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2025 Summer Reading

The English and History Departments have prepared a selection of thought-provoking books for Summer Reading assignments. These classic and contemporary literary works will set students up for compelling and intriguing discussions upon their return to the classroom this fall.

Students, be sure to read and annotate your books before you return to campus in the fall. Please do not try to read your summer reading books during Blues Training Camp (athletics pre-season) in August. All courses will begin the year with quizzes on these books and you will write essays about them, so please read them carefully so you can start the year on a strong note.

Song of Achilles

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

ISBN-13: 978-0-062060-62-4

 

Siege of Troy

Persepolis: The Story Of A Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

ISBN-13: 978-0-375-71457-3

Brave New World

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 

ISBN-13: 978-0-060850-52-4

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

ISBN: 978-0-452-28215-5

Sing Unburied Sing

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward 

ISBN-13: 978-1-501126-07-9

Sing Unburied Sing

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

ISBN-13: 978-1-501126-07-9

AND

Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

ISBN-13: 978-0-061120-06-0

The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

ISBN-13: 978-0-618706-41-9

The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

ISBN-13: 978-0-618-70641-9

AND

How the Word is Passed

How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith

ISBN-13: 978-0-316-49292-8

In the Time of Butterflies

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

ISBN-13: 978-1-565129-76-4

In the Time of Butterflies

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

ISBN-13: 978-1-565129-76-4
Edition: 2010
Publisher: Algonquin Books

AND

“Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

ISBN-13: 978-0-385480-01-7

In the Time of Butterflies

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

ISBN-13: 978-1-565129-76-4

In the Time of Butterflies

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

ISBN-13: 978-1-565129-76-4

AND

“Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

ISBN-13: 978-0-385480-01-7

Autocracy, Inc.

Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum

ISBN-13: 978-0-385-549936

AND

The Cold War

The Cold War: A Very Short Introduction by Robert J. McMahon

ISBN-13: 978-0-198-85954-3