The semester is over, the weather is finally getting warmer and the pace on campus is slowing down. It’s the perfect time to relax and get immersed in a good book, and who better to share reading suggestions than a librarian? We asked the faculty at Rutgers University Libraries to share what is on their reading lists.
Cheesecake: A Novel
By Mark Kurlansky
As someone who regularly reads, researches and writes about culinary history, it is refreshing to immerse myself in a fiction food book once in a while. When I saw that Mark Kurlansky has a new book of food fiction coming out this summer, I added it to my to-read list right away. One of my food writing heroes, Kurlansky is brilliant at taking one ingredient or type of food (such as cod, oysters, salmon, salt or milk) and breaking down all the important components - providing a kind of food micro history. In his latest book, Cheesecake, an ancient recipe for this popular dessert is given star treatment through the eyes of a Greek cheesemaking family who emigrated to New York, transforming the Upper West Side and New York’s famous food scene. I can’t wait to dig in
– Becky Diamond, Business Librarian, James Dickson Carr Library; author of The Gilded Age Cookbook
Great Big Beautiful Life
By Emily Henry
Sir Lewis
By Michael E. Sawyer
The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science
By Dava Sobel
I mainly read non-fiction (science, history, social sciences), but I do like to throw in some lighter summer reading each year. I looked at my to-read pile and three are standing out to me. Emily Henry is the recent queen of the beach read. Her newest rom-com, Great Big Beautiful Life, involves two writers competing to write the story of an infamous heiress, leading both of them on a winding path of love and discovery of what's most important in life. I always try to read lighter in the summer, so I plan to have this one in my beach bag.
Next on my list is Sir Lewis by Michael E. Sawyer. A long-awaited biography of the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, Lewis Hamilton, and his journey from the racetrack to being a dedicated advocate of social and environmental justice. I'm an avid sports fan, but it wasn't until my family and I became hooked on the Netflix series, Formula 1: Drive to Survive, that I became interested in Formula 1 racing. So, this new biography of Lewis Hamilton is one of my summer reads.
I always gravitate toward books on prominent women in the sciences, so another read I have planned for my summer is The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel, the untold story of how Marie Curie was the catalyst for many women who trained in her lab and went on to incredible scientific careers of their own.
– Joanne Dera, Science Librarian, Dana Library, Rutgers University-Newark
The Jaws Log
By Carl Gottlieb
I Want You Around: The Ramones and the Making of Rock ‘n’ Roll High School
By Stephen B. Armstrong
This year is the 50th anniversary of Jaws, my favorite movie. A great deal of my love for it stems from how well it captures living in a beach town as July 4th approaches, because I grew up at the Jersey shore. When I watch this movie, I can feel when characters run barefoot on the hot sand or remember the musty smell of a beach house with interior wood paneling.
I look forward to reading The Jaws Log by Carl Gottlieb. Carl Gottlieb was the screenwriter for the movie, providing an in-depth first-person account on how it was made. I’ve read reviews that say this is one of the best books on film production. Anecdotally, I heard filming Jaws was a mess. As a librarian, I want to read the best possible source, and I’m eager to see how the chaos of the production became one of the greatest movies ever made. It’s a sea breezy 224 pages, which will make for a quick and relaxing reading experience.
As a side note, I'm also planning on reading I Want You Around: The Ramones and the Making of Rock' n’ Roll High School by Stephen B. Armstrong. Rock' N’ Roll High School, directed by New Jersey-born Allan Arkush, is one of the most fun movies you’ll ever see. If the making-of is as mouse-explosion wild as the movie, this will be a very entertaining read.
– Matt Bridgeman, Information and Education Librarian, Robert Wood Johnson Library of the Health Sciences
Vegetable Kingdom
By Bryant Terry
Just before the pandemic, I had the privilege of attending a talk and cooking demonstration at the Free Library of Philadelphia given by Bryant Terry, a plant-based chef who creates recipes influenced by the traditions of the African diaspora. Unfortunately, when everything shut down, so did access to spices, fresh veggies, and people to share meals with.
This summer I am excited to finally get to his book. Most of the veggies can be grown here, or easily found at the farmer’s market or grocery store. More than a cookbook, Vegetable Kingdom is an immersive experience and it even includes a playlist of songs featuring a range of artists, from Outcast to Sarah Vaughn. Terry provides advice on kitchen tools and composting, as well as discussions on food justice and plant-based living. Of course, the best part is getting to the food, and some of my personal favorites include the charred broccoli rabe, the Memphis coleslaw, the roasted sweet potato and asparagus po’boy, and a delicious spin on a Jersey favorite, grilled corn on the cob. Terry’s in-husk version adds charred habanero oil, lime, and cilantro. So many of the recipes are backyard grill ready, making Vegetable Kingdom a great summer companion.
– Bart Everts, Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers-Camden
Tina: The Dog Who Changed the World
By Niall Harbison
Think Twice
By Harlan Coben
As a science librarian specializing in addiction studies, I understand the power of helping others as a pathway to healing—whether in the context of recovery or general well-being. This summer, I am looking forward to reading another inspiring addiction-related memoir entitled Tina: The Dog Who Changed the World, a new 2025 release by Niall Harbison. I was deeply moved by his previous book, Hope: How Three Dogs Taught Me the Meaning of Life, an engaging story of mutual salvation told by a person in recovery, who turned his life around by helping the helpless, the less fortunate, and the vulnerable. Rescuing street dogs of Thailand gave him renewed purpose in life, and in turn, the dogs taught him important life lessons about hope and love.
Audiobooks also have a special place on my summer reading list. This year, I can’t wait to start listening to Think Twice, the 12th installment in the Myron Bolitar series by my favorite New Jersey author, Harlan Coben. Known for his intricate mysteries, witty dialogues, and distinctly New Jerseyan characters, Coben never disappoints!
– Judit H. Ward, Science Reference and Instruction Librarian, Rutgers University Libraries-New Brunswick
