The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
 
Though vocabulary and assumptions may be dated (the book originally came out in 1915), the story of the regular guy trying to outwit (and identify) his pursuers is an entertaining and quick treat.
 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: electronic book (search by title or author)
Review submitted by Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Catalog Librarian, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended 

The foundation trilogy : three classics of science fiction by Isaac Asimov

 
A great trilogy from Isaac Asimov exploring the creation and development of The Foundation(s) -- communities set up by psychohistorian Hari Seldon who used mathematics to predict the fall (and eventual rise) of society. Interesting to see the progression of social/economic/political dynamics predicted in the book as well as a very 50s-era view of the role of women in these societies.
 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3551 .S5 A6 1951, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Jason Keller, Biology Professor

Rating: Recommended 

Bones by Jonathan Kellerman
I really enjoyed it when I read it, but when I closed this book I couldn't remember anything about it. Satisfying enough for fans of Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels, but ultimately forgettable.
 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3561 .E3865 B66 2008, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Catalog Librarian, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Somewhat Recommended 

Into the Wild by John Krakauer

This is the very interesting and thought provoking story of a very complicated young man, Chris McCandless, who abandoned his well-off life to drift around the country, eventually walking alone into the wilderness of central Alaska where he later died. While I appreciate the great amount of research Krakauer put into this work, I was somewhat frustrated by the large amount of the text that was spent comparing McCandless' life with the similar stories of others. Though, the research into McCandless' philosophies was interesting, and it is easy to see how this whole story brings up a lot of questions and debates.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: CT 9971 .M38 K73 1997, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Somewhat Recommended 

Slow Food: the Case for Taste by Carlo Petrini

In this book, one of the leaders of the Slow Food movement presents the ideas and philosophies behind it. I found it informative, but more than a little philosophical and even bordering on slighty offensive as it decries the big agricultural businesses in favor of smaller, regional, and more eco-friendly gastronomic practices.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: TX 631 .P474 2003, 3rd Floor Science and Technology

Review submitted by Lisa Pope,  Rinker Law Library

Rating: Somehwat Recommended 

Nat Turner by Kyle Baker

A graphic novel that tells the life-story of Nat Turner in his own words - taken from his confessions in 1831 - but mostly through very powerful and (obviously, violent) drawings. Although the subject matter of this book is very disturbing, it also portrays a future of hope on the last few pages. The drawings alone are enough reason to pick up this book.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Graphic F 232 .S7 B345 2008, 1st Floor Graphic Novels Collection

Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Leatherby Libraries - Acquisitions

Rating: Recommended 

Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore
 
Christopher Moore always has me giggling throughout the entire book. This one is a bit different than the others I have read. It's more of a mystery that keeps you involved wanting to know how it will plan out for our main character Lucien. I absolutely loved it! My only critique would be if you are not familiar with the histories of all the artists mentioned you will miss a lot of the jokes.
 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton, First Floor
Review submitted by Jami McCoy, Gift Recorder in Advancement

Rating: Recommended

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

I was an avid fan of the US version of "The Office" and admired her work as both a writer/actor/director/producer of the show. This book is geared toward those who know who Mindy Kaling is, and it was an enjoyable read for her wit and humor. Most of her writing is female-related in a stream-of-consciousness style so I would only recommend this book to her fans, women who like humor and aspiring comedians/writers.
 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton, First Floor
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Brandman Library Assistant - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Somewhat Recommended

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

The title is a perfect description of the 60 pages in this book. They consist of a compilation of diary entries as the author came to terms with the loss of his wife. It's a little hard to read if you're prone, like me, to fret about a time you already have been, or will in the future be, forced to endure the same struggle. But it does have a lovely ending.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: BV 4905.2 L4 G7 1961 , 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Tracie Hall, Serials and Acquisitions, Rinker Law Library

Rating: Somewhat Recommended

After Dark by Haruki Murakami

This is the first literary work I've read by Murakami and I very much enjoyed getting an idea of his poignant writing with an interesting prose conveyed with symbolism and insights into the mind of his characters. After Dark is an immersive book that takes place in the course of one night and is able to seamlessly alternate between reality and the surreal dream world. Judging from this book, I am excited to read some of his other works as well.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PL856. U673 A6613, 2nd Floor Fine Humanities
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Brandman Library Assistant - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended

Home by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison's "Home" is about a young black Korean War veteran who returns from deployment with a broken mind, an unstable sobriety and a cloudy future. A beautifully and powerfully written story.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton, First Floor
Review submitted by Ashley Kemp, Special Events

Rating: Recommended  

We the Animals by Justin Torres

"We the Animals" is a collection of loosely tied short stories of three brothers growing up in a chaotic home. The book follows them to adulthood and explores how early childhood experiences affect who we become later in life. Simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, hopeful and thrilling.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: McNaughton, First Floor
Review submitted by Ashley Kemp, Special Events

Rating: Recommended  

The Case for Christianity by C.S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis prefaces this book with an explanation of it’s being composed of lectures he was asked to give, not, he supposes, because he was a any kind of scholar on the subject, (It was English, not Religion, that he was commissioned to teach at Oxford), but rather a layman, who’d simply spent many years as an atheist, grappling with such niggling contradictions to his conviction of the non-existence of any God, as the "Law of Nature", described herein as man’s apparent instinctual sense of morality. Lewis explains his conclusions by means of debating contrary assertions, introduced as letters from his audience, questioning such things as the evidence of any sense of morality in the acts of the Germans, reminding the present day reader of the times in which he lived, and presenting thoughtful arguments for his case. 56 pages.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: BR 123 .L482 1943, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Tracie Hall, Serials and Acquisitions, Rinker Law Library

Rating: Recommended

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

This book was a real tear jerker. Sparks, known for his romantic stories, serves up just what you would expect in this novel: a love story. In this particular story, we get the tale of how Gabby and Travis fell in love and then are met with a tough decision. I don’t want to spoil the story with too many details, but the overall theme is “how far should a person go in the name of love?”

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3569.P363 C47 2007, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Jessica Bower, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended 

A Brief Account of the New Sect of Latitude-Men by Simon Patrick
Written by Simon Patrick, this is a letter and a response in 1662 regarding "Latitude-Men" (those favoring latitude of thought, action, or conduct in religious matters). Rosicrucians, King Aurther's knights, among others are made reference to. Refers to non-latitude-men as "narrow-men." If you can get past the old timey language and the use of f's for s's, it is an interesting read.
 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: B 1133 .C2 P28 1963, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Brett Fisher, Chair of Systems and Technology - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended 

My Librarian Is a Camel by Margriet Ruurs

This is a great book for kids describing the lengths that librarians go to world-wide to get books into the hands of children. It is organized by country and includes a brief demographic and map section for each. Pictures of all the transportation means are included (including camels, elephants, bicycles, etc).

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Z 716 R88 2005, 2nd Floor Social Science
Review submitted by Brett Fisher, Chair of Systems and Technology - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended 

On Chesil Beach: a novel by Ian McEwan
 
Having been familiar with McEwan's style of writing from reading Atonement, I was very captivated by this hauntingly emotional novel about the honeymoon of a newlywed couple. The main characters are both going through their own set of nerves and uneasiness. The way McEwan is able to weave their back story with the couple's present situation is fantastic, and the prose flows very naturally.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6063.C4 O6 2008, 2nd Floor Fine Humanities
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Brandman Library Assistant - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Highly Recommended 

Walt Disney: A biography by Louise Krasniewicz

 Being a Disney fan, I felt it compelling to read more into the life of the man who created the Happiest Place on Earth. This biography had a very straightforward tone but was able to condense a lot of detail in chronological order and bring together a variety of viewpoints from other similar biographies very well.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: NC1766.U52 D5452 2010, 2nd Floor Fine Arts
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Brandman Library Assistant - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended 

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo

Katherine Boo spent 3 years befriending and interviewing Christian, Hindu and Muslim families living in Annawadi, one of the world's largest slums, located in India surrounding the luxury hotels and shops of Mumbai's airport. The books full title refers to this slum as an "Undercity" and Boo details the intricate social structures, prejudices and authoritative hierarchies members within this community must deal with in their daily struggle to just simply survive. Indeed, Annawadi exists in a world of its own. Boo's writing style makes the reading of such depressing destitution very interesting and informative. However, I would not recommend reading this book just before falling asleep.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HV 4140. M86 B66 2012, 2nd Floor Social Science Library 

Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Leatherby Libraries - Acquisitions

Rating: Highly Recommended 

Mighty be our powers : how sisterhood, prayer, and sex changed a nation at war : a memoir by Leymah Gbowee 

Leymah Gbowee is a political activist in Liberia and one of three women who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize. This memoir tells Gbowee's story of growing up as a young woman in Liberia during their 14 years of Civil War, her involvement with the U.S. as a women, and how her activism was instrumental in ending that war. Gbowee's activism included organizing 3,000 Christian and Muslum women in peaceful public protests, and confronting rebel warlords and then President Charles Taylor - infamous for his use of "blood diamonds", child soldiers and machetes, in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. Taylor was recently convicted of Crimes Against Humanity by an International Criminal Court in the Hague. Gbowee was also involved with the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President of Liberia - the first women President ever elected in all of Africa. I found this memoir by Gbowee's to be a more interesting read than Sirleaf's "This Child Will Be Great."

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HQ 1236.5 L53 G36 2011, 2nd Floor Social Science Library 

Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Leatherby Libraries - Acquisitions

Rating: Highly Recommended 

Beyond Personality by C.S. Lewis

I’ve always admired C.S. Lewis, who made closets (or “wardrobes,” as they say in 1950 England) so compelling, as possible passages to a magical place, with his “Chronicles of Narnia”. My admiration grew as I cried my way through the biographical movie “Shadowlands”, after which I could no longer read anything by or about him, without picturing the wizened face of Anthony Hopkins. But it’s taken me more than 20 years since I first learned Mr. Lewis authored works on Christianity to get around to reading one. What a waste of time! (the waiting, not the reading!) The illustrations used to elucidate the essence of the Christian Faith are brilliant, inspired, and inspiring. 68 pages.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: BT 101 .L473 1945, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Tracie Hall, Serials and Acquisitions, Rinker Law Library

Rating: Highly Recommended 

A Woman's Mourning Song by Bell Hooks

A book of essays and poems: an interesting essay about the cultural approach to death and dying by Africans and Afro-Americans, along with Hooks' own experiences as a child growing up in Kentucky; and a series of poems reflecting Hooks' personal mournings for the loss of loved ones, self, and the resulting horrors of war. Not a light read, but powerful.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3608 .O594 W6 1993, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Leatherby Libraries - Acquisitions

Rating: Somewhat Recommended 

Communion: The female search for love by Bell Hooks

This is the third book in Bell Hook's "Love Trilogy". I had never read Hook's works before and wasn't sure what to expect from the title. I found this book fascinating and didn't want to put it down! Hook's writes about how both males and females are affected by living in a patriarchal culture; changes that have occurred within the past few decades, including some unexpectedly brought about by the feminist movement; and the advantages to being a women over 40, for finding real self-development and the essence of love. I want to buy a copy for my personal library.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HQ 1154 .H635 2003, 2nd Floor Social Sciences
Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Leatherby Libraries - Acquisitions

Rating: Highly Recommended 

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

I had never read anything of Murakami’s but now that I have read Norwegian Wood I am hooked. This is the story of a young man named Toru and his troubled friends. Toru, though a seemingly ordinary college student, becomes mixed up in tragic relationships. This is a story of friendship, love, devotion, and how being a young adult is far from ordinary. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PL 856.U673 N6713 2000, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Jessica Bower, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Highly Recommended 

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Skulduggery Pleasant is an ace detective, crackerjack sorcerer, a snappy dresser, and a mentor to his new friend Stephanie. He's also a walking,talking, fire-throwing skeleton. Checkout their adventure as they try to find the person responsible for Stephanie's uncle's murder.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR 6112.A5375 S58 2007, 3rd Floor Education/Muth
Review submitted by Lisa Pope, Rinker Law Library

Rating: Recommended  

Salvation Mountain: The Art of Leonard Knight by Leonard Knight and Larry Yust

This book combines the story of Leonard Knight in his own words with photographs of Salvation Mountain, his unique art project made of adobe, window putty, and lots of paint in the Southern California desert. The commentary focuses on the time when Knight's mountain was at the center of a political controversy and in danger of being torn down, discussing its role in the history of American folk art that has survived similar attacks, such as the Watts Towers. Knight appears to be an amazing individual whose lifestyle of simplicity and happiness extends God's love to everyone he comes in contact with; hopefully his mountain will always be standing and proclaiming that "God is love;" for as Knight says, "Love just makes a nice day."

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: N 6494 .E27 K65 1998, 4th FL Special Collections Huell Howser California's Gold Oversize Books
Review submitted by Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended 

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

I was surprisingly disappointed with this book. Having enjoyed reading Jane Austen novels and crime-detective books, I thought this would be a fun read but I found it ultimately lacking and the writing style was not my cup of tea.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: MCNAUGHTON, First Floor
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Not Recommended

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

I was interested in reading this novel after seeing the beautiful film version. Neil Gaiman puts together a fantasy-filled book with adventure, romance and magical elements. I really enjoyed this.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6057.A319 S73 1999, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

This fantasy story is full of adventure. It is a fun children's book by Neil Gaiman based off of the Viking Norse Myth legend of the Gods - Thor, his brother Loki and his father Odin. I'd recommend this book for young kids and fans of Neil Gaiman.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR6057.A319 O33 2009, 3rd Floor Muth/Education
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Somewhat Recommended

The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

A slow read from beginning to end. No sense of character development throughout the novel.  

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3545.H16 C8 2001, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Stephanie Lujan, Alumni

Rating: Not Recommended  

Babbit by Sinclair Lewis

The pursuit of the American Dream at its finest. A great representation of the New Age man.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3523.E94 B2 2010, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Stephanie Lujan, Alumni

Rating: Recommended    

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

The protagonist is a bit hard to connect with as a result of her actions. Interesting read with an unexpected ending.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS1294.C63 .A6434 1995 , 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Stephanie Lujan, Alumni

Rating: Recommended    

The Fairies in English Tradition and Literature by  Katharine Mary Briggs

I’ve gotta say, I’m a little disappointed to discover that a huge majority of fairies are pranksters with attitude (or downright evil). This book is a marvelous historical study of fairy folk tales which spans a breadth of magical creatures and sources. The author takes Fairy Folklore more seriously than subsequent literature that mangled the stories for the sake of morality, whimsy or romanticism.
 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number:GR 550 .B685 1967, 2nd Floor Social Science Library
Review submitted by Tracie Hall, Law Library

Rating: Highly Recommended  

The Body Artist by Don Delillo
 
When a professor recommended The Body Artist to me, he described it as a ghost story. After reading, I was pleasantly surprised at how Delillo could craft such a story without any ghosts. In his trademark elusive style, Delillo crafts the story of a woman who finds another person secretly living in her house. A short read, but a good one indeed.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number:PS3554.E4425 B63 2001, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Allison Lujan, Student

Rating: Highly Recommended  

Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

A childhood classic. Follow Milo through the tollbooth to learn the value of words, numbers and friendship and he attempts to save the Princess Rhyme and Reason. You'll finally understand all the puns that you missed in middle school.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS3560.U8 P43 1996, 3rd Floor Muth Education
Review submitted by Allison Lujan, Student

Rating: Highly Recommended  

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

After seeing the movie a few years ago I wasn't too excited to read the book, but wish I had sooner. I loved it and it's now one of my favorites! Just read it :)

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: G154.5.G55 A3 2007, 2nd Floor Social Sciences
Review submitted by Ashley Kemp, Special Events

Rating: Highly Recommended  

The Selkie's Daughter by Mary Elizabeth Budd

The legend of the selkie is retold among a modern day family living on the central Oregon Coast. What I enjoyed most about this story is that it took specific places with which I am familiar (from Beverley Beach to the local Fred Meyer's store) and used them as a mysterious setting to unfold the drama and tragedy that surrounds one family. I appreciated the almost realistic contemporary version of the ancient legend of seals that can turn into humans and the way the reader is left speculating for some time if this is really the case, but the ending seemed somewhat underdeveloped.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Thesis ENG 206 .B83s,1st Floor Thesis Collection
Review submitted by Andrew Tessandori, Cataloging Assistant, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended

Walks with Men by Ann Beattie
 
This is a well written short novel about a woman who falls in love with Mr. Wrong. He is a smooth talking, older gentleman with money who woos her straight out of college and whisks her through a life of uncertainty. If you have ever had a relationship with someone who you knew was bad for you, but you just couldn’t help but be with that person, you will totally relate to the main character Jane.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3552 .E177 2012, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Jessica Bower, Interlibrary Loan - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Highly Recommended

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
 
This is an excellent book about the small town of Whistle Stop, AL and the people and events that take place there. It is a story of the South in the early 20th century, as well as a narrative about love, loss, mystery, racism, growing up, and growing old. You will both laugh and cry reading this one.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3556 .L26 F7 1988 , 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Jessica Bower, Interlibrary Loan - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Highly Recommended

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller

I've read Miller's graphic novels before, and was pleasantly surprised by his dark, gritty touch here with the Batman legend. It was also nice to see similarities with this and Nolan's recent film release of The Dark Knight Rises. Fans of Batman should definitely give this a read! 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Graphic PN 6728 .B36 M545 2002, 1st Floor Graphic Novels
Review submitted by Christina Diep, Brandman Library Assistant, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Recommended

The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel by Paulo Coelho

I have read the original novel, but found the artwork in this graphic version to not fit the style and profound weight of the story. The characters felt undeveloped and the pacing of the action moved too quickly. I'd say pass on this and just read the original.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Graphic PN6727 .R828 A65 2010, 1st Floor Graphic Novels
Review submitted by Christina Diep,Brandman Library Assistant, Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Not Recommended

The Hegemony of English by Donaldo Macedo, Bessie Dendrinos, and Panayota Gounari

A scholarly analysis of the English language as it is used by neoliberalists to dominate economic markets, educational institutions, and corporations around the world. An enlightening and thought provoking critique of current English language programs in the United States and Europe, with a special focus on how English has been used as a linguoracist tool to de-historicize words like freedom, democracy, and community in an attempt to posit the neoliberalist view as the only perspective in the contemporary realm of political thought.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: P 119.3 .M334 2003, 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Kevin Ross, Associate Dean - Leatherby Libraries

Rating: Highly Recommended