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