Looking for some reading recs? The Reference & Research Services student assistants have a few for you!
We Should All Be Feminists, reviewed by Malia Okoh
Ngozi Adichie’s We Should All Be Feminists is a slim volume containing an essay based on her 2013 TED Talk. The essay exposes Adichie’s experiences with racism growing up in Nigeria and how such situations affected her; furthermore, it hopes to convince readers that everyone should be a feminist, and gives reasons why. Considering feminism and gender inequality is such a pressing and prominent issue, it is fair to say that the essay is required reading for all ages, genders, and nationalities. We Should All Be Feminists possesses a theme that not only resides at the heart of feminism but also that all can agree with: absolute equality, which in itself is a reason to read Adichie’s work.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, reviewed by Molly Creagar
Set 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child follows Albus, Harry’s middle child, as he begins his first year at the magical academy. Albus encounters immediate predicaments and befriends an unlikely candidate. Written in the style of an onstage play (because it is!), the story lends insight into the difficulties of following in someone’s footsteps. In Albus’s desire to be his own person, he creates troubles and danger—and it’s up to Rowling’s crew of old to save the wizarding world. I personally did not think this installment was up to the high standards set by the original seven books, though it would be hard to parallel those in any sense. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child indulges the wizard or witch in all of us and would be phenomenal to see performed.
All the Light We Cannot See, reviewed by Malia Okoh
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr centers around a blind French girl – Marie – who, during World War II, is forced to take refuge with distant relatives in a coastal city. Eventually, Marie’s path crosses with a German boy named Werner in 1944 when he saves her in more ways than one. This novel truly is a poignant and historically accurate depiction of a very personal experience concerning one of the world’s most famous wars.
A is for Alibi, reviewed by Molly Creagar
Old fans of Nancy Drew and Cam Jensen will fall in love with this series. Sue Grafton’s adventure through the alphabet with a 32-year-old private detective, Kinsey Millhone, is part mystery, part comedy, and wholly engaging. Kinsey, an ex-cop, is hired by a woman who has served time for murdering her husband but swears she was wrongly convicted. Kinsey’s investigation opens up many more questions that bring danger along with the answer. After reading this series’ debut, you won’t be able to quit until you reach Z.