Book Reviews

Do we read a lot at Carleton? The answer is yes (if you’re a humanities, kid, at least)!

Here is my top six book list for my year at Carleton:

1. Homegoing  by Yaa Gyasi

This book was recommended to me a couple years ago, and I cannot believe I just got around to reading it! It’s a narrative of the slave trade spanning 300 years through generations; I read it in about two days, and learned so much through it. I definitely recommend it, and think it should be required reading! It wasn’t assigned to me by Carleton, but I’m betting several classes read from it.

2. Exile and Pride by Eli Clare

This book was assigned for my philosophy class, Identity and Leadership, taught by Eddie O’Byrn. It reflects on the intersections between disability and queerness, and searches for paths to liberation and reform. I’ve never read a book that focused specifically on these intersections, and it was so refreshing! Clare is genderqueer and disabled, and explains a passionate fight for justice. I highly, highly recommend reading this, especially if you’re not disabled or queer, and want to educate yourself.

3. Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

Frankl’s book was also an assigned reading for my philosophy course. It compares to Elie Wisel’s narrative of the death camps in WWII, and should also be a required read for everyone. Frankl is a psychologist, so in part two of his book, he talks about the study of logotherapy and how staying alive in such desperate conditions reflect in survivors’ psychology. It was really interesting to discuss his thoughts on psychology after surviving concentration camps through the lens of identity and philosophy.

4. Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville (yes, I’m aware that I’m a nerd)

This book was assigned for my Political Philosophy class I took winter term, taught by Laurence Cooper. I may or not be in love with Tocqueville—in his book, he discusses a lot of very important concepts in the formation and upkeep of democracy. He won my heart through his focus on prison system reform in America! In this class, we also read Aristotle, Rousseau, Hobbs, and Plato, and it was cool to compare their theories about politics.

5. The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

We read this book in my Argument and Inquiry Seminar, Civil Discourse in a Troubled Age. It focuses on the psychology behind the political divide in America. It was fascinating to me, and I’m honestly ready to reread it!

6. Evicted by Matthew Desmond

This book was recommended to me by my political science professor, and another professor that teaches SOAN (sociology and anthropology) classes. It addresses a lot of important topics, like redlining, income gaps, and the power owning a home has. It’s a super good read, especially if you’re interested in learning more about (and critiquing) racial and class divides in America.

Other Books Carls Recommend:

Radical Empathy by Terri E. Givens

Feminist, Queer, Crip by Alison Kafter

On Earth we are Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Where We Stand: Why Class Matters by bell hooks

The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

Trauma Stewardship by Laura Dernoot Lipsky

Mad at School by Margaret Price

Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem

Erin grew up catching salamanders, recklessly climbing trees, and running around barefoot in the Appalachian Mountains in a small town in North Carolina. This is her first year at Carleton, and she’s looking forward to meeting new people, exploring campus (especially the arb!), and experiencing her first Minnesota winter. She is currently interested in studying psychology and gender, women’s, and sexuality studies. Meet the other bloggers!