Eight books for your reading list in summer 2024

The Late Returnee: Memories of a Hmong Familyby Kao Kalia Yang

“I loved how this first-hand account, focusing on the life experiences of Yang’s grandmother, reveals the resilience and determination of a family and culture that perseveres and rises despite the suffering of war, poverty, prejudice, distance, separation and relocation. Woven into the narrative, one sees how culture, history and family are the cornerstones of their strength and resilience, beautifully portrayed through the voices of this Hmong immigrant family.”

— Associate Professor Miwa Yasui

The world-destroying fire: The indispensable Wendell Berryby Wendell Berry and Paul Kingsnorth

“This collection of essays draws our attention to the hope, value and meaning found in the simple things in life – in caring, serving and loving our neighbors, our country, our community, and in slowing down to enjoy these gifts that are given to us. The essays illustrate that it is precisely the ordinariness of life – its connection to our history, our heritage, our society and our nature that gives it meaning and depth of significance, and contrast this with the constant call for progress and evolution that dominates our modern society. In the fast-paced world we live in, which demands constant change, Berry’s vision can give us the foundation we need to focus on and appreciate the life we ​​have been given.”

— Associate Professor Miwa Yasui