Category Archives: What We’re Reading

What We’re Reading: Nomadland

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nomadland: surviving america in the twenty-first century by jessica bruder
Available at the Main Campus (HD 6280 .B77 2017) and as an ebook through Dogwood Digital Library

Ever notice an RV parked by Walmart at midnight? Ever wonder where your Amazon packages came from? Do you imagine that life on the road embodies the American dream? Find out!

This book was read by Susan Baker, Main Campus Reference Librarian.

Title: Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century

Author: Jessica Bruder 

Genre: Travel…sociology…retirement…economics…poverty? Nonfiction works, too.

Read Great Things 2021 categories: A book about social justice or equity, A microhistory (I personally used this title for this category), Choose your own category: A book made into a movie; A book suggested by a Durham Tech library staff member 

Why did you choose to read, listen to, or watch this?

I kept seeing this title—for the book, for the movie—in libraries, in magazines, in articles.  I resisted. But its persistent presence, as well as the image of on the cover, ultimately seduced me— hasn’t everyone dreamed of hitting the road in a vintage Airstream, especially during the darkest days of the pandemic? 

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What We’re Reading: Pumpkinheads

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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
Available as an ebook through Dogwood Digital Library

Josiah and Deja work at the Pumpkin Patch, a seasonal fair with food, animals, and a corn maze. It’s their last night of the season and next year they’ll be at college unable to work at The Patch. Will Josiah finally talk to the girl he’s been pining over for years? Deja is going to make sure of it!

A cute fall romance with tons of atmosphere and adorable illustrations.

This book was read by Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian. 

Title: Pumpkinheads

Author: Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

Genre: Graphic novel

Read Great Things 2021 Categories: A short book; A book with pictures; Choose your own book category: A seasonal book; A book suggested by a Durham Tech Library staff member

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What We Read (and REALLY liked): Naomi Novik’s Scholmance Series

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 At 14, children with magic are transported from their homes into The Scholomance until they “graduate” at 17, but many will not make it out alive due to mal (magic creatures) attacks and other accidents (and a few murders). While some students display an affinity for languages or alchemy, El has an affinity for dark magic and mass destruction and is having enough trouble with the challenge of not going dark (no matter what her grandmother’s prophecy says), but finding friends and a way out without dying is challenge enough. 

These books were read (and enjoyed!) by Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian and podcaster, and Meredith Lewis, the (mostly) Orange County Campus Librarian. 

Title: The Scholomance Series (A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate)

Author: Naomi Novik

Genre: Fantasy, YA-ish, So-You-Want-to-Go-to-Magic-School

Format: Print, but the audiobook narrator is great, too! 

Read Great Things 2021 Challenge Categories: A book that takes place outside the continental United States; A book about social justice or equity; A book recommended by a Durham Tech Library staff member

Read Great Things 2021 Sprint Category: No categories! It’s a book, so it counts! 1 (or 2) of 3 books read after Sept. 1, 2021. 

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What We’re Reading: Dune by Frank Herbert

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Dune is a story about politics, psychology, religion, addiction, ecology, power, and giant worms in the desert.

First published in 1965, Dune has become known as a science fiction classic. Two terrible movie adaptations have already been made and another hopefully not terrible film is coming out in October 2021. The main character is Paul Atreides, son of a Duke, who arrives to the desert planet of Arrakis and meets his destiny there. 

Dune by frank herbert (deluxe edition)
Many formats (and several additional books in the series) available through the Durham Tech Libraries

This book was read by Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian and library podcaster [Out Loud in the Library is available on all your favorite podcatchers]. 

Title: Dune

Author: Frank Herbert

Genre: Science Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Read Great Things 2021 Challenge Categories: A book about or set in space; A book recommended by a Durham Tech Library staff member

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What We’re Reading: Ready Player Two

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ready player two by ernest cline
Available as an ebook and audiobook through Dogwood Digital Library

Wade Watts won. Game over. Except that it wasn’t….

This time, it’s more than a game to win control over a billionaire’s virtual universe. This time, real lives are at stake.

This book was read by Susan Baker, Main Campus Reference Librarian. 

Title: Ready Player Two

Author: Ernest Cline

Genre: Science Fiction, Pop Culture Homage

Read Great Things 2021 Categories: A book about family; A book recommended by a Durham Tech Library staff member; Choose your own category [A sequel!]

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What We’re Reading: The Great Indoors by Emily Anthes

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the great indoors: the surprising science of how buildings shape our behavior health and happiness by emily anthes
Available at the Main Campus Library
(NA 2850 .A58 2020)

A wide-ranging exploration of architecture and innovation, featuring floating foundations, incorporating nature into school design, how temperature can impact our perception of happiness at work, the balance between community and privacy (and choice), and the challenges of living on Mars, among other topics. 

Title: The Great Indoors: The Surprising Science of How Buildings Shape Our Behavior, Health, and Happiness

Author: Emily Anthes

Genre: Nonfiction; Popular Science; Psychology of Daily Life; Architecture

Read Great Things 2021 Categories: A book about or set in space [there’s a chapter on architecture on Mars!]; A book recommended by a Durham Tech Librarian; Choose your own category [A book about places and spaces…or something like that]

This book was read by Meredith Lewis, the (mostly) Orange County Campus Librarian. 

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What We’re Reading: Jude the Obscure

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jude the obscure by thomas hardy
Available at the Main Campus Library
(PR 4746 .A1 1996)

Jude Fawley is a fool trying to be an angel and is in an untenable situation: holding on to his dream and driven by passion, while trying to do the right thing.

Title: Jude the Obscure

Author: Thomas Hardy

Genres: fiction, classic literature, social commentary

Read Great Things 2021 Categories: A book that takes place outside the continental United States;  A book about family; A book recommended by a Durham Tech Library staff member.

This book was read by Stephen Brooks, Main Campus Librarian. 

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What We’re Reading: I Will Teach You to Be Rich

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I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi, Second edition

This book was read by Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian and Library podcaster.

Title: I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Second Edition 

Author: Ramit Sethi

Genre: Self-help/Personal finance

Read Great Things Challenge 2021 Categories: A book that will help with your self care, A book recommended by a Durham Tech Library staff member, Choose your own category (Personal finance book).

Summary: From iwillteachyoutoberich.com- Not just another boring, personal finance book. You don’t have to be perfect to be rich. Or the smartest person in the room. Or a type-A personality. In fact, with Ramit Sethi’s six-week program to financial independence, you can start with any amount of money, do just 85% of what he suggests, and succeed brilliantly through good times and bad.

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What We’re Reading: While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

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while justice sleeps by stacey abrams
Available at the Orange County Campus
(PS 3601 .B746 W45 2021)

A Supreme court justice in a mysterious coma puts his clever clerk in charge and in [repeated] danger in this exciting political thriller that deals with secret government dealings, bioethics, justice, regular ethics, corporate mergers, a chess move as metaphor, and complex family relationships. 

Title: While Justice Sleeps

Author: Stacey Abrams (yes, that Stacey Abrams)

Genre: Contemporary fiction, political thriller, who-dunnit

Read Great Things 2021 Categories: A book about family; Choose your own category–A THRILLER; A book recommended by Durham Tech Library staff (our favorite category)

This book was read by Meredith Lewis, the (mostly) Orange County Campus Librarian. 

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