Reading Recs

Okorafor's novel is a critique of colonialism, a treatise on the question of the "just war," and a coming of age story, replete with tentacled aliens, quantum physics, and the titular girl-genius who must thwart tradition to preserve it. It's smart, incisive, and so well written. – Sandra Cox, English

This now-classic book was first published in 1980 by renowned science writer Carl Sagan. It was the basis for the television program, rebooted in 2014 with Neal DeGrasse Tyson. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of astrophysics in American culture. In addition, the Carl Sagan Papers are available at the Library of Congress. – Courtney Kisat, History & Anthropology

Written in free verse, this children's book, illustrated with historic photos and watercolors, chronicles the events that transpired between President John F. Kennedy's speech in which he announces his dream to land a man on the moon and Armstrong's walk on the moon. In a little over eight years, Apollo 1 through Apollo 11 were launched, three astronauts died and eight rocketed into space. Explore the discoveries, successes, and tragedies that led to this amazing accomplishment. – Stephanie Hallam, Kent Library

It's one of the most unique books I've ever read. I rarely knew what was coming next, and every twist spun the story in a different direction. The book keeps your attention with the futuristic technology and character relationships while teaching a greater lesson about war and humanity. – Kayla Miller, University Marketing

You may have seen or heard of the movie based on this story, but Margot Lee Shetterly's book is full of fascinating detail that just didn't fit the scope of a two hour film. Hidden Figures tells the story of the "human computers," the women who did all the calculations necessary for space missions by hand and who made early space achievement and exploration possible. NASA's "colored computers" worked in a highly segregated environment in Jim Crow Virginia and are largely left out of any telling of NASA accomplishments. I grew up 15 minutes from the NASA Langley Research Center and hadn't heard the story until I saw the movie, and I loved the almost overwhelming amount of detail in this book. – Katlyn Griffin, Kent Library

Don't panic! It's a delightful read about humans who survive the destruction of earth and take off on an adventure to discover the meaning of life, find a decent cup of tea, and tackle a galactic bureaucracy. It's the book I take with me on vacation and read anytime I need an escape from the Infinite Improbabilities happening in my real life. – Katie Krodinger, New Student Programs

The first earthling to orbit the planet was not human, but Laika the dog. Read her story and that of those who cared for and trained her in this fictionalized but factually-based account of the earliest days of space exploration. Content warning: Laika had a one way ticket. :( – Karl Suhr, Kent Library

Rosemary Harper tries to escape her past on Mars by joining the crew of the Wayfarer, a ship that tunnels new wormholes into space. In doing so, she for the first time has to experience life among alien species who are very different than humans. It also doesn't help that as a Martian she is descendant from the wealthy of Earth who fled to colonies in our solar system when our planet's ecosystem failed, while the Wayfarer's other humans are descendants of the poor who had to build the Exodus Fleet and launch themselves into unknown space to survive. This is a warm story about found families and overcoming differences in culture and personality. – Carl Hess, Kent Library

The once bustling lunar colony is slowly being abandoned. This simple and melancholic graphic novel follows the lone mooncop on his beat as the lunar colony population dwindles. He looks for a lost dog, a runaway girl, an automaton, and, of course, enjoys lunar donuts. – Liz Rudloff, Kent Library

Dr. Webb introduces the reader to 12 of the biggest questions in modern cosmology, such as dark matter, gamma ray bursts, gravitational waves, and where other life in the universe is. He looks at the current research on these issues and all of the amazing instruments scientists are using to investigate the cosmos. – Carl Hess, Kent Library

Income inequality. Misinformation. The powerful spreading lies in order to keep the powerless working and under control. College where you have to kill to survive. This look at life in the future is a chilling look at our own problems in our own world (except maybe the needing to kill to survive college). Plus, it's just a great action-packed read. – Sarah Cavanah, Mass Media

Holt's book details the fascinating lives of the women who worked in NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in the 1950s and 1960s. The book details the struggles and triumphs of women mathematicians battling sexism, non-existent work-life balance, and a thick glass ceiling as they worked to advance the United States' rocket program. Holt's book has been praised as granting a view of women's early contributions to the space program and as a complimentary text to Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures. – Stephanie Hayes, Kent Library