Social Innovation Forum
Happy National Book Lovers Day! Today, we’re excited to share some of our favorite books that have brought us joy, adventure, and a bit of escapism. Whether you’re a fan of romance, fantasy, or something in between, there’s a book here for every type of reader. Join us as we celebrate the simple pleasure of getting lost in a good book.
The Team’s Picks
Becca - Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
Stories of Your Life and Others is one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking pieces I've ever read, and the basis for the movie Arrival. It completely changed the way I thought about science and fate and language and storytelling. My best friend wrote her college application about this story. I used this story as inspiration for my thesis defense. This story is the reason why my roommate's boyfriend caught me crying into my mac and cheese at 10pm. What more can I even say?
Carina - Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes
One of my favorite recent reads is Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes, which is a middle-grade graphic novel translated from Norwegian. I began my career as a middle school English teacher, so middle-grade texts will always be special to me. Cross My Heart and Never Lie does a beautiful job exploring the tensions in middle school friendships, as well as the joy of a first crush. Going from kid to teenager happens differently for everyone, and this text captured that nuance in a way that felt authentic to what I watched my former students experience.
Jenna -The House of The Spirits by Isabel Allende
While it's hard to pick a favorite, I loveThe House of The Spirits by Isabel Allende. I love that it follows a family across multiple generations, incorporates magic realism and is set in Chile (where I studied abroad in college)!
José - El Quijote by Miguel Cervantes
It's a work of literature I've studied in many classes in high school and college and I love the themes in it. I love how the author mixes and blends reality with Don Quijote's imagination.
Kass - All About Love by bell hooks
I've read this at least three times now; it's one of my favorite reads! I found it transformative and encouraging that the author reframes the meaning of love at the individual and societal level.
Katie - Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
The imagery and beauty in the story of this book are next level. The story is set in India and the characters are so strong. A word of warning: the book is very long!
Kiwa - Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
My favorite book is Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng! Ng's writing is so beautiful without being convoluted and she draws you to being emotionally invested in every character in the story. This book is definitely a page-turner that explores the theme of family in a very raw and nuanced ways.
Malathi -The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
My favorite book is The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. This book is so heartwarming and cozy that I fall in love with it again every time I read it. It's the perfect book to read on a rainy day or when I need a pick-me-up!
Nai’a -The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo quickly became one of my favorite reads—I read it entirely within two days! You get lost in the glitz and glamour of Hugo's life, and the plot twists are simply too good to put down.
Sarah -Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
This book got me back into reading during COVID. It captures some of Tucci's life in Italy, his family recipes (which he graciously shares), and fun and lighthearted stories about his adoration of food. As someone who also loves Italian food, this book was an easy read and made me realize I should read it a second time!
Tanya - All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
My favorite book is All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. I read it a very long time ago, but remember really enjoying it. I could really believe and relate to the characters. It was a great story about nazism starting in Germany in the 30s.
Wyona - Art on My Mind: Visual Politics by bell hooks
Art on My Mind: Visual Politics looks at how photographic imagery and criticism are connected to liberatory movements and the intersection of race, gender, and identity. hooks spoke to themes of identity and representation almost 30 years ago in a voice still relevant today. I read this book as a graduate student when it first came out and it caused me to throw out most of my thesis and start over. I still have it stuffed with index cards and notes in the margins and it still speaks to me in a world driven by visual culture.
Zane -What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon
In this amazing primer on anti-fat bias, Aubrey Gordon unearths the cultural attitudes and social systems that have led to people being denied basic needs because they are fat and calls for social justice movements to be inclusive of plus-sized people’s experiences. Instead of encouraging readers to solve these issues by loving and accepting themselves, Gordon pushes for authentic fat activism, which includes ending legal weight discrimination, giving equal access to health care for large people, increasing access to public spaces, and ending anti-fat violence.
We hope our favorite books bring a smile to your face and a new adventure to your bookshelf. Whether you’re looking to get lost in a magical world, a timeless romance, or a thrilling adventure, there’s something on this list for every book lover. Happy reading, and happy National Book Lovers Day!