Senior Student Assistant Appreciation: 2025

Alice Isn't Dead by Joseph Fink 

I haven't had a lot of time to read for pleasure in years, and this book actually was originally a podcast. I would recommend the postcast as the narration really sets the creepy tone, and is also much easier to find time for listening rather than reading.

The Importance of Seeking Wisdom by Hiram Gahima

I really liked The Importance of Seeking Wisdom because it feels like a friendly guide to finding meaning in life through the Bible. The book takes simple but powerful verses and shows how they can help us through tough times and important decisions. It’s easy to follow and makes you think about how wisdom can shape your life. Reading it feels like having a conversation with someone who truly wants to help you grow. If you’re looking for a book that inspires and uplifts, this one is a great choice.

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain   

This book is by far the most influential thing I read in college. It taught me so many things about food, travel, and just life (as cheesy as it is) that resonate just as much now at 22 than it did at 18. Oh, Bourdain also introduced me to The Velvet Underground which is reason enough to pick something of his.

Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century: The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute by Tamami Suoh, Miki Iwagami, Reiko Koga, & Rie Nii 

This is one of my favorite fashion books. Fashion is sometimes dismissed as shallow, despite impacting us daily. Putting on an outfit to present yourself to the world every day is a choice informed by factors like current trends, social and political movements, and textiles, whether we realize it or not. This book illustrates how those factors, among others, have evolved throughout history, shaping the way we’ve dressed from the 18th to the 20th centuries. As someone who loves fashion history, I could read this book over and over again and without getting bored. It’s also a really pretty book to flip through!

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

When I picked up the Poppy War for the first time, I had a very hard time putting it down. What drew me to it in the first place was the combination of history with fantasy in a way I had never read before. But what made me love it were the characters and the way they explored human struggles in a way that wasn’t so black and white. The characters felt nuanced and real because of their choices and how, despite the shared experiences, they were internalized by each character differently and ultimately each character ended up on opposing moral paths in the end.

Ghost Of Diana Khoi Nguyen 

I was super lucky to see Diana Khoi Nguyen perform some of her poems and talk about her process. Ghost Of is an extremely moving book of poems that combines multi-media art and poetry, and shaped how I think about writing and performing art. It is amazing visually, linguistically, and I highly recommend listening to Nguyen read it!  

Happy Place by Emily Henry 

I adore all of Emily Henry’s books, but Happy Place felt like the right choice for my senior book pick. The friendships stand out to me in particular; they’re flawed but also beautiful and unbreakable. This book is a reminder that the friendships you make in college can stand the test of time—and that there’s always a second chance for love. You can’t go wrong with any of Emily Henry’s books, but this one is the perfect read for anyone (like me) who’s been thinking about how to navigate life, love, and friendship post-graduation—or during any transitional period in life.

Gravity Falls: Journal 3 by Alex Hirsch  

Gravity Falls is arguably my favorite piece of media ever created! The show meant a lot to me as a child, and it still does today. I’ve always loved animation and it’s a field that I would love to work in someday. Alex Hirsch, writer and producer of the series, is a massive inspiration of mine when it comes to storytelling and world building. His work will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope you’ll be able to see why.

This book contains the magic and mystery of a supernatural town in the middle of nowhere, Oregon. It’s a log of stories, theories, and notes written by an unknown author, edited by a boy eager to prove the existence of odd creatures and curiosities to the oblivious townspeople. No one believes him, except for his twin sister. Together they unravel the town’s peculiar history, all while trying to find the journal’s true author. If you look close enough, you’ll find weird codes and ciphers sprinkled throughout the pages without a concrete way of solving any of them. Journal 3 encourages one’s curiosity, allowing its reader to dive deeper into this seemingly normal town to discover what lurks beyond its surface. Who knows what you’ll find?

ilaaly zahya svvrpun. ol pz dhajopun.

 

Wildwood by Colin Meloy, Illustrated by Carson Ellis

One of the first books I remember being completely captivated by as a kid and one that I can still visualize clearly to this day!

The Good Egg by Jory John & illustrated by Pete Oswald 

I picked this book because it teaches kids that they don’t have to be perfect in order to be good and it teaches them the importance of self-care.

Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World by Lauren Fleshman 

I chose this book because it opens an important conversation about women in sports. Many women in collegiate and professional sports end up injured, burnt out, or not able to reach their full potential due to the training, recovery, and fueling programs being based on male anatomy. In this book Lauren Fleshman opens up about her experience as a collegiate and professional runner where she had to overcome misogyny, injuries, eating disorders, and being overlooked throughout her career and how she is now working to make sure the next generation of girls do not have to go through this. I listened to this book during my runs and it was both very inspiring and educational.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo 

The book adds a sense of realism in a fantastical setting. Coupled with a fascinating story, shocking plot twists, and an unforgettable cast of characters, I had trouble putting this book down and immediately picked up the next book in the duology once it was finished. You're bound to take away something from this book, whether its heartbreak, excitement, or a new found love for reading.
"Better terrible truths than kind lies." - Inej, Six of Crows.