Published on Apr 24, 2023
The UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) values stories. Through the exchange of stories, we can gain a better understanding, learn something new, and strengthen connections. Additionally, literacy is a critical skill for brain development and learning. Young or old, you’re never the wrong age to appreciate a good book.
In honor of yesterday’s World Book Day, we asked NCS staff to share their book recommendations. So here are some stories from NCS and why they are their top picks for a good read.
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Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
“We cannot imagine or dream of a truly liberated world if our minds, bodies, and souls are tired. We rest not so we can get the energy to fuel another work day. We rest so that we can free our minds to dream.”
“Rest as Resistance by Tricia Hersey teaches us to reimagine our relationship with time and space, to reclaim rest as the vital component of our lives that it is, and to let go of the notion that equates rest to laziness. Rest is vital to every fiber of our being. Without it, we relinquish our creativity, the ability to see with optimism...our humanity.”
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Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“I recommend the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book discusses the connection between ancestral heritage, racial identity, and ecological sustainability. Kimmerer communicates the particulars of her experience as a woman of Potawatomi heritage. Those particulars connect with and provide a framework for readers to consider their experiences, histories, and futures.”
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For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
“I read this book years ago and I still think about it to this day. It features seven poetic monologues from seven nameless Black women. Each of them share their stories of experiencing racism and sexism in their everyday lives. This book holds no punches and showcases the often traumatic experiences Black women face in America. Yet despite the darkness there is a hope for healing for these women. It speaks to Black strength and resilience despite hardship and heartbreak.”
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Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob
“In Good Talk, a graphic memoir, Mira Jacob thinks through conversations she’s had with her son, her husband, family members, and strangers about race and American politics. She recalls an upbringing in New Mexico as the daughter of East Indian immigrant parents, early years as a writer in New York, and distressing interactions with family during the 2016 presidential election. Yet, at the book’s core, Mira asks herself how to mother her biracial son as he learns to ask difficult questions.”
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An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
“In Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz provides a compelling and often overlooked perspective on the history of this country. By delving into the experiences of Indigenous peoples, Dunbar-Ortiz offers a critical analysis of the impact of colonialism, genocide, and ongoing systemic oppression. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the United States history and its lasting effects on marginalized communities. By exploring this powerful narrative, readers will gain a more nuanced and empathetic perspective on the struggles faced by Indigenous peoples and be inspired to promote social justice and equity in their own communities.”
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