
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. This book spoke to me in a very personal way about the trials and tribulations women endure and overcome. Janie is my favorite heroine.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Make reading a mindful practice. Get comfortable, find a quiet spot if you can, tune everything else out, transport yourself to the time and setting, try to imagine being in that place with those characters.
THE ISLAND BENEATH THE SEA by Isabel Allende
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This story chronicles the life of a young slave girl on Hispañola (Dominican Republic), the first Spanish colony in the Americas.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It spans three generations and comes full circle - karma is justice!
FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, social justice
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE by Laura Esquivel
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A frustrated love story that takes place during the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Great recipes and scandals!
FOR FANS OF: food and cooking, love stories, magical realism
THE POET X by Elizabeth Acevedo
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A teenage girl pursues her passion despite feeling stifled at home.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The whole thing is written in verse!
FOR FANS OF: Spoken word, poetry, girls of color
THE BIRTH OF VENUS by Sarah Dunant
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A rebellious teenage girl during The Renaissance.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: She doesn’t like her options, and she does something about it.
FOR FANS OF: The Renaissance, art, feminists
CIRCE by Madeline Miller
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A famous witch from Greek mythology.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: There’s magic, and she’s a badass witch! ... (Can I say that!?)
FOR FANS OF: Mythology, witches, adventure
WIDE SARGASSO SEA by Jean Rhys
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It’s written as if it is a prequel to Jane Eyre. It’s the story of Mr. Rochester's mad wife, Antoinette Cosway, a Creole heiress.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It has a strong feminist perspective.
FOR FANS OF: Jane Eyre
RACHEL SONTHEIMER
RACHEL SONTHEIMER
CLASS OF 2020, HEAD OF LITMAG
"One of the great things about reading is that it can be adaptive to your needs—it can be an escape from daily life, a way of broadening your horizons, or a source of comfort or excitement. Now is a great time to take advantage of that."
"One of the great things about reading is that it can be adaptive to your needs—it can be an escape from daily life, a way of broadening your horizons, or a source of comfort or excitement. Now is a great time to take advantage of that."
Last Book You Read?
I’m making my way through We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
One of my favorite things to do is reread my favorite books from elementary and middle school. Some highlights are The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Penderwicks, Harry Potter, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and anything by Brian Selznick or Tui T. Sutherland. It’s a lot of fun to revisit those stories, and it’s also interesting to reflect on their continued impact on me as I enter my adult life.
One Book You Hated?
Divergent by Veronica Roth. I have no idea why it got so popular.
Favorite time to read?
I prefer to read in the morning or mid afternoon. I can’t read fiction right before bed during the school year—if it’s a good book, I often accidentally stay up into the wee hours of the morning reading.
Favorite spot to read?
My couch, my porch, or the park near my home if the weather’s nice.
One book that changed you in some way?
I think every book I’ve finished has changed me in some way, but some have certainly had more of an impact. All of the books on my list below would fall into this category, and another interesting example would be Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George, which I read in the second grade. The book features some descriptions of embroidery that captured me so much it inspired me to do an independent study in embroidery in my junior year, almost a decade later.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
One of the great things about reading is that it can be adaptive to your needs—it can be an escape from daily life, a way of broadening your horizons, or a source of comfort or excitement. Now is a great time to take advantage of that. Read a little bit every day, even if it’s only for a few minutes before you start your homework or before you go to sleep. Experiment with different genres and keep track of authors you like. It’s all about finding what works for you!
THE LIBRARY BOOK by Susan Orlean
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: SO much. It centers around the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986 and the man who was accused of starting it. Orlean uses this event as a springboard to explore the history of libraries, their role as community centers as well as centers of information, and the human urge to tell stories.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I read this book more than a month ago and have thought about it every day since. Seriously. Read it.
FOR FANS OF: True crime, biography, memoir, and most of all, libraries.
THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES by Peter Wohlleben
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Trees! Turns out they’re much more complicated beings than we thought they were.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s a new and fascinating perspective on the natural world.
FOR FANS OF: Forests, science writing
BLUE HORSES by Mary Oliver
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This collection features Mary Oliver’s usual subjects—nature, solitude—and a few of my favorite poems of hers are in there.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I have found myself returning to it as a source of comfort in the era of social distancing. It’s an easy, soothing read—good for before bedtime.
FOR FANS OF: nature writing, poetry
WONDERSTRUCK by Brad Selznick
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Two children from different time periods whose stories intersect in unexpected ways. One character narrates through words, while the other character, who is deaf, narrates entirely through exquisitely drawn illustrations.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Selznick’s drawings are incredible, and his method of storytelling is very unique. The story is fun, thought-provoking and sweet.
FOR FANS OF: museums, ASL/Deaf culture, children’s literature
INKHEART by Cornelia Funke
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A girl named Meggie and her father, both of whom can make characters step out of the pages of books when they read aloud. Years before the start of the novel, Meggie’s father accidentally releases all the villains from a book called Inkheart into their world. The story starts when one of those characters catches back up with them.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Diana Wynne Jones said it perfectly: “I don't think I've ever read anything that conveys so well the joys, terrors and pitfalls of reading.”
FOR FANS OF: YA fiction, fantasy, books about books
FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: An anxious writer of fan fiction and her first year at college.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s funny, sweet, and occasionally moving—just what you’d expect from Rainbow Rowell.
FOR FANS OF: YA fiction, romance, bildungsroman, character-driven stories
TIANHE "PETER" YIN
TIANHE "PETER" YIN
CLASS OF 2020, CO-HEAD READ THIS!
"Read whatever you like to read. It is important to find the joy of reading so it can prompt you to read more. ...I don’t think there is anything else that really matters."
"Read whatever you like to read. It is important to find the joy of reading so it can prompt you to read more. ...I don’t think there is anything else that really matters."
Last Book You Read?
I have just finished The Third Man by Graham Greene. It is a suspense novel set in Austria immediately after WWII. The story unravels as the main character takes up investigating his friend’s curious death and finding the mysterious “third man” who was said to have witnessed the incident.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
I have to say End of the Affair here. I have read this book three times and each time I picked up something different that I have never noticed. It discusses topics from romantic relationships to religions. But everything aside, it is just a book that I can completely immerse myself into.
One Book You Hated?
I don’t think there is a book that I hate (because I am usually cautious about what book to pick up). But there are a few that I was very disappointed with. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is one of them. While I don’t want to spoil it for you because I believe the first half of the book is definitely worth reading (and actually convinced me that this is a masterpiece), the ending was very disappointing.
How do you decide what to read next?
The way I pick my book is like this: if I read something I really love, I would pick an interesting title from this author’s bibliography and read it next.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
There are a lot of books that I gave up halfway. One of them is Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson. I was introduced to him by Jeannette (we read Burning Chrome in WAR 1), and after the class, I started to read Neuromancer, and I loved it. So I moved on to other of his books, but Mona Lisa Overdrive just did not work for me. It has multiple storylines, more sci-fi concepts that made my brain hurt, and very confusing languages. After numerous attempts, I gave up this book and William Gibson altogether.
Favorite time to read?
One of my favorite times to read is in the morning. I sometimes put on music (I have a special playlist for reading consisting of songs that won’t distract me).
Favorite spot to read?
On the train. Usually, these are the times that I can really sink in and read books that I normally would find boring.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
There are definitely a lot of times when I finish a book and can’t help yelling out how good the book is and force everyone around me to read it. Ball Lightning is one of them. It is written by China’s most beloved sci-fi author, Liu Cixin who produced the Three-body Trilogy. The book is not universally important, but this will definitely be a once-a-life-time reading experience. The book is a hard sci-fi featuring a lot of quantum physics concepts. Some are hard to understand but he manages to explain them comprehensively.
One book that changed you in some way?
A book that changed me in some way is The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene. When I was reading it, it surprised me to find that I was stuck in a very similar situation as the main character. It intrigued me but also terrified me in a way.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Read whatever you like to read. It is important to find the joy of reading so it can prompt you to read more. Besides that, I don’t think there is anything else that really matters.
THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD by John Le Carré
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A British spy was sent to go undercover in East Germany to help the British agency get rid of a powerful enemy, the head of the East German secret service.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: As a must-read espionage masterpiece, this novel not only offers you a brilliant plot but also constructs a vivid portrait of life in the Europe of the Cold War era. You will be fully captured by the protagonist’s journey into the center of the tension of the Cold War and discover love, betrayal, and espionage plots along the way.
FOR FANS OF: suspense, espionage, history novels
THE WORLD OF YESTERDAY by Stefan Zweig
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The memoir of Austrian writer Stefan Zweig that tells stories of his childhood, his youth, and his experiences to flee from his country to survive Nazi prosecution and the War.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is not only a tale of the life of Zweig, but also one of Europe: its rise and falls before, between, and during the two World Wars, the life of renowned novelists, artists, and scholars who inhabited and loved this continent, and how the war tore everything into pieces.
FOR FANS OF: European history, autobiography
JOURNEY UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN by Keigo Higashino
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A murder that was left unsolved for decades gradually unveils a series of stories.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is a classical Japanese mystery novel. It is not much of a page-turner, but the vivid narrative and atmosphere will bring you into the overwhelming suspense in no time.
FOR FANS OF: mystery, murder, suspense
A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRAINIAN by Marina Lewycka
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A pair of rival siblings, Vera and Nadezhda, join forces to oppose their widowed 84-year-old father’s new wife, a young Ukrainian lady who suspiciously seeks to acquire British citizenship for her and her son through marriage.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Don’t let the title trick you! It is actually a heartwarming tale about an immigrant family and the reunion of father and daughters. In a light-hearted way, this book tackles serious issues like romantic relationships, family relationships, and immigrant experiences. It is light reading that will make you both laugh and cry.
FOR FANS OF: humor, family drama
DAVIN BERGQUIST
DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELINGDAVIN BERGQUIST
"Read about an experience of the world that is not quite your own. And: read often - it’s like Pilates for your mind."
"Read about an experience of the world that is not quite your own. And: read often - it’s like Pilates for your mind."
Last Book You Read?
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.
One Book You Loved So Much You Go Back To It (either would reread or do reread)?
The Gate by Francois Bizot.
One Book You Hated?
The Overstory by Richard Powers. It’s as if he has never met an editor in his whole life. It would have been much better sans 2,000 words.
How do you decide what to read next?
My mood. What I need in my life at that moment. What’s on the display rack at the Cambridge Public Library. What other people recommend (but mostly what Jenna recommends). What’s on my friends' coffee tables, literary reviews in glossy but sophisticated fashion magazines. The Man Booker and Pulitzer Prizes, and the National Book Award.
Slog through a book not working for you or abandon ship?
Usually slog. I’m a scrappy fighter and try to honor discomfort. If I abandon, I will usually come back to it at a later time in my life.
Favorite time to read?
Before bed.
Favorite spot to read?
My bed. Mark and I read for about an hour before going to sleep every night, like Bert and Ernie.
Are there any titles you think EVERYONE should read at least once in their life? Why? (universal importance, mass appeal, or just a great work of art)
Anything, and I do mean anything, by Toni Morrison. It’s a critical perspective for any American to have - and her voice is remarkable.
One book that changed you in some way?
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley.
What’s one piece of advice to our students about how to develop a reading life?
Read about an experience of the world that is not quite your own. And: read often - it’s like Pilates for your mind.
THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by JOAN DIDION
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Transition. Death. Going with the change.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s beautifully written. An observational non-fiction masterpiece.
FOR FANS OF: Getting through things that are hard.
THE REMAINS OF THE DAY by KAZUO ISHIGURO
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: So much. It’s a stunning story about time and relationships, but dignified and polished in the British literary tradition.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It has huge emotional gravity that will capture anyone in the end.
FOR FANS OF: English country life, the pull between “upstairs” and “downstairs,”, World War Two history, unrequited love, lush decorative interiors.
I'LL DRINK TO THAT by BETTY HALBREICH
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A famed personal shopper at Bergdorf’s. Finding your own definition of style and beauty. Being brash and unfiltered.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: She’s seen it all.
FOR FANS OF: Fashion and art. Beach reading.
THE LONG TAKE by ROBIN ROBERTSON
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Post war/mid-century downtown Los Angeles. Gentrification. Being lost and accepting the inevitable. The weight of trauma.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s written in a distinct noir narrative poetry style, and thus, is experimental in terms of its format.
FOR FANS OF: Poetry. All things noir. Purposeful, experimental fiction. The changing face of cities over time.
A LONG PETAL OF THE SEA by ISABEL ALLENDE
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Operation Condor era intrigue. What it’s like to be an exile and refugee. Fascism and communism. Abiding love.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s one of the best new works of fiction I’ve read in years.
FOR FANS OF: Historical fiction. Beautiful, sparring writing. Brilliant narratives. South America.
OFFSHORE by PENELOPE FITZGERALD
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: People living on houseboats in the Thames amidst 1970s London.
WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s not hugely dramatic, but it’s all about the people, their lives, and the subtext and intricacies sitting just below the surface.
FOR FANS OF: Exceptional short fiction. You can finish it in a long plane ride, but it’s deceptively rich in its brevity.
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