Rock aliens, a 1970s minicomputer, multigenerational Ohio, and first contact across the galaxy — what our faculty are reading when they’re off the clock…
A few recommended reads from sociology faculty, including some contributions from the recent department book swap. What’s one book you loved recently that isn’t academic?
Aidan Combs — Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir. “Super fun book about how to make friends with a five-legged rock alien. The movie is good too, but the book is nerdier, in a fun way. I recommend it. I gave my copy to the book swap!”
Reanne Frank — The Soul of a New Machine, by Tracy Kidder. “I am reading this in honor of Tracy Kidder, who died two weeks ago. This one is about the development of a new 32-bit minicomputer in the 1970s. Not my usual fare, but anything he writes is golden, so I’m committed.” (Picked up at the department book swap.)
Eric Schoon — Buckeye, by Patrick Ryan. “I’m reading it now (but far enough along that I think I can recommend it). It’s a multi-generational story following two families in Ohio beginning at the start of World War II.”
Fangqi Wen — The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin. “The first novel in the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy opens into a vast and imaginative series that explores not only humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization but also profound questions about science, civilization, survival, and the place of human society in the universe.”
More from the shelf:
Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi (Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira)
On Earth As It Is Beneath, by Ana Paula Maia (Bethany Everett)
Queen Esther, by John Irving (Laura Dugan)
The Overstory, by Richard Powers (Tiffany Huang)
The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. Le Guin (Nima Dahir)