Andy Warhol: Prince of Pop by Jan Greenberg & Sandra Jordan

Call Number: Juvenile Young Adult Collection N6537.W28 G74 2004
Recommended by: Jiseon Yun, International student from Korea, Haggerty English Language Program

This book was written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan about Andy Warhol (1928-1987), the well-known pop artist. It tells his whole life from his birth to death. He was interested in art from when he was young. He has a different view of seeing things and it affected his work. He was an isolated person and he didn’t seem to have any problem with his life even when he was struggling with financial problems. He had a great enthusiasm for art. His life wasn’t extraordinary but it was enough to attract others.

Before I read this book, I just liked some of his paintings and I didn’t know much about him. After reading this book, he inspired me to have lots of interest in not only him but also in art. I could enjoy reading this book from beginning to end as I couldn’t stop turning pages until a new story started. If you have seen any of his works and want to know more about him, I highly recommend you read this book. You will find something special that you didn’t know before.

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

Call Number: Stacks RC464.K36 A3 1994
Recommended by: Jisoo Choi, International Student from Korea, Haggerty English Language Program

I first watched this book made as a movie and then decided to read this book because there seemed to be much more in the story than only 2 hours can capture on the screen. This author has a very unique history. She once was a mental patient. She was hospitalized for 18months for the diagnoses of borderline personality disorder. Now she is a one of America’s known authors. She wrote essays from biographies, memoirs, and fiction etc. This book is about her written thoughts when she was hospitalized. Her new friends in the hospital she observes and tries to figure out what craziness really is using witty words and sarcastic tones sometimes. The most inspiring part was where she depicts, so to speak, “crazy people”, into very understandable concepts, and blurs the line between craziness and normality. Quotes like “Crazy isn't being broken or swallowing a dark secret. It's you or me amplified. If you ever told a lie and enjoyed it. If you ever wished you could be a child forever” assured me. I suggest this book to someone who feels like you don’t fit in anywhere in the world. You might find a hint to find yourself quite secure than before.

In the garden of beasts : love, terror, and an American family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson.

Stacks E748.D6 L37 2011
Recommended by Colleen Lougen, Librarian

Another riveting read from Erik Larson (Devil in the White City, Isaac's Storm, and Thunderstruck) about Hitler's ascent to power. Told through the real life accounts of William Dodd, the American ambassador to Germany (1933-1937) who moved his wife and two children to Berlin. The story is reconstructed from William and his daughter, Martha's diaries and letters. This book quickly draws you in and makes you feel like you are living in 1930's Berlin. The name of the book comes from the English translation of Tiergarten which is the Central Park of Berlin and where much of the book takes place. Great book for anyone interested in this period of history.