Our Winter 2024 Reading List
It’s getting colder and darker outside. As winter sets in, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book! Galin’s team of College Counselors, Tutors, and Academic Coaches have submitted their winter reading recs for your browsing pleasure. Enjoy their suggestions below!
The Land of Open Graves
by Jason De Leon
Recommended by Gabby W.
“It goes in depth on US immigration policy through the form of an ethnography focused on the US southern border. There is an accompanying art exhibit based on border crossings that is one of the most powerful statements I’ve ever seen.”
The Once and Future King
by T.H. White
Recommended by Daniel
“It navigates several important ideas that societies have grappled with since the beginning of time in a colorful manner. The version of the King Arthur legend will lead to smiles, tears, and everything in between. An excellent choice for avid fantasy readers as well as those who love philosophy.“
North Woods: A Novel
by Daniel Mason
Recommended by Ashley
“This novel is comprised of multiple narratives that take place over the course of many decades. It is a beautiful and haunting exploration of time and place.”
War and Peace
by Leo Tolstoy
Recommended by Beth
“I’m doing the 2024 chapter a day, slow read of War and Peace – footnotes & tangents provides a helpful reading schedule, weekly updates, and plot summaries. This is fun to do with a group of friends and/or family.”
Colored Television
by Danzy Senna
Recommended by Charles
“I’m recommending Colored Television because it’s such a fascinating and funny read. It dives into family drama, race, and identity, but with this sharp, dark humor that keeps things engaging. The story follows a mixed-race woman trying to reconnect with her estranged mom while also figuring out where she fits in with her own cultural background. It’s a mix of deep, thought-provoking moments and witty, relatable characters that really make you think while still giving you a good laugh.”
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
by Brené Brown
Recommended by Susan
“It is a book that seeks to find connections and cultivate compassion among people.”
The Women
by Kristin Hannah
Recommended by Ali
“This is my most recent read and perhaps one of my favorites of the year. “”The Women”” follows a young army nurse, Frankie, who serves two tours on the frontlines in Vietnam before returning home to a country rocked by protest and anti-war sentiment.
I have long felt I didn’t learn enough about the Vietnam War in my history classes growing up. What I did learn felt narrow and out of context of the events of the time. This novel made me think about the war and years following in an entirely new light. I had no idea about the critical role so many women played, and it was inspiring to learn more about the frontline nurses who saved countless lives. When these women returned home, nobody applauded them for their sacrifices, praised them for their service or offered them help adjusting to a new world.
This novel is a beautifully written tribute to a group of veterans who went too long without appreciation for the great sacrifices they made.”
Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga
by Hirohiko Araki
Recommended by Michael
“In manga, creative fields do not live alone— the ability to tell a story shares a cramped room with writing, and both cook in the same kitchen as visual arts. Hirohiko Araki’s masterclass on manga is equal parts industry knowledge, creative wisdom, and inspiration. Creativity is currently a touchy, abstract subject in the face of generative AI, and I believe this is the opportune moment to study and improve our creativity rather than stew in the fear of being replaced.
We do not study writing in school for the sole purpose of becoming writers— we study writing to become better thinkers. Similarly, I recommend this study of manga for anyone looking to build and utilize their creativity across domains— whether that’s work, life, or play.”
The Overstory
by Richard Powers
Recommended by Eddie
“Every sentence is immaculately crafted, blurring the lines between prose and poetry. The book chronicles the stories of different people from unique backgrounds whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined in an existential fight to protect the California Redwoods.”
The House in the Cerulean Sea
by TJ Klune
Recommended by Zach C.
“It is such a wholesome and cozy treat of a book. The stakes never feel too high and every character will bring a smile to your face.”
The Anxious Generation
by Jonathan Haidt
Recommended by Joel
“Students need to learn to balance their time between their phones, social media, and engaging in meaningful opportunities in the community.”
This Is Water
by David Foster Wallace
Recommended by Paula
“A student brought this work to my attention. It’s a slim volume containing profound observations that the author originally gave as commencement remarks to Kenyon College’s class of 2005. Makes a great gift!”
Legends and Lattes
by Travis Baldree
Recommended by Rebeccah
“This book is a delightfully cozy fantasy story set in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Viv is an adventuring orc who wants to hang up her sword and settle down to open a coffee shop. The book follows her journey to create her coffee shop and develop a community around her. Conflict comes when her past tries to catch up with her! It’s a great bit of escapism for anyone who likes fantasy books and a good cup of coffee.”
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Bronte
Recommended by Anand
“Jane Eyre offers a captivating and compelling narrative of a strong, independent woman who defies societal expectations and chooses integrity over compromise in both love and life. With its rich blend of romance, mystery, and moral dilemmas, the novel provides a timeless exploration of personal growth and self-respect, all told through a deeply introspective and engaging first-person perspective.”
Age of Fracture
by Daniel T. Rodgers
Recommended by Max
“It provides a glimpse into our changing political and social world.”
The Magic of Math: Solving for x and Figuring Out Why
by Arthur Benjamin
Recommended by Griffin
“It’s a phenomenal discussion of all the math you kind of know but might have forgotten or never quite fully understood from advanced arithmetic to calculus. I was always a very good math student as a child but never really passionate about it until adulthood, and I think it’s because I rarely found satisfying answers for why things were true apart from the odd thing I chanced upon myself. Benjamin is exceptionally adept at giving rigorous but intuitive justifications for just about everything you might have had someone tell you to “just memorize”–beautiful, simple but correct proofs that almost anyone can understand. If you’ve ever wondered why x^0 = 1 and 0! = 1, or why the quadratic formula is what it is (and what “completing the square” really means), this is a book for you.”
Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine
by Dr. Robert Lustig
Recommended by Kara
“I thought this book was really eye opening regarding the big business of food, and the catastrophic repercussions processed foods can have on our health.”
A Frozen River
by Ariel Lawhon
Recommended by Lynn
“A gripping and fascinating mystery based on the real life diaries of an 18th century midwife. A perfect winter read!”
Foundation
by Issac Asimov
Recommended by Ethan
“If you enjoy thinking about history on the scale of civilizations, you’ll be hooked!”
Real Americans: A Novel
by Rachel Khong
Recommended by Alanna
“It is a great story that spans across generations of an Asian American family. Told in the first-person view of three main characters of three generations, this book is hard to put down. You grow to love each character through each of their faults and their difficulties. This book is about the hardships that come with doing everything to love/fight for your family and follow your dreams.”
Bright Young Woman
by Jessica Knoll
Recommended by Ellen
“I loved this book for so many reasons. It was based on a true story (Ted Bundy) and uses evidence that was not highlighted during the time of the original case. It brings new perspective to a case that many of us are familiar with. The side stories are related and also highlight the power of women who did not stand silent and who had to break barriers to be heard in a time when their voices did not count.”
Heart Stopper
by Alice Oseman
Recommended by Abbi
“It’s a lovely and comforting story about queer teens in England that covers some very important mental health topics and the realities of growing up! It’s a graphic novel and is a super quick read as well, which is always a bonus!”
