November Staff Reading List
UNP staff members are always reading new books within our list and outside of what we publish. Here are some of the books our noses have been buried in.
Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe
by Lisa Randall
“I picked it up as a galley at Heartland Fall Forum because the book description fascinated me. So far, it’s been worth it. Pretty lofty in some aspects but also really engaging.”—Martyn Beeny
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
by Cap. Ted W. Lawson
“A classic book about Doolittle’s raid on Japan in the early days of WWII.”—Roger Buchholz
Wyrd Sisters
by Terry Pratchett
“I am reading the entire Discworld series for the fourth time and thoroughly enjoying every minute. It’s like sitting down with old friends who I haven’t seen in a long time and picking up right where we left off.”—Rob Buchanan
The Great Plantation: A Profile of Berkeley Hundred and Plantation Virginia from Jamestown to Appomattox
by Clifford Dowdey
“This profile of the famous Berkeley Plantation can be a bit dry at times, but overall it gives a thorough history of the important events which occured here throughout American history and an interesting perspective on the creation of the social class system.”—Emily Wendell
The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion
by Meghan Daum
“I’m reading it because I’ve read and loved Meghan’s other titles and I like her candid and incisive views of our culture as she tries to find her place in it.”—Alison Rold
Cupcakes, Pinterest, and Ladyporn: Feminized Popular Culture in the Early Twenty-First Century
edited by Elana Levine
“So far—fascinating content and a great example of a scholarly work that’s accessible and of interest to a general reader.”—Alicia Christensen
The City and The City
by China Mieville
“I read three books while in Europe, all of which I recommend highly. Singularly the most inventive novel I have ever read; stunning.”—Donna Shear
Intelligence in the Flesh: Why Your Mind Needs Your Body Much More Than It Thinks
by Guy Claxton
“Embodied intelligence fascinates me; an NPR interview about the intelligence of manual labor (waitresses, crafting, etc.) led me to this book.”—Tish Fobben
The Witches: Salem, 1692
by Stacy Schiff
“A Salem witchcraft story. My wife said, ‘Here, read this.’ So I am.”—Tom Swanson
Jenna’s Flaw
by Lee Tasey
“He is a local author who teaches at Doane. I’m not very far into it, so I will say it’s intriguing. I’m anxious to see where this book goes.”—Shirley Thornton
Friendswood
by René Steinke
“This is a little like Friday Night Lights meets Erin Brockovich, but better.”—Bridget Barry
The Meursault Investigation
by Kamel Daoud
“This is a reimagining of Albert Camus’s The Stranger from an Algerian perspective. Mind-blowingly good so far.”—Alisa Plant
