Looking for a good book or two to round out your bookshelf? We asked the University’s deans to share titles they were digging into this summer, and they did not disappoint. Shop Amazon, the Campus Store or your favorite local bookseller for these reads, or better yet check them out from your local library!
“Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America” by John Lewis
“The late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis continues to inspire through his timeless and challenging expressions of courageous and compassionate public service, and in doing so offers powerful thoughts for those interested in serving our common good in the midst of turbulent times.” — Dean Rev. Brian Konkol, Hendricks Chapel
“Beyond: The Astonishing Story of the First Human to Leave Our Planet and Journey into Space” by Stephen Walker
“This is a space race story set in the 1950s and 1960s that covers many more facets of that period than I have ever seen before. It weaves together the political and the technical drivers of the space race, but also goes into the personalities of the first humans in space. It is fascinating to see what was happening on the Soviet side, both good and bad.” — Dean J. Cole Smith, College of Engineering and Computer Science
“Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts” by Brene Brown
“What summer reading list is complete without an inspirational and motivational book? This is another outstanding Brown book that requires a willingness to be introspective and honest with yourself. Like all of Brown’s writing, this book focuses on a specific dimension of self—in this case, vulnerability. I highly recommend this read for any emerging or established leader who is committed to being authentically comfortable with discomfort.” — Dean Michael Frasciello, College of Professional Studies
“Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others” by Barbara Brown Taylor
“For those seeking to better understand their own beliefs through the beliefs of others, Barbara Brown Taylor wonderfully weaves together stories from classrooms and communities to show how and why the sacred can be discovered through remarkable people in unexpected places.” — Dean Rev. Brian Konkol, Hendricks Chapel
“How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi
“I recently finished this book, which I highly recommend for its clarity, sensitivity and thoughtfulness on a challenging issue facing all of us.” — Dean Michael Tick, College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)
“An Instance of the Fingerpost” by Iain Pears
“A lengthy historical thriller set in 17th century Oxford. I can’t get back to the UK this summer so I wanted something set in the area I grew up in, and this has been on my ‘must-read’ list for years. I’m also on the lookout for novels set in North Wales for the same reason.” — Dean David Seaman, ϲ Libraries
“Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro
“The best book about Artificial Friends that you’ll read this year. Ishiguro explores our evolving relationships with technology and one another. A five-umbrella beach read.” — Dean Gene Anderson, Whitman School
“Music at the Intersection of Brazilian Culture: An Introduction to Music, Race and Food” by Elisa Macedo Dekaney and Joshua A. Dekaney
Recommended by VPA Dean Michael Tick, Elisa Macedo Dekaney is a professor of music education in VPA’s Setnor School of Music and the School of Education and Joshua Dekaney is an instructor of applied music and performance (percussion) in the Setnor School of Music.
“The Learning and Development of Mathematics Teacher Educators: International Perspectives and Challenges” by Merilyn Goos and Kim Beswick (Eds)
“I am a co-author on one of the chapters published in this book and I am reading other chapters as this is an area of my current research.” — Dean Joanna Masingila, School of Education
“The Patron Saint of Liars” by Ann Patchett
“I’ve recently become a fan of Patchett’s novels and essays. Her writing is sparse but full of descriptions—memorable characters in compelling and meaningful stories. I’m reading this book now and it’s my favorite so far. A nice diversion from work and great summer read.” — Dean Michael Frasciello, College of Professional Studies
“Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World” by David Epstein
“This exceptional and accessible book was recommended to me by Maxwell Dean David Van Slyke. It’s a thoughtful perspective on personal and professional development, and a provocative statement about individual skill, talent, competency and ability. For those of us working in higher education, there are some not-so-obvious connections between Epstein’s claims and the ways in which we might better teach, learn and innovate within the modern university.” — Dean Michael Frasciello, College of Professional Studies
“Revolutions of All Colors” by Dewaine Farria
“Farria is the winner of the 2019 Veterans Writing Prize sponsored by ϲ Press and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Tobias Wolff, the writing prize judge, spoke movingly about this book at the award ceremony and I look forward to reading a new novelist who SU is helping to launch.” — Dean David Seaman, ϲ Libraries
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
“This is a well-known classic now. Of all the truly mind-bending lessons I ever learned as a professor outside of engineering, computer science and physics, the science of human decision-making is the most fascinating—and probably the scariest. This book gives you a glimpse into how humans actually make choices, and how the two systems Kahneman describes (the “fast” and the “slow”) can be extremely useful…or extremely misguided. It’s grounded in excellent (Nobel Prize-winning) science and is great practical information for leaders.” — Dean J. Cole Smith, College of Engineering and Computer Science
“Traveling Africa–A Women’s Guide” by Dana Atkinson
“I have traveled to and in nine African countries thus far—Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe—and have a goal of traveling to more and experiencing the great diversity of the African continent.” — Dean Joanna Masingila, School of Education
“The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead
“What if the Underground Railroad really was a railroad? Beautifully written and dreamlike, but also raw and unflinching when depicting the misery, horror and brutality of slavery, this book follows the searing odyssey of an escaped slave as she searches for a more hopeful future. Definitely not a beach read, but an unforgettable page-turner nonetheless.” — Dean Gene Anderson, Whitman School
