March Reading List

UNP staff members are always reading new books, both within our list and outside of what we publish. Here are some of the books where our noses have been buried.

Vanished Arizona

Martha Summerhayes

“I was at Fort Verde State Historic Park last month, and the park ranger told me this Bison Classic is a bestseller for them—always nice to see our books out in the world!” —Bridget Barry

Hidden Figures

Margo Lee Shetterly

“I picked it up because I saw the movie and wanted to know more about the women who worked as NASA mathematicians.” —Erica Corwin

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket

“Sometimes it is nice to read about unfortunate events that are fiction.” —Heather Stauffer

The Flame Alphabet

Ben Marcus

“I can’t decide about this one—language has become toxic, and no one seems to know why. Fascinating topic, but I’m struggling with the character. I’ve picked it up and put it back down several times over the past two years. I’m determined to finish it this time.” —Anna Weir

The Nest

Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeny

“This is not usually something I would read, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The family the author portrays is so real and the story reminds the reader of the value of family.” —Emily Wendell

The Aeronaut’s Windlass

Jim Butcher

“It takes place in a world where people live in massive stone spires and their ships move through the air by harnessing etheric power instead of on the water. The story follows a couple of young guard recruits, a more experienced guard, a ship’s captain and crew, as well as a master and his apprentice who can access etheric energy. I read pretty much everything Jim Butcher writes and this book is as much fun to read as all the rest. I only have about seventy pages to go and it is all I can do not to take the afternoon off so I can finish.” —Rob Buchanan

On Stalin’s Team

Sheila Fitzpatrick

“It’s a collective biography of Stalin’s inner circle, tracing members’ relationships with him and with each other as they run the Soviet Union from the late 1920s till Stalin’s death in 1953 (and beyond). A fascinating read, and beautifully written, too.” —Alisa Plant

A Man Called Ove

Fredrik Backman

“So far, I am enjoying the main character and quirky nature of his interactions with others. I am reading this particular novel for my book club and looking forward to watching the film adaptation when I’m finished.” —Lacey Losh

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

J. K. Rowling

“I promised my husband that I would read the entire series. Last week, I had only read year four (my one claim to fame that mortified any HP fan). Now I’m just starting on year two and Harry and Ron already almost got expelled once.” —Rosemary Vestal Sekora

Swing Time

Zadie Smith

“My brother-in-law got it for me for christmas and it’s a LARGE PRINT version, which has been difficult, but I’m enjoying it so far!” —Tayler Lord

Horace Poolaw

Laura E. Smith

“I’m reading this for reasons that would be obvious to anyone who knows me. Reserving judgement until finished. This may get sidetracked for gardening.” —Mark Francis