Student Advocacy Groups: ULSAC and Library Ambassadors: Book Recommendations

Recommended by Jara Anderson, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommended this book: Johnson’s book is a series of personal essays about his experience as a young Black queer man. The essays explore topics incredibly important to our current society—toxic masculinity, gender identity, race, consent, and more. Not only is this a must-read for queer POC, but for all readers who wish to be allies."

Recommended by Rachel Klem, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommended the book: Social media posts can plant seeds of inquiry or doubt, but leave little room for nuanced discussion around current political debates. These books provide historical and critical context for how policing and prisons have evolved in the United States from the times of their inception in the 19th century through the present day. I would recommend these books to anyone who is curious or skeptical about slogans they have heard calling for reform or abolishment of police and prison systems."

Recommended by Shelby Johnson and Cameron Furbeck, Panhellenic Association

"We recommended this book: this book discusses race, feminism, and queer identity through poetry. This is a non-traditional and semi biographical piece. This collection of poetry uses imagery and allusion to showcase personal takes on the intersections of queerness, womanhood, and Blackness.

Recommended by Apaala Basak, Missouri International Student Council (MISC)

"Why I recommend; Learning and sensory processing disorders are often overlooked, more so in women. This book explores the world of neurodivergent women, giving an insight on why these conditions are overlooked and how can our society benefit by allowing their unique mind to see things in a whole new perspective."

Recommended by Rachel Klem, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommended the book: Social media posts can plant seeds of inquiry or doubt, but leave little room for nuanced discussion around current political debates. These books provide historical and critical context for how policing and prisons have evolved in the United States from the times of their inception in the 19th century through the present day. I would recommend these books to anyone who is curious or skeptical about slogans they have heard calling for reform or abolishment of police and prison systems."

Recommended by John Fortner, Pathology & Anatomical Sciences

"Why I recommended this book: Science is a social construct and does not exist in isolation. The unconscious biases of scientists – a reflection of the sociocultural environment that we are raised in – will inform what questions we pose, what models we select, and which analyses we perform. Pierotti’s text focuses on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and its relationships and strengths in comparison to the standard Western approach to evolutionary ecology. Pierotti argues that research which incorporates TEK and indigenous perspectives may complement and improve our scientific body of knowledge."

Recommended by Rachel Klem, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommended the book: Social media posts can plant seeds of inquiry or doubt, but leave little room for nuanced discussion around current political debates. These books provide historical and critical context for how policing and prisons have evolved in the United States from the times of their inception in the 19th century through the present day. I would recommend these books to anyone who is curious or skeptical about slogans they have heard calling for reform or abolishment of police and prison systems."

Recommended by Shelby Johnson and Cameron Furbeck, Panhellenic Association

"Why we recommended this book: This is a collection of essays from critic Hanif Abdurraquib on culture and music. Essays cover music from Migos, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Bruce Springsteen but often these subjects are a starting point for poignant observations about race, friendship and finding meaning in life."

Recommended by Tracy Amuke, Missouri International Student Council (MISC)

"Why I recommended this book- Americannah is an honest coming of age story about an African girl who finds herself, love, and a career in the U.S. It’s a romance novel that goes beyond just simple love. I definitely recommend!"

Recommended by Galen Zavala Sherby, Young Democratic Socialists Association

"Why I recommended this book:Black Skin, White Masks offers an incisive look into the legacy and impact of colonialism through the lens of one man's experience. Fanon offers a deep dive into colonialism and the dehumanization inherent to the colonial history that he was forced to contend with as a Black man from Martinique."

Recommended by Juanita Bergman, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommend this book: this book provides a variety of recipes for cooking on a limited budget or for a smaller family. This is my go-to cook book for when my husband is traveling for work. It helps meal prep for just two people so that larger meals don’t get wasted. The meals are relatively easy to prepare and has help our son gain confidence in the kitchen. One of my favorites is the coconut chicken curry, but there’s 100+ recipes to try."

Recommended by Juanita Bergman, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommend this book: this book is a reference book I reach for when seeking clarity for ‘s, commas, semicolons, forms, maintain the same tense, and saying more by writing less. The importance of writing naturally.
It’s a stepping stone and a way of overcoming writers block or when seeking grammar clarification."

Recommended by Jara Anderson, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommended this book: Gorman’s reading at the 2021 presidential inauguration inspired hope across the nation that was sorely needed in our current sociopolitical state. Her voice as a woman of color and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history should be celebrated for its power, eloquence, and inspiration."

Recommended by John Fortner, Pathology & Anatomical Sciences

"Why I recommended this book: Science is a social construct and does not exist in isolation. The unconscious biases of scientists – a reflection of the sociocultural environment that we are raised in – will inform what questions we pose, what models we select, and which analyses we perform. Pierotti’s text focuses on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and its relationships and strengths in comparison to the standard Western approach to evolutionary ecology. Pierotti argues that research which incorporates TEK and indigenous perspectives may complement and improve our scientific body of knowledge."

Recommended by Connor Sibley, Interfraternity Council

"Why I recommended this book: “The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell” by Oren Harari, is about the leadership qualities that helped Colin Powell become a 4-Star General and the Secretary of State. It does a very good job of taking his experiences and making them relevant to everyday life. I think this book aligns with IFC well because leadership is one of our core values. Developing young men into leaders is something that we are passionate about, and this book gives a unique perspective from someone who was very successful in leadership positions."

Recommended by Rachel Klem, Library Ambassador

"Why I recommended the book: Social media posts can plant seeds of inquiry or doubt, but leave little room for nuanced discussion around current political debates. These books provide historical and critical context for how policing and prisons have evolved in the United States from the times of their inception in the 19th century through the present day. I would recommend these books to anyone who is curious or skeptical about slogans they have heard calling for reform or abolishment of police and prison systems."

Recommended by Connor Sibley, Interfraternity Council

“One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy” by Carol Anderson gives a history of voter suppression in the United States from the 1800’s to present day. This is an eye opening book that everyone should read in order to better grasp the current state of society."