Curious to learn what UA students, faculty and staff are reading? We asked!
Dr. Amy Pardo grew up reading and became an English professor because of the same love of books celebrated during National Reading Month each March.
“There is something about inhabiting a world created by someone else, understanding perspectives that are so far different from your own ways of thinking about the world that are open to someone who reads just for leisure, just for enjoyment, just to broaden themselves aesthetically, just to rethink their own little narrow sliver of the world,” Pardo said.
For Pardo, the value of reading is multifold, as it opens up possibilities and fosters a sense of community. Growing up, she found solace in her local library, a quiet place where she could imagine herself beyond her small hometown in Alabama. The large selection of books provided her with endless possibilities of things to read and think about.
“I think our reading crafts community. It gives us a sense of shared values, not necessarily in agreement, but within a sharing of thoughts, ideas, that for me, becomes incredibly valuable. And I think that’s probably why I like to teach so much as well. You get that moment of sharing in a classroom,” Pardo said.
Pardo is especially glad that National Reading Month falls during UA’s spring break, giving her time to relax and look forward to reading as opposed to just squeezing it between teaching. Throughout March, she consciously posts reading recommendations in the hope of sparking conversation about what others are reading, while also supporting the Alabaster Public Library Board’s programming.
“Payment in Blood” by Elizabeth George
Pardo is currently reading the second novel in Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley mystery series. She describes it as a traditional country house British mystery where a murder takes place and out of a small group, someone has to be guilty.
“We enjoy getting to know the town, the townspeople, how they speak, their use of language, you know, all that fun stuff and they solve a murder too. So, it’s just fun for me to do that,” Pardo said.
4/5 stars ⭐️
“Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Read
For Rebecca Royen, project director at the Center for Advanced Public Safety in the Styslinger College of Engineering, reading offers the same kind of artistic appreciation as going to a museum or watching live music. She recently finished this novel that blends romance, self-discovery and empowerment with historical fiction.
“Reading is a creative outlet for me. It is a window into the lives of others, a small way to forget my world for a moment and immerse myself in another place and time,” Royen said.
5/5 stars ⭐️
“The Women on Platform Two” by Laura Anthony
Julie Salter, assistant director in the Office of Student Media, is exploring women’s rights and contraception rules through a historical fiction novel with dual timelines set in Ireland in the 1970s and 2023.
“I love reading books that entertain but also really enjoy books that help me learn about something I don’t know so much about, whether that is another time in history, a different perspective and point of view of the world, or maybe travel to a place that I haven’t been,” Salter said.
5/5 stars ⭐️
“Character is Destiny” by Russel W. Gough
Madeline Hemmerick, a Master of Accountancy student, is reading a self-help book that highlights the importance of continuously developing personal character and how it is intertwined with ethics.
“I enjoy how thought-provoking it is. It allows me to do some self-reflection and evaluate how I can improve my own character,” Hemmerick said.
3.5/5 stars ⭐️
“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Lisé Badeaux, a senior studying public relations and communication studies, is taking a journey through past conversations with her current read that questions what one would do if they could go back in time, but nothing would change in the present.
“I love being able to live vicariously through fictional worlds. However, I also love reading things that make me look at life in a different perspective. It inspires me to continue growing as a person and inspires me to do more with my life,” Badeaux said.
5/5 stars ⭐️
UA Libraries
If you’re feeling inspired to pick up a book this month, but aren’t sure where to begin, start your journey on campus. Michael Pearce, director of strategic engagement for University Libraries, shares his tips for locating leisure books on campus.
- Find New York Times best sellers in a special section at the Gorgas first-floor information desk.
- Search for an author and title that interests you or general popular fiction with Scout. Limit for books in print right below the search box.
- Explore various ebook packages by limiting your Scout search to “available in print or online.”
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Both on-campus and off-campus students can also enjoy access to the Tuscaloosa Public Library’s selection of books with a free library card for college students.