My Top Reads from 2023

The Top Reads is back! After a slow down the last couple of years—a period during which I read the least number of books in decades—I resumed my reading in ways that made up for all that I missed. Some of the books on the list this year may be a few years old, but are still interesting, enlightening, intriguing, or simply informative.

Something new that my readers will find is that, contrary to prior years, I am now reading more fiction. I hope you will embrace the inclusion of more non-academic books. I also read some celebrity books, which was new for me. I read more celebrity books in one year than I probably have my entire life. Not all of them made the list. I am certain that you will enjoy the ones that did make it. (I have not yet read Kerry Washington’s book, but I have high hopes for it. Stay tuned!) I also read many local authors this year—something that I will likely keep doing.

As always, these commentaries are not intended to be whole book reviews. (I did opine on a promising manuscript for Johns Hopkins University Press). These are my quick takes on interesting books that I think you all might enjoy. This year, I separated the non-academic from the academic-leaning books since I read so many of the former. Ping me if you want to know what else I read that did not make it on this list. Happy reading!

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Autobiographies and Fiction Books

1.? Up Home by Ruth J. Simmons—This autobiography felt like reading a celebrity book. I have long admired Dr. Simmons and had the pleasure of meeting the former Brown University, Smith College, Prairie View A&M president. In this book, we learn intimate details about her background, growing up in rural and urban Texas during the pre-civil rights era, her professional journey, and the experiences that influenced her choice of career and shaped her values. An excellent read and she narrates the audiobook. I highly recommend listening to her tell her story.

2. Finding Me by Viola Davis—This was the most gripping, authentic, raw book that I have read since Tara Westover’s Educated. We know that Viola Davis is as real as they come as a celebrity. She did not hold back in this book. Her intent is not to draw sympathy but to inspire and highlight inequities in society. This is a must-read, especially for educators, wrap-around service providers, and anyone who cares about humanity. I recommend the audiobook narrated by the author.

3. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong—Yes, I know that I am a little late on this one. This is an inspiring and beautifully written immigrant and coming of age story. It is as much an immigrant story as it is an American story with all its complexities. As a gay Vietnamese-American navigating multiple worlds and identities, Ocean gives us a rare glimpse of the women who helped make him who he is. I recommend the audiobook narrated by the author.

4.?White Space by Jennifer DeLeon— In this autobiography, Jen’s mom bucks tradition and encourages her daughter to explore the world and write her first article on birth control, among other bold moves for an immigrant mom. It’s hard to read this book and not fall in love with this local author’s mom. I especially recommend this book for those working with immigrant girls and their families.

5.? Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez—A fellow board member at Mass Humanities recommended this one. A great story of Nuyoricans with depth and complexity. A feminist story that addresses motherhood, stigma around homosexuality, public life, and so many other topics. The narration of this book is so authentic. The author weaves in dialogues on race, class, and gender in ways that are relatable and accessible even for those who rarely confront those issues. A spicy Latin story!

6.? Find Me in Havana by Serena Burdick—An intricate Hollywood story that takes place in the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba that the author makes easy to follow. In conversing with Serena about this book, she shares that much of it is a true story though she also took some artistic liberties. There are a couple of controversial political scenes that made me cringe. In speaking with the author, she acknowledged some of the reader pushback she faced with one particular character. A great read nonetheless! Also check out other great titles by Burdick.

?7.? Why Didn’t You Tell Me by Carmen Rita Wong—I heard this author speak at a TIAA Women’s conference and she was riveting! This is also an autobiography full of intricacies as the author searches to understand who she is and uncover secrets long held by her mother. Another great Nuyorican story with all the makings of a telenovela!

8.?Mosaic: Who Paid for the Bullet? By Michael Meltsner—This murder mystery, written by a civil rights attorney, takes place in Alabama and is centered on the death of a physician who advocated for serving Blacks in a system that sought to maintain the status quo despite court orders. It is very much based on a true story. I got a chance to chat with the author. Michael has a trove of stories from his work with Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP, and other experiences fighting for desegregation and equal rights.

?9. The Plan Was by Nadege Dady—I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography by a Haitian higher education executive about her aspirations to become a medical doctor, a path that she deviated from. She eventually embraced a career in higher education. My only critique is that I was left yearning for more details, some of which I got during my private and public interviews with the author.

10. More than Enough by Elaine Welteroth—I have to confess that I almost stopped listening to this book because, at first, I thought it was going to be a teenage love story. I was glad that I kept on listening. This is a great autobiography that tells a story of perseverance, risk-taking, failures, and successes of a bi-racial young woman not afraid to work hard to break ceilings. Elaine’s work with Teen Vogue was transformational, and her stories give us a glimpse of the not-so-glamorous aspects of the fashion world.

11.?The Magical Yet by?Angela DiTerlizzi?(Author),?Lorena Alvarez Gómez?(Illustrator)—I love the story and illustration in this children’s book. Great for adults! I actually read this without my children and shared it with my teenage daughter when I was done. A great book for all audiences!

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More Academic Leaning Books

1.?Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox Richardson—I regretted not attending Richardson’s local talk in western Massachusetts, but did watch the video, which I highly recommend. A prolific writer, historian, and commentator, this is the most compelling book I have read about the future of American democracy. It is at risk! With the election season upon us, Richardson helps us make sense of the events we experienced in the last few years and decade while providing a broader historical context for the evolution or slow unweaving of our democracy—depends on your perspective!

2.?By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow's Legal Executioners by?Margaret A. Burnham—This is a heavy book! It is also accessible; you don’t have to be a legal scholar to appreciate the depth of meticulous research that Burnham put into writing this book. She forces us to confront the brutal experiences of Black Americans under Jim Crow and the roles of those anointed to protect the law, the public good, and citizens of the country in perpetuating heinous crimes. This is as much a contemporary read/analysis as it is a historical one. Burnham draws parallels to help us see that. The author is a 2023 Mass Humanities Governor’s Awards recipient.

3.?Our Common Ground: Insights from Four Years of Listening to American Voters by Diane Hessan—An insightful book that is more and more relevant in today’s highly politicized, polarized, and divided world. Hessan’s recommendations for how we can overcome the current state of affairs is grounded in empirical work that took her across every state in the country, talking to diverse groups of folks. In a world that is topsy-turvy right now, she offers insights and advice for politicians, their staffers, and everyday citizens alike. Americans have far more in common than politicians would like us to believe.

?4.? Whatever it is, I’m Against it: Resistance to Change in Higher Education by Brian Rosenberg—I am deliberately choosing not to write much about this one. The title says it all. If you work in academia, regardless of your role, you will relate to aspects of this book. I’ll just say that it also made me chuckle and felt validated. If you’re in the field and looking for a support group book, this should be at the top of your list.

5.? The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy C. Edmondson—Let me start by professing how much I love this author. Amy introduced the term psychological safety as an academic and leadership concept that has now made its way into the popular vernacular. In this book, the author points to empirical evidence to show the importance of failure, why we should celebrate it and the success of leaders and organizations that embrace failure. An absolute must-read for academics, entrepreneurs, C-suite leaders, and everyone who cares passionately about anything they do!

6.? Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant—There are plenty of great reviews of this book. No need for me to rehash those since we all have access to the internet. Sometimes academic and business celebrity books disappoint. This one does not!

7.? Crisis-Proofing Today's Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow's World by Jean Eddy—The CEO of American Student Assistance (ASA), for decades Eddy has observed how our K-12 and postsecondary educational systems offer few options for career explorations for students while forcing them to accept the single four-year university or college for all track. She offers promising alternatives for a 21st century post-pandemic world. A great read for educators, parents, and anyone who cares about the well-being of our country and its young people.

8.? A Black Woman's Guide to Networking by Mayers, Juliette—Juliette is one of many local authors whose book I read this year. The title says it all. Every woman of color needs to have this book as part of their library. All women can benefit from its advice. While this book was published in 2011, I was reminded of its relevance still while recently coaching a dear friend and colleague who, while successful, had failed to build a public brand as a woman of a certain age now back in the job market. The next edition of this book should have a more comprehensive social media chapter. Twelve years later, Mayer’s book is still very relevant!

?9.? Universities on Fire by Bryan Alexander—This was the last book I read in 2023. Bryan is a thought-provoking writer, speaker, and futurist. While I was a little hesitant about some of the ways that he sees higher education evolving in his last book, this book I loved and agree both about the future that awaits us if higher education is not an engaged partner in addressing the climate crisis and about the work to be done. This book is not meant to scare anyone, but it is a strong call to action. It is empirically sound, offers concrete advice, is not U.S.-centric, and the prognosis for our planet has been vetted by leading experts. If you read nothing else from my list, make this the one. Please make your students read it and gift it to friends and family. Do it for the planet.

10.? Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by?Jason Reynolds,?Ibram X. Kendi—I highly recommend listening to this book with your kids. During a four-hour road trip that culminated with an Abba singalong, my teenagers and I listened to Kendi’s and Reynold’s teenage adaptation of what is otherwise a very educational but heavy text on the history of racism. This version is filled with humor, colloquialisms, and facts that make the text accessible to young people and help them to identify how they can help dismantle systems of racism.

Yves Salomon-Fernández, Ph.D.?She/Her/Hers?is President?of Urban College of Boston. Her social media handle is @PrezYves. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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