Read Like A Longhorn: Book Recommendations

Recommended by Melanie, UT Libraries staff in Access Systems​: This book is an intimate, fascinating, and easy-to-read series of essays on the author's experiences with nature as someone grounded in indigenous ways of knowing and also formally trained in Western scientific practice. She shares her unique perspective on humans' relationship with the natural world in a thought-provoking and inspiring way through these beautiful and reverent essays. Nature lovers will surely find something new to appreciate in this book.

Recommended by Devon, UT Libraries staff in Digital Stewardship​: This book was written by my late advisor/mentor/friend. She passed unexpectedly in 2020. It is a history of Kiowa material culture, artmaking, and identity making during an extremely difficult time for Indigenous people in the US. It's wonderfully written, has important insights for how we consider American history, and her grandma is pictured on the cover! How cool is that.

Recommended by Annah, UT Libraries staff in Teaching and Learning Services​: Foer travels the world exploring how soccer (football) has impacted or expressed the values of communities around the world. For all that he is discussing advanced theories of globalization, the author's breezy, journalistic tone makes this a fast, fun read.

Recommended by Kiana, UT Libraries staff in Digitization Services​: An incredibly powerful and moving piece of anthropology literature from a 2017 recipient of a MacAuthor Fellowship. The writing is approachable for a wide range of audiences but is an emotionally-taxing read as it details the excruciatingly difficult and complex decisions made by migrants from Central and South America as they attempt to illegally cross the US/Mexico border. De León places a focus on the efforts by law enforcement, policy makers, forensic anthropologists, and family members to recover and identify the over 300+ men, women, and children who perish each year while traveling through the southwest. This was probably the best, and most significant, book I read while in graduate school and I truly believe it should be required reading for anthropology majors/minors.

Recommended by Meryl, UT Libraries staff and liaison librarian:​ The Blakiston's fish owl is the largest owl in the world. It is also endangered and rare. Author and field researcher Slaght spent several years on the coast of Primorye exploring river systems for nesting pairs of fish owls for his PhD research. Ultimately his goal was to learn enough about these owls to develop a conservation plan to protect the owl's habitat, nesting trees, and food sources. This book blends science, fieldwork and conservation in an approachable and non-scientist friendly manner.

Recommended by Liz, UT Libraries staff at the Marine Science Library​: This book was recommended to me by a researcher/faculty; it was a learning experience and I really enjoyed reading it. For several years folks thought it was better 'to preserve nature in its pristine, pre-human state. But many scientists have come to see this as an outdated dream that thwarts bold new plans to save the environment and prevents us from having a fuller relationship with nature.' The argument presented in the book describes having a 'rambunctious garden,' together with a wild nature environment and human management.

Recommended by Matty, ​UT Libraries staff in Facilities: In this collection of essays, Camus writes for the outlawed French Resistance publication, Combat, during his time in Paris in 1940 and the German invasion during WWII. He also writes on issues of human struggle and totalitarianism, focusing on Mediterranean conflicts, and his thoughts on the death penalty in Reflections on the Guillotine. Many of these essays are still relevant in our time.

Recommended by Sarah, UT library staff in Teaching and Learning Services: This is one of the most compelling non-fiction titles I've ever read. Learning about the Troubles in Ireland can be harrowing, but it is timely as Brexit reopens conversations about the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Plus, if you are a Derry Girls fan like me, this book will add a new dimension to that show.