The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
Recommended by Andrew Packard, Performing Arts
Dubbed "the poet laureate of medicine" by the New York Times, Dr. Oliver Sacks was among the most influential and most inquisitive minds of our time. His writings on neurology blend the world of literature and the human brain and captured the attention of generations of curious people. In this collection, his best known book, he shares fascinating case studies about patients living with the most beautiful and bizarre brain disorders. They are studies of life struggling against intense and personal adversity. Through these strange yet sympathetic tales Dr. Sacks reveals a universal humanity.
This book will appeal to fans of When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee, and The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson.
In previous years, Andrew has recommended A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (2014) and Born Standing Up by Steve Martin (2015).
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Recommended by Richard Lautze, Math & Cal Studies and Brooke Roberts, History
Richard says:
The book The Boys in the Boat is a wonderful true story about overcoming tremendous hardship, difficult family situations, poverty by not one person but by a entire crew team of eight young men. Also takes place during the rise of Hitler's Germany; a time when the nation would listen to crew races on the radio. Very inspiring and may make you want to row...
This book will appeal to fans of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and The Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen.
In previous years, Richard has recommended The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach (2012). Brooke has recommended Chinese Lessons by John Pomfret (2008) and The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan (2012).
Between the World and Me
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Recommended by Amy Argenal, Service Learning, and Ben Slater, English
Ben says:
Toni Morrison says, on the cover of the book, "This is required reading." This pouring forth of personal experiences and reflections is a necessary counterpart to fact-based arguments (like Coates's "The Case for Reparations"); it aims straight for the reader's heart to communicate the subjective, visceral experience of racism. If you ever feel stuck in denial or in data, in apathy or in arguments, dedicate a few hours to take in this short book over the summer. From what I've seen, it truly is required reading for BART, if not for the whole Bay Area.
This book will appeal to fans of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, and We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
In previous years, Amy has recommended Angry Black White Boy by Adam Mansbach (2012), Caucasia by Denny Senza (2013), Redefining Realness by Janet Mock (2014), and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Ben has recommended Siddhartha by Herman Hesse (2014) and Ishmael by Daniel Quinn (2015).
Emperor of Maladies
Emperor of all Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Recommended by Library Leaders
Emperor of all Maladies is an in depth history of cancer that provides the reader a glimpse into the struggle. It covers everything from its first appearance centuries ago, to the modern day fight. Going beyond the science, Siddhartha Mukherjee critically examines the lives of survivors and the pain they have had to endure. Also, check out the related documentary of the same name.
This book will appeal to fans of Stiff by Mary Roach, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.