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Faculty & Staff
Take a look at which books ESD's faculty and staff will be reading this summer!
Take a look at which books ESD's faculty and staff will be reading this summer!
Links to the ebook and audiobook versions are included if ESD has them. If not, check out your local public library or bookstore.
Heather Cernoch
Heather Cernoch
Upper School English Teacher
Upper School English Teacher
"Circe" by Madeline Miller
I can't believe I haven't read this book before now! As a teacher of The Odyssey, I'm looking forward to reading this modern adaption of the Greek epic told through the perspective of Circe, a character often known as a witch or enchantress, one who's seen as both a friend and a foe. I'd recommend it to high school students, especially those who enjoyed The Odyssey in 9th grade and want to hear Circe's perspective!
Ninotchka Beavers
Ninotchka Beavers
Upper School Spanish Teacher
Upper School Spanish Teacher
"Finding Me" by Viola Davis
I love to read all genres but I really love memoirs. There's just something about the sharing of the human experience that really speaks to me and I end up learning so much about not only the authors but so many other topics and points of view. I'm really looking forward to this book in which Viola shares her about life from very humble beginnings to stardom.
"Taste" by Stanley Tucci
I've been a fan of Tucci's since his wonderful performance as Julia Child's husband in Julie & Julia. I also enjoy books and shows about cooking and travel so I'm really looking forward to this memoir about life "in and out of the kitchen."
Hannah Bowick
Hannah Bowick
Upper School English Teacher
Upper School English Teacher
"A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas - whole series!
This series has been on my list for awhile - I love some good fantasy and I love that there are several books!
"The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner
This book has been on my list for years - I'm trying to read more American literature based in the south as a Californian!
Ebook in Sora!"Crying in H Mart" by Michelle Zauner
I love memoirs and narratives. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and spent more time in cultural grocery stores than I did in places like Costco and Kroger. I love the author's connection to place and the way that she ties her family experience to grocery stores. To this day, when I miss my mom, I remember our trips to grocery stores, laundromats, etc - I look forward to hearing about her lived experience through her connection to food, meals, culture, and H Mart. :)
Ebook & Audiobook in Sora!
Kim Bostian
Kim Bostian
Third Grade Teacher
Third Grade Teacher
"Atlas of the Heart" by Brené Brown
I really enjoy Brené Brown's books. As I read her books there are lots of scenarios that she shares that are relatable. Sometimes she looks through these scenarios with a different lens which helps to inspire me to reflect and grow as a person.
Ebook in Sora!The Bluebonnet Book Nominees
I love reading the Bluebonnet Book Nominees over the summer. There are so many great books I have discovered this way. Perhaps my favorite is Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Ebook in Sora!
Jill Quarles
Jill Quarles
Upper School Spanish Teacher
Upper School Spanish Teacher
"Educated" by Tara Westover
For several years people have been telling me what an impactful story this is, and I have listened to a really interesting interview with the author. I love reading memoir and learning about people whose experiences and perspectives are different than mine.
Ebook in Sora!"This Is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel
I have heard that this novel inspires empathy and invites new perspectives on life experiences that we often think of as social or political "issues." When I read the synopsis, it didn't remind me of anything else I had read recently. I love to get lost in a story with great characters and expose myself to new things through their experiences, perspectives, and emotions.
Marc Salz
Marc Salz
Upper School History Teacher
Upper School History Teacher
"The History of Latin America: Collision of Cultures" (Palgrave Essential Histories Series) by Marshall Eakin
I'm doing a learning service mission to save the turtles of Costa Rica!
"The Locked Tomb Series" by Tamsyn Muir
Huge Sci-fi award winner and praised as "Deliciously Bonkers" by NPR
Lisa Rusnak
Lisa Rusnak
Middle School English Teacher
Middle School English Teacher
"The Candy House" by Jennifer Egan
I love the way this book delves into the darker aspects of our technology driven, image conscious society.
Sheela Thomas
Sheela Thomas
Middle School History Teacher
Middle School History Teacher
"The Lincoln Highway"
by Amor Towles
I loved Towles's Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow - his characters are interesting, funny, and thoughtfully developed, and I love how he explores how little actions of individuals can be so meaningful. I also enjoy his rich development of setting - as an American history lover, this one looks exciting because it takes place in the 1950's along a journey across America.
Ebook & Audiobook in Sora!Matt Varvir
Matt Varvir
Upper School Science Teacher
Upper School Science Teacher
"Carrion Comfort" by Dan Simmons
I have been a big fan of horror novels since I was in high school, but have never gotten around to reading Dan Simmons. (I have never even gotten around to reading his science-fiction works like "Hyperion".) I am looking forward to seeing what he is like as an author.
"Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
I am hoping to brush up on a lot of my astronomy given that I will be teaching a course on it next spring. This is a good place to start! I am somewhat embarrassed that I have never read Carl Sagan's most famous work.
Ebook in Sora!"The Accommodation: The Politics of Race in an American City" by Jim Schutze
Having lived almost the entirety of my life in Dallas, I know remarkably little about its history. This is obviously only one piece of the puzzle, but it will unquestionably be an interesting read.
Claire Mrozek
Claire Mrozek
Upper School History Teacher and Junior Class Dean
Upper School History Teacher and Junior Class Dean
"Liberty's Chain: Slavery, Abolition, and the Jay Family of New York" by Daniel L. Gellman
Mother's Day gift from my son. Hoping to deepen my understanding of slavery in the early years of the American Republic.
"Daisy Jones and the Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Recommended to me by a friend as a "fun" read, and it will feed my fascination with pop culture.
Ebook in Sora!"Grant" by Ron Chernow
Grant is such a pivotal figure in the American 19th century, and he's not someone I feel like I "know" very well when I teach him. Another recommendation by a friend.
Ebook in Sora!Bernadette Gerace
Bernadette Gerace
Chief Human Resources Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer
"The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson
I've just started reading it, and I can't wait to read the engaging stories about the Great Migration & learn about a part of the 20th century American history.
Ebook in Sora!Scott Goetsch
Scott Goetsch
Middle School Science Teacher and Eighth Grade Dean
Middle School Science Teacher and Eighth Grade Dean
"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir
I love science fiction books that center around the near future. What struggles could there be, and how could those struggles be overcome? Of course, the more plausible science that is worked in, the better.
Ebook in Sora!Lauren Redmond
Lauren Redmond
Upper School Acting Instructor, Director of Performances and Performing Arts Department Chair
Upper School Acting Instructor, Director of Performances and Performing Arts Department Chair
"If We Were Villains" by M.L. Rio
When you teach theatre, Shakespeare has to be in your wheelhouse and anyone who knows me also knows that I enjoy a good thrill story. This book is about seven friends who are also Shakespearean actors in a conservatory program who fit the classic actor archetypes both onstage and off, but something happens during their final year in the program which takes you on some thrilling twists and turns. Sounds right up my alley on all fronts!
"The Guest List" by Lucy Foley
Again, I love thrillers and I remember this being very talked about upon its release a few years ago. One review likened it to an Agatha Christie story, which I'm also a huge fan of. This book has been on my shelf for awhile now and it's about time I read it!
"The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig
Starting with an intriguing concept, this book is about library you can go to and choose a "book" that shows you a different version of your life, where you made different choices than the ones you've already made. I'm sure we've all thought about the "what if" concept and here you can live it.
Ebook in Sora!
Fr. Nate Bostian
Fr. Nate Bostian
Stemmons Family Senior Chaplin
Stemmons Family Senior Chaplin
"My Theology: Personal Idealism" by Keith Ward
An end-of-career compendium of one of the foremost Anglican philosophers, and found of Comparative Theology, and writer on the integration of Spirituality and Science. It presents a cohesive and compelling world view which centers on Divine Love as the creative source and final destiny of the whole world.
"Children of Time" and "Children of Ruin" by Adrian Tchaikovsky
A hard science fiction romp through possible futures, as humans create and encounter other conscious beings who have evolved along very different routes. It creates empathy as we understand other very different modes of what it looks like to be a person.
"All About Love" by bell hooks
bell hooks (her preferred spelling of her name) offers reflections on what it means to love authentically from her perspective as a literary critic and social activist who explores the intersectional struggles of race, economics, and gender.
Ebook in Sora!Emma England
Emma England
Digital Communications Manager
Digital Communications Manager
"The Witches of New York" by Ami McKay
I am absolutely fascinated by the Gilded Age era of New York City, so when I learned that this book centers around a trio of witches during this time period, I was sold. The juxtaposition of gilded glamour and dark academia is really intriguing and I can't wait to read it.
Ebook in Sora!
Mary Hansell
Mary Hansell
Director of Educational Technology and History and Religious Studies Department Chair
Director of Educational Technology and History and Religious Studies Department Chair
"Trust" by Hernan Diaz
I was sold on this book after reading the NYT review: “Intricate, cunning and consistently surprising…Much of the novel’s pleasure derives from its unpredictability…Add Henry James to Wharton, and Thomas Mann too…Exhilarating and intelligent novel. "
"River of the Gods" by Candice Millard
It's the story about the search for the source of the Nile that was funded by the Royal Geographical Society who sent explorers to claim it for England; they named it Lake Victoria.
I have already enjoyed two of her previous books: Hero of the Empire and Destiny of the Republic.
"On Juneteenth" by Annette Gordon-Reed
To learn more about the history behind our newest federal holiday- the 1st new federal holiday in 4 decades!
Audiobook in Sora!Mary Jo Lyons
Upper School Librarian
"The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity" by David Graeber and David Wengrow
I love nonfiction, and this one looks like it covers everything! It's received a lot of chatter this year. I can't wait to get started.
"A Magic Steeped in Poison" by Judy I. Lin
I am not going to lie, the cover on this one caught my attention. The artwork is beautiful (and it has many positive reviews). I hope to get to it before the end of May as a way to celebrate AAPI Month.
"Scritch Scratch" by Lindsay Currie
I am making my way through as many 2022 Lone Star books as I can. The cover on this one looks amazing as well!
Ebook in Sora!
**I am totally stealing book ideas from others on this list!
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