Benedictine Library Unrequired Reading List

Unrequired Reading

The books listed below were recommended by the students, faculty and staff of Benedictine University

(Most recent submissions are listed first)

Dani Linn Library: Access Services Assistant	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Neil Gaiman American Gods	Just when you thought the Great American Novel had dried up and mildewed (or that Toni Morrison was the only one alive still writing 'em), along came the shy BRITISH graphic novelist who wears his black leather trenchcoat in Wisconsin in August, and somehow, he came up with the GAM that fits Now. My favorite novel I've read in ten years, easily, and I've read about 250 in the last three or four.
Dani Linn Library: Access Services Assistant	Request on Interlibrary Loan		John Steinbeck The Winter of Our Discontent	This is not the same Steinbeck you read in class. It's a quick read, though not as short as some of his, but to me it's always felt like his most personal work (though he said that each man had only one book and his was East of Eden). It's just a beautiful, warm (and a little frightening) story of a man both good and bad, in the same moral struggles each of us face.
Dani Linn Library: Access Services Assistant	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Jay McInerney The Story of My Life	If you just don't get Gen X, then Jay McInerney and his dark counterpart Bret Easton Ellis might explain a lot. This is one of my favorite novels to come out of the 1980s, because unlike too many of his contemporaries, McInerney didn't hang on to that ugly old Postmodern lack of hope and let his characters learn and change. This is a good one to start with--it's sort of the anti-Less Than Zero.
Jason Welge Benedictine University Undergraduate Student	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Jim Willett Warden : prison life and death from the inside out	Written by a former warden of the Huntsville, Texas, "Walls Unit," this book provides an excellent insider's look at capital punishment, with powerful reflections and personal perspective.
Peter Charcut, Grounds Manager	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Nick Hornby A Long Way Down	New Year's Eve at Topper's House, London's most popular suicide spot, 4 complete strangers meet before ending their life. The book takes a very humorous approach to a very serious subject. It was such an entertaining book, that seems to stick with me for weeks after I have finished it. The story is so much more about life - rather then death.
Dr. Vincent Gaddis, Chair, Department of History	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Guinnes, Os Unspeakable: Facing Up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror	This book exams the language and the nature of evil and why our postmodern culture has become ill equipped to come to grips with what our intellectual context finds unspeakable: the reality of rampant evil. He challenges us to examine the depths of human suffering and the implications for the enlightemnent intellectual project. Yet, by examining the darkest corners of the human experience, Guiness leads us to a path of light and hope.
Dr. Bonnie Jean Adams, Instructor, Communications Department	305.48697 S533		Fawzia Afzal-Khan, editor Shattering the Stereotypes: Muslim Women Speak Out	An anthology of Muslim women's writing which is especially valuable because of its revelation of women's insight and skillful expression of thought and circumstances, following 911. More than a study of culture, this book is a reflection from the other side of the mirror. Anyone who seeks to understand and not to judge, who desires to learn and not to know revenge, has an obligation to read this book.
Joan Hopkins, Instruction Librarian	Link to the official web site (This book was just published and is not yet available on Interlibary Loan.)		Murray, Conor The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem & Robbie O’Connell: The Men Behind the Sweaters	Students, this book should inspire you. It was written and published by a 22-year-old college senior! It wasn't an easy task since not much has been written about these men who are credited with revolutionizing and popularizing Irish music throughout the world. Conor Murray has written the first full-length biography of the group chronicling their 50 year career with information he collected from interviews, television programs, documentaries, album liner notes, newspaper articles, and concert programs. The book is richly illustrated with over 300 marvelous photos, many of which were provided by members of the Clancy family. Now, Clancy fans all over the world are enjoying the fruits of Conor's brilliant research.
Dr. Bonnie Jean Adams, Instructor, Communications Department	378.73 D295		Hersh, Richard & Merrow, John (editors) Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk	Dr. Adams writes: "This should be required reading for anyone interested in the current state and future possibilities of higher education. It is a must read for all faculty and staff of a university.
Dr. Charles Gahala, Professor, Department of Business & Management	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Mehrling, Perry Fischer Black and the Revolutionary idea of finance 2005	Dr. Gahala writes: "Mehrling provides an insightful look at one of the most influential academics in the field of finance. This is a biography that captures the essence of the person as well as the contributions made by Black toward quantifying risk."
Elizabeth Summers, Psychology/ Sociology/MCP	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Kidd, Sue Monk The Mermaid Chair 2002	Ms. Summers writes: "This is the much anticipated follow up to Monk Kidd's first novel The Secret Life of Bees. I was captivated by the first line that told me I was going to read about the main character's affair with a Benedictine monk. I enjoyed it; it is not as good as her first novel, as Monk Kidd does fall into a little melodrama regarding the affair and its aftermath. But I can recommend it those that have read The Secret Life of Bees and those that haven't."
Dr. Jonathan Lewis, Professor, Department of Sociology & Psychology	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Glendon Swarthout The Homesman 1988	Two headstrong individuals take four women from the Western frontier to Iowa. The women, driven insane by harsh frontier conditions, are less of a challenge than the personalities of the couple charged with their safe delivery. Imagine a cross between The African Queen and Lonesome Dove. Won the Spur Award for Best Novel from the Western Writers of America.
Dr. Charles Gahala, Professor, Department of Business & Management	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Jack Welsch Jack: Straight from the Gut 2001	The long time CEO of General Electric comes across with some tough business practices that would probably create quite a stir in academia.
Sarah Bibber Benedictine University Undergraduate Student	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Clyde Edgerton In Memory of Junior 1992	I actually read this book for a class at Aurora University and fell in love with it. It is a comical book told by various family members and friends involved with the death of an elderly couple and a young boy. Despite its dark sounding overtones, trust me it is a realy funny book.
Benedictine University Undergraduate Student (name withheld by request)	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Robert F. Dorr Air Force One 2002	Provides an extensive history of presidential air travel. Great reading for anyone, whether a presidential fanatic or not.
Mundt, William Benedictine University Student	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett Good omens / 1990	This book is meant first to entertain, but is also rather thought provoking if one "reads between the lines". It is very humorous, but contains some interesting views of "what if ..." scenarios that put religion as a whole inot a new light.
Frank, Erin Benedictine University Student	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Mitch Albom The Five People You Meet in Heaven 2003	This book gave me a whole new perspective about Heaven and was very emotional.
Mundt, William Benedictine University Student	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Daniel Quinn Ishmael 1995	This book is incredibly deep, and thought-provoking: TEACHER SEEKS STUDENT Must have eager desire to save the world. Apply in person.
Benedictine University Student (name withheld by request)	613.8 G573 1982 (Unfortunately this item is listed as lost from our collection) Request on Interlibrary Loan		Anonymous Go Ask Alice 1998	I read this book for my 8th grade English class and I thought it was incredible. The entire book is a true life journal of a girl in the 60's and her enterance into the world of drugs and alcohol while becomming a teenager. In the end, I learned a lesson on the dangers as well as the tragic life of a girl who could have been helped.
Benedictine University Student (name withheld by request)	813 C928p		Michael Crichton Prey 2002	Once again, Michael Crichton combines up-to-the-minute science with relentless pacing to create an electrifying techno-thriller. (Publisher's annotation)
Patricia (last name not submitted) Benedictine University Student	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Burchet, Dave When Bad Christians Happen to Good People: Where We Have Failed Each Other and how to Reverse the Damage (2002)	The author uses humor to make some very important points about how hypocrisy has hurt some Christians and nonbelievers and distorts and damage their perception of Jesus, and how Christians can change that. He also is direct and honest about his own struggles with pride and hypocrisy which shows he has a really big heart for those who have suffered because of bad Christians.
Yanna Kisala Benedictine University Undergraduate Student	Request on Interlibrary Loan		McCullough, Colleen The Thorn Birds (1977)	This is a brilliant book whose characters display all the emotions and difficulties that we experience. The difficulties the characters experience are also told in a way to which we can relate to and they are told in such a way as to make us laugh and cry. I would say this is one of my favorite books and the finest piece of work McCullough wrote out of her others I read. This book is about one's family struggle to survive in the harsh environment of Australia and a young girl's forbidden love to a man she knows she cannot marry because of his commitment to God.
Dr. Jonathan Lewis, Professor, Department of Sociology & Psychology	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Mosley, Walter Always Outnumbered; Always Outgunned (1997)	A new character from the writer of Devil in A Blue Dress, Socrates Fortlow is shrewd and streetwise as he attempts not simply to survive but to behave properly in a dangerous part of town. Books with this type of setting and characters often celebrate violence and machismo in portraying how "real" men are thought to behave. Socrates Fortlow is more complex than that, a strong role model in a setting where despair can easily gain the upper hand. This book consists of several distinct episodes, each challenging Fortlow to decide how he should respond. To my mind, Mosely is the best crime writer around right now (and possibly the best writer, period); you really can't go wrong by picking up anything he's written.
Dr. Ralph Meeker, Professor, Computer Science and Information Systems	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Hawking, Stephen The Universe in a Nutshell (2001)	A clear and concise introduction to topics of current interest in cosmology and astrophysics. Hawking includes some personal notes about his life and work that make this book a joy to read. Highly recommended.
Mary Mickus, Coordinator, Jurica Nature Museum	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Brooks, Geraldine The Year of Wonders (2001)	Probably one of the best written books I have ever read. It is the story of one village in 17th century England and how it responds to the plague.Both John and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it this summer.
Dr. Ken Nordin, Associate Professor Communication Arts	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Cox, Lynn Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer (2004)	I have just finished reading Lynn Cox's Swimming to Antarctica. It's a beautifully written inspiartional book about a long distance swimmer who has swum in the coldest weaters on earth and helped to foster goodwill among people while doing so. It would be a nice addition to our library.
Dr. Ken Nordin, Associate Professor Communication Arts	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Hillenbrand, Laura Seabiscuit: An American Legend (1985)	A beautifully written, inspiring book that is at once a biography of a horse that became an American legend as well as a cultural history of the Thoroughbred racing in the Depression Era. The book describes how three men, each with his own set of problems, made Seabiscuit, an undersized, crooked-kneed horse into a great champion that caught the fancy of the American public. The book has inspired both a new documentary film on Seabiscuit as well as a newly released highly praised feature film.
Dr. Ken Nordin, Associate Professor Communication Arts	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Pagels, Elaine Beyond Belief:The Secret Gospel of Thomas (2003)	A beautifully written book on the NYT Best Seller List by a distinguished early Christianity scholar that both revises conventional views about the early Christian Gnostic movement as well as describes her own spiritual and intellectual quest. The book demonstrates the wide range of theological views present among early Christians before Constantine established hierarchical Catholic Christianity as a state religion.
Dr. Clay Runck, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences	813 C777D 1961		Cooper, James Fenimore,� The Deerslayer (1841)	The Deerslayer was the last of five books published in the The Leather-Stocking Tales, but it actually was the first book in the chronological development of the hero Natty Bumppo, who goes by the name of Deerslayer which was given to him by his Delaware Indian foster tribe. Perhaps the most well known book in this series is TheLast of the Mohicans, which takes place at a time in history after The Deerslayer. The Deerslayer is my favorite book in The Leather-Stocking Tales.I came across a copy of The Deerslayer in a used bookstore and it reminded me ....More
Gretel Stock- Kupperman, Access Services Librarian	813 C973h 2000		Cunningham, Michael� The Hours (1998)	This book is a richly written account of three women's lives as they deal with age, self-perception and identity. The beauty of this work lies in the author's skillful and subtle weaving of the three stories until they come together at the end of the book. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you have seen or intend to see the Academy-Award winning movie that is based on it.
Dr. Beth Vinkler, Professor, Department of Spanish and Elizabeth Summers, Psychology/ Sociology/MCP and also Dr. Margaret Roth, Professor, Department of Economics (retired)	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Kidd, Sue Monk Secret Life of Bees (2002)	Dr. Vinkler: "It was WONDERFUL, a great book for young women looking for direction, and about the solidarity of women in general." Ms. Summers:"This is a uplifting story of mothers and daughters and the support of women to one another. " Dr. Roth: "Wonderfully warm story of strong women during a trying time ( the civil rights movement ) in the South of the USA in the 60s."
Lawrence Rhew, Executive Director Office of Information Technology	658.4 S476F		Senge, Peter The Fifth Discipline (1994)	Mr. Rhew contributed three books to this list saying: "Here are a few books I have read recently that I enjoyed." The publisher's annotation adds: This guide provides a blueprint for establishing a learning organization -- that is, one where people expand their capacity to create results and where new patterns of thinking are nurtured. The text explains how actions create reality and examines the process of building a learning organization. It also details prototypes and coda.
Lawrence Rhew, Executive Director Office of Information Technology	658.3128 K19W		Smith, Douglas K. & Katzenbach, Jon R. Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization (1994)	Mr. Rhew contributed three books to this list saying: "Here are a few books I have read recently that I enjoyed." The publisher's annotation adds: The bestselling book that thoroughly explores the remarkable benefits of teams at all levels of the organization. The authors provide dozens of real accounts and case studies that illustrate successes and failures and demonstrate what can be learned from these examples. A must-read guide for business leaders.
Lawrence Rhew, Executive Director Office of Information Technology	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Teresi, Dick Lost Discoveries: the Ancient Roots of Modern Science (2002)	Mr. Rhew contributed three books to this list saying: "Here are a few books I have read recently that I enjoyed." The publishe'rs annotation adds: Lost Discoveries, Dick Teresi's innovative history of science, explores the unheralded scientific breakthroughs from peoples of the ancient world -- Babylonians, Egyptians, Indians, Africans, New World and Oceanic tribes, among others -- and the non-European medieval world. They left an enormous heritage in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, cosmology, physics, geology, chemistry, and technology.
Dr. John Zigmond, Director, Alternative Certification Program, School of Education	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Lewis, Michael Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game (2003)	A study of a "successful" major league baseball franchise, Moneyball was good reading for a couple different reasons. First of all, a player's value and contributions to the make-up of the fielded team are turned upside down; the conventional way of judging a player's input is questions, re-evaluated, and customized. Second of all, if there was ever uncertainty in a fan's mind that professional athletes are viewed and traded as chattel by the front office, this study should clarify that doubt: a player's standing is always less-than-secure, reliant upon the circumstances of others' weaknesses, and at the whim of not only the general manager but also of the owner.
Joan Hopkins, Librarian & Instructor, Department of French	Request on Interlibrary Loan		Kagan, Robert Of Paradise and Power: America and Europe in the New World Order (2003) �	Why didn�t our allies rush to support us when the decision was made to invade Iraq? Some of the answers might be found in this small, readable volume. In this book, Dr. Kagan shows how since the demise of the Soviet Union and the formation of the European Union, our allies are experiencing a "paradise" of peace and prosperity unlike anything they have ever experienced in their history. Thus their main priority is to maintain this paradise knowing that the �power� of the United States is there to safeguard the world. Recommended for anyone interested in learning more about the current European perspective of the new world order.
Joan Hopkins, Librarian & Instructor, Department of French	Request on Interlibrary Loan	�	Pepin, Jacques� The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen (2003)	I found this to be a book that can be enjoyed on many levels. First, it is an interesting account of the training of a master French chef in the classical tradition (including M. P�pin's manditory stint in the military service during which time he served as the chef of the household of President Charles de Gaulle). It is also interesting to follow M. P�pin to the United States where he learns English (entering Columbia University for ESL without ever having attended high school and leaving the institution with a PhD in French literature), helps to develop the first nation-wide franchise restaurant (Howard Johnson's - after declining an offer to become the White House chef for the Kennedy Administration). Each chapter closes with a wonderful recipe - all the more reason enough to take a look at this book.

Last update: December 1, 2007

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