Kurdish Policy Analysis

August is usually a month of transitions as we try to enjoy the last few weeks of summer while also gearing up for back-to-school season. Luckily, recreational reading is one of those activities that allows you to do both, offering both escapism and a way to prepare your brain for your readings in the fall. Our Lifestyle team has compiled a list of book recommendations for you to explore, and we are so excited to see what conversations they might inspire!

Grace Miller: “Interview with the Vampire”

I’m obsessed with vampires, from watching “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to reading anything Dracula-related and celebrating Summerween! If you’re like me and want philosophical ponderings on the human condition and the supernatural, read the classic “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice.

This book hooks you with the sympathetic main protagonist, Louis du Lac. Sensitive, poetic and tragic, he grapples with morality after becoming a vampire — and when you read about him wistfully recounting his last sunrise, you will surely tear up.

The novel also includes existentialist questions resembling novels like Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” with its solitary and scorned creature. Louis feels like a monster destined to walk among humans but linger alone. As he discovers vampires’ origins, you’ll cheer him on, questioning what it means to “be” human. And who doesn’t love a tortured protagonist?

There’s also Lestat de Lioncourt, the embodiment of temptation and mystery. Through his fluctuating relationship with Louis as his vampiric creator and companion, the novel explores complicated, codependent relationships. The complexities of family and womanhood are also introduced later on through the character of Claudia.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who ponders their place in a vast world. End your summer with Rice’s existentialist musings — or just enjoy these iconic vampires!

Nell Erez: “The Three-Body Problem”

This summer, I have become captivated by Chinese author Cixin Liu’s heart-pounding science fiction novel, “The Three-Body Problem.” I initially picked this novel up for an ill-fated book club, and quickly found myself sucked into a world of suspense, mystery and moral quandary that I found impossible to put down.

Set in China, the story approaches humanity’s first contact with aliens in a way that few writers do — in a scientific and philosophical sense that puts the root of human nature to the test. Blending Chinese history with otherworldly science fiction, Liu’s novel grapples with one terrifying question: What if all that humanity knew about physics was no longer true?

But don’t just take it from me. “The Three-Body Problem” was adapted into a Netflix series and has two sequels, giving you plenty of content to indulge in if you enjoy the novel! Furthermore, the book was praised even by former President Barack Obama, who said that the book is “just wildly imaginative, really interesting.”

This gripping tale is the perfect blend of suspenseful, educational and terrifying. An intelligent and thought-provoking read, “The Three-Body Problem” is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Bella Rodriguez: “The Poppy War”

I’m a fan of all things fictional, especially stories where I can explore vivid world building and watch intricate lore unravel. If you love deep characters and immersive settings in your fantasy reads as well, I would highly recommend “The Poppy War” trilogy by R.F. Kuang.

“The Poppy War” is Kuang's debut — a coming-of-age, grimdark military fantasy loosely inspired by Chinese history and the Second Sino-Japanese War. The story follows Fang Runin (Rin), an orphan raised by opium-smuggling foster parents, who hopes to escape her predetermined future. She takes the Keju, an elite exam that determines who attends Sinegard, the nation's top military academy. But nothing is as it seems, and Rin is soon drawn into a much darker world of war.

The novel confronts challenging themes head-on, as Kuang explores imperialism, colonialism, and colorism throughout the story as Rin’s outsider status at Sinegard intensifies her struggle for acceptance and survival. Told in third person but closely centered on Rin’s perspective, the trilogy uses her strong-willed, evolving worldview to immerse readers in her journey. This series is a standout pick for both history buffs and fantasy lovers.

Yaretzi Presa: “Pachinko”

In the current political sphere where immigration remains a controversial topic of discussion, many descendants of these families still live in fear everyday. “Pachinko,” by Min Jin Lee, is a generational saga of a Korean family set in the early 1900s who struggled during the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula.

The story is built upon themes of discrimination of nationality, the tragedy of immigration and the duty of motherhood. It follows a young teenager Sunja, who is an earnest girl and abides by her parents. As she helps her mother, she enters into a relationship with an older businessman, Hansu, whom she meets at the local market. When their relationship takes a turn for the worse, Sunja flees to Japan due to the financial constraints she faced in Korea. There, she establishes a new life for herself with a new husband, as they encounter social tensions and ostracization in the streets of Japan. As their family of two continues to grow, each generation carries on the deep resilience it took to achieve their stability.

Stories like “Pachinko” help us better understand the detrimental impacts generations of families have experienced through history and how they have shaped the values of today.

Eleanor Yu: “Beartown”

I finished “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman about a month ago, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since. And in my book, that’s the surest indicator of a new favorite read.

“Beartown” follows a small town in Sweden that revolves around the town’s junior ice hockey team — and a violent act that unravels everything. Backman manages an impressive cast of characters, including the hockey team’s star players, their mentors and the people trying to keep Beartown’s economy afloat. His prose is fluid, beautiful and deeply emotional.

The way that Backman writes about hockey is also incredible. Not only does he bring each game to life and make you feel like you’re watching plays in real time, but he uses the sport to explore universal themes of love and community, the cost of ambition and so much more. Somehow, “Beartown” is both about hockey and not about it at all.

While it isn’t a light beach read, “Beartown” remains apt for summer. Oftentimes, with classics and literary fiction, I find that summer gives me the time I need to really sit with the characters and reflect upon the story’s themes. And “Beartown” feels like a modern classic in the making.

Xiangting Ren: “When Breath Becomes Air”

As a new school year approaches, it’s easy to focus on where you’re going next. “When Breath Becomes Air” gently asks a different question: Who do you want to become along the way? Written by neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Kalanithi reflects on the patients he cared for and the family he loved and the difficult balance between building a successful career and living a meaningful life.

I recommend “When Breath Becomes Air” because it’s a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished the final page. As a new school year approaches, it’s easy to succumb to pressure to constantly achieve more. Kalanithi reminds readers that success is ultimately influenced by the people we cherish and the everyday moments we often overlook while chasing the next milestone.

What makes this memoir especially memorable is that it encourages readers to pause and ask those meaningful questions for anyone entering a new chapter of life: What kind of life do I want to build? What kind of person do I want to become?

The writing is emotional without becoming overly sentimental, thoughtful without feeling preachy and beautifully written from beginning to end. By the time you close the book you’ll likely walk away with a greater appreciation for time and relationships — and for the life you’re living right now.

We hope these books called out to you as your perfect end-of-summer escape! From coming-of-age to vampires to military fantasy, this book list has everything you need to spend these last moments of summer entrenched in deep prose and fascinating conversations. Maybe even start a book club with friends and get reading. There’s a huge list of book recommendations now at your fingertips!

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