2008 Senior Books
Senior Books Project
Every year, the graduating seniors who are working in the library are invited to pick a favorite book and say something about what it was like to work in the library. Scroll through the years to find some great books and hear what it’s like to work in the Library
Years available:
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Jacob Disch
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Circulation
- Worked 3 years in the library
JACOB’S BOOK SELECTION
ABOUT THE SELECTION
Because this book made me believe.
ON WORKING IN THE LIBRARY
The chill atmosphere, the quietude, the air conditioning, my fellow workers, getting some homework done while on the clock.
Nicholas Honan
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Computer Lab
- Worked 2 years in the library
NICHOLAS’S BOOK SELECTION
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shil Silverstein
ABOUT THE SELECTION
If you haven’t read this one lately, I suggest you give it another look. Some good advice in here.
Molly Knefel
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Library Lab
- Worked 3 years in the library
MOLLY’S BOOK SELECTION
The Fortress of Solitude byJonathan Lethem
ABOUT THE SELECTION
This book deals with racism and issues of white identity/white guilt in an amazingly complex and compelling way. It also gives children much more credit than many books do, and Lethem writes the setting of 1970s Brooklyn in a vivid and beautiful way. He also writes about music better than almost anyone I’ve ever read.
ON WORKING IN THE LIBRARY
I like working in a place where there’s lots of people around all the time.
Jessie Light
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Circulation
- Worked 3 years in the library
JESSIE’S BOOK SELECTION
Wynken, Blynken and Nod byEugene Field
ABOUT THE SELECTION
This poem is in one of a series of old school primers that my grandmother gave us from her childhood days. When I was little, my mother would sing it to my sisters and I as a lullaby and it was always the one I looked forward to most. I associate this poem with my family and feelings of warmth, safety and love.
ON WORKING IN THE LIBRARY
I love books and the aura that surrounds them. One of my favorite parts of working in the library has been spending an hour or so at a time getting lost in the stacks while shelving. It helps me re-collect myself.
Allison Macwilliams-Brooks
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Computer Lab
- Worked 4 years in the library
ALLISON’S BOOK SELECTION
Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
ABOUT THE SELECTION
I read “Woman on the Edge of Time” for Sonita Sarker’s “Feminist Utopias” class my sophomore year, and found it to be one of the most compelling works of fiction I had read for years. Piercy seamlessly blends discourses of feminism, sexuality, mental health, environmentalism, race, and class while simulataneously providing a disturbing juxtaposition of current social issues with glances into our society’s potential future. Of Piercy’s novels, “Woman on the Edge of Time” is probably my favorite because it forced me to sincerely think about the future consequences of our current social frameworks. I highly recommend it to anybody looking to read a work of relatively contemporary fiction that is both challenging and insightful. It’s not a light or easy ready, by any means, but it is well worth your time.
ON WORKING IN THE LIBRARY
I have really enjoyed interacting with all of the great library staff members, who I have gotten to know over the past few years. My supervisors are great, and the library definitely treats its student workers well! The library staff always lets us know how much they appreciate our hard work, which makes it worth the hours of filling printer paper and clearing copier jams.
Joshua Marshak
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Circulation
- Worked 3 years in the library
JOSHUA’S BOOK SELECTION
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
ABOUT THE SELECTION
Quite a fascinating and ridiculous story. A bit confusing, but curiously satisfying to read. Perhaps more real than magical, making it stranger yet.
Mariah Smith
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Circulation
- Worked 2 years in the library
MARIAH’S BOOK SELECTION
The Eight by Katherine Neville
ABOUT THE SELECTION
One of my all-time favorite books! The Eight interweaves two storylines, one set in 1972 and the other in 1790. It has something for everyone – mysteries, music, history, chess, suspense…it’s one of those books you can read over and over again.
Charlotte Stretch
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Circulation
- Worked 3 years in the library
CHARLOTTE’S BOOK SELECTION
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
ABOUT THE SELECTION
I chose this book because it includes so many of the things that I love: Chicago, love of music, love of books, understanding and, especially, libraries.
ON WORKING IN THE LIBRARY
Getting to know the supervisors, working with my friends and finding books that were thought to be missing.
Kathryn Wade
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Cataloging
- Worked 4 years in the library
KATHRYN’S BOOK SELECTION
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
ABOUT THE SELECTION
Farley Mowat’s autobiographical book recounts his experience as a scientist studying wolves in the Canadian wilderness. Mowat’s observations of one family of wolves soon develops into a removed, yet intimate relationship in which he devotedly monitors the wolves’ behavior and they monitor his. I read this book driving through rural Wisconsin on my way to the Twin Cities one summer and I couldn’t put it down. The movie is pretty awesome as well.
ON WORKING IN THE LIBRARY
The best thing about working in the Library has been the great food at the Holiday pot-lucks!
Eric Weisser
- Year of Graduation: 2008
- Library Department: Computer Lab
- Worked 4 years in the library
ERIC’S BOOK SELECTION
The Stars: A New Way to See Them by H.A. Rey
ABOUT THE SELECTION
The book introduces the reader to the basics of stargazing as well as fairly advanced explanations of the motions of astronomical bodies, along with some history of astronomy and mythology to boot. It’s simple and entertaining enough to preoccupy a child, but contains knowledge possessed by few educated adults. Why what else would you expect from the author of the Curious George series?
ON WORKING IN THE LIBRARY
I love being unable to walk in almost any direction in the library without finding a row of books or journals that could keep me busy and fascinated for hours (often days).