Do you have your own reading list? Do you still not know “What shall I read?” when you intend to learn something? In this fast-paced information age, occupied by various entertainment or other tedious things, people don’t have much time to do reading. However, as the carrier of knowledge and wisdom, books play an important role in the ladder of human progress by inspiring thoughts and promoting personal growth. Humans can not develop without books. Join us and find a book that interests you in the reading list recommended by top American universities in 2024.
The Reading List Recommended by Harvard University
We Want To Do More Than Survive
By Bettina Love
This book explores how true liberation and freedom can be achieved in the field of education, especially for students who are often marginalized and oppressed. The book contains numerous case studies and personal experiences that show how some educators have adopted abolitionist teaching methods in practice with positive results.
Detransition, Baby
By Torrey Peters
Detransition, Baby is the author’s debut novel. This is a novel dealing with LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and so on), in which the author explores the family life stories of a cisgender person, a former transgender man, and a transgender woman, showing readers their vulnerability and pain, as well as many misunderstandings and frustrations experienced by transgender women. If you want to do a book list, this one is advised to add to your reading list.
A Frog in the Fall (And Later On)
By Linnea Sterte
This comic book is on the reading list of Harvard University. It tells readers the wonderful journey of a little frog in the wide world after leaving his hometown with beautiful illustrations. Created by Linnea Sterte, one of the best illustrators of all time from Sweden, this book is charming for its unique landscape presentation and its use of color. Most netizens who have read it think that it is one of the best books to read for beginners when having picnics in the evening.
The Reading List Recommended by the University of Berkeley
This year, the suggested reading list of UC Berkeley captivates with the theme “Defining Moments.” It contains several fascinating works of fiction and nonfiction, along with one film that was a hit last year.
Oppenheimer
Director: Christopher Nolan
This film is based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Sorrow of Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. It tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, who led the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. And the unfair hearings he received after World War II. It is worth noting that J. Robert Oppenheimer began his academic career at UC Berkeley, where he served as a professor of physics. His time at Berkeley was crucial in his development as a scientist and a leader in the field of theoretical physics.
How to Have Less Crime and Less Punishment
By Mark A.R. Kleiman
This is one of the best books to read. It is the most important book on crime for decades. The author does the analysis revolving around the decision to commit (or not) a crime. He also shows how a first-rate policy analyst uses professional-grade sociology, psychology, mathematical models, and economics to solve this intractable and important social problem.
Crying in H Mart
By Michelle Zauner
This book is on the suggested reading list. Michelle Zauner is best known as the frontwoman of the indie rock band Japanese Breakfast. The author delves into her quest to ascertain her identity, her ties to Korean and American heritage, her dreams, and the multifaceted roles she plays as a daughter, granddaughter, and niece. Her stories are rich with intimate anecdotes that will resonate widely, which is one of the reasons that the book is on the suggested reading list.
The Midnight Library
By Matt Haig
This widely acclaimed novel is a highlight of the reading book list for 2024 because it masterfully blends fantasy, philosophy, and introspection. After experiencing many terrible things, such as unemployment and the death of her beloved pet, Nora is desperate and decides to commit suicide. Hovering between life and death, Nora’s consciousness comes to a library. Each book in the library chronicled a different life from each of her choices, and with the help of the librarians, she can touch the different threads of her life, fulfilling the poet Sylvia Plath’s hope in the introduction.
Reading List Recommended by the University of Stanford
According to the suggestions of alumni, Stanford University compiles its book reading list.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
By Philip K. Dick
For computer science students who like to think about the future impact of artificial intelligence, this book will be one of the most interesting books to read. This dystopian classic, written in 1968, inspired the famous film Blade Runner. The story is set in San Francisco in 2020, when a global nuclear war breaks out, and the Earth is in trouble. While humans establish colonies off Earth and employ robot helpers, some robots rebel and return to Earth. The main character, Rick Deckard, is one of many bounty hunters on Earth whose job is to hunt down robots, but things quickly get complicated when the robots look exactly like real people.
Kindred
By Octavia Butler
For students majoring in history who are interested in science fiction but don’t know what to read, this brilliant novel can be the top choice for their reading material. In this thrilling novel, a young black woman writer named Dana travels back in time to the antebellum South. The story explores the intersection of race, gender, history, and politics while also exploring the meaning of kinship.
The Martian
By Andy Weir
Readability and fun are the main reasons why this novel is on the reading list. In 2035, astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after an accident during an emergency evacuation of a Mars expedition. But Mark Watney didn’t die. Instead, he must find a way to survive on this Mars before he can see his crew and family again. In addition, the release of the movie “The Martian”, starring Matt Damon, spurred a rush to buy the novel, propelling it straight to the top of the New York Times bestseller list.
Tips to Read Books on the Reading List
- Set reading plans: the recommended books to read vary from university to university, and readers can make their reading list and make a detailed reading plan based on their interests and the relevance of the books to the course.
- Take notes: it is advised to take notes while you are reading, which can amplify your reading experience and improve information retention. For example, mark key points and write down your understanding or feeling of the moment.
- Use supplementary resources: when you encounter something you don’t understand in the reading process, you can consult the materials or take the initiative to ask others for help. On the one hand, it can help you enrich your knowledge. On the other hand, other people’s opinions can deepen your understanding of what you are reading or give you new inspiration.
- Focus on efficiency: spending too much time on the same book without a goal will make people fatigued and lead to decreased concentration. In addition, properly using reading skills, such as skimming, skipping, and so on, can help readers complete the reading more efficiently. After finishing each book, it is essential to reflect on what you have learned from it. Reflection also allows you to see connections between different books and sources of information.
Conclusion
Books on the reading lists suggested by top US universities such as Harvard University, the University of Stanford, and the University of Berkeley not only include different genres and styles but also offer profound insights into various aspects of human experience, from social sciences and history to philosophy and literature. Moreover, this blog also provides practical reading strategies to help readers finish their books efficiently.
FAQ
What is a good book to read?
It depends. Different people have different definitions of good books. A good book resonates with personal interests and reading preferences and captures people’s imagination. Books on the reading list suggested by top universities are always good to read for students.
What benefits do required readings provide to college students?
Below are the advantages for college students in finishing the required readings.
- Enhance academic knowledge
- Improve cultural awareness
- Develop professional skills
What is everyone reading in 2024?
Below are some must-read books on the reading list of American universities for 2024.
- “Oppenheimer” by Christopher Nolan. (recommended by UC Berkeley)
- “A Frog in the Fall (And Later On)” by Linnea Sterte. (recommended by Harvard University)
- “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner. (recommended by UC Berkeley)
- “Splinters” by Leslie Jamison. (recommended by Columbia University)
“The Martian” by Andy Weir. (recommended by Stanford University)
