What to read this summer... ...according to the Faculty & Staff of Archmere Academy
Cloud Atlas b y David Mitchell This book is, to use a technical term, “bonkers”. Cloud Atlas is really a collection of six stories in six settings ranging from the late 19th century through to a post-apocalyptic future. The stories are organized like Russian nesting dolls — divided in two and containing the later stories within them — but ultimately tells a singular narrative about how invisibly connected we are to the past and future. I love when novels experiment with form and time, and Mitchell does so masterfully here. Moreover, the stories are just good, and Mitchell demonstrates his ability to adapt to any genre. My personal favorite is “The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish” which tells the story of a literary agent on the run from the Mob who gets trapped in a nursing home. Hilarity ensues.
Mr. Seltzer, Science Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I have read this book three times now, and with each read, something new comes to the forefront. I have always been struck by Adichie’s ability to describe how one yearns for a place or a moment in time. While cooped up during quarantine, this is a sentiment we can all relate to! The pull she feels between the U.S. and Nigeria reminds me a lot of how I felt while living and working in France, and how I feel while traveling. Plus, parts of her story take place in the Philadelphia area and on Penn’s campus--so stay tuned for local references! Adichie poignantly addresses inequality, racism, mental health struggles, and above all, love, in this beautiful novel. Note: Some mature scenes throughout
Mme Thiel, World Languages & Cultures
Stardust b y Neil Gaiman Gaiman is arguably one of the best modern fantasy authors, known for writing Coraline, American Gods, Good Omens, and the graphic novel The Sandman. He usually writes darker pieces but I love Stardust because it is a lighthearted, humorous, whimsical, story that contains many of my favorite fantasy tropes. A young man, determined to win the favor of the woman he loves, vows to retrieve for her a recently fallen star. The star has fallen beyond the wall where the normal workings of the world do not matter and fantasy takes over. I was instantly hooked by Gaiman’s imagination and all the twists and turns in Stardust. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Dr. Wilcox, Physics Coop by Michael Perry Actually the third book from this author about his midwestern life: in alternately hilarious and moving stories, Perry shares his quest for family, farming, work, love, friendship, community, and meaning. Lots of chickens and other animals in this book, and I laughed enough to read several more of his books and essays. A regular guy with a beautiful heart, the author tells stories that evoke our own memories, experiences, and aspirations. His knack for profound insights, deft characterizations, and wry humor make this book a satisfying summer indulgence.
Mr. Dougherty, English Where the Crawdads Sing b y Delia Owens This book captivated me from the first page, and I finished it in one sitting. It is a story of survival, beauty, heartache, and personal resilience. Filled with rich visual descriptions of the natural world and an authentic atmosphere and sense of place, it simultaneously explores both the sublime natural world and the interior psychic world of the main character, Kya. This book also speaks to “man’s inhumanity to man” and the collective loss we all experience when outliers, or those who do not assimilate to social norms, are mistreated based on their differences. Note: Some mature scenes throughout
Mrs. Silverman, Art
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng I’ve always liked Reese Witherspoon, but her selection of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere as one of her Book Club picks took my fangirl status of Witherspoon--and subsequently of Ng--to a new level. Set in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a town made famous by its commitment to racial integration in the 1960s and 70s, Little Fires explores the complex relationships that exist in even our most seemingly idyllic communities. Ng exposes deep-seated biases surrounding race and privilege, while simultaneously magnifying the beauty of universal human experiences such as motherhood and teenage romance. Ng’s characters left me questioning my own preconceptions, wondering how I’d handle similar dilemmas. As a bonus, Ng’s work has been brought to the small screen this summer, and I can’t wait to compare the book and the series. While I usually favor the book, Ng’s involvement in the production--which stars Witherspoon and Kerry Washington--might give the book a run for its money.
Mrs. Maher, English The Dialogue of Dogs by Miguel de Cervantes Leave it to a history teacher to recommend a work from the early 1600s. I bought this book at a flea market in Philadelphia on the reputation of the author alone. Most well-known for Don Quixote, Cervantes is considered the greatest writer in the Spanish language. I was drawn to this particular work, though, for two reasons: it’s a novella and it’s about dogs (it’s actually the first talking-dog story in Western literature). The story reads as a conversation between two dogs, who one night, discover they can speak. Not knowing how long this strange new ability will last, they rush to tell each other as much about their lives as they can. Their discussion is clever and humorous and very human. I wonder what my dog would say if he could talk.
Mr. Bardeer, History
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver I just loved The Poisonwood Bible and I read new things during each of the 4 times I read it. This post-colonial story of a missionary family was published in 1998 when my daughter was in high school and I saw some of the characters through her eyes as well as mine. The setting shifts between Georgia (where I lived during my master’s work) to the Congo and the settings are just as vividly described as the voices of the characters. Each chapter is in the distinct voice of either the mother or one of the 4 daughters. One of the twins speaks only in palindromes. Through these various voices we discover a rich natural history as well as cultural and social histories of the areas. I don’t recommend that you do this for your first reading, but once I read the book through by jumping only to the chapters for each character which highlighted strengths and flaws that I had missed before. You’ll be transported. You’ll also want to read more by Barbara Kingsolver: The Bean Trees; Flight Behavior; Animal, Vegetable, Miracle; Prodigal Summer; Unsheltered, Homeland; Small Wonders; How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Early Lessons). No shortage of options by this great American writer.
Dr. Christy, Science Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott Some of you may be familiar with the movie, but before you rush to watch it (if you haven’t already), I encourage you to start with the book. And if you’re a fan of The Fault in Our Stars, I highly recommend you check out this book as well. What I enjoyed about this book was that it allowed me to learn more about Cystic fibrosis (CF). According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, “Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breath over time.” Currently more than 30,000 Americans are living with CF and 1,000 people are diagnosed each year (mostly children). Through the characters of Stella, Will & Poe, this book allowed me the opportunity for a small glimpse into what life with CF looks like and the sacrifices those with CF have to make every moment of their life. It doesn’t hurt that there are compelling friendships and a love story, too! Note: deals with terminal illness
Ms. Souza, College Counseling
Good Omens b y Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman I first read this book in college and immediately started buying copies when I saw them because mine kept disappearing when I lent it out; I sent it to my high school friend fighting in Iraq and he said it helped him make it through. I no longer own a paper copy because I’ve lost so many! It’s funny and clever and full of plot twists and allusions, but a little hard to summarize. Basically, it’s the end of the world and an angel and a demon are supposed to be doing their jobs and are instead sabotaging because they’re not sure they really want the world to end. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett are two of my absolute favorite authors and this is perhaps the best collaboration of all time- two top writers at the top of their game. I recommend watching the recent miniseries on Amazon. It’s not quite as good as the book but very well done. If you want to read more Gaiman, I ditto Dr. Wilcox’ recommendation of Stardust, or The Color of Magic or Night Watch for Terry Pratchett. Or you could read the writer who I think heavily influenced both of them and the genre: Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy).
Ms. Scheflen, World Languages & Cultures Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear The summer of my senior year in high school all the seniors on the cross country team chose to read Running with the Buffaloes as a team bonding opportunity and to help keep us motivated for a long summer of miles. Author Chris Lear follows the 1998 University of Colorado cross country team as they take a crack at the NCAA Championship. The book provides an inside look at what it takes to be a top level student-athlete and the impact that good leadership and hard work has on a team. Furthermore, the book is a great story of life’s ups and downs and the way we can overcome adversity together to achieve a common goal.
Mr. Hannagan, History
The Secret Race by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle If you’ve watched the most recent ESPN 30 for 30 LANCE you probably have an idea of how dominant Lance Armstrong was in the sport of cycling. Lance Armstrong was the Michael Jordan of the cycling world during the early 2000s as he rebounded from cancer and went on to win the Tour de France seven consecutive times. Armstrong went on to create the Livestrong Foundation which raised money for cancer research and he became one of the most influential American athletes during the time. He successfully dodged all doping and cheating accusations until his former teammate Tyler Hamilton brought the Tour de France champion’s legacy crumbling down with his confession of the United States Postal Team’s doping ring. The stories which Hamilton tells about how Lance and the United States Postal Team show the extent some athletes will take to be cut corners and be the best at their sport.
Mr. Hannagan, History What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell Admittedly, I’ll read anything Gladwell writes. He’s sharp, funny, creative, and thoughtful which makes his writing very easy and enjoyable to read. What the Dog Saw, is a compilation of articles that Gladwell wrote for the New Yorker, like many of his other books. He tackles little stories about our society (accomplishments, failures, hard work, etc.) and why/how these stories matter. He dives into topics as large and small as he could find but details them brilliantly all the same. The big picture is to show us the world through someone else’s eyes, hence the title. The articles make this a quick read and will open your eyes to some pretty incredible daily accomplishments. He has tons of other similar style books for those that like this one as well as a great podcast that tackles similar daily thoughts called “Revisionist History”.
Mr. Duffie, Admissions
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz Mr. Jezyk gave me this book as a present for graduating from Archmere in the summer of 2010 and I have read this book every summer since. Don Miguel Ruiz dives into ancient Toltec wisdom to unveil the source of self-limiting beliefs that replace happiness with suffering and how to live in order to experience life to the fullest. This book has provided me with a new vision on how to handle any obstacles that come in life, keeping me grounded in my pursuit of true joy, love, and freedom. This is a short, easy read that has helped guide and prepare me for all the different things life has to offer, both the good and the bad. The lessons that this book has to offer are nothing short of inspiring.
Mr. Mengers, Theology East of Eden by John Steinbeck Selecting a book for this list was very difficult for me as I have so many favorites, each related to a different time or people in my life. But in this particular time, where time to read is plentiful, I choose a Steinbeck novel. It tells the story of a multigenerational family, the decisions they make that reflect the search for their identities and the consequences of love and rivalries. It is not considered to be the greatest of Stienbeck’s work but it has endured time and was brought to the attention of modern readers when it was selected as one of the early choices for Oprah’s Book Club. It clearly touches on numerous controversial topics and affords itself to much discussion.
Dr. Escobar, Science A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum My second selection reflects my current reads. A Woman is No Man is the story of a young Arab-American woman and describes the life that she and many others endure because of their culture. Brought to America in an arranged marriage, Isra yearns to be free from the constraints of her culture and wonders where is the great life of America. This is a great view into the life of a culture that is foreign to many of us.
Dr. Escobar, Science
Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict I enjoy historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. While a little slow to develop in the beginning, I found myself looking forward to any opportunity to jump back in and savor the story line. I loved the author's notes connecting her own Irish heritage to the main character, Clara. Anyone interested in the history of the Free Libraries and Carnegies' philanthropy will enjoy this book!
Mrs. Campion, Learning Specialist
Eleoanor Oliphant is completely fine b y Gail Honeyman Two thumbs up for this endearing little novel. Eleanor’s character grew on me with each chapter I read, and I was completely won over by her quirky ways. Great supporting characters as well. The ending completely surprised me, and I don’t surprise easily.
Mrs. Hendrixson, Nurse
Untamed by Glennon Doyle Typically, I do not enjoy memoirs and I was skeptical to say the least when I began this book. However, I have found that Doyle’s short chapters and anecdotes have resonated with me even though we have vastly different life experiences (Doyle is a divorced mother of three who is now married to soccer star Abby Wambach). Her honesty about her bulimia, addiction, and failed first marriage was captivating. While I do not agree with some of her views, her book has made me pause and reflect. Glennon’s story is one of freedom and acceptance of oneself amidst the pressure of our societal norms. Note: Some mature scenes & topics are discussed.
Ms. Rodack, History
If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino So many choices! But, today, I’ll pick an old favorite, Italo Calvino’s If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler because it is so many books in one. It’s a book about reading and about storytelling; it’s full of ideas and quirks and twists. The protagonist is you, the reader of Calvino’s novel, which you just bought and started to read. But, things go wrong with the book after the plot begins, and you have to return the book. But the new copy is a different book, with a new story. It’s meta, it’s funny and surprising and quick. And it’s not like any other book. (And check out other Calvinos, such as Mr. Palomar or Cosmicomics, for insights, mindgames, and surprises.)
Mr. Klinge, English No Country for Old Men b y Cormac McCarthy With the creation of a modern Western in a post-Vietnam era, McCarthy kept me gripped in my chair anxiously page-turning while following a drug trafficker and the man that he is hunting along the Texas-Mexico border. McCarthy writes with a distinguishing and simple style making this the only book that I have ever read in a single day. As with most Westerns and McCarthy novels, there are many graphic scenes of gun violence, shoot-outs, and reprehensible murder, so expect nothing less with this. Written in 2005, McCarthy uses the story within to reveal a sentiment with which many Americans empathize after 9/11. This book left me awestruck when I finished. I highly recommend this book! Note: Some strong language & violence
Mr. Creekmore, Science The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley by Alex Haley and Malcolm X The story of how Malcolm Little became Malcolm X, in his own words. I put it alongside Augustine’s Confessions as one of the great, compellingly readable testaments of conscience and consciousness in literature. No reading experience has caused me to examine more deeply what it means to be an American.
Mr. Quinn, English
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame This one is a delight, which is what summer reading should be: delightful. Ostensibly a children’s book, there’s a richness here for readers from 9 to 90. In this beloved classic from Grahame, we get to follow the lives of Mole and Rat--a river rat, not the nasty variety of nightmares--Badger, Otter, and the lovably incorrigible Mr. Toad of Toad Hall. This book has stuck with me, and I hope it continues to do so. It’s full of wonder, the desire to leave home for adventure, and the even greater longing to return to sit fireside with a friend. (We even get a cameo from the god Pan!, but I’ll leave that one to your reading.) Note: Some bucolic scenes of riverside picnicking & boating
Mr. Chominski, Theology The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger b y Stephen King “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.”
With that line, Stephen King’s magnum opus – The Dark Tower –
begins in Book 1: The Gunslinger. King is my favorite author and I could have easily chosen numerous of his books but The Dark Tower saga is arguably his crowning achievement and Roland Deschain, the gunslinger, possibly his most iconic character. While I don’t think The Gunslinger is the best of the series, it’s the beginning of the journey and much like we needed to see Harry Potter in the cupboard under the stairs to appreciate the wizard he’d become, we need to walk the desert with Roland right from the start to understand how far he’ll go before it’s done. It’s an epic tale that is equal parts western, fantasy, horror and sci-fi and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read with characters beautifully heroic and deeply flawed and worlds simultaneously strange and familiar. To this day, if someone forces me to choose a favorite book my answer is still: “The Dark Tower. All of it.” If at the end of The Gunslinger you are not ready to walk the rest of the way to the Tower with Roland, it’s probably not for you. But if you are, the Tower beckons… Note: This is Stephen King. Adult content included.
Mr. Bellace, Science
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Set in France during the German occupation in 1939, The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters who struggle to survive during the darkest of times, under the harshest and most brutal conditions. I normally do not at all enjoy reading war novels, but this one is different – it is the tale of “the women’s war”, and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. This story is about what it’s like to be a woman during war, and the author skillfully paints a stark picture showing the extreme differences between the ways each sister manages to cope. The book covers the gamut of the German invasion and the effects it had on the population - the hardships and atrocities that were a part of it. It is unflinching in its depiction of what it was like to be a citizen of France during these years. The ending was amazing, and I shed several tears so get ready! I highly recommend The Nightingale to anyone who wants to read a wonderful story on every level about the courage of the human soul. What a beautiful reminder not to overlook women and their strength! Note: Some mature scenes throughout
Mrs. Starnes, Admissions Marketing The Last Lecture b y Dr. Randy Pauch A playbook for how to live life, because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think.” A memoir of sorts about optimism (“The park is open until 8 pm”), learning from failure (“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.”), and how to succeed (“Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.”). Warning: This book will sadden you to tears, make you truly lol, and force you think about the direction you’re taking your life. Recommender’s Note: The only book I’ve ever reread and this review is motivating me to read it a third time. A quick peruse. I guarantee you will thank me.
Mr. Boehm, College Counseling
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers Nice book, baby! McCullers is one of my (our? Is that how parenting works?) favorite writers. Her storytelling is musical, passionate, and soulful. This perfectly-titled masterpiece (which she wrote at the positively babyish age of 23) centers around a bunch of weirdos in a small Southern town. Fundamentally, it is a novel about expanding the circumference of community -- which, whether we like it or not, will always include the despised, forgotten, and misunderstood.
Mr. Quinn, English Imagen, actitud, y poder by Lucy Lara Calling all fashion and Spanish lovers! I picked this book during one of my travels to Mexico, which makes it even more special to me. Lucy Lara is a renowned fashion editor in Latin America with over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry! I’ve been loving this book because Lucy coaches you to understand, develop, and refine your style without breaking the bank. As the final cherry on top, Lucy is all about female empowerment. Did I mention it includes key Spanish 3 grammar points?!
Ms. Vieyra, World Languages Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell I’m with Mr. Duffie on this, I’ll read anything Gladwell writes and I’ve read most of his works. I can also strongly recommend Outliers and David and Goliath, but this one was my most recent read. I think there’s no better way to explain this book other than what it says on the front cover: “What we should know about the people we don’t know”. Reading this opened my eyes and helped me change my thinking on many subjects. The book tackles some controversial people and issues, but in the current world we live in, I can’t think of a more important read than this one!
Mr. Pisani, Math
Bitcoin Billionaires by Ben Mezrich One more from me...Ben Mezrich is another of my favorite authors. Mezrich writes mostly non-fiction and some of his more famous works include Bringing Down the House and The Accidental Billionaires which inspired the movies 21 and The Social Network respectively. His books are easy quick reads and tell interesting stories. I started this book mostly because I had no understanding of Bitcoin, and through the book I learned a lot about it and its origins. If you’ve seen the Social Network, the story centers on the Winklevoss twins as they enter the world of cryptocurrency.
Mr. Pisani, Math
Check, Please! #hockey and Check, Please! Sticks & Scones by Ngozi Ukazu If you love hockey, sports, pie, another boy, a girl, or excellently written and illustrated, fast-paced graphic novels that are full of heart, you’ll LOVE Check, Please! #hockey. The author states in her foreword that Check, Please! is a “love letter to college hockey, the bonds you form in undergrad, and self-acceptance.” Self-acceptance is the big one. You see, Bitty is gay. He’s pretty obviously gay, but he has never said it to anyone, even himself, before he comes out as a freshman to a teammate of his in a great scene that’s casual and accepting and I hope every LGBTQ+ person has someone like to come out to, because it’s JUST not a big deal to him. His response? Cool, bro. One of the best things about this book is the way it creates these tough-guy characters who party hard, flirt with chicks, worry about the typical college concerns: sports, booze, sex – but who are one and all a moral center, a nucleus of love and acceptance that gives a deeper meaning to their relationships on and off the ice. They’re teammates, yes, but they’re FAMILY – and Bitty’s sort of a stand-in mom. He bakes – incessantly - he cleans, he worries about the ancient oven in the kitchen as much as he worries about his teammates. The sequel, Check, Please! Sticks and Scones is equally charming, full of heart and love and warmth and baked goods. Together, they’re an indomitable pair, a story that you’ll want to re-read and characters you’ll want to revisit as soon as you close the books. Note: Since this is college related, there is some adult language and content.
Mrs. Bellace, Library
What to listen to this summer... ...according to the Faculty & Staff of Archmere Academy
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day This podcast makes even the coolest, seemingly untouchable individuals more “human” in my eyes. There is an obvious focus on failure, but through the freeing & refreshing lens that it is only through learning from our failures that we achieve bigger & better successes in the future. Also, she’s British and her accent is lovely!
Mme Thiel, French NPR & WHYY & WMEH I am a huge fan of public radio and 10 hours in the car flies by thanks to laugh out loud moments with Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, tell me more with Fresh Air or How I Built This, and contemplating what’s for dinner with Milk Street Radio. So tune in! Bon Appétit et Bon Voyage!
Mme Cooper, World Languages & Culture Radiolab, Freakonomics Radio & Latino USA I am also a huge fan of public radio! And I would like to recommend a few podcasts/broadcasts that are perfect for lazy day listening (or I listen while I garden). Radiolab is mostly science based, Freakonomics is economics and social sciences and Latino USA gives a lot of information about the wide, varied Latino communities and communities of color in the US.
Ms. Scheflen, World Languages & Culture
Serial If you’re a true crime junkie, do yourself a favor and check out NPR’s Serial. Journalist Sarah Koenig investigates the 1999 murder of 18-year-old Hae Min Lee in suburban Baltimore and the subsequent trial and conviction of Lee’s ex-boyfriend who continues to maintain his innocence. Koenig pokes holes in the investigation, rolling them out one suspenseful episode at a time in a way that had me driving around the block an extra time just to finish an episode.
Mrs. Maher, English S-Town Could the great American novel be a documentary podcast? This true crime spinoff from the creators of Serial (see Ms. Maher’s recommendation above!) has all the captivating qualities of fiction, expanding into a gothic mystery about small-town Southern life, clockmaking, chemistry, and an enigma named John B. McLemore. Don’t Google it before you listen; there are some crazy twists. Note: Some mature content and complex themes.
Mr. Quinn, English Ambar Lucid, Garden of Lucid Those who know me well know that my tastes in music are eclectic. One day I’ll be listening to the rock band The War on Drugs, and the next, vintage Missy Elliott. But this album has been hard to turn off as of late! Each song weaves seamlessly between English and Spanish, and Lucid’s voice is both fresh & timeless. Beware of the song “Story to Tell”....it will be stuck in your head for weeks! Mark my words: Ambar Lucid (currently only 19 years of age) will be a star!
Mme Thiel, World Languages & Cultures
Pinegrove, Skylight Folksy emo band from New Jersey? Yeah, that sounds about right. Pinegrove’s Skylight has been what I put on whenever I can’t decide what I want to listen to for the last two years, and it never disappoints. It is the perfect soundtrack to pretty much whatever you might be doing on any given day. This very utilitarian approach to my recommendation so far sells this record short by a mile. Beautifully crafted songs like “Darkness” and “Easy Enough” give you a peek into the fascinating mind of the band’s frontman and songwriter, Evan Stephens Hall. His love of James Joyce explains some of the strange vocabulary he regularly uses and the depth of the topics he chooses to explore.
Mr. Bardeer, History Revisionist History Mr. Duffie mentioned this podcast is his book recommendation and it’s a favorite of mine too. Each episode explores something from history that has been overlooked or misunderstood. Much like my feelings on his books, I find Malcolm Gladwell fascinating on this podcast. I can’t say I always agree with him on every subject, but I still enjoy listening to his thorough logic and research he uses to deliver his points in each episode.
Mr. Pisani, Math How I Built This Each week the host, Guy Raz, interviews the founders of familiar companies such as DoorDash, FitBit, & Peloton. Their stories of creativity, determination, courage, and grit are interesting and inspiring. The path from the initial idea to achieving the founder’s dream is never smooth or easy. My favorite episode is with Dave Dahl of Dave’s Killer Bread.
Mr. Campion, Director of Operations