Southwestern Law School’s 2025 Faculty Reading List
Jessica Barclay-Strobel
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
“This is the first book in an award-winning sci-fi series about a sarcastic cyborg security unit that hacks its governor module. It would be happy to use its newfound free will to watch soap operas—but the humans it must protect keep getting into scrapes on their mission to explore a distant planet!”
Paul Bateman
Maus: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
“Not because it won a Pulitzer, but because it’s artfully told, and because I remember, while waiting for a train, explaining to a fellow traveler why I was reading a ‘comic book.’”
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
“It’s for those curious about what’s rattling around in our brains when we respond to music.”
Beth Caldwell
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
“This is a must-read for everyone in the legal profession. Michelle Alexander explains how systemic racism operates through the criminal justice system in a way that is both accessible and profound.”
City of Quartz by Mike Davis
“Quintessential reading about the city of Los Angeles.”
Catherine Carpenter
James by Percival Everett
“A powerful recounting of the travels and travails of Huckleberry Finn as told by his companion Jim. It is the story that Mark Twain never could have written. Heartbreaking, raw, and ultimately uplifting.”
All Fours by Miranda July
“A wild and yet intimate ride inside the mind of a 45-year-old wife, mother, and artist who is reexamining her sexuality against the backdrop of aging.”
Alexandra D’Italia
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
“Read it before it’s streaming content. One of my favorite books in recent years—for both the writing and the story.”
The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard
“An overlooked novel with beautiful prose.”
Meera Deo
James by Percival Everett
“Fabulous reinvention of Huck Finn told from ‘Jim’s’ perspective.”
Land of Milk & Honey by C Pam Zhang
“Beautiful writing and innovative storyline.”
Darby Dickerson
Before the Movement: The Hidden History of Black Civil Rights by Dylan C. Penningroth
“As the President of Scribes, I want to encourage people to read our 2024 Book Award winner. Professor Penningroth, using in-depth historical research and his family's own history, explains how Black individuals and Black-run organizations experienced and used the civil law long before the Civil Rights Movement. A must-read for those interested in civil rights or legal history. And the writing style is superb.”
Michael Epstein
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick
“Accessible take on Artificial Intelligence.”
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
“It’s the history volume that inspired the Broadway musical!”
James Fischer
The Dual State by Ernst Fraenkel
“The book was written by Ernst Fraenkel, a German Jewish lawyer, who was allowed to continue practicing law in Nazi Germany after the government disbarred Jewish lawyers, because Fraenkel had fought in WWI and was exempted from the decree. Fraenkel provides an inside look at how the Third Reich destroyed democracy in Germany by executive/party decree and subjugated the courts and the bureaucracy into mere implementers of executive/party will. Reader will find very uncomfortable parallels with recent developments in the U.S.”
On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything by Nate Silver
“Nate Silver was the founder of FiveThirtyEight, probably the most respected polling entity in the United States. He is also a well known poker player and statistician, both of which are foundational to his book. On the Edge is an engaging and informative take on risk assessment, and political attitudes that are shaped by risk assessment. Silver looks at this (risk assessment/political attitudes) from the vantage point of Silicon Valley (which he labels The River) and academia and government (which he labels The Village). You will find that the book is clearly written and full of data, even if you disagree with some of the conclusions Silver reaches about the data. I found it an easy, enjoyable, factually enriching read. If you read it, I hope you will agree.”
Andrea Freeman
Guide Me Home by Attica Locke
“This is the 3rd book in a trilogy about Darren Matthews, a Black Texas Ranger. The books are thrillers that delve deeply into racism, music, drinking, relationships, and the natural beauty of Texas.”
My Friends: A Novel by Hisham Matar
“This is a timely, beautiful novel about protest, exile, writing, and friendship as the central relationship in life.”
Anahid Gharakhanian
Martyr!: A novel by Kaveh Akbar
“I loved Martyr!'s originality in telling a story about immigrants, and about the search for meaning in our lives through relationships, family, art, and more. There's deep aching throughout, but the story doesn't feel heavy. It's engrossing, funny, and thought-provoking.”
Jeffrey Haas
White Mulberry: A Novel by Rosa Kwon Easton
“Provides deep human insight into Koreans surviving in Japan immediately prior to World War II. Written by a second generation Korean-American based on her grandmother's personal story of survival.”
John Heilman
My Friend Anne Frank: The Inspiring and Heartbreaking True Story of Best Friends Torn Apart and Reunited Against All Odds by Hannah Pick-Goslar
“The book is a powerful reminder.”
Lovely One: A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson
“The book not only provides great insight into the life of a Supreme Court Justice, but it also contains romance and revelations about her struggles raising a neurodivergent child.”
Jodi Jewell
Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will by Robert M. Sapolsky
“In Determined, neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky challenges the concept of free will, arguing that our choices are shaped by biology, past experiences, and environmental influences. Drawing from scientific, philosophical, and social perspectives, he suggests that what we perceive as intentional decisions are largely the result of unconscious processes beyond our control. He questions whether a separate “self” even exists and emphasizes the extent to which we are shaped by the world around us.
Sapolsky acknowledges that his hypothesis could be wrong, but his book encourages us to reconsider how much agency we truly have. These insights have profound implications for how we treat others, including how we approach moral responsibility and punishment. If none of us is as free as we believe, Sapolsky argues, we should act with greater compassion and humanity. Determined doesn’t offer easy answers, but it presents a compelling examination of the human condition.”
Station Eleven: A Novel by Emily St. John Mandel
“Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel is a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that follows a group of people whose lives are transformed by a devastating flu pandemic that wipes out most of the population. Written before COVID-19, the book feels eerily prescient as it explores life before, during, and after the collapse of civilization. It weaves together stories of love, loss, memory, and survival, highlighting the fragility of both individuals and society. The characters are ordinary people rather than heroes, and they must adapt in profound ways, some reinventing themselves for the better, others for the worse.
What makes Station Eleven stand out is its balance between darkness and hope. While it doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world, it also captures the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty that can persist even in ruin. It’s a gripping dystopian novel that’s hard to put down, with richly drawn characters and a story that lingers in the mind long after you finish.”
Cristina Knolton
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It―Unlock Your Persuasion Potential in Professional and Personal Life by Chriss Voss
“It’s a quick, engaging read with a strong focus on psychology and human behavior. Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, blends his real-life experiences with practical strategies grounded in understanding people: what drives them, how they make decisions, and how to listen and respond effectively. His advice is useful not just for negotiation, but for becoming a better communicator overall.”
Faisal Kutty
In Fraud We Trust: How Leaders in Politics, Business, and Media Profit from Lies—and How to Stop Them by Wes Henricksen
“I'm recommending In Fraud We Trust because it offers a powerful and timely critique of how large-scale deception in politics, business, and media is not only tolerated but often rewarded. Wes Henricksen makes a compelling case for why our legal system must evolve to confront public fraud, and he does so in a clear, engaging, and thought-provoking way. In an era saturated with misinformation, this book is essential reading for anyone concerned about truth, accountability, and the health of our democracy.”
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“I'm recommending The Message because it powerfully connects history, justice, and resistance in a way that challenges readers to reflect on the moral dimensions of law and power. Coates’ voice is both poetic and urgent, making this a vital read for anyone committed to understanding the deeper currents shaping our legal and social systems.”
Christine Lofgren
James by Percival Everett
“Well-written, interesting and thought-provoking twist on a class American story.”
Table for Two: Fictions by Amor Towles
“Extremely well-written. Short stories are digestible and seamlessly woven together at the end. Character development is outstanding.”
Jonathan Miller
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
“42. Also, this book and all the others in the series are an amazing device to clear your mind.”
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond
“This book, and Jared Diamond's earlier book, Guns, Germs and Steel, offer a truly unique way of viewing human society.”
Jyoti Nanda
Milk and Honey: 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition by Rupi Kaur
“Rupi Kaur has a way with words like most poets do. Poems are short and impactful and just what I need to keep the creative part of my brain flowing while taking a break from the dense law material I research.”
Robert Pugsley
Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler
“A gripping novel published in 1941. It's about the Stalinist show trials of the 1930's and the way a dictator can lethally turn on former comrades in the name of a political ideology. In my opinion, relevant to our times.”
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
“My rationale: Res Ipsa Loquitor.”
Andrea Ramos
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
“Fascinating and beautiful memoir about James McBride (and his life) and his mother's life (immigrant, raised as an orthodox Jew, married an African American man in 1941 and raised 12 children). We can all learn from McBride and his mother.”
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
“Beautiful story of survival, resilience and courage.”
Orly Ravid
The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace by Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf
“Because the subject of Israel/Palestine conflict is very important to me and obviously of the moment. The book analyzes the “right of return” issue through legal and historical lenses, written by a former Israeli Knesset member and a journalist. It is powerful yet nuanced, explaining the legal and political roots of the refugee issue.”
Homegoing by Yao Gyasi
“Not a new book but it was so well written and made a great impression on me. I recall recommending it to a top film producer to option and they said someone else beat them to it.”
Ira Shafiroff
Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years by Jack Le Vien
“This is an excellent one-volume history of WWII. I bought this when I was about 13 years old at a NYC bookstore (and I still have it). The copyright is 1962 and it has been in print since. Moreover, the writing is not dry at all; it is actually poetic. If you want to read a wonderful (and sad) history of WWII (European and Pacific fronts), you will certainly enjoy this book.”
Della Thompson-Bell
The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn R. Saks
“As law school professors, we should recognize the signs of a student struggling with mental health issues. Also, this book demostrates that the struggle does not necessarily signal the end of something but it can be the start of a meaningful law career. It is an older book but worth the read.”
Rachel VanLandingham
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie
“A book about healing from trauma and also a surprising love story.”
In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife by Sebastian Junger
“Erudite mind canvases science and folklore for the truth about the afterlife after almost dying; he doesn't find the truth but it's enough to give us hope.”
Julia Vazquez
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
“This 1993 book presents a dystopian Southern California of 2024. The book chronicles the protagonist's journey, a teenage woman of color, as she seeks to build community amidst social, political, and climatological distress in the world around her. Octavia Butler is a groundbreaking black female science fiction author. She is a trailblazer who steadfastly created space in the world of science fiction for communities that mainstream authors ignored.”
Julie Waterstone
The Women: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
“Hannah is a fantastic writer. The Women is a historical fiction about the Vietnam War that is told from a unique perspective.”
Bryce Woolley
The Grip Of It by Jac Jemc
“This work of experimental fiction is a narratively unique and surreal take on what seems to be a haunted house story. It is a gripping read that explores how people can experience the same reality while perceiving and interpreting it differently. I've been haunted by this book ever since I read it and hope you will be too.”
After the People Lights Have Gone Off by Stephen Graham Jones
“Jones brings his Blackfeet Native American culture into this short story collection dwelling in the intersection of experimental fiction and horror. It packs a deep visceral, visual, and emotional punch in every story. I can't read "This is Love" without sobbing by the end. At least one story in this collection will affect you.”
Pantea Yashar
The Nightingale: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
“Set in Nazi-occupied France, the story follows two sisters who each respond differently to the horrors around them—one through quiet endurance, the other through bold resistance. At its heart, The Nightingale is about courage, justice, and the cost of silence—all themes that resonate deeply within the legal profession. It’s not just a historical novel; it’s a call to remember, empathize, and act when principles are tested.”