Time for Summer Reading, Rest and Relaxation!

Awestruck by PAU alum Jonah Paquette (Sharadon Smith, MOB)  Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (Janice Habarth, PHD) Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson (Incoming provost, Erika Cameron, PHD) Dune by Frank Herbert (Brittney Otero) Her Blue Body Everything We Know: Earthling Poems from 1965-1990 by Alice Walker (Janice Habarth, PHD)

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (Chelby Tookey) Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong (Erika Cameron, PHD)  Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde  (Janice Habarth, PHD) The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel (Marilyn Manning and Richard Lonergan, PAU Trustees) The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah (Wendy Wade, PHD) The Gift of Forgiveness by Katherine Schwarzenegger (Sharadon Smith, MOB)   The Giver of Stars by JoJo Mayes (Wendy Wade, PHD) The Overstory by Richard Powers  (Janice Habarth, PHD) Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham (Larry Beutler, PHD) To Be Honest by Ron Carucci (Sharadon Smith, MOB) When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön (Janice Habarth, PHD) Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Piorsig (Fernando Galeano)

 

 

Brief Book Comments

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (Janice Habarth, PHD)
Required reading for any human aspiring to show up with courage and authenticity, IMHO!

Dune by Frank Herbert (Brittney Otero) Though it's quite a veteran in the Sci-Fi book realm, it has been an interesting read that goes beyond traditional Sci-fi tropes and, at times, offers philosophical insights.

Her Blue Body Everything We Know: Earthling Poems from 1965-1990 by Alice Walker (Janice Habarth, PHD) Beautiful stuff and maybe it will offer some hope to those under 30 about the intentions and motivations of so many of us who are over 40.

 

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. (Chelby Tookey) In this memoir, the author shares her experiences being in an abusive relationship and more broadly dives into issues around psychological abuse, legal and cultural responses to abusive relationships among same-sex partners, and representation, among many other topics. I've found this book extremely thought-provoking, and it has led me to engage in some interesting and meaningful conversations. I also really enjoy her writing style!   Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde  (Janice Habarth, PHD) I actually haven't read this yet, but it has been on my list for years, and now it's on my summer list!   The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah (Wendy Wade, PHD) The book is about a woman trying to raise two children on a Texas farm as they watch the lands dry out and as relentless dust storms ravage everything in sight. People are packing up and leaving for greener lands and jobs out West, but what actually awaits out there is uncertain at best. Left alone by her husband, Elsa takes her three children to join the pioneers in a California who is not welcoming toward these "oakies." It’s a book about determination, love for one’s family and for oneself, the fight to survive.  Another book by Ii thoroughly enjoyed byKristen Hannah is The Nightingale. Difficult to describe adequately in a short version, but essentially it is the story of two French sisters who resist the occupying Nazi forces during World War II (WWII) by hiding Jewish children so they are not taken to concentration camps (the Holocaust) and by leading the escape of Allied pilots.  

 

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Mayes (Wendy Wade, PHD) The Giver of Stars is a 2019 historical fiction novel  about packhorse librarians (women on horseback) in a remote area of Kentucky. Set in Depression era America, The Giver of Stars is the story of five extraordinary women and their journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond delivering books.  Another book about these courageous, devoted librarians in this WPA program,  Roosevelt's Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project  in Appalachia is the Book Women of Troublesome Creek by Michele Richardson.  This story involves bigotry and other hardships trying to interfere with this project. 

 

The Overstory by Richard Powers (Janice Habarth, PHD)
A lovely and poignant novel about human and botanical sustainability, suffering, and resilience

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön (Janice Habarth, PHD) A powerful invitation to be present, especially in the most challenging times  

Psychologists off the Clock (Nancy Haug, PHD) I highly recommend the podcast, "Psychologists off the Clock" which is led by psychologists who discuss the science and practice of living well. They have engaging guests discuss different topics with practical strategies for helping people flourish in work, relationships and health. The psychologists who lead the podcast are grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which aims to enhance psychological flexibility. https://offtheclockpsych.com/ 

Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell. (Brittney Otero) Takes an intriguing re-examination of people and moments in history that Gladwell finds could use a closer look to offer another perspective. 

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos. (Brittney Otero) The Happiness Lab has been a nice, light intro into some of the mindsets/habits we can all adopt, and have been scientifically linked to increased joy and happiness.

Recently Published by Alumni

The Burnout Fix by Jacinta Jiménez, PsyD, Class of 2008, PGSP Stanford PsyD Consortium Awestruck by Jonah Paquette, PHD, Class of 2010 Connection: How to Find the Life you're Looking For in the Life You Have by Kristine Klussman, PHD, Class of 1999