SBCC Recommends - Fiction
Novels, including young adult and graphic novels.
| Title | Author | Why I Recommend This Book | Personal Story (optional) | Recommender |
| Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions |
Edwin Abbott Abbott |
Flatland, written in 1884, is a satirical novel that describes a two-dimensional society of beings who exist as flat shapes and can only tell each other apart by the equivalent of a silhouette in a flat line. The book is described as "a critique of Victorian England's rigid social structure, religious dogma, and the limitations of human understanding." Flatland serves as an introduction to the mathematical and geometric concept of higher dimensions, presenting the perspectives of the two-dimensional inhabitants of flatland as a metaphor for our own perceptual limitations as humans inhabiting 3-dimensional space. | I was introduced to this book by my 6th grade teacher at El Camino School, Mr. Montgomery.
It's a funny book that also lays out the foundations of a sort of mathematical structure
that I think served me well to encounter at a young age and probably is part of the
reason I discovered a love of math. |
Taylor Markow, Student |
| Mornings in Jenin |
Susan Abulhawa |
Mornings in Jenin is a heart-wrenching multi-generational account of one family's struggle and survival
through the decades before and after Zionist colonization and theft of Palestine.
|
Heart-wrenching and Informative as we read about muti-generations living through occupation
and how it affects each person in the family. A must read. Very powerful, emotional,
and passionate. The book is timeless in its truth. |
Afaf Turjoman, ESL Instructor |
| Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy |
Douglas Adams |
I have read the original, plus the next two books, more times than I can count. Funny, well written sci-fi with lots of social undertones. Great character building and imagination. This book shaped my love for reading and sci-fi. | This is the first book series I read in junior high, and I still love it. I listened
to the original BBC radio drama as well. As the books progress they are lightly themed
around Adams' relationship with his daughter. Now that I have two daughters of my
own, the latter book means more to me. I wish I got to meet him before he passed. |
Rob Brown, Director of the Faculty Resource Center |
| Children of Blood and Bone | Tomi Adeyemi | Great book for all readers and listeners! It's Afrofuturistic, it's Romeo and Juliet, it's adventurous, and inspirational. Also, a movie is coming soon! | This book helped me believe in radical dreaming! | Lelia Richardson, Umoja Student Program Advisor |
| A Long Petal of the Sea |
Isabel Allende |
A Long Petal of the Sea is a historical novel by Isabel Allende about a Spanish couple, doctor Victor Dalmau
and pianist Roser Bruguera, who flee the Spanish Civil War in a marriage of convenience
and find refuge in Chile, where they build a new life over several generations, navigating
exile, love, and political upheaval. |
This book gave me insight into the Spanish Civil War and the political upheaval in
Chile. The love story in this book is gripping and very powerful. |
Afaf Turjoman, SEL Degree/Transcript Analyst and ESL Instructor |
| Foundation | Isaac Asimov | Oh my gosh it is wonderful. I think it is a good tell about the future and is an important
read for generations. If you do read his work, see other similar titles because there
are many varying opinions about how the future will be built. |
Hart Pitcher, Marketing Student | |
| The Handmaid's Tale | Margaret Atwood | Dystopian novel published in 1985. Thought it was just fiction until I see the current
laws states are passing or trying to pass. It’s so well-written, and dives into the
protagonist’s experience in ways that the Hulu series cannot match (though the series
is also good). |
Julia Offen, Student (Extended Studies) | |
| My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry | Fredrik Backman | Elsa is an almost-eight-year-old girl who is intelligent beyond her years but is seen by nearly everyone as “different.” I love the way it's written and appeals to so many ages handling topics that are not always easy. | Nicole Walther, Study Abroad Program Advisor | |
| 9th House | Leigh Bardugo | A creepy murder mystery and gothic horror set in a college, with angry ghosts and secrets--but Alex still made it to at least one round of office hours! | Christina Trujillo, Instructor | |
| Tender is the Flesh |
Agustina Bazterrica |
Tender is the Flesh is an unflinching criticism of a slow fade into fascism and the dehumanization of
people through the policing of language, all told through a grotesque lens of factory-farmed
cannibalism. If you can stomach it, this will easily become an insightful read. |
Mae James, Environmental Science Major | |
| The Manningtree Witches | AK Blakemore | This book is about a young woman's experience during the witch trials of the 17th century in Manningtree, England. Perhaps because she is a poet and from Manningtree herself, Blakemore's narrative captures the imagery and emotion of this time period in a transportive and cinematic way. I felt--when I finished this book--that I had lived another life and had the chance to bring the lessons and truth from that life back into my present day. | I was inspired by Blakemore's prose which is poetic yet experimental. She has managed to adapt Shakespearian vocabulary and terminology in a way that is accessible to modern audiences yet still maintains the integrity of early modern English. | Sofia Noorzad, Licensed Vocational Nursing Student |
| 17776 | Jon Bois | This is an incredible piece of modern science fiction by legendary sports writer Jon Bois about what a post-scarcity and post-death future might look like. Spoilers: we play a lot of football. To boot, its form is one of the most innovative I've ever seen, existing primarily as a seemingly innocuous webpage on the sbnation website that expands ARG-style into an interactive, multi-media experience. (The best way to read this is to go to the url www.sbnation.com/a/17776-football.) | This work hit me at a sort of low period of my life when I was really fascinated with immortality. It touches on themes of loneliness, boredom, purpose, and motivation, and it feels really vital to our modern period. |
Shuie Iseli, Student |
| The Darkest Minds | Alexandra Bracken | This is the first book in a really good coming of age trilogy. For anyone who likes
dystopian stories as much as I do, this series was really easy for me to be obsessed
with. It has a good narrative/world building and characters you want to see survive
the horrible conditions they're up against. |
Kylie Smith, Student |
|
| Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents |
Octavia Butler | Late stage capitalism and climate change are collapsing the structure of society.
A young woman attempts to survive and while doing so creates her own belief structure
to help others. |
Octavia Butler is an author who when I finally read their work I immediately regretted not having found it sooner. These two books were the second or third of hers that I read. I love the setting in California and the West Coast. Olamina's knowledge of plants and practical nature remind me of some people in my family, especially my mom. | Daniella Alavi-O'Fahy, Nursing Student |
| Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents |
Octavia Butler | Very resonating for the time that we're living in. Graphic and compelling writing
with great, solid plot lines. These books (especially the first one) helped me gain
many new perspectives about how we treat each others' communities, examining ideologies
especially when the ideas are held by people in powerful/leadership positions. |
Linh Nguyen, Future Nurse |
|
| Invisible Cities |
Italo Calvino |
After several futile attempts, I cannot write a concise synopsis that accurately captures
Calvino's beautiful prose and poignant Postmodernist critiques of modern society,
nor could I accurately convey the sheer palimpsest of meaning within the work. The
novel is framed as a conversation between the famous explorer, Marco Polo, and Mongol
emperor, Kublai Khan, through which we hear vivid descriptions of fantastical cities;
yet, beyond the breathtaking--nearly poetic--prose, the novel serves as Calvino's
Trojan horse to criticize social issues. Unfortunately, these critiques have aged
like fine wine. |
I first read this work at sixteen and nearly four years, five copies, several chapters
committed to memory, and myriad contemplations later, I've barely scratched the surface.
I'm aware it's one of those polarizing works that one either loves or hates, but if
you--like me--fall into the former camp, Invisible Cities will change your life. |
Amelia Lundgren, Student (English Major) |
| The Professor's House |
Willa Cather |
This 100 year-old novel appreciates with each reread, generation after generation
- like a Shakespearian drama. Willa Cather crafts masterpieces of historical repetitions.
|
Trevor Gotsman, FOA Student |
|
| Don Quixote |
Miguel de Cervantes |
I recommend Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes because it is a foundational work of world literature that
explores imagination, identity, and reality. Because I grew up between Mexico and
the United States, this story connects me to my cultural roots while also offering
themes that are still relevant today. It is a meaningful and engaging book that helps
readers understand both classic literature and different cultural perspectives. |
I grew up mostly in Mexico, and when I returned to study in the United States, I realized
I was missing a cultural connection that many students share through childhood reading.
In class discussions, I often cannot relate to books others grew up with, such as
The Giving Tree, because my childhood stories were very different. My parents do not
speak English, unlike many of my classmates whose parents read English books with
them. I grew up hearing stories, legends, and traditional tales passed down through
generations. This experience has shown me how much the stories we grow up with shape
who we are and how we see the world. |
Honey Guzman, Spanish Major |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower |
Stephen Chbosky |
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is written as a series of letters from Charlie, a quiet, observant
high‑school freshman trying to understand friendships, love, loss, and his own mental
health. The story matters to me because it validates experiences that many people,
especially teenagers and young adults, struggle to articulate: loneliness, trauma,
and the fear of not being "normal." At the same time, it's hopeful. |
This novel is not “straightforward,” in the conventional sense; rather, it operates
with an intricate, emotionally-layered structure, weaving complexity through both
its form and its emotional architecture. Through music, books, and meaningful friendships,
Charlie learns that even painful experiences can coexist with moments of joy and connection.
Its language and emotional openness make it accessible to both teens and adults, and
its themes of empathy and self‑discovery stay relevant long after you finish reading.
|
Jennifer I., Student, AS-T Business Administration (2.0) |
| Tell No One | Harlan Coben | This is one of my favorite love stories, and it's also a murder mystery when the main
character's wife is proved to actually be alive after years of her being supposedly
missing. |
Kylie Smith, Student |
|
| The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho | It is a simple and engrossing story about a boy who has a recurring dream about a buried treasure. One day, he decides to give up everything he has ever known and set off in search of that treasure. What he learns along the way is relatable and inspirational. | I first used this book in my classroom over 20 years ago, and it is the only book that resoundingly resonates with students. They love the adventure, the life lessons, and the love story. It always bring me tremendous joy to see someone light up and want to read more after having read The Alchemist. | Judy Harper, Adjunct Faculty, English Department |
| The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho | It's a book that teaches about wisdom, what's important in life, and an inspiring novel. | Joseph Marcelo, Student | |
| The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho | Super abstract writing style so the book will most likely pique your curiosity in
trying to decipher it (very immersive and active process of reading). The book presents
important themes especially for the developmental ages (twenties). |
Linh Nguyen, Future Nurse | |
| Wizard School Mysteries Book 1: The Meddlesome Youths |
William Cope |
It is a vivid, humorous, and engaging story that reinvents the formula of a fantastical
school in a big way. Every character is bursting with personality, the world-building
is fun and intriguing, and the themes of doing the right thing when no one else will
are top notch! Some grammatical errors aside, it's a hidden gem of independently-published
literature. |
Zachary Zibulewsky, Mathematics Major | |
| Five Broken Blades |
Mai Corland |
This book is awesome because it is full of adventure and has a thrilling story line.
It follows five main characters on an impossible mission filled with action, suspense,
romance and more. Each character is so well thought out and it is just so fun to read.
It is super engaging and so hard to put down! |
Josefina Pallmann, Student | |
| No Longer Human |
Osamu Dazai |
A novel that allows you to see through the lens of someone who struggles with depression,
addiction, and feelings of alienation, hiding it all behind humor and a carefully
crafted facade. It invites readers to recognize the importance of mental health. |
A.V.H., English Major | |
| Clean Shorts | Gary Delanoeye | Entertaining short stories based on his own experiences as a young adult. I enjoyed how well written and humorous the stories are in the book. | Jill S., Extended Learning Student / Educator | |
| The Compleat Moonshadow |
J.M. Dematteis |
A coming-of-age story that uses fantastical worlds and situations as a metaphor for
growing up, and the value of life experiences gained along the way and how they mold
us into functional humans. To fit the mood, illustrations by Jon Muth are all watercolor
to boot. |
I found this graphic novel in college; I knew of J.M. Dematteis and the runs he did
on various Marvel properties, but was floored by how good his non-superhero stuff
was, with this being his magnum opus. Combined with the beautiful watercolor art,
it really is one of the best graphic novels of all time and super underrated. |
Hong Lieu, Web Person |
| Legendborn | Tracy Deonn | Great fantasy read with magic and fun relationships! |
As a child, I was drawn to stories like Robin Hood and King Arthur. Recently, I discovered Legendborn, a modern fantasy that blends a young woman’s early college experience with Arthurian legend. I have read the first two books and am excited to begin the final one. The series offers magic, relationships, and a touch of romance, without being overly forceful. It carefully explores grief and the realization of how deeply someone cared for and protected you. This author is new to me, but the voice and perspective are truly unique. |
Dr. Lynette Williamson, MBA, RHIA, CCS, CPC, FAHIMA, FCAHIIM, Professor and Department Chair HIT/CIM |
| A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens | A historical novel set in Paris and London in the middle 19th century during the French
Revolution that involves two men who love the same woman, Charles Darney and Sydney
Carton. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and of course "It's
a far far better thing that I do, than I have ever done…" two of the most famous quotes
in literature. |
I think I went to law school because of the fictional character Sydney Carton. |
Peter U Georgakis, Professor |
| White Nights | Fyodor Dostoevsky | This is a shorter book may even be a novel its really short its goes over a few nights but its a love story that will have your heart aching making you want to drink till you pass out I honestly dont read a lot but I've read this book twice. |
|
Tommy Gutierrez, Student, Film Major |
| The Belly Buttons |
Maryse Dubuc |
A high school graphic novel series of three girls. Two of them, Jenny and Vicky are
seen as popular and chic with opposite personalities, whereas the other, Karine, is
down to earth and simple with empathetic tendencies. All three having their perspective
change throughout their school years, specifically for Karine by taking a step out
of her bubble. |
I personally enjoyed this comic for its simple yet interesting plot, I think it's well paced. However, the comic was discontinued after such a good cliff hanger for all three of the main characters. |
Victoria Gutierrez Piña, Art Major |
| The Eyes and the Impossible | Dave Eggers | A free dog roams a San Francisco park, watching humans with wonder and poetic reverence. Dave Eggers renders both the animal community and the people they observe in luminous, lyrical prose. If you've ever loved a dog who seemed to truly see the world, this one's for you. | Ethan Hawke's narration makes the audiobook something special — warm, wild, and utterly alive. If there was an Academy Award for Audio book narration, he would WIN! | Yolanda Yturralde, Mental Health Counselor |
| James | Percival Everett | This is the Huckleberry Finn story, told from the perspective of the enslaved character,
James (i.e. "Jim"). It's a more honest and realistic treatment of James' circumstances
than the original novel, and a refreshingly different look at Huck. In addition to
being an important story, it's also a fascinating way to examine a single story told
in multiple ways. |
Robbie Fischer, Biology Professor | |
| Codgerspace | Alan Dean Foster | What happens when a few senior citizens accidentally awaken an advanced civilization's spaces ship? Can they do anything with it? How do authorities react? | I've thought about humankind becoming a space-faring species, but not this way! |
David Salvia, Sociology Major |
| Sagramanda | Alan Dean Foster | This novel takes places in India in the near future. A scientist on the run for a good reason. Foster's portrayal of people and events is second to none. | Foster is a world traveler and brings that experience to life in his writing. I'd love to visit the places he writes about. |
David Salvia, Sociology Major at the moment |
| The Tar-Aiym Krang | Alan Dean Foster | The Tar-Aiym Krang is the first published novel in a series about an unusually talented orphan, Flinx, his companion Pip, and the Humanx Commonwealth. His adventures are fun and exciting. | I very much like Alan Dean Foster's writing, and this book was an excellent introduction to the series. Foster is known for novelizations of popular movies that are better than the movie itself. I like the worlds and the characters he comes up with. | David Salvia, Explorer of Worlds |
| The Party Line |
Dennis D. Gagnon |
This philosophical allegory explores the possible benefits and yet potential corrupting influence of groupthink. Set in 1971, much before the development of social media, the protagonist explores an aetheral realm composed of unconscious extrasensory conversations between unsuspecting participants. Tragically, just as the aetheral realm leads to the existence of gods, it also leads to pure evil, resulting in the death of the lead character’s best friend! The author is a member of the philosophy faculty at SBCC. | Though based upon ideas originating in 1971, and shaped by my lifelong studies in
philosophy, I started writing this book in 2016, when it seemed that truth was taking
a backseat to power. |
Dennis D. Gagnon, Adjunct in the Philosophy Dept., SBCC |
| Cold Comfort Farm |
Stella Gibbons |
Stella Gibbons wrote this brilliant satire in 1932 to parody the romantic genre of
19th century American literature. It is very funny and a lot of fun to read! |
Margaret Prothero, Professor, Department of English | |
| The Prophet |
Kahlil Gibran |
The classic book of profound wisdom. It’s a short and easy, but powerful and poetic
book, with chapters on all the most significant themes in our lives. I first read
The Prophet when I was 14; it was my immediate favorite book, and it’s been inspiring
for more than 50 years. It’s wisdom to last for a lifetime. |
Nancy Keller, Retired SBCC staff and adjunct instructor; current SBCC student | |
| Alice in Quantumland: An Allegory of Quantum Physics | Robert Gilmore | The beauty of physics is often “frozen-out” (quantum physics pun) for non-mathematical
intellects. There seems to be a mathematical “event-horizon” (another silly physics
pun). Alice in Quantumland brings some crucial yet often elusive scientific concepts
within reach of the everyday reader. You don’t need to know much about mathematics
to follow our heroine’s escapades. Alice is going to shrink again, but she’s not going
down the rabbit hole. She’s headed for Quantumland. What is Quantumland? Think of
it as an intellectual amusement park smaller then an atom, where every ride, game,
and attraction demonstrates a different aspect of quantum mechanics." |
Mike Young, Professor of Phun Physics | |
| The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure |
William Goldman |
Wonderful, completely delightful book by William Goldman. If you like the movie, you
will love the book! |
Margaret Prothero, Professor, Department of English | |
| A is for Alibi | Sue Grafton | A is for Alibi is the first in Sue Grafton's alphabet series featuring Private Detective Kinsey
Milhone. I'm not just recommending this one volume, but the entire series. Set in
Santa Teresa, the fictional SB, these are smart, cunning fast-paced mysteries. Sue
Grafton transformed the genre with her female private detective. |
I have read every book in the series, many multiple times- they are that good. It's
not just because they are recognizably set in Santa Barbara that I love them. I love
this series because Kinsey is a strong, smart woman who doesn't worry what others
think of her. When I first discovered this series, I was working at a boring office
job, and it inspired me to think of Kinsey driving around with a sense of freedom
and independence. |
Eileen Vlcek-Scamahorn, Assistant Professor, English |
| The Midnight Library |
Matt Haig |
An imaginative, intriguing story examining paths we take in life, what we expect from
them, and a chance to see how our lives would have turned out if we’d made different
choices. I’ve felt a whole lot different about “regrets” in life after reading this
book. Very wise. |
I also recommend The Dalai Lama’s Cat by David Michie and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. |
Nancy Keller, Retired SBCC staff and adjunct instructor; current SBCC student |
| Dune |
Frank Herbert |
Perhaps more apropos than ever, Herbert wrote this novel as a way to examine crucial
social and political themes--without delivering a pedantic narrative or predictable
tropes. It serves as both mirror and magnifying glass, a text to savor long after
you put down its many pages. |
Not only would we not have science fiction as we know it today without this juggernaut
novel (i.e. Star Wars), I also would not have had the imaginative childhood I did
growing up reading this epic, philosophical piece. It shaped how I saw the world,
politics, religion, society, and even myself. I believe it's one of the most important
novels written in the 20th century. In this celebration of the human amidst machines,
Herbert's world is one that learned the hard way why "Thou shalt not make a machine
in the likeness of a human mind." |
Melanie F., Student, Japanese and Native American Studies Major |
| Siddhartha | Hermann Hesse | Describes a young man's spiritual journey and eventual enlightenment. Gorgeously written
and deeply inspiring. Will speak to many readers today. |
When I was a young adult looking for spiritual direction, this story found my core
and resonated in my soul. |
Spencer Sherman, Psychology Instructor |
| The Remains of the Day | Kazuo Ishiguro | My generation is still figuring out what work and career mean to us. This book helped
me do just that in the subtlest, perfectly paced, and emotionally devastating way.
|
Joseph Campos, DSPS | |
| The Haunting of Hill House |
Shirley Jackson |
The novel follows a group of strangers chosen to investigate paranormal events at
a creepy old house. It is both terrifying and funny, and the writing cements Jackson's
reputation as a master of American Gothic fiction. |
This novel made me realize that great writing = excellent observing. |
Jordan Molina, English Faculty |
| Blood of Eden - Novel Series |
Julie Kagawa | In a vampire dystopian world that is broken and plagued by a virus, Allie must find
a cure to save humanity without losing herself and those she cares for. This series
was what made me fall in love with reading since middle school. The imagery the author
uses makes you feel like you're in the book. The plot was one twist after another,
kept me on my toes! It still remains as one of my favorite series ever. To Julie,
I owe my love for the fantasy genre. |
A.V.H., English Major | |
| Arrows of the Queen |
Mercedes Lackey |
A fantasy novel set in a (less technologically driven) world where some people (those
chosen) can bond with a horse-like creature (a Companion). Together they try to right
the wrongs of the world. Any animal-lover will love this book. It is simply written
and is a great escape from our modern world. |
I have the many, many books that have spun off from this first book. So I don't have
to think about my next book. |
Sally Ghizzoni, Instructor, Chemistry and Music |
| She's Come Undone |
Wally Lamb |
She's Come Undone is about family, self discovery, love and resiliency. |
I had never read a book with a main character who looked like me and had similar life
experiences. I was in my early 30's when I first read this book and 25 years later
I still remember the thrill it gave me to have an emotional connection with the main
character. |
Amy Collins, Staff |
| Bendigo Shafter | Louis L'Amour | Louis L'Amour was a writer that used fiction as a vehicle for history. He had a library of over10,000 books, many of them were histories, and he thoroughly researched the places and realities of the times in his novels. This book presents an interesting glimpse of the lands of the United Stated as seen by the first European explorers. | Few book cover the peoples and the lands of the US before the Native-Americans were swept aside by Europeans. The early explorers were exceptional people and this book captures some of that. | David Salvia, A man of many interests |
| Comstock Lode | Louis L'Amour | Louis L'Amour was a writer that used fiction as a vehicle for history. He had a personal library of over 10,000 books and he thoroughly researched the people and places of the times for his novels. Virginia City, Nevada grew from the discovery of gold and silver there, and this is an enjoyable fictional account of its early days. | In my youth I was able to explore the area myself. | David Salvia, Academic Explorer |
| When | Victoria Laurie | This might be one of my favorite young adult fiction novels so far, and the characters
within it were so easy for me to grasp onto and root for. It's a murder mystery, with
a twist because the main character has the ability to see when people will die, which
traps her inside the investigation. |
Kylie Smith, Student | |
| Pachinko |
Min Jin Lee |
Intense and heart-rending, Pachinko unfurls the story of Koreans living with the life-altering impact of Japanese occupation
and thereby exposes the tenuous nature of citizenship. Spanning generations and countries,
it follows a woman and her progeny’s lives aptly and sensitively depicting the human
experience of those who emigrate, assimilate—but only to the extent they are allowed—and
ultimately, live as people with lineage but without a country. Existing in a liminal
space, each generation adapts to survive in their time as floating citizens: never
truly belonging, while at the same time making a place for themselves. |
This book moved me greatly so much so as to bring tears. Though my family is not Korean,
it made me think about the desperation of and lengths to which some of my family members
went to become American citizens, one of which was a floating citizen for some time.
The tale it tells of humans being needlessly thrust into difficulty due to conflict
and laws is a terribly common one, one that resonates even in our country, sadly,
even more so each day. |
Kimberly Hahn, Student, Chinese Language |
| The Dispossessed | Ursula K. Le Guin |
Anarchism, capitalism, physics, philosophy and ethics contemplated in a novel about
a person trying to find freedom. |
I first tried to read this book when I was 17. My mom gave it to me. I couldn't quite wrap my head around the structure and it didn't grab my attention right away. I picked it up a couple years later and made myself read the first few chapters --by three or four I was captivated. It remains one of my favorite books and Ursula K. Le Guin one of my favorite authors. | Daniella Alavi-O'Fahy, Nursing Student |
| The Left Hand of Darkness | Ursula K. Le Guin |
In honor of Pride Month at SBCC, I recommend The Left Hand of Darkness. The story is great science fiction, and like all exceptional works in that category,
it pushes boundaries and makes one think about what it means to be human. This engaging
story challenges gender boundaries and our understanding of gender identity. |
Chris Renbarger, Vice President | |
| Solaris | Stanislaw Lem | A psychologist goes to the planet Solaris to investigate the death of a crew member stationed there. This short novel ends up being darkly romantic in that the exploration of other worlds leads to a exploration of the heart and mind, of passion and madness. It contains so many meditations on what it means to be human. | I didn't know I could love and even try to write science fiction until I read Solaris. It has been adapted to film twice, most recently with George Clooney. | Joshua Escobar, Director of Creative Writing |
| Solaris | Stanislaw Lem | Solaris is about failed communication between mankind and a truly alien mind. The planet Solaris is made up of an ocean that may have consciousness and as the scientists sleep, it creates simulacra of loved ones to probe their minds. Psychologist Kris Kelvin relives his guilt and grief as he starts to see his partner Harey, who ended her life due to his words. Is Solaris tormenting him or is it curious about him? It's impossible to know what the intentions of the planet are, as we are too human in thought. | I was first introduced to Solaris through Andrei Tarkovsky's adaptation, which focuses more on the human condition rather than an alien mind. Solaris probes philosophical questions that fascinate me, and remind me of the conversations I used to have with my dad regarding science-fiction. How can we possibly communicate with an alien being when we can't even communicate with others of our own species? Science relies on observations, but how can we trust our observations if we are biased in our perceptions? | Veronica Johnson, Adjunct Librarian |
| Theo of Golden |
Allen Levi |
This is an interesting, beautifully written, and inspirational book. | Ellen Stoddard, Retired, Parent Education, SBCC Trustee | |
| Babbitt |
Sinclair Lewis |
Babbitt (1922) by Sinclair Lewis is one of those great, out-of-fashion American novels that
always feel contemporary. Just as It Can’t Happen Here (1935), Lewis’s satire of fascism coming to America, illuminates our own time, so
does the gadget-crazed consumer culture Lewis describes in Babbitt. His pious, blowhard
real-estate swindler George F. Babbitt is like one of Thoreau's quietly desperate
men—owned by their possessions, driven by their prejudices, and ruled by their neighbors’
platitudes, while inside feeling lonelier than God. With exuberant humor reminiscent
of Dickens (Lewis's favorite writer), Babbitt shows us the perils, as well as the
seductions, of our appetite for things. |
When I taught Babbitt, my American literature students opened my eyes to an uncomfortable truth I’d hidden
from myself: there was a certain solace to be found in living the way society says
you should live. I did point out to them, however, the kicker that lurks in Babbitt’s
puzzled confession to his only real friend in the novel, Paul Riesling: “Here I've
pretty much done all the things I ought to. . . . And yet, even so, I don't know that
I'm entirely satisfied!” |
Robert Metzger, Adjunct English Professor |
| Throne of Glass |
Sara J. Maas |
Expansive world with characters you grow to deeply care for. Exciting plot and makes
you feel all the emotions. |
I lived in the series for six months and cried several times. |
Daniela K., Psychology Student |
| Wicked |
Gregory Maguire |
Turns an old story inside out. Very thought-provoking, and while it's a fantasy, it
is all-too-clearly relevant in today's dystopian world. |
I have read this book three times in my life within 25 years, and each time it has
had a different impact on me. This is not only based on changes in my personal life
but on current political situations. Fascinating. And troubling. |
Nancy Smith-Tubiolo, English Adjunct Instructor |
| Absolution |
Alice McDermott |
An inspired work of historical fiction set in Saigon, 1963, before American ground
troops invaded in 1965, Absolution resonates for its nuanced moral interrogations of wives regarded as "helpmeets" to
their (American military advisor) husbands. McDermott makes vivid a unique slice of
time and place, rigidly stratified by gender, race and class, through a feminized
experience. Two well-meaning white middle class American wives genuinely endeavor
to "do good in the world" with acts of charity towards the less fortunate in the "exotic"
nation they occupy. The characters evolve through the story, as the ethical ambiguities
of their supposed altruism become both an allegory and an apology. |
I teach a class on the Vietnam (American) War and have traveled with students on experiential
learning abroad programs through several regions of Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia and
Laos.) The intersection of foreign travelers and native people, of colonial influences
and indigenous cultures is rich with complexity, beauty and pain. In all the many
memoirs and books (non-fiction, short story collections and novels) of Vietnam-related
literature I have read, Absolution offers a fascinating lens I had not looked through
before. It inspires me again to consider (with greater imagination!) the perspectives
of people--usually women--often minimized in history's retelling. |
Alethea Tyner, Professor of History |
| Circe | Madeline Miller |
A feminist take on the renowned Greek myth gives the sorceress her voice, her story. | As the witch specializing in transformation, Circe was a source of inspiration during
a time of great change in my life. |
Jocelyn Marie, Faculty |
| Walking Practice |
Dolki Min | Walking Practice follows a shape shifting alien who has crash landed on earth and must consume humans to survive. The story is an allegory for gender exploration. | Karis Sabraw, Student, Philosophy Major |
|
| Beloved |
Toni Morrison |
The protagonist, Sethe, escaped slavery two decades ago but remains haunted by the
ghosts of her past. If you’ve never read a Toni Morrison novel, it's the ideal gateway
into her literary world; the story unfurls like an unfinished puzzle, and you must
search for the elusive missing pieces while you read. |
Amelia Lundgren, Student (English Major) | |
| Sula | Toni Morrison | A shorter work of Toni Morrison's that explores the relationship between two girls who grow up together, representing two different ways of being a woman in the world. | Sula's line "I got my mind. And what goes on in it. Which is to say, I got me," has always stuck with me as evoking an independent woman, alive with her thoughts, and living on her own terms in a world that isn't ready for her, for better or worse. | Jenny Baxton, Professor of English |
| If It Makes You Happy | Julie Olivia | This book is a feel-good romance filled with happiness and self-discovery. The suspense
and progression of the book keep you always wanting more! I finished this book in
a week. |
Aubri LaPointe, Biochemistry Major | |
| There There |
Tommy Orange |
Tommy Orange opens There There with a brilliant prologue that captures the history of violence against Native Americans
in a creative, complex, lyrical, and devastating way, and then goes on to tell the
stories of many different characters who live in and around Oakland. Although the
characters are suffering due to the impact of generational trauma and current racism,
and many struggle with addiction, there is a lot of humor in the novel as well as
moments of joy and courageous self-discovery. |
Many English Department MET faculty teach this novel in English 110/C1000, and students
love it. The variety of voices due to Orange’s short-story structure make the story
especially engaging. Also, it is exciting to start to piece together the relationships
among the characters as the novel progresses, and inspiring to see how so many of
them are rebuilding their lives as they accept who they are and recognize what matters
most to them. |
Kim Monda, English Professor |
| Akira |
Katsuhiro Otomo |
Neo-Tokyo, overrun by gangs and ruled in public and in secret by shadowy organizations
with ulterior motives, until everything boils over and the results end up affecting
humanity on a global scale. Just jaw-dropping art, story, and scale. |
Like many, I was first introduced to Akira via the excellent anime film; while really
good in its own right, it definitely feels rushed in parts and not fully fleshed out
in others. This led me to track down the manga, and truly allowed me to see the full
scale of Otomo's vision. Just a masterpiece of a graphic novel. |
Hong Lieu, Web Person |
| The Astonishing Color of After | Emily X. R. Pan | This is a book I loved in high school. It deals with themes of grief, mortality, spirituality,
and family history. The imagery Pan uses within it was really eye opening for me,
and she's an author I want to emulate in the future. |
Kylie Smith, Student | |
| The Skull Mantra | Eliot Pattison | This fictional mystery takes place in Tibet after the Chinese takeover. I liked it
because it gave me a glimpse into the culture of Buddhist Tibet. It is the first of
a series. |
I recommended it for the Tehachapi Mountain AAUW branch book club. During the discussion
those present either really liked the book or disliked it. I think some of the names
and Buddhist terminology was unfamiliar and put some people off. |
Penelope LePome, Student |
| Hatchet | Gary Paulsen | A story of a young teenager who learns resilience while stranded after a plane crash
in the Canadian wilderness, armed with only a hatchet. |
This story taught me about perseverance, resourcefulness, and how to make it through.
It is written well and provides insight to me about the beauty of the wilderness.
|
Jordan Killebrew, SBCC Employee |
| The Overstory | Richard Powers | A collection of fascinating stories interlacing the history of specific tree species and the humans who love and study them, spanning generations, stretching from Iowa in the 1840s to the Pacific Northwest in recent times. Their lives connect in complex ways, developed in the last half of the novel. | Having taught the history of U.S. immigration in the years before my retirement, I was absorbed by the personal stories of a rich variety of people, including a paraplegic computer programing genius, born in the U.S. to parents from India. My great joy has always been hiking in the woods and the mountains. Powers speaks to me as he brilliantly weaves together the lives of very disparate families and individuals, the careless loss of the woodlands that shaped their experiences, and their varied efforts to save what they can. | Barbara Lindemann, Retired 2006, Professor of History |
| Atmosphere | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Atmosphere follows Jane, one of the first women scientists to join (fictional) NASA's (fictional) space shuttle program in the 1980s. It explores themes of family division, sexism in the workplace, and the struggles of coming to terms with your sexuality in a time (and workplace) where it was not acceptable to be gay. For me, the beauty of this novel lies in Jane’s relationships with the other characters - her niece, her sister, and the other astronauts. The way Jane builds her own family and support system and comes into herself was beautiful to witness. | I read this book "blind," meaning that I had no idea what the contents were before reading. Which means that I did not know it was queer or involved a woman coming to terms with her identity as a lesbian. This book was incredibly impactful for me because I read it only two months after coming out as a lesbian myself. It takes place in the 80s, so it showed me how far we've come since then but also how much farther we need to go. It was just so beautiful to read that book during that time in my life and was so so so affirming. | Chanyce Rose, Student Program Advisor |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | A fantasy novel about a legendary hero/genius turned innkeeper recounting the events
of his life — from his childhood in a preforming troupe, to his time living in the
streets of a ruthless city, to his education at a magic university. The story is beautifully
written, with a unique and realistic magic system, phenomenal world building, and
complex characters. |
AB, Student | |
| Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe | Benjamin Alire Sáenz | This is the sweet, painful, and stirring tale of a sensitive Chicano adolescent discovering cultural identity, male friendship, and gay love as a teenager in 1980s New Mexico. Saenz's novel delivers a memorable friendship and romance through his poetic imagery, rich cultural sensitivity, and vibrant sense of humor. | Tino Garcia, English Faculty | |
| Tress of the Emerald Sea | Brandon Sanderson | This is a beautifully written fantasy book with great characters and an engaging story that will have you hungrily turning pages, highlighting favorite sentences, and laughing out loud! Sanderson wrote this for his wife during Covid, and because she loves The Princess Bride, it was inspired from that book, imagining what if Buttercup goes to rescue Wesley instead. Enjoy this wonderful novel! | Margaret Prothero, Professor, English Department | |
| The Invisible Life of Addie Larue | V.E. Schwab | A fantasy novel that feels a little like historical fiction. A story that feels so original and powerful. I am always searching for a story that makes me feel like Addie Larue did the first time I read it! | Holly Higgins, Executive Assistant | |
| Frankenstein |
Mary Shelly |
Frankenstein is a monster, but the kindest humane character you would root for. Abandoned
by his maker, he wanders the world looking for a place to call home. He takes all
the best of humanity and demonstrates what it means to be human. |
Vandana Gavaskar, English Faculty | |
| The Deep |
Rivers Solomon |
The Deep is a work of visionary and Afrofuturist fiction that creatively navigates complex
problems like intergenerational trauma and confronts the brutal, violent history of
the Atlantic slave trade by imagining a new underwater society of merfolk that began
from pregnant women who were thrown overboard. The book is based on an innovative
hip-hop song of the same name by Clipping. |
Mae James, Student | |
| The Family Tree | Sheri S. Tepper | Well-written speculative fiction deals with the themes of human overpopulation and
environmentalism. The author has other great science fiction books I'd recommend,
but this one really draws you in to the investigation of murder. There's a parallel
timeline in the distant future too, but I won't give that one away. |
Julia Offen, Student (Extended Studies) | |
| White Hunter, Black Heart |
Peter Viertel |
Pauline Kael perfectly described White Hunter, Black Heart as "My Dinner with Andre crossed with a Hemingway novel." It's an engrossing and
funny roman à clef about the making of the classic film The African Queen. When the
raffish director John Wilson (transparently modeled on John Huston) brings his friend
Pete along to Uganda to help rewrite the screenplay, they wind up arguing instead
of writing, and Wilson becomes much more interested in shooting an elephant than shooting
a movie. |
Decades after publishing the book, Viertel adapted White Hunter, Black Heart for a
movie starring Clint Eastwood. I thought it was a turkey but it interested me enough
to seek out the novel, which became an instant favorite. Ray Bradbury also wrote about
his maddening experience working with Huston in Ireland on Moby Dick in his similarly-titled
novel Green Shadows, White Whale. |
Kip Buis, Student |
| God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater |
Kurt Vonnegut |
All of Vonnegut's work is worth reading, brilliantly written and hilarious, but I
wanted to give a shout-out to this book, for its concepts surrounding the insanity
of wealth accumulation and how developing one's social conscience is the only way
to understand how utterly insane the truly sane can be. |
Kurt Vonnegut is probably my favorite author of all time next to Walker Percy and
Alan Moore, and this book is what gives him the nod over the other two. I love the
juxtaposition of the absurdities of life that should make you angry, but because the
writing is so good and Vonnegut is such a master you can't help but go along with
him and laugh about it. |
Hong Lieu, Web Person |
| Slaughterhouse-Five | Kurt Vonnegut | I like how this book depicts the absurd and uninspiring aspects of war. It's funny and sad. | Jason File, Professor | |
| The Color Purple | Alice Walker | The Color Purple is centered around the sisterly beyond between the main character, Celie, and her sister Nettie. Even when separated by whole oceans, their bond never weakens. | I read this book in my English 111 class, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and the movie. The book is very dense in interesting and engaging content. | Damian Magaña, Student, Engineering Major |
| Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir | An inspiring book for the current times, about solving problems through trust, science
and communication. |
Janet Shapiro, Retired DSPS Director, 25th Faculty Lecturer 2004 | |
| Murderbot Diaries | Martha Wells | A lethal robot bodyguard gains sentience and wants to use his free will to do nothing but watch TV . . . but the humans it's meant to protect keep trying to get themselves killed. | It's a short, heartfelt story about what it means to be human, yes, but even more about what it means to help other people and to let other people help you. It came to me at a time when those were ideas I needed some reminders of. | Christina Trujillo, Instructor |
| Batman: Under the Red Hood |
Judd Winick | It's part of the tragic tale of one of the young men who donned the role of Batman's
sidekick, Jason Todd. It is about his return after he was killed by the Joker. |
In the back of the novel there is a story that reveals how Jason Todd came back to
life. You may find it silly in its comic book ways, but I liked how dark it was. |
Kael Alemán, Student |
| To the Lighthouse |
Virginia Woolf |
Woolf's most autobiographical book and her most popular over the years, To the Lighthouse is set in Cornwall, England where her family summered when Virginia was a girl. The
collection of characters, her style, and most of all Mrs. Ramsay, based on her mother,
make this a novel to treasure. |
A book I often reread. It didn't fit any course I taught at SBCC, but after retirement
I assigned it in Osher Lifetime Learning seminars. My book club is reading it this
June. |
Jinny Webber, PhD, Professor of English, Emeritus |
| Memoirs of Hadrian | Marguerite Yourcenar | Written in the decade after World War 2, this light filled novel explores the life of one of the last emperors of Rome, Hadrian, who was openly gay and set the final borders of the empire. It has been translated from the French by the author's life long partner, Grace Frick, and is considered to be one of the best translations of French into any language. | This novel is being turned into a TV series by Strega Prize winner Francesco Piccolo. I read it in my last semester of college in a class on the dictator novel. It's a singular classic for its story and the way it's told. | Joshua Escobar, Director of Creative Writing |