A person’s bookshelf can reveal a lot about a person. Do they color code it? Alphabetize it? Shove books wherever they fit? Books are a great way of learning about an individual without asking prying questions. Some universities require applicants to list their favorite books on the Common Application. However, reading requires a lot of time, which is the one thing University students often don’t have. So The Argus asked students with different majors throughout campus what they were reading—if they were reading at all.

 

Lindsay Zelson ’19, Majors: History and Psychology

A: What was the last book your read for fun, and can you describe it in three words?

LZ: “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance, “Understanding Trump Voters.”

A: What are you currently reading?

LZ: “All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr, “Incredible. Beautiful. Unfinished.”

A: What was your favorite in the last year?

LZ: “Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut, “Beautiful. Nothing. Hurt.”

 

Uma Dieffenbach ’17, Majors: Neuroscience and Theater

Last Book Read For Fun: “Modern Romance” by Aziz Ansari, “Scientific. Funny. Weirdly-Touching.”

Currently Reading: “Lone Wolf” by Jodi Picoult, “Bad. Lawyerly. Formulaic.”

Favorite Book In the Last Year: “Bad Feminist” by Roxane Gay, “Witty. View-changing. Poignant.”

 

Dan Giovanniello ’17, Major: History

Last Book Read For Fun: “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo, “Characters. Maine. Scenery.”

Currently Reading: “Nobody’s Fool” by Richard Russo, “Sully. Beer. Back.”

Favorite Book In the Last Year: “Travel Team” by Mike Lupica, “Can’t Measure Heart.”

 

Nathan Mullen ’20, Prospective Majors: Theater? Spanish? Government?

Last Book Read For Fun: “Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, “Subtle religious dogma.”

Currently Reading: Not currently reading anything for fun.

Favorite Book in the Last Year: “Enders Game” by Orson Scott Card, “Scathing political commentary.”

 

Sarah Paulson ’19, Major: Biology, Environmental Studies Certificate

Last Book Read For Fun: “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline, “’80s Science Fiction”

Currently Reading: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, “Personal. Legend. Destiny.”

Favorite Book in the Last Year: “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “Nigeria to America”

 

Theo Simko ’19, Major: College of Social Studies

Last Book Read For Fun: “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Romanticized. Capitalist. Lyrical.”

Currently Reading: “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor, “Chaotic. Biblical. Southern.”

Favorite Book in the Last Year: “Nine Stories” by J.D. Salinger, “Twisted. Confusing. Angsty.”

 

Nicole Boyd ’18, Majors: Art History and Italian Studies

Last Book Read For Fun: “Women Who Eat” by Leslie Miller, “Scrumptious. Heart-warming. A Comfort.”

Currently Reading: “The Art of Guido Cagnacci” by Xavier F. Salomon, “Enrapturing. Awe-inspiring. A Delight.”

Favorite Book in the Last Year: “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim” by David Sedaris, “Fun. Flirty. Quirky.”

 

Emily Feher ’17, Major: Film

Last Book Read For Fun: “Slouching Towards Bethlehem” by Joan Didion, “Can’t put down.”

Currently Reading: “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt, “Savannah Love Letter.”

Favorite Book in the Last Year: “Valley of the Dolls” by Jacqueline Susann, “Poison Cotton Candy.”

 

Alexa Wheeler ’17, Majors: Government and French

Last Book Read For Fun: “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote, “Murder. Duality. Engrossing.”

Currently Reading: Not currently reading anything for fun.

Favorite Book in the Last Year: “Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson, “Murder. Architecture. Fair.”