You're almost there, winter break is just around the corner! Let the Libraries help you one last time before you go off to lay back on your couch and dive into a good read that isn't a textbook. Our winter break recommendation list is here!
While we try to list only items from our collections, this year we couldn’t contain our love for some of these recommendations. We’re expanding our horizons to books outside our collections and we’re even including a podcast. But don’t fret, any book that we don’t possess, you can request through Prospector.
Here we go!
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery: This novella, purportedly styled as a children's book, makes insightful observations about human nature. You will learn more about life each time you read it. It is touching, moving, timeless, and more importantly, it is full of wisdom.
The Global Philosopher, a BBC Podcast: Presented by Harvard Philosophy professor Michael Sandel, this series of podcast discusses the philosophical questions underlying some of the biggest issues of the moment, such as free speech, climate change, immigration, etc.
Recommended by Xiang Li, Chinese & Asian Studies Librarian.
Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind by V.S. Ramachandran and Sandra Blakeslee: This book delves into fascinating mysteries of our brains and bodies like, how can a child's mirror box eliminate pain in a hand that doesn't exist?
Recommended by Jennifer Knievel, Director of Arts & Humanities.
Algorithms of Oppression, by Safiya Noble: You'll never see Google (or other search tools) quite the same again. Noble reminds us that there are people, and thus biases, behind the algorithms we all use and rely on daily.
Recommended by Laura Wright, Serials and e-Resources Cataloging Manager.
Why we sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew P. Walker: This book dives into why sleep is an essential ingredient for memory function and why sleep may be the best medicine.
Recommended by Erika Kleinova.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski: How can a house be bigger on the inside than it is on the outside? A mix of odd and unreliable characters tell an eerie story through reports, pictures, lists and footnotes. To top it off, the layout of the pages change, making this book as interesting to read as the plot is strange.
Recommended by Abbey Lewis, STEM Learning & Collections Librarian.
Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey with an Exceptional Labrador by Stephen Kuusisto: A must read for dog lovers. I learned a lot about the history of guide dogs and the long journey that guide dogs (and their humans) must go through before they can go out into the world. This book is great for anyone interested in learning more about guide dogs.
Recommended by Yessa Hargono, Government Information Intake Specialist.
From Here to Eternity: Travelling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty: A mortician by trade, Caitlin Doughty eschews embalming, expensive caskets and detachment from the death process. In her second book, Doughty travels all over the world to witness wildly dissimilar death rituals, from sky burials, open air pyres and corpse hotels! You’ll challenge your notions of what a “good death” looks like and maybe become a little more comfortable with your own mortality.
Recommended by Stephanie Bonjack, Head, Howard B. Waltz Music Library.
Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother by Sonia Nazario: This intimate first-hand account of the dangerous journey from Central America to the United States - Mexico border humanizes the people who are forced to migrate, and allows the reader to appreciate that migrants are more than numbers.
Recommended by Davin Dearth, English and Humanities Librarian.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein: This my favorite children's book and I try to read it every so often to keep perspective.
Recommended by Allan Van Hoye, Government Information Librarian.
Mr. Vertigo by Paul Auster: In the style of Mark Twain, Auster explores and creates an American mythology in this novel of suspense, growth and self-discovery. Auster's poignant story-telling combines realism and absurdism to create a very familiar past and present. In Mr. Vertigo, Walt Rawley, an abused orphan in the 1920s, is taken in by Master Yehudi who promises to teach him to fly. Walt steps into the unknown where he is forced to confront himself, his beliefs and those who seek to destroy the people he loves.
Recommended by George Karpoff, Libraries HR Specialist.
Kurt Vonnegut: If you like dark comedy, satire, science fiction and general weirdness, check out anything written by Kurt Vonnegut. He is laugh out loud hilarious and a particular favorite of mine.
Recommended by Phil White, Earth Sciences & Environment Librarian.
Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military, by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang: “If physicists build bombs, astrophysicists aim them.” While pure science and research may not have militaristic objectives, the military often is a source of funding. This book presents a history, one that overlaps significantly with CU's research affiliates', illuminating how scientists pursue the origins of the universe, inspiring transcendence and cooperation, through discoveries that also have military applications.
Recommended by Emily Fidelman, Gemmill Library Supervisor.
A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander: I'm slightly obsessed with this strange and wonderful book. Alexander traces commonalities over geography and time to arrive at 253 patterns that are essential in designing towns, buildings and homes. These patterns form a language, a kind of grammar of design. The patterns are interdependent and self-referential, so it is a fun book to dive into and jump around, especially if you are interested in design.
Recommended by Deirdre O. Keating, University Libraries Communications Manager.
The Norlin browsing section has around 300 titles, with subjects ranging from graphic novels to politics. Prospector is a unified catalog of academic, public and special libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. Through Prospector you have access to 30 million books, journals, DVDs, CDs, videos and other materials that you can borrow and have delivered to your local library. So, whether you’re staying in town or heading home for the break, be sure to bring along a good book!