Summer Reading 2015 Bentley Upper School: Faculty & Staff Recommendations

Recommended by Ms. Yan and by Bentley Book Club

Recommended by Ms. Breslin and Ms. Bogas
"I am currently reading it and it's fantastic!" -- Ms. Breslin
"This Pulitzer winner combines the gripping stories of two young people with the history of WWII in a spell binding way using hauntingly beautiful prose." -- Ms. Bogas

Recommended by Ms. Bogas and Ms. Lott-Pollack
A love story, a story about race, a story about immigrants, a story about America, a story about Nigeria, a story about coming of age -- this book has it all! The author is a brilliant observer of human character and writes in a style that is both entertaining and insightful - don't miss it. (Ms. Bogas)
"What a wonderful book about race, class, and gender in the United States, England, and Nigeria." (Ms. Pollack)

Recommended by Ms. Geisler.
I recommend this as a lover of all things 1920s Paris! It is a novel.

Recommended by Ms. Geisler.
Another 1920s Paris novel that I highly recommend.

Recommended by Ms. Breslin.
"My favorite book ever!"

Recommended by Ms. Ashley and Ms. Bogas
"Such a good read."

Recommended by Ms. Scheller.
I loved this book as young adult. As a child, I had an overactive imagination. I was always reading adventure books and dreaming about them when I wasn't reading. Ender's Game was my first look into Sci Fi. This book took me on an adventure farther than I had ever imagined before.

Recommended by Ms. Scheller.
I couldn't put this book down. It has gods, demi-gods, action, adventure, and comedy. It's a story of a man discovering who he is in a smart, fantastical way.

Recommended by Ms. Yan and Ms. Bogas

Recommended by Ms. Lott-Pollack
Mentioned by BAL guest and Bentley parent Joshua Braff as one of the teachers who most inspired him, Pam Houston writes beautiful stories. This collection of stories is Houston's first, and it captures the landscape and the beauty of the West.

Recommended by Mr. Ta and Ms. Bogas.
"I have this on my must read list!" -- Mr. Ta.
" a narrative so thoughtful and thrilling that it's as difficult to stop reading as it was for Gaiman to stop writing. Forty years ago, our narrator, who was then a seven-year-old boy, unwittingly discovered a neighboring family’s supernatural secret. What happens next is an imaginative romp through otherwordly adventure that could only come from Gaiman's magical mind. Childhood innocence is tested and transcended as we see what getting between ancient, mystic forces can cost, as well as what can be gained from the power of true friendship. The result is a captivating tale that is equal parts sweet, sad, and spooky" -- Amazon

Recommended by Ms. Lott Pollack
This is my go-to collection of short stories of Orringer's vision of how to grow up a girl in the United States.

Recommended by Ms. Spector-Sprague
Contact is the ultimate novel if you want to ruminate on the nature of science (in particular, physics) or love father-daughter sci-fi stories. This story is one of the many reasons why I pursued science; it has profoundly impacted me in incalculable ways. If you enjoyed the film Interstellar, I strongly recommend that you stop what you're doing and pick this book up. Additionally, Sagan's writing is gorgeous-- he is lyrical yet straightforward and, more than anything else, passionate.

Recommended by Mr. Yezbick

Recommended by Ms. Yan and Ms. Bogas

Recommended by Mr. Yezbick

Recommended by Ms. Baird
A Pulitzer Prize winning journalist digs into the lives of slum dwellers in Mumbai, India. Their stories, alternately joyous and heartbreaking, trace the day-to-day life of trash pickers, political activists, and the first girl from the slum to go to college. This beautiful and haunting book will make you think twice about development and globalization.

Recommended by Dr. Steward

Recommended by Mr. Yezbick

Recommended by Ms. Spector-Sprague
Do you want to understand the origins of the upcoming film Jurassic World? This novel is where the magic and wonder began. Enjoy the terror-filled adventure of a paleontologist, paleobotanist, mathematician, engineer, entrepreneur, two small kids, and a bevy of dinosaurs as they learn that life--always-- finds a way.

Recommended by Ms. Horwitz
This book should be required reading for anyone living in the United States today. While it's not a feel-good book--it's not what you'd call a beach read--it is a momentous, incredibly compelling piece of writing.

Recommended by Ms. Meneni.
"I would love to encourage all students to read this book. It address the question of prestige and points out that the view at elite colleges is not always worth the climb, so to speak."

Recommended by Ms. Lee

Recommended by Ms. Baird
For South Asianists, culinary arts students, and anyone else interested in a good curry! Collingham combines meticulous research with the history of empire and expansion in India, tracing the development of curry through the Mughal Empire and European imperialism. She also explains why tikka masala is an entirely British invention. An intriguing read that will make you hungry for some good Indian food.

Recommended by Ms. Yan

Recommended by Ms. Yan.
Subtitle: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming

Recommended by Ms.Horwitz
"a fascinating read. History buffs will love the way that it brings America's Gilded Age to life. Anyone interested in art and architecture will be enthralled with the story of the brilliant visionaries behind the World's Columbian Exposition. And, of course, who doesn't love a gripping murder-suspense story?"

Recommended by Ms. Horwitz
"For any student with an abiding interest in politics (especially those who harbor dreams of one day running for office...which I encourage!) The book chronicles the downfall of former Senator Gary Hart, but Bai does a great job of explaining how that specific story speaks to larger, deeper, and quite troubling realities in American political and media culture.

Recommended by Ms. Breslin.
It's entertaining and educational.

RECOMMENDED BY MR. YEZBICK

Recommended by Dr. Livie

Recommended by Dr. Steward

Recommended by Dr. Steward

Recommended by Ms. Yan

Recommended by Ms. Yan