With the creation of our successful Leisure Collection, there are several book titles in the University Libraries collection that are available for personal knowledge building and learning enjoyment. We are presenting a regular series of recommendations based on the reactions of our library faculty . . .
Gideon the Ninth (New Zealand: Tor Books, 2019) by Tamsyn Muir is a weird story for weird people. A perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy, it explores the (attempted) escape off of the Ninth House – a planet – by Gideon Nav, and her subsequent (forced) recruitment into becoming her sworn enemy’s cavalier, aka sword bearer, Harrowhark Nonagesimus, princess of the Ninth House and skilled and powerful necromancer. The story revolves around these two enemies, begrudgingly teaming up together so Harrow can (hopefully) become a new Lyctor – or an immortal, ascended necromancer—for His Celestial Kindliness, the First Reborn, the Necrolord Prime. But there’s more to becoming Lyctor than it seems…
This is a book full of mystery, humor, and sapphic love. If you enjoy laughing at terrible nicknames, dialogue full of hilariously placed memes and references, and huge character lists (seriously, huge), this is the book for you. And once you’re done with Gideon the Ninth, rest assured, there’s more to the Locked Tomb series! You’ll have Harrow the Ninth and Nona the Ninth to look forward to next, and then eventually the long-awaited Alecto the Ninth. Grab all three books in the series from our Leisure Collection next time you’re in Walsh Library!
- Maria Barca, Assistant Professor & Librarian, Coordinator of Instruction
Call Number: PR9639.4.M84
Harrow the Ninth, (New York: Tor Books, 2020) by Tamsyn Muir. While I liked Gideon the Ninth, I loved Harrow the Ninth. In my experience, it is unusual for books in a series to be very different from each other but hold together so well, and that is something Tamsyn Muir is fantastic at as a writer. Harrow the Ninth covers completely new ground in the story but also makes the reader question what they learned in the first book. I, for one, was inspired to reread Gideon immediately after finishing Harrow. Muir plays with some of my favorite literary conventions, particularly the unreliable narrator, and sprinkles pop culture references and literary allusions throughout the narrative as you try to piece together what the narrator isn’t telling you. All of this, along with a sharp sense of humor and devastating emotional beats, are why I knew I had to recommend Harrow the Ninth in particular, even though it’s a sequel.
Laura Hapke, Collections Manager for Special Collections
Call Number: PR9639.4.M84
The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson (Boston: Mariner Books, 2022) by Jeff Pearlman is required reading for anyone who loves sports and a good read! Drawing on more than 700 interviews, author Jeff Pearlman vividly captures Bo Jackson’s mythic life and amazing accomplishments. This biography is great fun and at times laugh out loud funny. And as a bonus, you can learn why ESPN and USA Today called Jackson “the greatest video game athlete of all time.” Highly recommended!
- Gerry Shea, Associate Professor & Communications Librarian
Call Number: GV865.J28 P43 2022
Additional highly recommended books include the following titles listed by faculty individual members and their location within the Leisure Collection housed on the Second Floor of Walsh Library . . .
- Megan Cohen. Run the Song: Writing About Running About Listening, (Minneapolis, MN: Graywolf Press, 2025) by Ben Ratliff. Call Number: ML423.R24 A3
- Ryan Fino. Words of Radiance, (New York: Tor Books, 2014) by Brandon Sanderson. Call Number: PS3619.A533 S767 v.2
- Gabriela Haas. Normal People, (New York: Crown Publishing, 2019) by Sally Rooney. Call Number: PR65118.O59 N
- Jenna Leis. The Kaiju Preservation Society, (New York: Tor Books, 2022) by John Scalzi. Call Number: PS3619.C256 K35 2023
- Brandon Moye. The Big Sleep, (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1939 later editions published in 2021) by Raymond Chandler. Call Number: PS3505.H322
- Martha Slomczewski. The Red Tent, (London, UK: Picador Press, 2017) by Anita Diamant. Call Number: PS3554.I227 R
For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail on the University Libraries Homepage.
