Boley Blog

Winter Break Book Recommendations

by Meredith Kostek on 2023-12-15T14:51:00-08:00 in Library Services | 0 Comments

Looking for a good book to read or gift over winter break? Each year we survey Lewis & Clark faculty and staff for their recommendations. The following recommendations have a little bit for everyone: fiction, nonfiction, historical, futuristic, and everything in between. We hope you'll find something to read and enjoy from the list.

Have a great break and happy reading!

	At the End of the Matinee by Keiichiro Hirano Recommended by: Danielle Lopez, Center for Animal Law Studies Program Coordinator At the End of the Matinee explores a story of love at first sight between classical guitarist, Satoshi Makino and journalist, Yoko Komine. In a messy web of missed connections and passionate encounters that span across the globe, this story is full of tasty drama and heart-pounding developments for romantics of all kinds.
	The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins Recommended by: Tung Yin, Professor of Law How did the fearsome President Snow ascend to his position in the Hunger Games trilogy? Suzanne Collins has managed the neat trick of writing a prequel with the future primary antagonist as the protagonist, and making him a compelling character. This is a rewarding return to the world of Panem.
	The Brothers K by David James Duncan Recommended by: Hon. Rich Melnick, Adjunct Law Faculty Probably my favorite novel. This humorous, tear-jerking, sentimental novel takes place in the PNW during the 1960’s and early ‘70’s. It chronicles the drama, passion, and lives of a large family with diverse interests and viewpoints. The worst part of the book is that it ends. I also highly recommend Duncan's novel, The River Why.
	Caste: The Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson Recommended by: Lydia Loren, Henry J. Casey Professor of Law Using riveting and memorable stories, this exploration of the eight different pillars that underlie the caste system of America (with comparisons to the caste systems in India and Nazi Germany), will change the way you think. And that's a good thing. "The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power—which groups have it and which do not.”
	The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Recommended by: Hira Jaleel, Animal Law Teaching Fellow This 700+ page epic follows multiple generations of a family afflicted by a water-related curse. I loved this book because the characters are so endearing, relatable and well-written, you feel like you know all of them in real life. Don't let the length of the book intimidate you, it is so worth it.
	The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle Recommended by: Judy Asbury, Associate Dean of Communications and Development This is a book about what makes a great team, and how to build great teams, told through examples of super-functioning teams.
	Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Recommended by: Judy Asbury, Associate Dean of Communications and Development Beautifully written and a good, well-paced story. Fascinating descriptions of how the human body works from a surgeon's point of view. Also an interesting look at the intersections of culture, race, religion, developed/developing countries.
	Epistemic Injustice: Power and Ethics of Knowing by Miranda Fricker Recommended by: David Schraub, Assistant Professor of Law A slender but powerful book that explores the injustices surrounding how we "know" things -- who we trust and distrust, who we credit versus who we dismiss, and whose testimonies are legible and whose struggle to be comprehended.
	The Future by Naomi Alderman Recommended by: Meredith Kostek, Research, Instruction, and Engagement Librarian Imagine an Earth where the end of days is palpable and where tech company billionaires are ready to run to their bunkers riding out the world’s annihilation in comfort. The Future takes that premise and gleefully melds the stories of 6 characters and how they each master the apocalypse. A searing look at our current world problems, mixed with twists and betrayals, and best of all: hope for the future.
	Giant of the Senate by Al Franken Recommended by: Ronna Craig, Legal Specialist II Comedy is the only thing that will help us now. Music worked for a while to keep some of us happy and getting along, but music is no longer good; so now we really need to just laugh. Taking life a little less seriously, at least sometimes, keeps me going because I tend to be too serious about the world's problems. Maybe that is the reason I never made a serious run at the U.S. Senate. We will never know.
	The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne, audiobook narrator Stephen Hogan Recommended by: Sarah Johnson, Associate Director of Collections & Access A novel about the life of Cyril Avery, a gay man and adoptee, in post-war Ireland. Hilarious dialogue tells the story of Avery, his birth mother, adoptive parents, lifelong friendships, and the struggles of being a gay man in Dublin during this period. Stephen Hogan's performance as the audiobook narrator is especially commendable.
	The Jungle by Upton Sinclair Recommended by: Sarah Hunsberger, Acquisitions and Circulation Specialist It's one of those books you know you should read, but I put it off because I figured it would be an unpleasant experience. Not true; the author's vivid descriptive language makes it a pleasure to read, even with the stomach-turning slaughterhouse scenes. Winter break is the ideal time to read it because it contains some painfully intense depictions of frigid Chicago weather.
	Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Recommended by: Natasha Richmond, Director of Alumni Relations This novel follows the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist in the late 50's and early 60's, who faces sexism in the workplace, but eventually finds success as a television chef (using her chemistry background) and inspires thousands of other women. The book is about the circumscription of women's ambitions, motherhood, and the meaning of family. A great and quick read with a special reference to rowing!
	The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton Recommended by: Heidi Judge, Director of Law School Events Set in the near future, this story of survival follows Wanda as she navigates a rapidly changing world wrecked by climate change. This hopeful novel embraces the changes we would rather not see, the future we would rather not greet, and offers a call back to the beauty and violence of the untamable wilderness. This novel dabbles in science fiction and magical realism, with the most entrancing writing and characters that I have read all year!
	The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles and A Friend is a Gift You Give Yourself by William Boyles Recommended by: Erica Lyman, Clinical Professor of Law & Director of the IELP The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles and A Friend is a Gift You Give Yourself by William Boyles are both wild rides. The Lincoln Highway is written from multiple perspectives, and Towles is deft at capturing the narration of the inner mind of each character, plus it's just a good story. Boyles' novel unfolds like a multi-generational Thelma and Louise story, and it's just good fun.
	Moloka'i by Alan Brennert Recommended by: Lydia Ruiz-Hom, Legal Specialist II I don't normally go for historical fiction but this book is one that is so engrossing that you forget you're reading. This book is about a seven year old Hawaiian girl who contracts leprosy, now called Hansen's Disease, and is sent to the leper colony on the island of Moloka'i. Getting sent to Moloka'i was a death sentence for many, but for Rachel Kalama, it is the place where she experiences all the joys of childhood, found family, and where she learns to make sense of all of the stages of her life. I recommend this book to anyone, but especially those who have an interest in found family, medical advancements, and Hawaiian history.
	The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Naylor Recommended by: Rob Truman, Associate Dean and Director of Boley Law Library A timely sci-fi novel set in the not-too-distant future, exploring the meaning of intelligence and whether we'd recognize other intelligent life if it was right in front of us. This short novel features an intelligent species of octopus, the marine biologist who studies them, an android named Evrim, tech companies the size of nation states, robot monks, and an AI-powered fishing vessel. What could possibly go wrong?
	Possible Minds: 25 Ways of Looking at AI edited by John Brockman Recommended by: Bill Chin, Professor of Lawyering Allow these essay contributors to guide you through today's AI landscape. One AI guide calls for creating only intelligent "tools," not artificial conscious agents. Another argues that the real risk with AI is not malice, but in failing to align AI's goals with humanity's goals. Read more to understand the technologically revolutionary times we live in.
	Still Life by Louise Penny Recommended by: Jo Perini-Abbott, Professor of Practice and Director of the Center for Advocacy Still Life, and the 17 books that follow in Louise Penny's Detective Gamache series, is the definition of cozy murder. Delightfully human characters, a charming lead detective, and a good bit of mystery and suspense. These books are impossible to read and not fall in love with Three Pines, Quebec and the quirky residents. I recommend reading/listening to them in order but it's possible to skip around. A cup of coffee is waiting for anyone who decides to read this series and wants to talk about it with Professor Perini-Abbott.
	Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Recommended by: John Parry, Edward Brunet Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Faculty Ostensibly about the founders of a gaming company, this book is really about life, the universe, and everything.

	The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan Recommended by: Susan Felstiner, Clinical Professor of Law The first in a trilogy of historical fiction about the Mughal Empire, the story is based on the life Mehr-un-Nissa (better known by her subsequent title of Nur Jahan), the twentieth wife of the 4th Mughal Emperor Jahangir. It is a fascinating tale and window into life during 16th century northern India.
	Untamed by Glennon Doyle Recommended by: Ronna Craig, Legal Specialist II Untamed describes how life is messy and surprising and you can go with it to find out what it all means. She shows us humans, through her own story and the way she relates to the world, how we can see ourselves in depth and really find out what makes us happy and filled with purpose. Acting on that seems right to me. It is just a book filled with acceptance and love for all the ways we people got here and what we are doing now.
	Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey Recommended by: Lara Elliott, Circulation and Resource Sharing Specialist Upright Women Wanted, along with being a quick read, is a delightful adventure involving queer librarians, intellectual freedom, and the American Southwest.
	Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Recommended by: Hira Jaleel, Animal Law Teaching Fellow This has been my most recommended and most gifted read of the year. The plot is about an author stealing her friend's story and subsequently dealing with the consequences. I highly recommend this book for Kuang's writing style. Her work is always a treat to read.
	Modern Times by Paul Johnson Recommended by: James Huffman, Emeritus Dean and Professor of Law One of the most important books I have ever read. A lengthy and often heart-breaking story of 20th Century tyranny and those who have fought for individual freedom.
	Edinburgh Twilight by Carole Lawrence Recommended by: Elaine E. Sutherland, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Law This is one for those of you who love Edinburgh and detective novels. Set in the late 19th Century, we walk the streets of a city marked by a rich-poor divide with Detective Inspector Ian Hamilton who is no stranger to the highs (his redoubtable aunt and a cat) and lows (tragedy and his brother) of family life, as he tries to track down the character dubbed in the press the "Holyrood Strangler".
	Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Recommended by: Rebecca Khalil, Director of Victim Assistance and Training, NCVLI This is the first in a relatively new fantasy series, and it has many of the elements that make fantasy books so much fun: dragons, intrigue, danger, physical challenges, and romance. The main character seems to have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (though the condition is not named), which made the aspects of the story that require acts of physical prowess differently interesting to read and experience. The plot twists and cliffhangers at the end of the book will have you ready for the next installment in the series!