FICTION
Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody
Recommended by: Madison Lynch '24, Major: Psychology, BOOK CLUB MEMBER
"Ace of Shades is wildly entertaining. If you are a fantasy reader, I think you’d really enjoy this one. The world building and character development are fantastic, and the plot is really engaging and interesting, plus one of the main characters Levi is a POC and bisexual, so there’s some great representation to be had as well. Overall, a great read, plus it’s the first of a trilogy so it’d be great to get you out of a reading slump :)"
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Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Recommended by: Madison Lynch '24, BOOK CLUB MEMBER
"This book is a very easy and heartwarming read, great for anybody who has given up their own needs or wants for the sake of others. Emily Henry’s writing is very witty and entertaining, and strikes a balance between a fairytale and real life."
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The Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Recommended by: Matthew Adamski '24, Major: Accounting
"It's a historical fiction novel set in the Netherlands during the 17th century. It's a fictional story behind the painting by Vermeer by the same name. It's a light read, with a great plot and has fantastic historical details. I liked it a lot."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Recommended by: Elizabeth DeCristanti '24, Major: Nursing
"Loved this book so much! I thought the overall message was super important and I loved every character. I think it was super well written and I did not feel bored at any point of the book. I really loved the entire family, I loved their dynamics and how much love they had for each other."
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It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Recommended by: Sydney Pynenburg ‘25
"A new ‘cult classic’ among our generation, Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us is a must read if you are in the mood for a tear jerker. This romance novel tells the story of young entrepreneur Lily Bloom and her journey of starting a new life in Boston. She falls in love, but soon learns love is not everything that it is chalked up to be. This harrowing story demonstrates the importance of putting yourself first in order to end cycles of delusion and abuse."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Maid by Stephanie Land:
Recommended by: Carolyn McDermott '24, Major: Nursing
"A memoir of a single mother on welfare's will to survive during the Great Recession. Stephanie, a survivor of domestic abuse, must make ends meet for her and her young daughter as a full time cleaner; a demanding, grueling profession that does not allow much childcare flexibility and does not provide a lucrative salary. On her meager salary, Stephanie is considered 'too wealthy' to qualify for Medicaid for her own health needs, yet is 'poor enough' that she cannot afford to purchase fruits and vegetables without the assistance of food stamps. Her elegantly-written story highlights the coverage gaps that exist within our society and the stigma surrounding supportive services for those of a lower socioeconomic status. Truly, an outstanding memoir that is a must read!"
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Recommended by: Madison Lynch '24, BOOK CLUB MEMBER
"Of the books TJR has written, I think this one is the most light-hearted and fun of them. It’s a great novel to see if you enjoy her writing style, and the plot/character balance is great. Lots of excitement, moving parts, and character relationships to enjoy that make Malibu Rising a quick and exciting read."
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The Naturals (series) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Recommended by: Mia Swenson '26 STUDENT LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
"I love this series because it makes me feel like I am a FBI agent and also part of their little family at the same time! It's a great fast paced read and I've read it many times."
No Land to Light On: A Novel by Yara Zgheib
Recommended by: Amy Lambert
"While it carries a serious tone, this book was an incredible read. Being that it was written recently, it's possible to remember your own reactions to events written about in the book. The personal touch makes it that much more impactful, and it was so enlightening to learn different perspectives throughout the story. Definitely worth reading!!"
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November 9th by Colleen Hoover
Recommended by: Nikki Farmer ‘25
"I highly recommend this book because it is a love story that has so many unexpected plot twists that keeps you turning the pages extremely fast. Colleen Hoover does a wonderful job developing the characters and creating a beautiful love story of a plot that seems hopeless."
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Recommended by: Matthew Moran '25 STUDENT LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
"I like this book because it is a story of two friends experiencing struggles and how they navigate the world and treat each other."
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Recommended by: Alexandra Kardos '24, Major: Accounting. Spanish minor
"This quirky coming-of-age story was recommended to me by a friend and was not something I probably would have read on my own. While the subject of a a lesbian girl growing up in an English Pentecostal community seemed a bit intense initially, Winterson’s dark humor is unmatched. She tackles everything from complex family relationships to faith in an honest but gentle way. I found it to be raw and poetic all at once and honestly such a fun read."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Recommended by: Sam Smoot '26 STUDENT LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
"I’ve never been the biggest fan of horror novels, but this one was so good. Genuine nail-biter and also my most recent read. I was pacing around my room while reading the end for at least half an hour because of the suspense. Definitely recommend this one for any thriller/horror fans —it’s not a super long read and you’ll get a lot out of it. If you aren’t a huge reader, the movie is (almost) as good!"
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Recommended by: Carly James
"This is one of my favorite books because it is a great love story, however it is more than just a romance. There is a very interesting plot which has many layers and makes the entire story so hard to put down."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Recommended by: Madison Lynch '24, BOOK CLUB MEMBER
"This novel, set in 18th century France, combines witchcraft, a unique magic system, and a high stakes plot that really engages the reader and never disappoints."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Recommended by: Grace Pisciotta
"This is one of my favorite books because the story is so powerful and immersing. It follows the life of the witty, glamorous, ambitious Evelyn Hugo, who you’re sure to love and hate by the end! Such a page-turner as well."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Recommended by: Maeve O'Connell '25, BOOK CLUB MEMBER
"It is SUCH an amazing story, especially if you love greek mythology! It is a real tear jerker though...but I honestly recommend it to readers of any genre because it is one of the best stories I've ever read!"
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A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Recommended by: Emma Kramer '24 , Major: Biology
"It is one that I had to read for my high school English class senior year and has been one of my favorite books ever since. The author is an Afghan immigrant who writes about Afghan women and their lived experience in a war-torn society during the 1990s. It was written in such a beautiful and emotional way that I couldn't put it down!"
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Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Recommended by: Zana Imetovski '24, BOOK CLUB MEMBER
"It is my favorite fantasy fiction book in the whole world. The world building and character arcs are amazing. If you like fantasy fiction then you really need to check this one out!"
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
To Live by Yu Hua
Recommended by: Dajun Yin, Graduate student
"The novel tells the story of Fugui's misfortune and rough fate in the era of rapid changes with ordinary and plain plots. It shows the meaning of life and the value of existence in calm strokes, and reveals the helplessness of fate and the unpredictability of life."
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Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina / Majo no Tabitabi (Series) by Jougi Shiraishi
Recommended by: Cameron Palmer ‘26
"This light novel series is a collection of chapters from Elaina, The Ashen Witch’s traveling diary. Each chapter is a stand-alone occurrence from her journey, whether it's a murder mystery or a tale of amnesia, each chapter is its own delight to read. This book is good for people who enjoy fantasy, witches, and other magical mystifications."
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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Recommended by: Katie Lentz ‘24
"I would recommend this book because it ties in a lot of popular themes, like mystery and romance. I read the whole book in a day this summer; I could not put it down. They also just made a movie based off this film, so it might be interesting to watch it after reading this book."
NONFICTION
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown
Recommended by: Isabella DelVecchio, Graduate Student
"Are you a human? Do you have emotions? Read this book to understand yourself and others better."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Critical Theory (essays) by Max Horkheimer
Recommended by: Joshua Orndorff ‘24 STUDENT LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
"This collection of essays is one of the fundamental texts of Critical Theory, a largely influential philosophical movement that critiques the role of social structures, power dynamics, culture, ideology, and positivism (one of the foundational philosophies of American law). The critical approach developed by the Frankfurt school (of which Horkheimer was the director) is important as it promotes critical thinking and addresses many political, social, and economic systems."
The Engergy Bus by Jon Gordon
Recommended by: Lennart Mierrow '23 & '25
"I love it because it is such an easy read but conveys an important message: the transformative power of positive energy and attitude in overcoming challenges and achieving success. Through a fictional story, the book illustrates how adopting a positive mindset can lead to personal and professional growth. It is applicable to all of us and in a variety of settings ranging from the personal to athletic to the work life."
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let go of who you think you are supposed to be and embrace who you are by Brené Brown
Recommended by: Isabella DelVecchio, Graduate Student
"Brené Brown’s Gifts of Imperfection detail how to live wholeheartedly; we must address our vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
How I Braved Anu Aunty & Co-Founded a Million Dollar Company by Varun Agarwal
Recommended by: Anonymous
"It is a true story that happened in India about entrepreneurship and the importance of pursuing your dreams."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny by Robin Sharma
Recommended by: Anonymous
"This book mainly teaches how to build a life that provides happiness and encourages you to focus on building your inner life rather than your outer life."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Mox by Jon Moxley
Recommended by: Ryan MacDonnell
"I’m not really into Pro-wrestling but it’s the fascinating autobiography of a man trying to find his way in life. It’s also written like Catch-22 with it being written out of order with lots of jokes that make you feel like the author is speaking directly to you."
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A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
Recommended by: Nicholas Ambrosino '23, Major: International Business and Finance
"A New Earth is an incredible self-improvement book and tool for spiritual guidance. In the book, Tolle breaks down humanity's inherent dysfunction, unpacks the roots of emotional pain, causes of harmful ego, and what it means to be conscious. This book provided me with new information that I implemented in my day-to-day, and I think it can provide valuable insight to many of my peers or anyone wanting to learn more about what it means to be human."
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A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid
Recommended by: Sean Huvane ‘26
"This book is about the author’s experience of Antigua and how its culture was slowly disappearing because of the colonizers. The language is very colloquial which makes it an easy and interesting book. This book is good for people who want to know more about the history of the Caribbean and how it was severely impacted by other nations."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
Recommended by: Anonymous
"This book covers 13 principles that the author discovered that were common among all wealthy and successful people. It illustrates the psychological power of thought and the brain in enhancing your career for both monetary and personal satisfaction."
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Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Recommended by: Samantha Secora '23, Major: Marketing with Film Production Minor
"This is a great book about the journey of self-love and self-discovery through a rather tough time. Most women find it hard to confidently display their true self in front of others, but this autobiography emphasizes the idea that one should feel courageous and willing to defy the societal norms and live life to the fullest. This is an empowering book for young women to read and take advice on how to confidently be your true self in society today."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Recommended by: June Dodson '25, BOOK CLUB MEMBER
"This book has changed the way I think about trauma, behavior, and human development. Their message is told through engaging stories and easily understood scientific explanations. I was fascinated by the mix of human interest and scientific discussion. I recommend listening to this as an audiobook because it is set up as a conversation between Oprah and Dr. Perry; it will feel like you are taking part of this important conversation too."
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DiMenna-Nyselius Library Link
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Recommended by: Isabella DelVecchio, Graduate Student
"Adding this book to your collection will add mindfulness to your life. Reading it will be an investment in your well-being."
Pride Month Student Picks
Read a blog post written by our library student worker, Eden Marchese '23, which features LGBTQ+ books and a Spotify playlist, created for June 2022 Pride Month.
MFA Creative Writing
Over the past years the MFA in Creative Writing program has celebrated the success of many books published by MFA students and alumni. MFA students and faculty have also published hundreds of articles, essays, stories, and poems in renowned literary journals and magazines, won awards and have received honorable mentions.
