Hilda C. Landers Library & Archives

Behemoth is a great continuation of the Leviathan series. Recommended after reading Leviathan by the same author.

Availability: COSMOS
Review Submitted by: Lisa Williams
Rating:  Recommended

Leviathan is an interesting twist on World War I. It is an alternate history that brings up some interesting political questions very subtly. I like the fact that it has more plot than some of his other books that I have read.

Availability: COSMOS
Review Submitted by: Lisa Williams
Rating:  Highly recommended

Learning about the neurobiology of Parkinson’s disease (P.D.) in one of my graduate classes—coupled with my re-discovery of the Back to the Future trilogy—compelled me to pick up Michael J. Fox’s memoir Lucky Man at the library. The book begins with Fox emerging from a hangover (a common occurrence) when he notices his left pinkie trembling uncontrollably. He tries shutting it in a drawer; it stops for a few seconds, then commences beating against the wood. This “resting tremor,” one of the first signs of P.D., already marks 70% of disease progression. The book goes back to Fox’s childhood up until the time of his writing (late ’90s), detailing the peak of his career, his self-described downfall, where P.D. fit into his timeline—and how it actually “saved” him, in a way. Michael J. Fox’s writing is excellent, and he had a fascinating story to tell. I recommend this book for Fox fans, those curious about P.D., or anyone who’s interested in reading good writing (that should cover about all the bases)!

Availability: USMAI
Review Submitted by: Jordan Gaines, Alum ’11
Rating:  Highly recommended

This is hands down the best book I have ever read about writing. Lamott writes with clarity, humor, and style–I laughed out loud on every page, and also came away feeling better about my writing, the writing process, and being a writer generally. A must read for any English major, or really anyone who thinks of themselves as someone who is or would like to be a writer.

 

Availability: SMCM Library
Review Submitted by: Tiko Mason, Class of 2013
Rating:  Must Read

This play by David Henry Hwang (author of M. Butterfly) grapples with the issues of racial performativity, mistaken identity, community, and American culture. Hwang writes himself into this play as a character and engages with events from his personal life as well as fictional representations and characters in order to question the Asian American identity in the United States. A quick read that will leave you thinking about its implications long after the curtain falls.

Availability: USMAI
Review Submitted by: Tiko Mason, Class of 2013
Rating:  Highly Recommended

Julie Otsuka’s The Buddha in the Attic explores the Japanese-American experience from the perspective of Issei ‘picture brides’ who came to this country in the early 20th century. Their stories are beautifully interwoven and evocatively portray the experience of both cultural assimilation and ultimately Japanese internment during World War 2. The entire book is written from the perspective of “we” which makes the reading more literarily engaging although the reader has less of a relationship with a single protagonist.

Availability: SMCM Library
Review Submitted by: Tiko Mason, Class of 2013
Rating:  Highly recommended

Jennifer Crusie’s Faking It is a delightful read on a hot summer’s day. The story revolves around a family of art forgers called the Goodnights. The youngest daughter Matilda goes through a great to clear her family’s name and to hide their deep dark secret.

This book has something for everyone; romance, suspense, unrequited love and so much more. If you are a fan of Danielle Steele or Nora Roberts, then you will enjoy Faking It.

Availability: COSMOS Catalog
Review Submitted by: Lisa Zimmerman
Rating: Recommended

Women of the Long March by Lily Xiao Hong Lee and Sue Wiles is a biography that focuses on the stories of three women who completed the Long March as part of the Communist Party of China from 1934-1935. The women themselves are interesting, but the way their stories are told leaves something to be desired. The authors attempt to balance interviews with the women at the end of their lives with official Communist biographies and writings of Western journalists from the 1930s. The end product is mixed, and the book probably would have worked better as a historical novel that tried to fill in the gaps in these women’s lives.

Availability: USMAI
Review Submitted by: Rebecca Thayer
Rating:  Recommended

I absolutely love this book. This novel is narrated by eighteen year old Mary Katherine, the younger sister of Constance and mentally unsteady. The sisters are shunned by their town who blames Constance for the murder of her family six years ago. Though acquitted, Constance, Mary Katherine, and Uncle Jullian, their only surviving relative, remove themselves from society and live a life of seclusion and isolation. Through Jackson’s prose, which is eloquent in its simplicity, the reader is exposed to unbearable cruelty of society and the ramifications of that cruelty. There is a constant air of mystery in this book and a haunting creepiness that promises to keep this story on your mind long after the last page. This book is a must read for any Shirley Jackson fans (author of “The Lottery” and The Haunting of Hill House) and is an excellent first experience to Jackson’s style, themes, and brilliance.

Availability: SMCM Library
Review Submitted by: Lauren Grey (SMCM Alumn ’11)
Rating:  Must Read

After reading the first Hunger Games book I couldn’t wait to start the second and I wasn’t disappointed. It was another fast read but not without action and adventure. I am really growing attached to the characters and am starting to root for them and their plight. The book is well written and the descriptions given by Ms. Collins allow the reader to vividly picture the scenes and the costumes. I can’t wait to start the next one!

Availability: SMCM Library and COSMOS
Review Submitted by: Mandy Reinig
Rating: Must Read