Need a new book to read? The library’s Collections Development Coordinator, Beth, and Cataloging Associate, Susan, share some of their favorite new finds below. Click each link to locate the book in our library collection.
The Personal Librarian
New York Times bestseller and critically acclaimed historical fiction novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, accounts the remarkable, little-known story of Belle DaCosta Greene. After being discovered at Princeton University by Morgan’s relative, Belle was asked to become the personal research librarian and curator for the enormously powerful business and industry tycoon, J. Pierpont Morgan. What makes this story incredible is the fact that Greene is an African American passing as white in a 1900s racist, male-dominated society. Belle becomes extremely successful and powerful, not only as a research expert, but also as a connoisseur of art and literature in New York society. She was known for her impeccable taste and uncanny negotiating skills for adding critical works to Morgan’s collection. Belle is caught between embracing her heritage, and losing it all if exposed, or maintaining the façade to continue her powerful career and prestige. Recommended highly, it is a beautifully written page-turner that can be found in our main campus book stacks.
Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation
This book addresses the profound influence that parents provide on the religious identities and beliefs of their children. The authors, Christian Smith and Amy Adamczyk, provide well researched data in the areas of religious parenting, parenting styles, and intergenerational religious transmission. It also examines different cultural models of parenting and why religious parenting is so important. Handing Down the Faith is on our New Books shelf on the 2nd floor.
Project Hail Mary
A newly released science-thriller by Andy Weir who is the author of The Martian. The story revolves around Ryland Grace who is on a desperate journey into space to save Earth. He awakens from an induced coma to find himself millions of miles from earth with two dead crew mates. Alone on a tiny ship, it’s up to him to conquer an extinction level threat to our species. This book will have your inner nerd screaming with delight. And did I mention there are aliens? Andy Weir’s book is devilishly clever and funny with some big surprises. If you like tech jargon, space travel, and a plant that can save the world, this book is for you. Project Hail Mary is shelved in our Recreational Reading area on the 2nd floor.
Harlem Shuffle
Written by Colson Whitehead, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys. Harlem Shuffle depicts Harlem in the 1960s and includes mystery/suspense, historical fiction, and family drama. Whitehead builds his story with Ray Carney, a furniture salesman and part-time fence. The novel is full of well-rounded characters living harsh and desperate lives in order to rise above their dire circumstances. A gripping crime novel that tells a bigger story, Whitehead grounds his tale on solid research into Harlem’s history and the sociology of the people who lived there during that time. Harlem Shuffle is shelved in our Recreational Reading area on the 2nd floor.
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: A Photographic History
Released on the 100th anniversary of the horrific event, The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: A Photographic History by Karlos K. Hill, communicates in pictures the actions of a hostile crowd against an entire community, known as the Greenwood District, of African Americans. What began as an innocent elevator ride involving a black man and a white woman intensifies as word of mouth turns the incident into one of the most tragic happenings in the history of America. Fueled by hatred, white supremacy, and jealousy, the white mob attacked the residents of the community. Because Greenwood District had become a flourishing community of successful businesses and nice homes, some of the Tulsa residents were not going to “have it.” This attack resulted in most of the community in ruins from fires and more than 800 people injured. Approximately 300 people died during this merciless attack. Taking in the events of the 24-hour destruction spree in photographs brings to life the severity of these actions. You can find The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in our main campus book stacks.
Thanks to Beth and Susan for sharing these new books! Feel free to check out one or all of them from Union’s library today. Most of our new books are found on the New Books shelf on the second floor. You can also find new books in our Recreational Reading Collection and Family Room. Find an up-to-date list of our new books using the New Books quick link on the library’s homepage.
Union University Library Blog 