“Life being very short, and
the quiet hours of it few, we ought to waste none of them in reading valueless
books.” -John Ruskin
“Democracy cannot succeed
unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real
safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” -Franklin D Roosevelt
As is my annual tradition, I’m
sharing a list of my favorite books based on my reading from last year, just in
case any of you have resolved to read more and need some recommendations. This
year marked a change in pace in my reading opportunities, since I was finally
free to read for pleasure and leisure after graduation.
And this year’s list is more timely
than ever before because we know we must respond to the call to citizenry if
our great country is to progress and because we know that a democracy only
works well if we citizens are educating ourselves.
As always, I welcome the opportunity
to talk about these books with any willing participants.
P.S. There is a common thread among
these books. Many of them I picked up to read after having listened to
interviews with the authors on Krista Tippett’s radio show “On Being,” with
which I am obsessed. I’ve provided links to those interviews, just in case
you’re interested in learning more from these inspiring humans.
Lit by Mary Karr
A memoir about a writer/academic whose life falls apart and
then gets rebuilt. It’s about alcoholism, spirituality, healing, religion,
family dysfunction, and second chances. And if that description doesn’t sell
you, Karr is a hilarious and vibrant writer, full of surprises, wit, and humor.
This memoir is a page-turner; I was fully engrossed the entire way through.
(Listen to her interview
here)
Braiding Sweetgrass:
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by
Robin Wall Kimmerer
As we know, protecting our environment and changing the way
we treat and interact with nature is a critical conversation in today’s world.
Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, shares what she’s learned
from her ancestors’ wisdom combined with her expertise as a scientist and
professor of botany. Her thoughtful and intricately woven narrative calls us to
action—to listen to and learn from our most ancient teachers, plants and
animals. She implores readers to embrace nature’s generosity and to give the
gift we have to offer back—this is what it means to live reciprocally with
nature. Her book offers the recipe for survival for all of us on this planet.
(Listen to her interview
here)
Eat the Yolks by
Liz Wolfe
Yes, it’s a book about food and diet, but it offers a
perspective that may shock you. Wolfe tells readers to eat the yolks (yay!),
but she also explores and debunks other myths related to “nutrition” that
spread over time. Advocating for head-to-tail eating practices, Wolfe brings to
light in a humorous way some of what we’ve unlearned over the decades, encouraging
us to listen to our bodies and question the practices that have been handed
down to us as gospel.
Mindset: The New
Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
Dweck, a famous psychologist at Stanford University, reveals
the secret to success—it all depends on your mindset. A fixed mindset vs. a
growth mindset. She explains the danger behind praising “intelligence” and
“talents” (things that imply natural ability and thus lean toward a “fixed”
mindset) and instead encourages motivation strategies (things that acknowledge
hard work, determination, effort, and practice, thus instilling a “growth”
mindset). Mindset is especially
valuable for educators, parents, coaches, leaders, managers, or anyone whose
work involves encouraging and inspiring others to reach their potential.
Into the Magic Shop: A
Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of
the Heart by James R. Doty
Doty, another famous professor at Stanford University, is
not only a neurosurgeon, but also the founding director of the Center for
Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. This biographical account
explains how an encounter in a magic shop as a young boy changed the course of
Doty’s life forever. An inspiring, gripping story that may just change your
life forever, too! (Listen to his interview
here).
No God But God: The
Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam by Reza Aslan
Before reading this book, I knew the basics about Islam, but
I picked up Aslan’s book because I wanted to really understand Islam—the
fastest-growing world religion that is so often distorted in US media and pop
culture. In
No God But God, Aslan
explains the history of Islam and in doing so challenges the dangerous
mentality (what he calls the “clash of civilizations”) that has caused so much
misinformation and misunderstanding to circulate about Islam in the Western
world. He also offers a forward-looking view of Islam and the ways in which its
reformation can and should shape the world. An important book for anyone who
needs to learn more about Islam—ahem—that probably means you. (Listen to his
interview
here)
Inferno by Dante
Since I vaguely remember reading Inferno in high school, I decided to audit a course called “The
Dante Seminar” during my last semester in graduate school. Full of symbolism,
numerology, spirituality, beauty, horror, salvation, and graphic imagery, Inferno offers something for every reader. Be sure to get a version
that offers the Italian meter next to the English translation (you’ll want to
try reading some of the lines in Italian aloud, so you hear the melodic meter
and rhymes). Of course, you can continue on with Purgatorio and Paradiso if
you want to complete all of La Commedia,
but Inferno is by far the most
engaging of the three sections.
Catalog of Unabashed
Gratitude by Ross Gay
I had the good fortune to meet this talented poet last year
when he won the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Prize at Claremont Graduate University.
Reading his verse was a soulful experience. Full of spiritual insight, grace,
love, gardening, and, of course, unabashed gratitude, Gay’s collection of
poetry offers something to uplift the spirit and rejuvenate hope. Just read one
poem a day, and see if you don’t start noticing the beauty in everything.
