Book it to the bookstore with Skidmore community’s summer picks
Summer is a time to relax, unwind, and get ready to turn a new page in life. Whether you’re on the beach or reclining in the comfort of an air-conditioned living room, a good book is mandatory for some summertime R&R. But what to read?
To help you make your decision, we’ve composed a selection of some summer must-reads for this summer. We reached out to a number of Skidmore community members who have recently started in new roles at the College, including two members of President Marc Conner’s Cabinet and the chair of Skidmore’s Board of Trustees. Together, they offered this list of what they’re currently reading along with some past favorites.
“A Constitution for the Living” by Beau Breslin
Recommended by Jon Achenbaum ’77, chair of the Skidmore College Board of Trustees
“This is Skidmore Professor of Political Science Beau Breslin's latest book. It's a fascinating look at the historic development of the U.S. Constitution and what our world would be like if the constitution had a sunset clause.”
Check out this Scope magazine story about how the book was inspired by a Scribner Seminar and collaborative research Breslin conducted with Skidmore students.
“Playlist for the Apocalypse” by Rita Dove
Recommended by artist-in-residence, Theater Department
“Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove’s ‘Playlist for the Apocalypse’ is about the Black experience in America, mortality, and everyday life, and her words are as powerful and poignant as ever. She will join composer Richard Danielpour on campus Sept. 27-29 for the McCormack Endowed Visiting Artist-Scholar Residency, engaging with students and faculty, and I hope many members of the Skidmore community can attend. Dove and Danielpour will come together in conversation on Sept. 28, in Gannett Auditorium, and Danielpour’s ‘The Unhealed Wound,’ a Skidmore-commissioned operatic song cycle based on Dove’s ‘Playlist,’ will premiere at Arthur Zankel Music Center on Sept. 29.”
“Neruda on the Park” by Cleyvis Natera ’99
Recommended by Jen Hardy, director of diversity and inclusionary advancement
“This book, written by a Skidmore alumna, is a window into living through gentrification and what that means to those who live in these neighborhoods.”
“I also recently read 'The Light We Carry' by Michelle Obama. I enjoyed Obama’s positive outlook and commentary on events that could be experienced in a much different way.”
“The Last Duel” by Eric Jager
Recommended by Karen Knoll, academic materials associate, Skidmore Shop
“As I was getting textbooks ready for Skidmore courses next semester, ‘The Last Duel’ caught my eye. This true story about a duel to the death that took place in medieval France is an utterly fascinating book and will be taught in Associate Professor of History Erica Bastress-Dukehart's Medieval Europe course next semester.”
“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
Recommended by Zhenelle LeBel, managing director, Arthur Zankel Music Center
“I had not read any of Morrison’s books until this year — an inadmissible gap in my antiracist education — and chose her first novel after finishing ‘Beloved,’ thinking (wrongly) it would be lighter and haunt me less. The weight of these stories stays with me long after I put the book down.”
“Finding La Negrita” by Natasha Gordon-Chipembere
Recommended by Dorothy Mosby, dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs
“A historical novel by an Afro-Costa Rican-American author about a community of free and enslaved people of African descent in colonial Costa Rica, Gordon-Chipembere presents an alternative narrative about the discovery of the nation’s patron saint, the Virgin of Los Angeles. I will be translating this novel into Spanish, so I will be reading and re-reading this novel often!”
"I also recommend 'The Tradition' by Jericho Brown. I think Brown is one of the most important American poets of his generation. After teaching poetry for many years, I know the genre has many foes, but Brown is one of those poets who can easily convert those who claim that they hate poetry into fans with verses that are astonishingly alive.”
“A Finer Future” by Hunter Lovins, Stewart Wallis, Anders Wijkman, and John Fullerton
Recommended by Tarah Rowse, director of sustainability programs and assessment
“Focused on possibility and transformation, ‘A Finer Future’ lays out pathways to move us toward a regenerative and distributive economy. I appreciate narratives that empower us to chart a more equitable and ecologically-sound course, whilst presenting a holistic view of the principles and policies needed to get us there.”
“Mrs. Everything” by Jennifer Weiner
Recommended by Liza Schnauck ‘25, English major, Periclean Honors Forum minor, and Scribner Library summer circulation assistant
“This novel is a deceptively elegant beach read following the lives of two sisters from their childhood in 1950s Detroit over the course of more than 50 years. It's chaotic and funny and deeply emotional — anyone with a sister should consider it required reading!”
“Homage to the Square” by Josef Albers
Recommended by Elizabeth Stauderman, vice president of communications and marketing
“This book beautiful book features a collection of groundbreaking artist Josef Albers’ best known painting series, ‘Homage to the Square.’ For those interested in color theory like me, this book is an essential, but ’s sure to be an interesting read for even those less artistically inclined.”
“I also like the ‘A Very Short Introduction’ book series, published by Oxford University Press, and just added several more installments to my bookshelf on topics such as the Enlightenment, artificial intelligence, contemporary art, cognitive behavioral therapy, and even the concept of evil. These quick and informative pieces feature expertly written introductions to a wide variety of subjects.”
“Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro
Skidmore’s Class of 2027 First-Year Experience Summer Reading
Skidmore selection
Set in the dystopian future, the novel is narrated by Klara, an Artificial Friendtasked with befriending her human, Josie, and learning and understanding Josie’s behaviors. As the story unfolds, the text explores what it means to be human and the nature of love and friendship.
