Boley Blog

Emperor: The Gods of War by Conn Iggulden

Recommended by Bill Chin, Professor of Lawyering

Pondering political titans? Contemplating Machiavellian maneuverings? Weighing war and peace? Then read Emperor: The Gods of War by Conn Iggulden, a fictional retelling of the titanic struggle between Caesar and Pompey to achieve ultimate power during Rome's civil war that transformed individuals and nations.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Recommended by Sarah Johnson, Assoc. Director of Boley Law Library

This novel is sweetly nostalgic.  Patchett has a rich way of describing scenes, events, relationships that bring me there - the memories seem like my own.  Lara, mother of three grown daughters who are home together during COVID quarantine, tells the story of performing years ago as Emily in a summer stock theater production of Our Town. The story is at once about motherhood, youth, potential, loss, and things not quite being what they seem. Audiobook performed by Meryl Streep.

Alice in Borderland by Haro Aso

Recommended by Tung Yin, Professor of Law

If you liked the "Squid Game" show, you'll like this Japanese manga, which was the basis for the Netflix series of the same name. 

There are 9 volumes in the English Translation.

The Idiot by Elif Batuman

Recommended by Molly Moshofsky Matheson, Assoc. Director of Development

This book captures the pure awkwardness of early college experiences. Technically set in the 90s but still hits for an aughts college grad.

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

Recommended by Jo Perini- Abbott, Exec. Director of the L&C Advocacy Center, Professor of Practice

The Word is Murder is true cozy murder. Anthony Horowitz (a very prolific British author) takes a self-referential and self-deprecating approach as he makes himself a character in his own murder mystery series where he pairs up with a gruff but experienced detective to solve murders about London and gets himself into bits of trouble along the way. Highly recommend it.

The Furies, a book of short stories by 16 authors

Recommended by Elaine Sutherland, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Law

This collection of short stories was published to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of Virago Press, established in 1973 by Carmen Callil to meet the need for a feminist, commercial publisher in the UK. Each of the short stories is anchored to a word used to describe a woman. Most of the, often pejorative, terms (siren, termagant, harridan, scold, etc.) will be familiar, but “churail” was certainly new to me. All of the chapters are a joy to read, bringing perception and humor to conveying the feminist message.

The Mr. Rogers Effect by Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

Recommended by Dan Housley, Adjunct Law Faculty

The book focuses on some of the techniques Mr. Rogers used to intentionally build relationships & a sense of community, and teach skills for managing stress and difficult emotions to an audience of young people that may not otherwise have that benefit in their own lives. Because the number and quality of social connections we have in our lives correlates to happiness/life satisfaction (see another great book: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz), the skills taught in The Mr. Rogers Effect can, when employed thoughtfully, make a significant impact for anyone wanting to increase their life satisfaction.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Recommended by Lara Elliott, Circulation and Resource Sharing Specialist

What happens when an orc mercenary gets badly injured on the job, and her companions semi-abandon her in a local town with a failing bookshop? Find out in this lovely queer fantasy prequel to Legends & Lattes, a book D&D players and non-D&D players alike will enjoy. Audiobook well-narrated by the author.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Recommended by Zach Nacev, Earthrise Fellow

I'm not much of a sci-fi reader, but my dad is and he always talks about the Foundation Trilogy. I found the first one on the street and decided it was fate. It is definitely a page-turner complete with political intrigue, rebellions, and plenty of thought-provoking dialogue. 

How to Love a Country by Richard Blanco

Recommended by Zach Nacev, Earthrise Fellow 

This is a collection of poems (but accessible, narrative poems). Despite that, they're richly meditative about what it means to belong to a place in trying times. 

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

Recommended by Natasha Richmond, Director of Alumni Relations

Though published over 20 years ago, I finally read this book and I'm so glad I did. Just to give you a quick synopsis and without saying too much, Jeannette Walls recounts her dysfunctional and nomadic yet vibrant upbringing. It is a wonderful read and you will be amazed at how resilient a person like Jeannette and her siblings can be. After you read this book, let me know and maybe we can organize a watch party for the film!

Night by Elie Wiesel

Recommended by Judge Rich Melnick, Adjunct Law Faculty

I recently re-read Night. It chronicles his experiences in the concentration camps of WW2. Wiesel’s loss of faith and disgust with the evil of others permeate this incredible work. “Never Again!”

James by Percival Everett. 

Recommended by Judge Rich Melnick, Adjunct Law Faculty

This book retells, in part, Huckleberry Finn from a new viewpoint, that of an escaped slave. Its humorous and compassionate storytelling provides the reader with a new perspective on Mark Twain’s classic. Winner of the 2024 National Book Award.

Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie

Recommended by Lydia Ruiz-Hom, Faculty Legal Assistant

Skye is a black and queer woman nearing 40 who sold her eggs for some extra money in her 20s. Now, her teenage egg has found her and wants to meet up. Unfortunately, Skye's interactions can be painfully awkward and she has spent much of her life not wanting to be or acting very "parent-like." This book tackles some hard subjects but the characters have a way of lifting you up just enough that you aren't weighed down emotionally.

The Crossing by Matt Brolly

Recommended by John Parry, Interim Dean and Edward Brunet Professor of Law

My guilty pleasure: Matt Brolly's Detective Louise Blackwell series. Who knew there were so many serial killers in southwest England?

The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America by Sara B. Franklin

Recommended by Kevin Cassidy, Earthrise Senior Staff Attorney

Perhaps best known for finding Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl in a reject pile when she was a secretary working for Doubleday in Paris and convincing her bosses to publish the memoir in America, Judith Jones spent more than 60 years in publishing as an editor for literary and cultural luminaries such as Sylvia Plath, John Updike and Julia Child. Jones' story is in expert hands with author Sara Franklin, who lands her book squarely in the biographer's sweet spot of providing just enough detail to make a fascinating read that never loses steam. Bon appetit!

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

Recommended by Ben Skaggs, Technology Technician III

Set at the end of the time of Camelot, Grossman weaves a tale of knights trying to desperately save something that might ultimately not be worth saving. He writes these timeless characters in a way that feels modern and readable and also finds interesting and subversive ways to bring diversity to the Arthurian legend without betraying what has made these stories so compelling for centuries.

Let us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

Recommended by Sarah Hunsberger, Acquisitions and Circulation Specialist

Light holiday reading this is not. The word "hellscape" seems to comes up a lot in reviews of this book. But I am a devoted fan of this author (Salvage the Bones is one of my all-time favorites) and for me, the pleasure of reading this novel came from its beautiful poetic language. Also, I love that the audiobook is read by the author –- her voice is truly perfect for it.

The Last Emperor of Mexico by Edward Shawcross

Recommended by Brian Blum, Distinguished Professor of Law

The Last Emperor of Mexico recounts the bizarre and disastrous plot, orchestrated by French Emperor Napoleon III, to install Maximillian, a hapless Austrian archduke, as the emperor of Mexico during the time of the American Civil War. It is a fascinating account of the conflict between French colonialism and resistance to it in North America. Narrated by Gustavo Rex.

The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs

Recommended by Meredith Kostek, Asst. Director Research & Instruction

There isn’t a single thing I disliked about this YA book except that it is the first book in a series and now I have to wait for the next one. This book is about a magical underworld in Los Angeles and Leopald thinks a forgotten TV show might be the key to entering. However, Leopold might be wrong about everything.

Missed Translations: Meeting the Immigrant Parents who Raised Me by Sopan Deb

Recommended by Rob Truman, Director of the Boley Law Library

A funny, wry, and at times poignant memoir by NY Times writer Sopan Deb about his efforts to make up for lost time and better understand his immigrant parents. It is the kind of book whose compelling story and conversational tone had me regularly interrupting my family to share passages from the text.

This Is Happiness by Niall Williams

Recommended by Steve Johansen, Professor of Law & Associate Dean of Admissions

Williams is a remarkable storyteller and he is at his best in this story of a small rural town in Ireland in 1958, when electricity is coming to town for the first time. If you are a bit weary of the issues of today, this is a wonderful escape to a far different time and place where life's troubles are mixed with smiles, laughter, and wisdom. More importantly, you will learn what happiness is, and know that it still exists in our own time and place.

Upcoming Lewis & Clark Book Club Books

• MLK Jr. Lecture Series Book Club: White Rage by Carol Anderson. January 28, 2025. Students, Staff, and Faculty Welcome. There are also 22 ebook copies at Multnomah County Library if you have a library card there.

• Antiracist Book Club: Open Season by Ben Crump. Will meet throughout spring semester starting January 30, 2025. This book club is for students only. More information can be found in the calendar listing.

• Portland Everybody Reads Book Club: Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. Early March. Students, Staff, and Faculty Welcome.

Get started reading for these upcoming book clubs.