What to read in 2024?

Teresa Pappalardo, student member of the University Council
Lost on Me, by Veronica Raimo

"Lost On Me, whose original title is Niente de Vero, is an award-winning novel that is irreverent and hilarious, an inspiration to face life and heal wounds lightly. It talks about the humour in life, wherever it can be found. Raimo spins difficulties into light humorous stories. She tells you her story like a friend: honestly, lightly, and without a strict chronological order. Raimo can present you with her relationships, without really introducing you to the people. In sum, this book is an invitation to calibrate your priorities, which is why it has been a great support for me during the transition to student life here in Utrecht. I would suggest it to everyone, even if you are not a regular reader!"  

Marie-Louise Goudeau, Education Specialist for Utrecht University Library
Oracle, by Thomas Olde Heuvelt

"As a librarian, it's difficult to choose one book but I decided to go for a Dutch one. As life gets more difficult, we can all use some magic. The magic realism of Thomas Olde Heuvelt gives that extra touch of magic, although his kind of magic is a little creepy. In addition to November and Hex, I really enjoyed reading Oracle. 

One foggy morning, an 18th-century ship appears from the mist in a barren flower field in the Dutch dunes. When Luca’s friend Emma cannot resist her curiosity and enters the ship, the ship's bell begins to toll, and no one sees her again. What follows are mammoths, aggressive plankton, and a government that tries to put Bellingcat on the wrong path. 

Why should you read it? First, Van Olde Heuvelt brings a bit of Stephen King and Stranger Things to the Netherlands. You will be taken on a ride of very unrealistic things happening, but that feels very real, scary, and a little gross sometimes. The book also includes themes related to respecting nature and fact-checking, two topics close to my heart as a former geoscientist and current information literacy education specialist."

Kei Otsuki, Professor of International Development Studies

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa, by Stephen Buoro
"Shortlisted for the Neto Book Awards in 2023, this is a book about young Nigerian friends aspiring to get out of their situation.  It’s a story of Africa and the 'poor' and the young people wanting to go to Europe, so it's not an 'exotic' story. It is interesting because it speaks to any young (and perhaps old) person who wishes to achieve something that is not easily attainable but still keeps on trying."

Roel Notten, the new ombudsperson for students
Who Moved my Cheese, by Spencer Johnson

"This is a story about two mice and two mini people who live in a maze and suddenly find a huge amount of cheese there. They feed themselves on cheese day after day until one day it runs out. They seemed unaware that the mountain of cheese was becoming smaller and smaller. Now that the cheese is gone, they're completely overwhelmed. 

The cheese is a metaphor for all kinds of things that you can attach yourself to, such as a nice partner, good health or a stable job. But we have no control over those things. One day, they can simply disappear. So, what to do? Get stuck in frustration, anger or grief? Or accept the change and embark on a new adventure? 

I read this book when I was at university but it remains a light-hearted yet important eye-opener for me. It has taught me to focus on my inner strength, go with the flow, and not be distracted by material things. Everything comes and everything goes."

Jacopo Mazza, Assistant Professor at the School of Economics
The Death of Democracy: Hitler's Rise to Power and the Downfall of the Weimar Republic

"The book explores how the Nazi Party came to power in Germany in the 1930s, and how the failures of the Weimar Republic and the shortsightedness of German politicians allowed it to happen. 

I would like to recommend it for two reasons. Firstly, the writing is beautiful, meticulously crafted, and extensively researched, offering a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to Hitler's rise to power. 

Secondly, I believe it is an essential read because to those born almost a century after these events, the collapse of democracy, albeit a sickened one, may seem possible only in the exceptional circumstances of the post-war Weimar Republic. However, the author brilliantly describes an ascent that was certainly triggered by an exceptional situation but also reinforced by the apathy and complacency of the German population, as well as by the failures of key political figures to understand and address the existential challenge that their political system was facing. All very familiar to anyone following politics a century later. 

It is a chilling reminder of the consequences of political inaction and the dangers of overlooking the erosion of democratic values. A lesson we cannot afford to forget."

Saskia Manuela-Bergmans, Subject Specialist in Law, Economics & Governance at Utrecht University Library
Becoming, by Michelle Obama

"I read this memoir in one sitting. Her story is written so compellingly and is so inspiring. Topics discussed include determination and perfectionism, feeling like an outsider, dealing with criticism and how to be confident and having your voice heard. I enjoyed reading about her development from a child to an adult, which is why I would recommend it to every student. From a small apartment in Chicago to studying at Princeton and Harvard and ultimately becoming the First Lady.

A quote from the book: 'For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain goal. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continually toward a better self.'" If that doesn't sound promising...

Luisa García-Manso, Assistant Professor in Modern and Contemporary Literature
Easy Reading, by Cristina Morales

"This is a rather transgressive novel published in Spain in 2018 and translated to English last year. It questions what is considered 'normal' today. Through four women (some of them disabled) and different literary devices, including easy-to-read texts, transcripts of anarchist meetings, and a fanzine, the book introduces a deep political reflection on disability, gender, sexuality, and gentrification. A reading that won't leave anyone indifferent!"

William Alomoto, PhD student researching at the Faculty of Geosciences
Cumandá, by Juan León Mera

"I am from Ecuador and I'd highly recommend getting to know the country through its literature. Cumandá tells us a love story between a young indigenous girl from the Amazon jungle and a Spanish soldier, a romance that occurs at the time of colonialism. With great detail, the author transports us to the jungle, with its traditions and culture. The characters show the complexity of human relationships, moral dilemmas and the strong reactions generated by such a relationship. It is a short book but full of emotions."

Sarah Carmichael, Programme Coordinator for the Bachelor's in History
Circe, by Madeleine Miller

"I have really enjoyed the recent surge of updated Greek myth retellings, particularly Circe by Madeleine Miller, Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker and Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. These three books all elaborate on classic stories of Greek mythology but from the perspective of characters usually consigned to the margins of the stories (in these three cases, women). This time of year, I also often pull out a dog-eared copy of My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell, which I’ve read nearly annually since I was 12 but which still makes me laugh and allows for dreaming of escape to idyllic Greek islands."