Community of Readers Summer 2009

Community of Readers for Summer 2009 has ended. Thank you to all of the participants who made our third year a smashing success. We hope to see you all again in Summer 2010. It's never too early to get your summer reading list ready!

The Far Side of the World by Patrick O'Brian

I couldn't close out a summer of reading without reviewing a Patrick O'Brian book -- he's my very favorite author, and his series of 20 "Aubrey/Maturin" books make up one of the great epic adventures in all of literature. I happen to be re-reading this one right now (I tend to read the whole series and then go back and start right in at the beginning again, so I constantly have at least one O'Brian book going) -- this is the volume that the Russell Crowe movie "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" was partially based on (you can also find the movie DVD in the Leatherby Libraries - and it's good, but the books are oceans better!). So this is sort of a review of the whole Aubrey/Maturin series.

I could write MUCH more, but suffice it to say that this is not just a series about a British Navy captain (Aubrey) and his ship's-surgeon/spy sidekick (Maturin) -- these novels re-create the entire world of the early 1800s, from history and sociology to language (oh, the language!), culture, politics, religion, science, philosophy, and so much more. When you read O'Brian, you fully and completely enter that world. But more than that, his characters come so vividly to life - you completely fall in love with the robust Jack Aubrey and clever Stephen Maturin and their shipmates and their women and even their enemies (sometimes). And then there's all that sailing stuff - the books are packed with the lamguage and jargon of sailing ships, and you can even buy lexicons to help you understand what the heck all those terms mean. But it doesn't matter -- you figure it out in the end, and you're swept away by the magic of the adventure and the sheer beauty of O'Brian's writing. Read them -- read them all!

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6029.B55 F37 1992
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Mary Platt, Director of Communications
Rating: Highly Recommended

A Pound of Paper: Confessions of a Book Addict by John Baxter

This is the sometimes hilarious, sometimes offensive, sometimes touching, but always entertaining memoir of Baxter's inexorable slide (or mystic ascension, depending on your point of view) into the world of book collecting. I take exception to his assertion that "librarians don't read," but enjoyed his descriptions of fellow book collectors and their antics.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Z4.Z9 B3 1962
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Cataloger, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

The Origins of Evening: Poems by Robert Gibb

The poem for which the book is named, “The Origins of Evening,” won the author acclaim at the 1997 national poetry series. It was placed toward the end of this series, sealing the already established somber mood of detached loneliness. An earlier mention of the death of Uncle Arch prepared us, and we know instantly that the poem refers to this without checking the dedication. The steel mill town of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and those residing there, feels dreary, cold, and unlovable—but maybe that’s just me. Read it and let me know what you think.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3557 .I139 1998
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Tracie Hall, Librarian, Law Library
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

A Year in Van Nuys by Sandra Tsing Loh

I expected this book to be a humorous social commentary on life in contemporary Los Angeles, but it turned out to be more of a look at the personal life of the author, a writer in her mid-30s who is struggling with her career and societal demands. It is actually a very funny book, witty and irreverent, that makes use of such things as crossed out words, emails, and hand drawn diagrams. It is a good book for 30-somethings, and while there are references to the Valley and other parts of LA, it generally left my expectations unfulfilled.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: F869.L86 V44 2001
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

Le Morte D'Arthur, an extensive telling of the legends of King Arthur and his knights, reads like a history book, yet is more captivating than the style might suggest. It is somewhat confusing trying to keep all of the knights straight, especially since Malory does not order his chapters chronologically, but instead splits the book up into stories of various knights. Surprisingly, a huge chunk of the book deals little with King Arthur, but explores his confidants, enemies, and the quality of knighthood. Though it is a lot of information to take in, the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table is something everyone should have stored away for future literary reference, and Malory is definitely the authority.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR2043 .B3 1962
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kirsten Moore, History & Screenwriting Student
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Their Eyes Were Watching God is not only a highly acclaimed piece of African American literature; it is an exploration of the human condition and the many facets of love and longing. The story revolves around Janie, an African American woman, who is pressured by her grandmother to marry a much older man, thus shattering all of her romantic, youthful notions of love and passion. She flees her elderly husband only to find herself ensnared in a relationship with a man whose sole aim in life appears to be to amass power and to keep her bound in a cage as his trophy wife. Janie eventually finds love along the way and is able to open herself completely to another person; however, being in love means making sacrifices. I cannot recommend this book enough; it should be on everyone's "must read" list.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3515.U789 T639 1990
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Ashley Bloomfield, Program Assistant, Rodgers Center
Rating: Highly Recommended

Books are the Best Things - Compiled and Translated by Fritz Bamberger

This very brief collection of unattributed quotations from antique to ancient Jewish writing includes useful advice, "One should prefer books which have large and clear letters," and words of wisdom: "All the time have a book with you and let reason be your constant companion." It takes about ten minutes to read, and may leave you with some food for thought.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Z4.Z9 B3 1962
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Cataloger, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences by Jose L. Galvan

The best advice here is that a literature review is not an annotated reference list on the chosen topic, strung together. This wonderful book provides the step by step process of writing a literature review for a class assignment or dissertation. Details are provided in selecting a general topic, selecting and searching databases for primary source articles, assessing the results, refining the topic and searching to greater specificity, selecting, defining, and classifying appropriate articles, finding a voice and covering all of the necessary aspects of reviews, writing a draft, soliciting assistance from readers and the process of refining the paper. Following these details is a fabulous all inclusive “self editing checklist”; 7 model articles; and the results of the sample ERIC database search.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: H 62 .G35 2006
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Tracie Hall, Librarian, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity by Sarah B. Pomeroy

If you love history, especially Greek & Roman, you will appreciate the depth of the research that has preceded the writing of the book. If you are a women's studies student, you'll appreciate the recitation of the spectrum of roles filled by women in "ancient times." I suggest, however, that unless you are a student of Greek & Roman history or if you have a tremendous memory for all the history you learned in high school, you read the book with a laptop or encyclopedia close by, so you can look up all the people and places named in the book...it'll make the reading much more comprehensible.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HQ 1134.P64 1975
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Kathy Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive VP & COO
Rating: Recommended

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (adapted by Peter Kuper)

There's nothing quite like reading the graphic novel adaptation of a novel written by a Czechoslovakian who wrote the story in German! Overall, it's a thought-provoking story, and to me it asked the following questions: are you willing to accept the consequences of devoting your entire life to helping other people who are perfectly capable of helping themselves? Also, will those you have helped be willing to make sacrifices for you when you need their help? It will be a good basis for another conversation with my philosopher-daughter.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PN6727.K85 M48 2003
1st Floor Graphic Novels Collection
Review submitted by: Kathy Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive VP & COO
Rating: Recommended

Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World by Mary Pipher

The title of this book by Pipher, author of the bestselling Reviving Ophelia, may make one think it is a spiritual or self-help guide, but it is best described as a memoir. After the publication and great success of Reviving Ophelia, Pipher found herself forced into the fast lane with book lectures and signings, endless travel, and many people wanting her time. She discovered she was not fit for a life of fame and intense action, which caused an emotional and physical collapse in 2002. Pipher traces her life, from her unique upbringing through college, career, writing, marriage, children, and grandchildren -- a reflective journey that gave her the opportunity to discover who she really is and what is most important in life.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Stacy Russo, Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Dewey: A Small-town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

Dewey, an orange alley cat, was rescued from the book return on a sub-zero January morning in 1988 and lorded over the Spencer, Iowa, public library for the next 19 years. If you're from a small town, if you've ever worked in a library, or if you like cats, you'll probably like this book.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: SF445.5 .M97 2008
3rd Floor Science & Technology Library
Review submitted by: Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Cataloger, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

A story about a young girl born in Afghanistan out of wedlock and how she (and Afghan women in general) endures humiliation, rejection, heartbreak and violence throughout her life. It is also a story about the inner-strength and incredible courage Afghan women possess and how it will be them -- the women -- who will eventually move their country forward. Although this book is considered fiction, Hosseini (an Afghan himself) based it on real events and a great deal of the story was extremely disturbing. The book is very well written and, in light of current events, I would recommend it be required reading for all.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3608.O832 T46 2007
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Theresa Paulsrud, Head of Acquisitions, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

A Mercy by Toni Morrison

This is a beautifully written story about a young American slave girl who cannot understand why her mother abandoned her to a stranger. Morrison's depiction of the mistreatment of slaves and females, the religious intolerance and the dangerous suspicion of anyone "different" in Colonial America was, at times, difficult to read. However, Morrison's poetic writing style takes you through these ugly human qualities with grace and hope. When the mother's reason for abandonment becomes clear, I wanted to cry.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3563. O8749 M47 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Theresa Paulsrud, Head of Acquisitions, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Tomorrow's Table: Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food by Pamela C. Ronald & Raoul W. Adamchak

Great book for anyone interested in organic foods, farming and the current debates on this topic. Interesting scientific information that is easy for a non-scientist to understand. This book will broaden your horizons on organic vs. conventional farming issues that you would have never even thought about.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: TP248.65.F66 R66 2008
3rd Floor Science & Technology Library
Review submitted by: Jennifer Cousens, Enrollment Services Specialist, Ontario Campus
Rating: Highly Recommended

Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh

Through this selection of his writings, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who has been living in exile in France for over forty years, teaches us to find peace that is available in every moment. Even the simplest of everyday tasks -- doing dishes, being stuck in traffic, drinking a cup of tea -- can have meaning and joyfulness. Focusing on conscious breathing, living in the present moment, and having mindfulness, Nhat Hanh discusses our relationships with others and the world we live in, including its suffering and injustices. This book presents simple ideas to work toward peace and compassion, and these principles are not just for Buddhists but can be applied across religious traditions.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: BQ5410 .N46 1992
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Nun, The Infidel & The Superman by Felicitas Corrigan

How could I resist a book with such a title? This is a story of the friendships among a cloistered nun, the director of the Fitzwilliam museum at Cambridge, and [George] Bernard Shaw. The writing is rather academic (read somewhat ponderous and at times of remarkably complicated structure), but Corrigan's reliance on the letters between Dame Laurentia (the nun) and Sydney Cockerell (the infidel) and Shaw (the superman) reminds us of the loss we suffer at the hands of tweets and emoticons and of the possibilities of long, strong friendships.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: BX 4705 .M246 C67 1985
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Cataloger, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

The Scarecrow (2009) is Michael Connelly’s sequel to The Poet (1996), bringing back two major characters whose lives are both professionally and romantically intertwined by serial killers. Reporter Jack McEvoy is now based in L.A. and facing an imminent lay off. Yet his statement opening The Poet, “Death is my beat,” still holds true, and, before the reader knows it, Jack is reunited with FBI agent Rachel Walling. Allusions to the previous novel do not overwhelm the current story, but, while The Poet was excellent and suspenseful, The Scarecrow is merely satisfying.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Cheryl Highsmith, Coordinator of Electronic Resources & Serials, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Scales of Justice by Ngaio Marsh

I read a book by Ngaio Marsh years ago. Now I wonder why I ever stopped! I was so pleased to see that Leatherby owns a number of them.... Her plots are complicated enough to demand concentration while you are silently giggling at her fun-poking and dry sarcasm. (She could have created Monty Python characters.) This was a fit choice for the last of the 2009 summer reading, which, given the pleasure it brought, will continue into the fall.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6025.A644 A6
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Isa Lang, Head of Information Services, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

For all that Alfred Hitchcock's early film, based faithfully on this novel, is memorable, the novel is better. Du Maurier masterfully describes the scents and sights of the English countryside in her beautiful writing. Her characters seem more human and less overly dramatic in the novel than they do in the movie adaptation. This is the only "Gothic" novel I have ever read and I don't intend to spoil the genre for myself by reading other ones (sorry, fans).

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6007.U47 R4 1938
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Isa Lang, Head of Information Services, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

I'm No Hero: A POW Story by Charlie Plumb

Based on the true story of Charles Plumb, Navy fighter pilot, who endured almost 6 years of captivity after being shot down over North Viet Nam, this easy to read autobiography covers childhood, enlistment, marriage, war and ultimately, imprisonment. Through faith in God, discipline instilled by the military and simple pride in his country, Charlie finds creative ways to keep his mind busy, and thus is able to endure years of torture and extreme loneliness to overcome his circumstances and survive. This is a signed copy that is housed in our Special Collections and is definitely worth the read.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: DS557.5 .P732 P58 1973
4th Floor Special Collections Library (library use only)
Review submitted by: Kevin Ross, Associate Dean, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe

My curiosity toward this book was piqued while reading Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, as it plays a prominent role in the story. (Note: this is an ambitious read as it is quite long, but worth every page.) Written in the late 1700s it is one of the early Gothic Romance novels containing romance, villains, supernatural events, terror, all of which are tied up in a pretty package in the last chapter. The scenic descriptions are exceptional; I could truly visualize the settings. However, I will admit I thought the author dragged out the unrequited love of the protagonist too long--I wanted to reach into the pages and tell her to 'snap out of it!' Nonetheless it is an excellent book for the genre. Why has it been forgotten?

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR 5202.M82 1962
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Diane Gennuso, Student Teaching Advisor, Antelope Valley Campus
Rating: Highly Recommended

Church of Lies by Flora Jessop

This is one person's view of the abuse she received while living in a polygamist family and town. It tells of the escape and subsequent life changes she went through trying to cope with her feelings and trying to run from her former life. It makes for an interesting read.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: James McCulloch, Carpenter, Facilities
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Happy Birthday of Death by Gregory Corso

OK collection of beat poetry. Has a really frantic and humorous poem about marriage that's worth a read. Is it just me, or does everybody else hear the voice of Captain Kirk while reading beat poems? Corso's poems got old after a while but here's how to create your own if you find yourself in a similar situation: snap your fingers without rhythm several times while spouting words that pop into your mind and assigning characteristics to things. Toothbrush. The happy happy mouse is dead. My Pez dispenser; out of love. The licorice rises. [Author of this review now sticks his finger down his throat and makes a gagging sound].

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3505.O763 H3 1960
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Brett Fisher, Chair of Library Systems & Technology Division, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley

This is the story of Helen McGill, 40-ish spinster sister of a distracted author, who finds adventure and happiness in a horse-drawn bookstore. If you like The Egg and I or Cheaper by the Dozen, you'll get a kick out of this gentle book.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3525.O71 P14 1955
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Cataloger, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Whitewashed: America's Invisible Middle Eastern Minority by John Tehranian

The eventual perceptual destination---the verdant fertile pasture, of our democracy is that Americans perceive one another not by ancestry, gender, appearance, or affiliation; but as imaginatively creative unique individuals. But before we can begin harvesting the fruit of that garden, we have to get there. This book is a comprehensive observation of just how far from there we are (including the irresponsible ways negative stereotypes are perpetuated); the detriment of deceiving ourselves about how close we are, and the necessary steps to get there. A primary question Professor Tehranian has us considering is, "How much of one’s identity; one's culture and preferences, must one “cover” to be harmoniously assimilated by the rest of society?" His perspective is personal yet objective. I found this book sobering, enlightening, and educational.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: E184.A65 T45 2009
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Tracie Hall, Librarian, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Another great Hiaasen book for young adults. As is typical, there is a clash of industry and the environment (in this case owls). Not classical literature, but a great read on a plane.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3558.I217 H66 2002
3rd Floor Education Muth Library
Review submitted by: Jason Keller, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Rating: Recommended

Desktop GIS: Mapping the Planet with Open Source Tools by Gary E. Sherman

As in most other areas of software development, Open Source Software (OSS) have begun to make inroads into the realm of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Sherman’s book provides an overview of the primary functional areas of a GIS (spatial databases, projections, geoprocessing, etc.) and points out the best-of-class OSS tools that have been developed in those areas. The reader will benefit most if they have already been exposed to GIS and GIS software.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: G70.212 .S54 2008
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Doug Dechow, Coordinator of Reference & Instruction Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

GIS Tutorial: Workbook for ArcView 9 by Wilpen L. Gorr & Kristen S. Kurland

ArcGIS is easily the most popular Geographic Information System (GIS) in the marketplace. In Gorr & Kurland’s 3rd Edition of GIS Tutorial, they present eleven tutorials that are structured to introduce the reader to a significant portion of the functionality that is present in the ArcGIS software platform. As an added bonus, a trial edition of ArcGIS 9.3 is also available (G70.212 .G74 2008 CD-ROM). Overall, this is a solid introduction to a very powerful set of software tools.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: G70.212 .G74 2008
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Doug Dechow, Coordinator of Reference & Instruction Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Plutonium: A History of the World's Most Dangerous Element by Jeremy Bernstein

In Plutonium, physicist and author Jeremy Bernstein reminds the reader on several occasions that "when you sup with the devil, better bring a long spoon." The devil in question is the element plutonium. Bernstein guides the reader through the chemistry, physics, and personalities associated with the discovery and manufacturing of plutonium. An accessible, must-read for anyone interested in science and the Cold War.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: QD181.P9 B47 2009
3rd Floor Science & Technology Library
Review submitted by: Doug Dechow, Coordinator of Reference & Instruction Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez

As the two Vicario brothers, somewhat reluctantly, avenge the honor of their deflowered sister, an entire town is drawn into this strange drama revolving solely around the murder of a well-to-do Arab. Knowing that a certain Santiago Nasar will soon no longer be of this world, the plot unfolds as several key members of the town become aware that Santiago will soon find his demise, and all due to a liaison that is never proven and still remains a mystery to the end. Mixed with religious connotations throughout and a pattern of direct, suggestive language, Marquez demonstrates his ability to control the plot, tone and sequencing right to the end of this entertaining fictional work.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PQ8180.17.A73 C6813 2003
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kevin Ross, Associate Dean, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Hollywood's First Choices: (Or Why Groucho Marx Never Played Rhett Butler)... by Jeff Burkhart & Bruce Stuart

This book gives a lot of details about some of the decisions Hollywood had to make in order to complete the film with some film history added too. First choice wasn’t always the best.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PN1995.9.C34 B87 1994
3rd Floor Film/TV Library
Review submitted by: James McCulloch, Carpenter, Facilities
Rating: Recommended

God is an Englishman by R. F. Delderfield

Whew - what a saga! Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when Britannia ruled the waves and an enterprising Brit could carve out his place in the Empire and pull himself up by his own bootstraps. This is a sweeping family epic centered by the figure of Adam Swann, first a loyal English soldier and then a clever entrepreneur, as he launches a transport company at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. He knows that trade and transport, more than wars, will soon be the pursuits that truly rule the globe. Delderfield is a master at this sort of saga, bringing all the many characters, the era and its manly, xenophobic mindset (the title says it all) to vivid life. From the dusty plains of India to the sooty industrial cities of England, filled with oodles of historical detail, lusty rakes and busty doxies, this book is from that 1970s era of huge historical blockbusters (Michener, John Jakes, etc.). My kind of summer beach reading! Now I'm well launched into its sequel, Theirs Was the Kingdom, following the lives of Adam and Henrietta's eight children as the industrial age and old Victoria's reign progress. When you're done with these books, they also work very well as doorstops (more than 800 pages each). (Not that I would do that to a library book, of course.)

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6007.E36 1970
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Mary Platt, Director of Communications
Rating: Highly Recommended

Sleeping with the Dictionary by Harryette Mullen

This collection of poems was a National Book Award finalist and is part of the New California Poetry series. It took me a long time to get through the slim volume, partly because I read some of the poems twice and also because I put it aside several times. I wanted to like it, but just could not get within the context and rhythm of the poems. I suspect the poems are probably awesome if experienced while read aloud to an audience, because of Mullen's playfulness with the English language, but reading them on the page was often difficult for me.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3563.U3954 S64 2002
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Stacy Russo, Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

Uriel's Machine: The Prehistoric Technology That Survived the Flood by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas

Presents probably the clearest claim that I’ve seen that Freemasonry goes back way further than the Grand Lodge of England. Traces roots back to Enochian Judaism (and prior)! This book is utterly fascinating. Combines science, geometry, mathematics, astrology, archaeology, history. Page after page of links between differing times and places with a logical sensibility: Dead sea scrolls, Druids, henges, comets, floods, Megalithic sites, giants, the “Watchers,” development of writing, calendars. It truly is a remarkable book. Has good photos and illustrations. Well worth a read.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: DA142 .K54 2000
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Brett Fisher, Chair of Library Systems & Technology Division, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

Wonderful Phillip Marlowe mystery. Witty and clever. Filled with great 1940s words and phrases. If you can get past the very occasional use of racist terms, and just put them into context for the time period, Chandler's descriptions of scenes and events are entertainingly vivid.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3505.H3224 .F3 1976
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Brett Fisher, Chair of Library Systems & Technology Division, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale

I was interested in this book because it was on President Doti's Summer Reading List. I am not usually a fan of murder mysteries, but was intrigued by the historical aspect. I wished the book was a bit more personal and in-depth at points, but the mystery was interesting and suspenseful enough to keep me reading.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HV7911.W426 S86 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Jennifer Bevan, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Rating: Recommended

Swimming Lessons and Other Stories from Firozsha Baag by Rohinton Mistry

This book reminded me of the ordinary but great characters in Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. It is a book of short stories about people living in a Parsi apartment building. In both books very ordinary people display very interesting behavior, beliefs and quirks; the writing is very fun. I also think I learned a little about Parsi culture. If you like John Steinbeck I think you'll love this book.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR9199.3.M494 T35 1989
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Linda Greeley, Research Assistant, Anderson Center for Economic Research
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow

At the young age of 35, Molly dies and finds herself looking back on her life from a place known as the “Duration." Was it an accident, suicide, or was she murdered? This delightful book reminds you that you only live once, so enjoy it.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Cathy Elliott, Business & Financial Technician, Law Library
Rating: Recommended

The Ivory Grin by Ross Macdonald

This summer, my new detective "find" (not to disrespect lifelong favorites like Father Brown, Jane Marple, and Harriet Vane) is tenacious, down-to-earth Lew Archer, who is a really "nice guy." For the second time, I am awed by Archer's ability to follow the activities of a large number of strange characters, weaving people and places into one solution. In this novel, Ross Macdonald addresses macabre crime and serious mental illness against the sleepy backdrop of "early modern" (1950s) southern California.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3525.I486 .I9 1971
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Isa Lang, Head of Information Services, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe

This book described the typical college experience through the eyes of a small town girl just trying to find herself and fit in. I couldn't put it down from the moment I picked it up! It will take you back to your first year in college almost immediately!

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3573.O526 I13 2004
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Alli Segal, Program Coordinator for Greek Life
Rating: Highly Recommended

A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey

Josephine Tey's detective, Inspector Grant, is more clumsy and endearing in his work than many of his counterparts in crime literature. He could not solve this crime without the assistance of Erica Burgoyne, an equally endearing 17-year old who idolizes him and possesses a talent for clever detecting. Tey's writing can become too clever at times; that's my only reservation about this absorbing story.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6025.A2547 S55 1958
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Isa Lang, Head of Information Services, Law Library
Rating: Recommended

Patterns in the Sand by Sally Goldenbaum

This book has something for everyone: a murder mystery set in "the serene fishing village of Sea Harbor," a group of women knitters/sleuths/friends (at the end of the book there is a pattern for knitting a chemo cap described in the book and the book is filled with delicious descriptions of yarns), and descriptions of local food that make your mouth water. Sally Goldenbaum's descriptions of everything from food to yarn to complicated human relationships is amazing! It's a great summer read.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Kathy Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive VP & COO
Rating: Recommended

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Kim Deitch

Reading a graphic novel is a new experience for me. It's like being a kid again and reading a book illustrated with pictures! The storyline was dark and sad (from my point of view), but there was a happy ending!

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PN6727.D383B68 2002
1st Floor Graphic Novels Collection
Review submitted by: Kathy Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive VP & COO
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is very much like Orwell's 1984 in that it tells of a bleak future where human feeling is all but natural. Philip K. Dick combines his exploration of the rise of the machine age with the moral questioning of reality found in books like Cat's Cradle. Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter, is an uncertain protagonist, but his doubts and immoral decisions make him the most human element of the novel. This is a great piece of sci-fi action, as well as an interesting look back at what Americans thought of the technology boom in the early 1980s. So if nothing else, the reading experience will definitely be educational.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3554.I3 D6 1982
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kirsten Moore, History & Screenwriting Student
Rating: Recommended

Photographing the Second Gold Rush: Dorothea Lange and the East Bay at War, 1941-1945 by Dorothea Lange and Charles Wollenberg

Dorothea Lange's photographs, which often made social statements of the lives of everyday people, helped create the field of documentary photography. The East Bay area during World War II (specifically 1941-1945) is the subject of the sixty photographs included in this book. Focusing on the cities of Oakland and Richmond and especially the shipyards therein, these photographs look at the lives of the people that made up the rapidly changing demographics of the time -- women entering the labor force, Japanese Americans being forced into internment camps, African Americans coming from different parts of the country, Mexican laborers brought in by the United States, and migrant agricultural workers displaced in the Dust Bowl era. The essay is helpful and interesting, but it is Lange's photographs that are truly powerful representations of this period in California history.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: TR820.5 .L36 1995
3rd Floor Science & Technology Library
Review submitted by: Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Go Your Own Way: Women Travel the World Solo edited by Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick, and Christina Henry de Tessan

This book is a collection of short stories by women who travel alone to various locations: Argentina, Paris, Greece, Iceland, Mexico, Nigeria, Turkey, Arizona, and many more. Two of the stories are not about truly solo trips, so I'm not sure why there were included. This is my only criticism though. The stories are entertaining and well-written, especially Alice Carey's trip to Egypt her 50th year, Alison Culliford's journey to the remote Labrador, and Susan Richardson's fulfilled desire to walk in the footsteps of a tenth-century woman Viking named Gudrid.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: G465 .G63 2007
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Stacy Russo, Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme

Julia Child has become "trendy" again with the release of the upcoming movie Julie and Julia, which was partially based on this book. It is an interesting first-hand account of how Julia found her life passion in food in 1950s Paris, reconstructed from her letters and supplemented with personal photos. She was certainly a Renaissance woman before her time, and continues to serve as an example of a strong woman even today.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: TX649.C47 A3 2007
3rd Floor Science & Technology Library
Review submitted by: Jennifer Bevan, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Road to Middle Earth: How JRR Tolkien Created a New Mythology by Tom Shippey

I'll preface this by saying that I bit off more than I could chew with this book. I was hoping for some biographical information on Tolkien and how his life experiences influenced the Lord of the Rings series. This book was, instead, focused on Tolkien's experience as a philologist (linguist) and how that influenced his writing. There are some interesting insights into the word choice and linguistic context for his work, but it was a bit too dense for me to really enjoy it.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6039.O32 Z824 2003
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Jason Keller, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Rating: Not Recommended

The Diary by Eileen Goudge

While cleaning out their mother’s attic, two sisters come across her old diary and find that their mother had a secret lover. His name was A.J., while their father’s name was Bob. Had their mother settled for safety over passion? Read the book to find out.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Cathy Elliott, Business & Financial Technician, Law Library
Rating: Recommended

Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck

Sweet Thursday is the day after Lousy Wednesday and is also the title of this sequel to Cannery Row. Much has changed since World War II, and this novel tells the stories of the unique characters that are an interconnected part of the eccentric daily life on the Row. I would recommend this work only to those already familiar with Steinbeck and who have read Cannery Row (see the review on 6-19-09 by Kirsten Moore), although I do think the book can stand independently of its predecessor. At first, I did not care for this book as much as Steinbeck's other works (it does not come close to The Grapes of Wrath or Travels with Charley), but I eventually found myself laughing out loud in a few places and thought it to be an intriguing and amusing story overall.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3537.T3234 S9 1986
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Good to Great: Why Some companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins

Our team read this book for discussion at a vp/directors' retreat. The book is an organizational leadership/change management/strategic planning manual, written by a guru in the field. And from that point of view, for people interested in those fields, the information and presentation are thought-provoking. I found the books thoughts on finding a "job" you can pursue passionately, with the goal of achieving excellence while being economically rewarded for your efforts, to be a good life guide. I recommend it for everyone who likes to shoot for the stars, in everything they pursue.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HD57.7 .C645 2001
3rd Floor Business Library
Review submitted by: Kathy Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive VP & COO
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Zebra-Striped Hearse by Ross Macdonald

If you like detective fiction with a California locale, try Ross Macdonald. He weaves a complex but tight plot, his hero (Lew Archer) is likable, and his settings are '60s California. He is easier to digest than Ellroy, who spirals into emotional analyses of his investigators, or Hammett, who loves strange characters.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3525.I486Z4
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Isa Lang, Head of Information Services, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

I've read David Sedaris' Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and he comes highly recommended by everyone from 30 to 60. I just don't enjoy his writing. He sees the humor in life's situations, from a very sophisticated but very dark and humorless place that I try to stay away from. He has a tremendous eye for detail, though, and because he hits on those life situations we have all experienced, I'm sure readers have that "oh, yeah, that's happened to me, too" moment. Overall, I would encourage you to give Mr. Sedaris a try and decide for yourself.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3569.E314 W48 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kathy Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive VP & COO
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck

Set in New Baytown in 1960, this is a story of Ethan Allen Hawley and the relationships he has with family, friends, and antagonists. Ethan, a grocery clerk, working at a store that his once prominent New England family formerly owned, rides the highs and lows that life offers, all with a dry wit and a "silly" sense of humor that belies his innermost feelings. Written to expose the moral abyss that was slowly evolving in the 1960s, this is Steinbeck's last novel, where he makes every effort to highlight the moral dilemmas that Americans often faced as they moved into and through this turbulent and tumultuous decade. An excellent read that kept my attention throughout.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3537.T3234 W5 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kevin Ross, Associate Dean, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

La perdida by Jessica Abel

La Perdida is a graphic novel about a young woman named Carla Olivares who decides to move to Mexico City from the United States to explore her Mexican heritage. Carla is forced to negotiate two groups of friends: the one group consisting of fellow American expatriates while the other are Mexico City natives. Her use of Spanish with English subtitles in the first couple chapters brings much life to the story, along with her sketchy drawings of the people and places she encounters. The glossary is a must read, especially if you are brushing up on your Spanish and would like to gain more cultural insight into the language.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PN6727.A25 P47 2006
1st Floor Graphic Novels Collection
Review submitted by: Annie Knight, Coordinator of CUC Library Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Ours by Cole Swensen

Ours is a thematic collection of poems about gardens, particularly those designed by Andre Le Notre. My favorite sections are "The Medicis" and "Orangeries." I admire Cole Swenson's collection a great deal, but the book may appeal to a narrower taste and may feel a bit long or overdone (it's 101 pages). That said, I recommend it to all readers and highly recommend it to avid poetry readers, fellow poets, and those who appreciate gardening or European history.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3569.W384 O97 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Anna Leahy, Assistant Professor, Department of English
Rating: Recommended

The Purple Culture by Stephen Boehrer

Three bishops are on trial, charged with conspiracy for protecting abusive priests and covering up their crimes. While a work of fiction, this book offers plausible answers to the question so often asked: “Why does the church cover up, instead of protecting it’s children?”

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Cathy Elliott, Business & Financial Technician, Law Library
Rating: Recommended

To a God Unknown by John Steinbeck

One of Steinbeck's darker novels, this story examines the Wayne family, and more specifically, Joseph Wayne, blessed son of the patriarch, John Wayne. Joseph, feeling a need to own his own land and lead his family, seduces his brothers Thomas, Burton, and Benjy to Northern California ranch country with promises of free ranch land, the reestablishment of a family base, and opportunities to develop a deeper relationship with the land that is both understandable, but at the same time, quite unnatural. Examining the conflict between those who believe in the "old ways", (here meaning the time before Christ) and those who understand what it means to turn away from the old ways and move into the light of a new beginning and a greater understanding, this descriptive and dynamic story encourages one to read this novel on a variety of levels and degrees of understanding that are to be found throughout the myriad relationships that Steinbeck masterfully establishes.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3537.T3234.T6 1986
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kevin Ross, Associate Dean, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended

Dillinger: The Untold Story by G. Russell Girardin and William J. Helmer

This is a well researched book about the life of John Dillinger that was written in the 30's and not published until 1994. It gives a clear window in which to view the type of life he led before he was killed.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HV6248.D5 G57 2005
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: James McCulloch, Carpenter, Facilities
Rating: Highly Recommended

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Moby Dick was required reading in high school. Before rereading it I reflected on what I remembered--the famous first line "Call me Ishmael," Ishmael's introduction to Queequeg and the final chase. What I did not recall was Melville's attention to cetology and the whaling industry (I probably skipped those chapters). With this reading I learned more than I ever wanted to know about whales and whaling, but that aside, Moby Dick is the riveting tale of Captain Ahab's obsession to destroy what he perceives as the embodiment of evil and the crew's inability to mutiny against him.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 2384.M6 1991
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Diane Gennuso, Student Teaching Advisor, Antelope Valley Campus
Rating: Highly Recommended

What Narcissism Means To Me by Tony Hoagland

I enjoyed the early poems in Hoagland's recent book most, but as I read on and tried to figure out how the title--What Narcissism Means To Me--was panning out, I was more uncomfortable with some of the tone or content. Maybe that's the point of a poem like "Rap Music": to make the reader squirm a little. Part of why I read poetry is to explore different perspectives, so I'm trying to figure out whether the poems here are aware of their narcissisms--and whether they ask us all to consider how limited we all are by our self interests. I'm not quite yet convinced.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3558 .O3355 W42 2003
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Anna Leahy, Assistant Professor, Department of English
Rating: Recommended

A Star is Born: The Making of the 1954 Movie and its 1983 Restoration by Ronald Haver

A Star is Born is a movie with many more stories than just its plot. Its second incarnation in 1954 starred Judy Garland and was heralded as a triumph of moviemaking, until Warner Brothers inexplicably cut the film's length by half an hour after it was released. This book chronicles the making of the film, its undoing, and the fascinating later attempts to restore it (the author spearheaded the restoration effort, which was made more difficult because there was no known original version). Anyone interested in film history, or just simply a good story, should read this book.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PN1997.S65923 H38 1988
3rd Floor Film/TV Library
Review submitted by: Jennifer Bevan, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Rating: Highly Recommended

Diving into the Wreck: Poems 1971-1972 by Adrienne Rich

I first read this collection of poems in 1993 when I was an undergraduate taking a women's studies class. Rich explores the layers of gender and relationships beautifully and hauntingly in poems like "Trying to Talk with a Man," "Translations," "Song," and "Incipience." Returning to this collection sixteen years later was a wonderful experience. I felt I was connecting to the young woman I was in 1993, but also relating to the poems differently at this point in my life.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3535.I233 D58 1973
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Stacy Russo, Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton

Chock full of history and written in the dialogue of the criminal classes, this story of the Great Train Robbery of 1855 is much more than just that story. The characters are odd and amusing and their shady strategies make you laugh at their dull victims. To read this book is to be a spectator at a Victorian low-life carnival with a great seat.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3553.R48 G73 1975
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Isa Lang, Head of Information Services, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins

This book was amusing and made for good plane reading, but I didn't find it to be Robbins' strongest work. The premise is that a drug dealing free spirit finds the body of Christ, which has been kept from public view by the Church. The characters are all zany enough to make it fun. The pace was a bit slow for me.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3568.O233 A83 1990
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Jason Keller, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Rating: Somewhat Recommended

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is a funny, funny man, and this book is no exception to the rule. Even seemingly mundane events like visiting a sister or trapping a mouse make for great storytelling. I recently listened to a Sedaris book on tape, and found that his reading of his work makes it even better.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3569.E314 R47
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Jason Keller, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Rating: Highly Recommended

Reborn: Journals and Notebooks, 1947-1963 by Susan Sontag

Reading this book makes you feel somewhat like a voyeur. Here you will discover the private thoughts and fragments of Susan Sontag's amazingly creative and scholarly mind from her undergraduate years at UC Berkeley to graduate school and to her involvment in the cultural world of New York City. The journals and notebooks, edited by Sontag's son David Rieff, contain her reflections on her personal life, including her marriage and its decline, her son, and her first sexual relationships with women. I found her lists of books to read and lists of films viewed simply poetic.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3569.O6547 Z477 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Stacy Russo, Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao focuses mostly on the “lovesick ghetto nerd” Oscar de Leon, a first-generation Dominican-American living on the East Coast in the U.S., surviving the fukú (the “curse and doom of the New World”) that has plagued his family for generations. One of the best features of this book are the lengthy footnotes Diaz provides, which contain sardonic historical, pop culture, and literary allusions that create an amazing perspective of Dominican Republic history. If you like reading about family histories (especially those effected by political strife) and are a comic book or graphic novel fan, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3554.I259 B75 2007
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Annie Knight, Coordinator of CUC Library Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Kingdom of Ordinary Time by Marie Howe

Marie Howe doesn't just churn out a poetry book every year or two, and her patience with her work shows in this collection. The book includes a lovely series called "Poems from the Life of Mary," and the collection uses a variety of forms, including paragraph poems (or prose poems). The voice is very engaging (you want to listen to it), and it varies from poem to poem (if you read one poem, you have not read them all). "What We Would Give Up" is a poem you can read and then come up with your own list.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3558 .O8925 K56 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Anna Leahy, Assistant Professor, Department of English
Rating: Highly Recommended

Special Orders by Edward Hirsh

Special Orders is not my favorite Hirsh, as it lacks some energy and insight of earlier work. The poems in this collection that grab me are the less straightforwardly autobiographical, the less reality based: "A Few Encounters with My Face," "Man Without a Face," and "To My Shadow." Still, I admire the quietness of the book and the willingness to talk about things like joy.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3558 .I64 S64 2008
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Anna Leahy, Assistant Professor, Department of English
Rating: Recommended

Foiled Again by J. Allyn Rosser

Rosser's third poetry collection, Foiled Again, won the New Criterion Poetry Prize and is her best book yet. The opening poem is a sonnet of "Fourteen Final Lines," which introduces the kinds of fun she has with forms, phrasing, and turning our assumptions on their heads. For those not used to reading poetry, this collection is a good one, because the poems are steeped in everyday objects and situations. For instance, there's "Letter to a Young Squirrel," which begins with "It's never about how many nuts, / though I'm not one to say it hurts / to have a trunkful, and a few / stashed underground."

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3568 .O8466 F65 2007
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Anna Leahy, Assistant Professor, Department of English
Rating: Highly Recommended

After by Jane Hirshfield

Jane Hirshfield's poetry asks the reader to slow down and be patient, something I appreciate poetry being able to do in these hectic days. Especially interesting are the "assay" poems scattered throughout this collection; in these, she examines the characteristics of everything from the sky to Edgar Allan Poe to the words "of" and "to."

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3558 .I694 A69 2006
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Anna Leahy, Assistant Professor, Department of English
Rating: Highly Recommended

Buyology: Truth and Lies about Why We Buy by Martin Lindstrom

A very interesting book about the "why" we buy. It gives some great examples of it and how in the future the science of marketing and buying might change what we buy.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HF5415.12615 .L56 2008
3rd Floor Business Library
Review submitted by: James McCulloch, Carpenter, Facilities
Rating: Recommended

Bel Canto by Ann Pachett

Bel Canto has been recommended to me by everyone from my mother to my students to my novelist friends. Read this book-- you'll get to know a variety of characters trapped together in the residence of the Vice President of a small, unnamed country, and you won't want it to end. It's a beautifully written novel, and the Leatherby Libraries copy is a signed first edition.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3566 .A7756 B4 2001
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Anna Leahy, Assistant Professor, Department of English
Rating: Highly Recommended

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

This is the story of two sisters from Shanghai and the strength that enables them to survive despite the hardship of war, betrayal by their father, and the bigotry they find in their new country. Despite battles and jealousy, they remain sisters, and in the end, this, and their heritage, are what sustains them.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Cathy Elliott, Business & Financial Technician, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

Strange Fits of Passion by Anita Shreve

This was an incredible story that was both thought provoking and very creatively written. Readers will most likely connect to the characters in this emotionally driven story. This will definitely raise awareness surrounding the issues of domestic violence (the basis of this novel).

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3569.H7385 S7 1999
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Alli Segal, Program Coordinator for Greek Life
Rating: Highly Recommended

Warmly Inscribed by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone

I have a lot of books, and I read a lot of books, but I'm not a book collector, so I wasn't sure if I'd find a book about book collecting by book collectors all that interesting. Well, the Goldstones have a clear conversational style that makes this book easy to read, and the adventures they have are not just about book collecting, but are about following one's passions. I may look for the Goldstone's other books.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Z 989 .G65 2002
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Cataloger, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Ex-Libris by Ross King

Enter the world of Pirates of the Caribbean meets the Fall of the House of Usher. This book has pirates, book-sellers, obsessions, passion, crumbling houses, wars, intrigue, a man with a limp--yep, just about anything anyone could want in a story is here. Don't worry about keeping track of everything; just go along for the ride, because it's a good one.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR 6061 .I475 E9 2002
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Cataloger, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck

A wonderfully written compilation of stories depicting families and their often tragic circumstances. The development of the characters that compose a slice of Northern California known as Las Pasturas Del Cielo (Pastures of Heaven) again showcases Steinbeck's immense talent. A great read and once you start, you feel obligated to simply sit down and finish it in one sitting...it is that good! This book again demonstrates to me why I have become such a big fan of John Steinbeck's writing.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3537.T3234.P3 1986
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kevin Ross, Associate Dean, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

This novel, first published in 1905, tells the tragic story of Lily Bart, a beautiful and single woman approaching age 30. Wharton uses Ms. Bart's decline to make the point that a woman without wealth or family support in early 20th Century America had few options. Unless she can marry a man with a good income, she will struggle to avoid a life of poverty. For Ms. Bart, the options provided are constricting and she holds out on marrying until it may be too late. The film adaptation starring Gillian Anderson is also highly recommended.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3545.H16 H68 1994
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Stacy Russo, Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Personal History by Katharine Graham

In this Pulitzer winning autobiography, Katharine Graham gives the reader an inside view of not only Watergate and the Pentagon Papers, but the more personal and tragic events that led her to assuming the reins of the Washington Post. While a little on the long side, it is, nevertheless, an interesting read, especially for those who want an inside look at Washington during this turbulent period.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Z 473.G7A3 1997
2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by: Cathy Elliott, Business & Financial Technician, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

Swimsuit by James Patterson

A swimsuit model disappears while on a shoot in Hawaii. Ben Hawkins, an ex-cop turned reporter, is sent to cover the story. What he discovers is a serial killer who threatens all Ben holds dear. As with all of Patterson’s books, this is a quick and entertaining read.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Cathy Elliott, Business & Financial Technician, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Mountain Lion by Jean Stafford

The Mountain Lion is a coming-of-age story that uses the rural Midwest to symbolize young Ralph's maturation. Stafford explores the tense sibling relationship between Ralph and his pretentious sister Molly, two outcasts who can only seem to count on each other. The cast of characters and writing style is reminiscent of Bronte's Jane Eyre, making the Mountain Lion an entertaining tale. However, towards the end Molly becomes so unlikable that the tragic twist comes almost as a blessing. But if you feel like getting in touch with your primal side, this book will definitely foot the bill.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3569.T2 I4 1953
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kirsten Moore, History & Screenwriting Student
Rating: Recommended

Double Indemnity by James M. Cain

This book has a great 1930s Los Angeles “feel” to it – both in description and in language. It’s an intriguing crime drama. The author has the habit of pushing the plot forward by hitting you over the head with a shovel (so to speak) at the beginning of each chapter. It’s a fast-paced read, but the main character is slow and deliberate in his explanation – much like many a detective in movies of the time.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3505.A3113 D6 1992
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Brett Fisher, Chair of Library Systems & Technology Division, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Hard Times by Charles Dickens

Set in "Coketown" in 19th century England, this is yet another exemplar of Dickens' literary genius. Delving into such social issues as education, class differences, morality, and relationships, Hard Times demonstrates Dickens' ability to not only develop characters that leave his readers fully engaged, but allows the reader to be exposed to his expertise in the use of the English language to articulate the difficulties of the human condition. For those truly interested in fine literature, this should be required reading. It is one of those rare novels that one must read several times to fully understand the depth of meaning often subtly hidden within.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR4561.A1 1997
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Kevin Ross, Associate Dean, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

It was very well written and engaged the reader from the beginning. There was a great moral to the story and the ending was great!

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PQ9698.13.O3546 A4513 1998
2nd Floor Humanities Library (also available for limited check-out from the Reserves Desk under call number MAM 003)
Review submitted by: Alli Segal, Program Coordinator for Greek Life
Rating: Recommended

Nineteen Eighty-four: A Novel by George Orwell

Although I had first read 1984 in the 7th grade, rereading it again was an eye-opening experience. As a communication studies professor, I found myself noting the many instances where multiple forms of communication (e.g., interpersonal, group, nonverbal, and propaganda) forcibly shaped the world of the characters while also allowing them to exercise some free will in the totalitarian society that they inhabit. This book should serve as a warning to us all about how transitory our freedom could be.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6029.R8 N49 1984
2nd Floor Fine Arts Library
Review submitted by: Jennifer Bevan, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Rating: Highly Recommended

Michelangelo & the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King

This book describes the process by which Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel in a way that is both informative and entertaining. I selected this book to learn about the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican before an upcoming trip to Rome and I am glad that I did. The context that it provided substantially increased my enjoyment of Vatican City and I recommend it to anyone about to visit Rome or one who is simply interested in the humanistic aspect of art history.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: ND623.B9 K55 2003
2nd Floor Fine Arts Library
Review submitted by: Jennifer Bevan, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Rating: Highly Recommended

Home by Marilynne Robinson

Home by Marilynne Robinson makes you glad you can read and grateful you found such a book. This is a unique book in that the basic story and characters are the same as in her previous work, Gilead (2004). Both works are completely independent stories of the return of Jack, the prodigal son of the Reverend Robert Boughton in Gilead, Iowa, but each is told from a different character's point of view and you feel as if you're reading a different book. The author gives an impressive performance of what a REALLY good writer can do. I can also picture her giving such an assignment to one of her classes at the Iowa Writer's Workshop.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton
1st Floor McNaughton Collection
Review submitted by: Ann Ryan, Reference Librarian, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen

I don't know how to express how this book has affected me. Every educator, every politician, everyone should read this book. Education (a balanced education) is arguably the key to peace. To quote the coauthor, "Mortenson goes to war with the root causes of terror every time he offers a student a chance to receive a balanced education, rather than attend an extremist madrassa." I think Greg Mortensen deserves to be nominated for a Noble Peace Prize. Chapman University should start a Pennies for Peace drive to support his efforts.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: LC2330 .M67 2006
3rd Floor Education Library
Review submitted by: Diane Gennuso, Student Teaching Advisor, Antelope Valley Campus
Rating: Highly Recommended

Coraline by Neal Gaiman

This is the graphic-novel version of Gaiman's classic creepy tale, with art done to perfection by P. Craig Russell. I knocked this one off sitting in the library one evening while waiting for an event to start over in Memorial Hall -- it's a fast read, and if you've read the original or seen the rather excellent Tim Burton movie, it's very familiar. Precocious pre-teen Coraline, frustrated with her parents, explores and finds a door to a secret, alternate reality, where her Other Parents -- the same, yet different, with black buttons for eyes -- live. In sort of a twist on the Persephone myth, Coraline loves the attention her Other Mother lavishes upon her - until the veil lifts, as it is wont to do, and our gal sees her Other Mom and the previously cool Other World for what it really is. With the help of one cool black cat (my fave character), our plucky heroine endeavors to escape! Russell renders Gaiman's fantasy world with gorgeously eerie art.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PN6727.R85 C67
1st Floor Graphic Novels Collection
Review submitted by: Mary Platt, Director of Communications
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

I was lucky enough to get my own copy of The Satanic Verses autographed by Salman Rushdie when he visited Chapman last year (that copy is sealed safely now in a ziplock bag!), and I finally got around to reading it this summer. What all the horrific fuss was about (that drove Rushdie into hiding with death threats howling after him, that led to riots and even deaths in Islamic countries) will probably escape a Western reader (the book was declared blasphemous, and a fatwa against Rushdie was issued in 1989 by the Ayatollah Khomeini) -- it has something to do with three pagan goddesses in Mecca that are part of the novel's subplot. As a whole, though, this is a complex, entertaining novel, packed with intricately interwoven language and fantastical, magical-realist scenes and sequences. The adventures and misadventures of the two Indian actors, Gibreel and Saladin, illuminate the varied experiences of Indian immigrants to the West, questioning/mocking conformity, alienation and identity itself. It's been called "the greatest novel never read," but it is actually very readable and enjoyable.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6068.U757 S27 1992
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Mary Platt, Director of Communications
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan

The Bonesetter’s Daughter is a novel that uncovers the history and secrets of a family of Chinese ink makers who live in a village outside Peking, near a mountain called the Monkey’s Jaw, where Peking Man was discovered in the 1920s. The story is narrated by Ruth Young, a ghostwriter, who discovers the diary of her mother, LuLing. Consisting of two parts titled "Things I Know Are True" and "Things I Must Not Forget," the diary is LuLing’s account of pivotal life experiences stemming from her secret family heritage, being raised to learn the art of ink making, spending the latter portion of her adolescence as an orphan, living through the Japanese invasion of China, and her eventual immigration to the United States. For me, the strength of this novel comes from the rich stories told through LuLing’s diary.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3570.A48 B6 2001
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Annie Knight, Coordinator of CUC Library Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

Why Evolution is True by Jerry A. Coyne

President Doti's recommended reading is well worth it in this case. Coyne does a nice job of combining geological, molecular and biological evidence to show why evolution is as true as any other accepted scientific theory. My only complaint was a consistent use of arguments in the vein of "Would an all knowing creator have done...?" The scientific facts do a much better job than this line of logic which seems impossible to argue.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: QH 366.2.C74
3rd Floor Science & Technology Library
Review submitted by: Jason Keller, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Rating: Recommended