Ten Inspiring Books to Read this Summer

No matter where you live in the world, it’s been a stressful year and a half. Whether you turn to facts and figures or prefer to dive into an imagined world for comfort, nonfiction and fiction books alike can offer a sense of peace, even as we return to some form of normalcy.

Faculty and staff from St. Joseph’s College recommended nonfiction and fiction books that address themes of faith, mindfulness, justice, resilience and making a comeback.

Here are 10 inspiring books to add to your reading list:

Faith

Recommended by Thomas Petriano, Ph.D., professor and chair of religious studies

Nonfiction: “Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of Faith” by Timothy Egan

“Egan is a journalist and New York Times columnist who has written this honest and searching memoir about a recent pilgrimage he made along the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrim route between Canterbury and Rome, in search of a lost faith. Raised in a traditional Catholic household, he finds himself in adulthood wondering if there is reason for an intelligent, thinking person of the 21st century to believe in God. Anyone struggling with questions of faith or interested in the art, architecture, and history  of medieval Europe will find this book a worthwhile read.”

Fiction: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

“I personally think all college students should read ‘The Alchemist.’ Like ‘Pilgrimage to Eternity,’ it reminds us that we are all on a journey.  It’s a really enjoyable read that anyone who is trying to find their path and purpose in life could benefit from. To the extent that all of us are seekers, the journey of  Santiago, the Andalusian shepherd boy in search of a worldly treasure, can be a guide toward discovering our own ‘personal legend,’ and what is truly important in our lives.”

Mindfulness

Recommended by Peter Lin, Ph.D., professor and associate chair of psychology

Nonfiction: “The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life” by Jean Francois-Revel and son Mattieu Ricard

“Mindfulness is not just about being relaxed and calm. Mental stability is the prerequisite of developing insight. To be mindful is to look deeply into the construction of our reality. This book explores important existential questions from both the Western and Eastern wisdom traditions. As a liberal arts college professor, I always invite my students to discover their intrinsic wisdom and freedom.”

Fiction: “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

“The little prince (character) is a Zen Master in disguise. This book also invites the readers to look deeper. As the little fox said in the book, ‘It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’ It is an excellent book to learn about the spirit of mindfulness.”

Justice

Nonfiction: “Just Mercy” by Bryant Stevenson

Recommended by Barbara Morrell, Ph.D., professor and chair of criminal justice

“This is a book by an African-American, Harvard-educated lawyer who has dedicated his life and soul to the pursuit of justice for the poorest and most vulnerable people in Montgomery, Alabama — the heart of former slave country. He tells the inside stories of victimized juvenile offenders, mentally ill defendants on death row, and the atrocities of ‘justice’ that surround their cases. He has argued before the Supreme Court, winning cases on removing juveniles from Life Without Parole, and sat with defendants right before their execution. He is a giant among heroes, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, and a personal inspiration to all of us who participate in the fight for social justice in this country.”

Fiction: “The Rainmaker” by John Grisham 

Recommended by Amy Poland, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice and associate dean of online learning

“‘The Rainmaker’ by John Grisham was written in 1995, but the theme of the novel remains relevant today. A lawyer, newly admitted to the bar, takes the case of a poor family up against an insurance company who has denied a life-saving procedure for their son. These issues remain today, with health care being inaccessible to those without money, and insurance companies illegally and unethically denying medical coverage. As with all Grisham novels, justice is served in the end, though not necessarily in the way most would hope.”

Resilience

Nonfiction: “I Rigoberta Menchu” by Rigoberta Menchu

Recommended by Linda Lubranski, coordinator of global studies and director of academic engagement

“Ms. Menchu’s resilience in the face of systemic injustice, in Guatemala, was profound; overcoming the obstacle of illiteracy in order to have her story heard inspired me to continue as a lifelong learner.”

Fiction: “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

Recommended by Michelle Papajohn, vice president for information technology and chief information officer

“This book, set in the 1960s in the marshes of North Carolina, tells the story of a young girl Catherine ‘Kya’ Clark who has to overcome so much at a very young age. She was abandoned by everyone she knew, and forced to survive on her own. She must rely on her strength and resilience to make it through each day. Two young men enter her life and show her kindness, happiness and love. Alongside this, she is wrapped up in a murder mystery that unfolds throughout the book. The author includes such profound imagery and well-developed characters that you can picture every scene in your mind. Kya reassures you that the human spirit can withstand insurmountable obstacles that come your way.

“If you are looking for a heartfelt read that is a little bit love story, a little bit murder mystery set among nature with beautiful scenery described in such great detail that it seems to come alive, I highly recommend ‘Where the Crawdads Sing.'”

Making a Comeback

Nonfiction: “The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team” by Wayne Coffey

Recommended by Andrew Capitelli, manager of athletics communication 

“The is the story of the U.S. Olympic hockey team’s unlikely gold-medal triumph at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. The U.S., a team filled with amateur college players, met the Russians, the best hockey team in the world, in the semifinal round of the tournament and secured a dramatic come-from-behind victory. Down 3-2 at the second intermission, the Americans scored twice in the third period to complete one of the most dramatic victories in U.S. sports history.”

Fiction: “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Recommended by Janelle Hill, associate vice president for Student Life 

“Americanah is a powerful story of race and identity. In this novel, we follow the story and experiences of Ifemelu, whose journey leads her from Nigeria to America and home again. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys following the ups and downs of life and how our identities can impact our journey.”