Every Summer, Tisch College Dean Rob Hollister invites Tisch College's adjunct faculty, board members, and University partners to share their suggestions for summer reading. Each book entry lists who suggested in and their description of the book. Please use the list on the right to jump to a specific book entry.
The Big Necessity: Adventures in the World of Human Waste by Rose George
Deborah Pacini Hernandez, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor of Anthropology
“Its topic is not particularly savory, it is a fascinating read, but more to the point, important for anyone interested in poverty, health disparities, the environment, as well as cultural differences in the ways people over time and space have dealt with this unmentionable but inescapable feature of the human condition. George does for the subject of human waste what Michael Pollan does for corn. And a sure conversation starter when someone asks you what you are reading.”
Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Jo Wellins, Tufts University Deputy Director of Development
“Set in Munich against the backdrop of the Jewish Holocaust, narrated by Death.”
Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat
Nancy Wilson, Tisch College Director and Associate Dean
“Tisch College and the Office of Undergraduate Education have selected this book to be sent to all incoming undergraduates students for summer reading. The book was a National Book Award finalist, and conveys the story of several parts of the author's family, in and out of Haiti in 2004. It's a beautifully written account of different paths taken, and the impact of UN and US policies on the lives of very specific Haitians. We are planning several events for Orientation week and after related to the book. We invite you to join us in this reading.”
The Calcutta Chromosome by Amitav Ghosh
Rosalind H. Shaw, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor of Anthropology
“This novel connects the colonial history of malaria research in India with reincarnation!”
The Charismatic Organization by Deb Jospin and Shirley Sagawa
Seth Barad, Tisch College Board of Advocates
“I would also recommend Deb and Shirley's ‘The Charismatic Organization’ if you have not already devoured it cover to cover.”
Encore by Marc Freedman
Seth Barad, Tisch College Board of Advocates
“Right on point for Tisch-related thinking about active citizenship.”
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Maryanne Wolf, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Professor of Child Development
“One of the most luminous novels I have ever read, this book was written a few years ago by Marilynne Robinson.”
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson
Miriam Nelson, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor, Friedman School
“This is an incredibly well-written Swedish murder mystery. A perfect summer read.”
Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff
Pamela Goldberg, Program Director, Gordon Institute
“This book talks about the growing trend in social networking and how it relates to changes in the way we all communicate both professionally and personally. Although the focus is primarily on business-related issues, the book's topic really affects us all. The younger generation has already adopted social networking as a key piece of communicating so I am pushing myself to get up the learning curve.”
Home by Marilynne Robinson
Maryanne Wolf, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Professor of Child Development
“Robinson’s new book, Home, is now tied in my mind for most luminous novel I have ever read. Read Gilead first, and then Home, and then you will want to read Gilead all over again. There is no sex, no violence, no great historical events, and only the mystery contained within a few human beings' search for meaning in a tiny town called Gilead. You will thank me. And I thank Rob again for this great outpouring of wonderful suggestions from each other....”
How the Beatles Destroyed Rock 'n' Roll: An Alternative History of American Popular Music by Elijah Wald
Danny LeBlanc, Tisch College Board of Advocates, Somerville Community Corporation
“As a long-time music fan, and sometimes wanna-be pianist, I'll be reading Elijah Wald's new book, "How the Beatles Destroyed Rock 'n' Roll: An Alternative History of American Popular Music," and invite anyone to join me in that read.”
Human Smoke: the beginning of the Second World War and the end of civilization by Nicholson Baker
Dale Bryan, Assistant Director, Peace and Justice Studies
“This book is an accounting of pacifist resistance, though you might not recognize it for all the making of enemy images justifying the direct and cultural violence.”
Hunting Eichmann: How a Band of Survivors and a Young Spy Agency Chased Down the World's Most Notorious Nazi by Neal Bascom
Barbara Grossman, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor of Drama and Dance
“It's not great literature, but it's a compelling read (particularly since I just taught Imagining the Holocaust on Stage and Screen). I can see this becoming a taut feature film.”
Indian Summer by Alex Von Tunzelmann
Fran Rodgers, Tisch College Board of Advocates
“I just finished, and recommend, this book about the British withdrawal from India. Really interesting and sets context for events in Pakistan.”
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmerman Bradley
Dale Bryan, Assistant Director, Peace and Justice Studies
“A long-ago goodie this book is a telling of the King Arthur legend through the eyes and acts of the women.”
Netherland by Joseph O'Neill
Barbara Grossman, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor of Drama and Dance
“I just started this book which President Obama recently recommended. Michiko Kakutani's cover blurb describes it as follows: ‘With echoes of The Great Gatsby...Joseph O'Neill's stunning new novel provides a resonant meditation on the American Dream.’”
The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin
Carol Goldberg, Tisch College Board of Advocates
“This book is riveting.”
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Seth Barad, Tisch College Board of Advocates
“This book is a reminder that various circumstances and certain types of ‘practice’ can be more influential than pure talent. Since we at Tisch College are trying to influence a whole generation of active citizens, Gladwell's book might remind us that circumstances other than our good work may influence the outcome we seek.”
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Miriam Nelson, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor, Friedman School
“I am sure most of you have already read this, but "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks is fabulous. It is a fictional account of the how the Sarajevo Haddadah survived over the centuries.”
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
Dale Bryan, Assistant Director, Peace and Justice Studies
“A terrific tale of the building of a cathedral in 12th Century England during the struggle for the Crown.”
The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich
Elizabeth Hollander
“I am in the midst of this tough, fascinating novel.”
Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth
James M. Glaser, Dean Undergraduate Education
“A novel about a slave ship mutiny and the utopian community that the survivors set up in Florida. The first 100 pages or so are slow, but once the ship's journey begins, the book is quite incredible.”
Slavery By Another Name by Douglass Blackman
David S. Ford, Tisch College Board of Advocates
“I just heard Douglass Blackman interviewed on NPR about his Pulitzer prize winning book and I'm ordering it on Amazon today! Sounds stunning. More wonderful books cited here than I'll get to in the next five years!”
A Spectacle of Suffering: Clara Morris on the American Stage by Barbara Grossman
Barbara Grossman, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor of Drama and Dance
“In the shameless self-promotion department, my book on Clara Morris is finally out and available on Amazon!”
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
Rosalind H. Shaw, Tisch College Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor of Anthropology
“My favourite summer reading of all time”
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
Jo Wellins, Tufts University Deputy Director of Development
