About the Community of Readers

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Established in 2007 by the Leatherby Libraries, the Community of Readers is the summer reading program for Chapman University. This program is open to everyone who has borrowing privileges at the Leatherby Libraries and a current library account, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Members select books from the Leatherby Libraries and receive prizes upon submission of their first review. The only requirement is that books must be obtained through the Leatherby Libraries.

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Monday, June 30, 2014

The Lovely Bones

Title: The Lovely Bones
Author: Alice Sebold
Call Number: PS3619.E26 L68 2002
Location: 2nd Floor Arts and Humanities
Rating: Recommended
Book Review: This book is told from the perspective of a young girl who was murdered and is now watching her family and friends from heaven. It is suspenseful, funny, hopeful and heartbreaking all at once. It was a very engaging read that kept me hooked!
Department: Law School
Status: Staff
Submitted By: Ashley Kemp

Galapagos at the Crossroads: pirates, biologists, tourists and creationists battle for Darwin’s cradle of evolution

Title: Galapagos at the Crossroads: pirates, biologists, tourists and creationists battle for Darwin’s cradle of evolution.
Author: Carol Ann Bassett

Call Number: F3741.G2 B37 2009
Location: 2nd Floor Arts and Humanities
Rating: Recommended
Book Review: This was a nice and fairly recent overview of the challenges facing the Galapagos as a result of increased tourism.  The best parts in my mind were the interviews with many of the early individuals involved as naturalists on the islands and hearing how tourists and the impacts of tourism have changed the islands so much.  The early chapters also provide a nice historical perspective showing how travelers' views of the islands have changed through time.
Submitted By: Jason Keller
Department: Biology
Status: Faculty 

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Author: Susan Cain
Call Number: BF698.35.I59 C35 2012
Location: 2nd Floor Social Sciences
Rating: Highly Recommended
Book Review: As a true blue introvert, many of the ideas Susan Cain presents in "Quiet" really resonated with me and led to some interesting conversations with loved ones.  This is one of those books that provide plenty of food for thought even if you don't consider yourself an introvert.  Cain weaves together the latest research findings with personal anecdotes which make this a very accessible read that one can revisit again and again.
Submitted By: Ashley Bloomfield 
Department: Rodgers Center
Status: Staff

Friday, June 20, 2014

When You are Engulfed in Flames

Title: When you are Engulfed in Flames
Author: David Sedaris
Call Number:  PS3569.E314 W48 2008
Location: 2nd Floor Arts and Humanities
Rating: Highly Recommended
Book Review: This is the first book of David Sedaris' that I have read and I must say I plan to read more. This book consists of various humorous stories that were highly entertaining; a great casual read for anyone looking for something to lighten their day.
Submitted By: Jessica Bower 
Department: Leatherby Libraries
Status: Staff 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The Magic Barrel

Title: The Magic Barrel
Author: Bernard Malamud
Call Number: PS3563.A4 M37 1980 
Location: 2nd Floor Arts & Humanities
Rating: Somewhat Recommended
Book Review: This book of short stories was on President Doti's 2014 list of recommended reads. His favorite story was "The First Seven Years", but mine was "The Key". I found myself laughing at the craziness of the folks surrounding the desire to possess the one key which opened the door to an available apartment to rent. Most of the stories are interesting to read.
Submitted By: Linda Corcoran
Department: Anderson Center staff
Status: Staff