Reading Recs

After Dark follows two sisters and takes place entirely between midnight and dawn on a single night. One wanders around Tokyo meeting the denizens who come out after dark and taking part in their lives, while the other has been trapped in a deep sleep and is being observed by a mysterious figure in her TV. The writing is hypnotic and dream-like. – Carl Hess, Kent Library

Behold the Dreamers is a book about immigration, finding a home, and the American dream. Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem, came to America to build a better life for his family and works as a chauffeur for a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. When the 2008 financial crisis hits and jeopardizes his boss's ability to employ him (and his temporary visa), Jende and his family realize the American dream and financial stability aren't a linear path. We think of immigration to America in search of a better life as a journey that ends in success when people arrive, but Mbue's novel complicates the conception of the American dream and asks the question if it is really worth all the struggle. – Katlyn Griffin, Kent Library

This book is in a word: chaotic. Essentially, this book is a collection of short vignettes describing dreams Kerouac pulled from his personal dream journal. Part autobiography, part fictional plot continuations of some of his characters, part dive into his subconscious. This book is definitely not for everyone, but if you like his fiction give it a try. – Liz Rudloff, Kent Library

This is a great psychological thriller from King. It's an easy, entertaining read, great for over the winter break when you need to unwind and rejuvenate! This book features elements of body horror, alien invasion, and suspense. It was written when King was recuperating from his near fatal hit and run accident in 1999. – Randyn Heisserer-Miller, Kent Library

MOBIUS Book (Book 2: Dreamquake)
This book duology has such a sense of magic about it. In it, dreams are created in a parallel realm called the Place, and a select group called dreamhunters can enter and catch the dreams, relaying them to captive audiences. Laura and her cousin Rose are the daughters of dreamhunters, and are eligible to test to see if they too can catch dreams. However, all is not as it seems. The purpose and mechanics of the nightmarish "place" are revealed slowly, and the characters of Rose and Laura are strong female charcaters determined to find the truth no matter what. Reading this book feels as if you have been thrust into a Van Gogh painting, and leaves an impression that will last for years. – Elle Freitas, Class of '21

Dream Snow is a gorgeously illustrated picture book by celebrated children's author Eric Carle. It tells the tale of a farmer who dozes off and dreams of a beautiful snowfall, only to awaken and find out his dream came true. The book introduces early readers to counting skills, the wonder of the holidays, and the magic of dreams. – Stephanie Hayes, Kent Library

Deep in a dark Russian northern forest lives the Blood Prince, a wolf determined to consume the villagers of Miersk's bodies and souls. Young Pasha and Liesette are the only ones brave enough to seek out the legendary witch, Baba Yaga, to save their village. Full of quirky characters and quick wit, this story weaves classic folktales of Baba Yaga (a fierce witch who lives in a hut on chicken legs), the Firebird (a magical bird who can be both a blessing and a curse to its captor), and Vasilissa the Beautiful (a Cinderella character who has a magical doll to help her) into a great winter YA read. – Stephanie Hallam, Kent Library

It’s a wonderful novel that explores what dreams Einstein might have had as he worked through his theory of relativity. It’s very well imagined, and if you take your time with it, the dreams are remarkable metaphors and analogies of various theories about reality. It’s fun, smart, and sets your imagination spinning - all the qualities I think a really great read should – Laura Hatcher, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion

Unlike a mystified way of linking oniric content with a horoscope or magical foretelling, Freud's interpretative approach of cases brought to his practice lays out a method that may be useful to the attentive analyst in having access to unconscious content that may provide relevant insights, and perhaps, "better and clearer dreams". – José Miño Lara, Academic Advising

Although not related to dreams, this book is a story that certainly feels like a dream. From the author of The Neverending Story, Momo is a fantasy novel involving time-thieves and a child who brings the stolen time back to the people. It will make you rethink the way you spend your own limited time in this life. – Tiffany Comfort, Campus Life & Event Services

Lazlo Strange is an orphaned librarian obsessed with the history of a lost city, which he sees in many of his dreams. When the prince of his kingdom takes an interest in Lazlo's research, he falls into one of the myths he has spent his life archiving. Taylor was a finalist shortlisted for the National Book Award for the first book in her more famous (and better selling) urban fantasy series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and I think this novel, which contains deeper world-building and more philosophical subtext about the relationship between language, power and perception, is an even better novel than that one. It's a beautifully written allegory for the ways that social hierarchies limit cultural and aesthetic progress and a parable about the dangers of plagiarism. – Sandra Cox, English

You probably aren't getting enough sleep, and Dr. Walker, a renowned sleep researcher, wants you to understand just how important sleep is. He explains the mechanics of our sleep, the mental and physical health benefits of getting enough sleep, how dreaming benefits your mental health and creativity, and how sleep consolidates your memory and improves learning. He also covers what works to help you sleep better and what doesn't. – Carl Hess, Kent Library