By Wanda Vivequin on May 9, 2014
Alumni share their favourite summer reads
Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species Are Being Saved From the Brink
Jane Goodall
Says: Andrew Derocher, '87 MSc, '91 PhD, professor, U of A Department of Biological Sciences
"It provides concrete examples of why optimism, action and the dedication of individuals can make a difference and lead us all to a richer future."
The Gargoyle
Andrew Davidson
Says: Cathie Crooks, '85 BCom, sales and marketing manager, University of Alberta Press
"Our book club found this debut fascinating on many levels. Be sure to check out the book club questions (available on bookbrowse.com); the author created 'easter egg' acrostics that you'll never know about otherwise."
Beautiful Ruins
Jess Walter
says: Todd Babiak, '95 BA, author of Come Barbarians
"One of the lighter, sweeter books I've read recently - among my favourite novels in the last few years."
Fooling Houdini: Magicians, Mentalists, Math Geeks and the Hidden Powers of the Mind
Alex Stone
says: Marty Chan, '90 BA, author of Barnabas Bigfoot: The Bone Eater
"Great for anyone who has an interest in stage magic and human psychology. It's non-fiction, but the author weaves a compelling personal story throughout. If you have kids who are Star Wars fans, I would suggest Tom Angleberger's The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. You can make a game of spotting all the Star Wars references."
The End of Elsewhere: Travels Among the Tourists
Taras Grescoe
Says: Zac Robinson, '07 PhD, assistant professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
"A hilarious on-the-road journey. [The author] crosses the entire Eurasian land mass, purposefully plunging into the places where tourists are the thickest. Both a riotous journey and a lament for tourism's intrusion into the remote corners of the globe."
Exile on Main Street: A Season in Hell With the Rolling Stones
Robert Greenfield
Says: Tim Caulfield, '87 BSc(Spec), '90 LLB, professor, Faculty of Law, and author of The Cure for Everything
"A thrilling look at how not to spend a summer in France, unless you are an out-of-control hedonist bent on making an extraordinary album."
Runaway
Alice Munro
Says: Kristine Kowalchuk, '97 BA, '12 PhD, Edmonton writer and English instructor
"Munro has long been my favourite writer, and this is one of my favourite collections. How could it not be, when it includes a character named Delphine, who says, while trying to mash hot chocolate powder lumps, 'Come on, you buggers. Come on, you.' Short stories are perfect for summer because they encourage time for reflection between each story; they don't weigh on the reader like a novel."
