June Staff 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.

 

Messy

Tim Harford

“I’ve been reading his blog posts for a while and appreciate his thoughtful, measured, big picture take on various topics. Although (or because?) I’m a somewhat compulsive person, everyday I fall further behind the Mari Kondo ideal of ‘Tidying Up.’ When my husband reminded me about his new book, I cautiously took a look in hopes it would bring me some clarity—even if I can’t have order. I like it so far.” —Tish Fobben

Housekeeping

Marilynne Robinson

“I’m rereading it since it came up in conversation with a friend (we both love that book) and I just couldn’t resist!” —Jana Faust

 

Everybody Behaves Badly

Leslie M. M. Blume

“I love pretty much anything about ex-pat Paris and this book does not disappoint. It offers some unique insight to Hemingway as a beginning writer, obsessed with ‘making it new’ and being famous.” —Natalie O’Neal

 

Theft by Finding: Diaries

David Sedaris

“At more than 500 pages it’s a chunker, but it’s been interesting to read about his early adulthood when he scraped by with odd jobs. I’m waiting for him to meet Ira Glass and to also try on an elf costume for the first time.” —Erica Corwin

 

The Geography of Bliss

Eric Weiner

“When my husband needed to pick a book for book group and was out of ideas, I suggested this, knowing that he prefers non-fiction. I felt I was on a journey with Eric and got a glimpse of each country he visited. Since I love to travel, these countries are now on my list of places to visit. I didn’t expect the book to be an easy or light read, or humorous or entertaining or enjoyable, but it is all that and more. It made me laugh out loud several times, which very few books do. Highly recommended.” —Manjit Kuar

 

The Jesus Cow

Michael Perry

“The best description of a sale barn I’ve ever read.” —Bridget Barry

 

Emma

Jane Austen

“This might be my first time reading Jane Austen on my own and not as part of a class assignment. I’m having a lot of fun finding all the similarities to the 1995 adaptation (and greatest movie of all time) Clueless.” —Tayler Lord

 

Killers of the Flower Moon

David Grann

“Very accessible writing (and lots of photos). An extremely important topic, not just historically but also relating to current events. Highly recommended.” —Heather Stauffer

 

All the Light We Cannot See

Anthony Doerr

“It was selected by a member of my book club for our July discussion. I am enchanted by the characters of this story, seeing their perspective on the events of World War II as it unfolds. The two main characters are children on differing sides of the war, both struggling with unique and difficult circumstances.” —Lacey Losh

 

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Jonathan Safran Foer

“Finally reading this, a gift from my high school English teacher. I wish I’d read it earlier—the complete disregard of conventional formatting makes for interesting reading and thought-full writing.” —Anna Weir