The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments by George Johnson

Science writer George Johnson gives the reader a list of what, to his mind, are the ten most beautiful science experiments in history. Johnson's use of the word "beautiful" is a shorthand for the scientist's concept of elegance: simplicity in experimental design and clarity of the analysis that followed. Johnson's prose praises many of science's canonical moments of experimentation. The work of Galileo, Galvani, Faraday, Michelson, Millikan, and others is rendered into concise, illuminating prose. It's a short book. I read it on a flight to Chicago. 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: Q 182.3 .J65 2008 , 3rd Floor, Science and Technology

Review submitted by Doug Dechow, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended  

Taxi by Khaled Alkhamissi

A series of 58 short fictional conversations between the author and his various cab drivers in Cairo, Egypt. The drivers daily struggles of living hand-to-mouth are told with empathy and humor, and their frustrations with Hosni Mubarak and his government are a window into understanding the rise of Egypt's Arab Spring in December 2010. A pleasant and informative read covering a complicated, distressing and timely subject. 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number : PJ 7942 .H36 T3513 2011, 2nd Floor, Humanities

Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Acquisitions, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended   

Off Balance by Dominique Moceanu

Having remembered watching the 1996 Olympics, I recall being glued to the TV to watch Dominique Moceanu and the rest of the Magnificent Seven represent Team USA Gymnastics that year. This memoir by the youngest member of the team gives you a behind-the-scenes look at her life and career and how a lot of what we saw on TV was not at all as it appeared. The book also shows the physical and emotional turmoil that a very young gymnast goes through to compete on such a high elite level.

 Leatherby Libraries Call Number : McNaughton, 1st Floor McNaughton

Review submitted by Christina Diep, Leatherby Libraries - Brandman Library Assistant
Rating: Recommended  

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini has scored another winner with And the Mountains Echoed. In it he describes the ties that bind us, both to our natural families and those we adopt. He makes us look at how we take care of each other, especially our elderly. It is a story of loss, love and redemption.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number : McNaughton, 1st Floor McNaughton

Review submitted by Cathy Elliott, Law Library
Rating: Highly Recommended  

Overdressed by Elizabeth L. Cline

An interesting book about the history of fashion and how current "fast-fashion" came into being. Cline investigates the sociological, economical, environmental, and aesthetic impact "fast-fashion" has had on societies around the world and offers suggestions as to how individuals can help slow the damage caused by this modern-day phenomenon. 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: HD 9940 .A2 C54 2012 , 3rd Floor, Business

Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Acquisitions, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended    

Long Life: Essays and other Writings by Mary Oliver

I very much enjoyed reading Mary Oliver's prose. A lot of the short works, broken up into segments, read much like her poems. A wonderful author whose observation and love of nature will bring calm to any busyness of the mind. 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3565 .L5 L65 2004 , 2nd Floor, Humanities

Review submitted by Theresa Paulsrud, Acquisitions, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended