Reccomended Books for Leisure Reading

I’m a big fan of reading, especially fiction and fantasy—there’s nothing like getting lost in another world. I also have a soft spot for true crime, so non-fiction and true crime books are high on my list. After spending most of the day in front of a computer, curling up with a good book is one of my favorite ways to unwind. Reading isn’t just a fun escape for me; it’s also a way to dive into important topics like history, science, and mental health. I’m excited to share some of the books I’ve enjoyed, as well as those I’m looking forward to reading. I’ll keep updating this page with new finds and recommendations as I go along

The Disordered Cosmos by
Dr. Chandra Prescod-Weinstein

I read through this book in two days because the content is absolutely amazing. Dr. Chandra Prescod-Weinstein is an inspiration and a great storyteller! Reading this book helped me come out of my shell as a scientist. "Your whole self is the right self to bring to the table"

Genre: Non-fiction/science/memoir

I am Woman by Lee Maracle

This is a powerful book, that can also be difficult to get through (emotionally) as Lee Maracle talks about the effect of colonialism on native women. She includes poetry, and personal stories to convey how indigenous women in a post-colonized world.

Genre: Non-fiction/ Feminism/ Indigineity/Sociology

The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule

This book is written from the perspective of Anne Rule, who was friends with & worked with Ted Bundy beofre he was caught. There is a lot of interesting information about his personal life, crimes and trial. DISCLAIMER: Gruesome details about crime scenes

Genre: Non-Fiction/True Crime

A People's History of Science by Clifford D Conner

I absolutely love this book! The history of science is re-told to debunk this idea of "a few brilliant thinkers" and highlights the contributions to science by people who are forgetten in history. Does a great book of showing how non-scientists often contribute to the field of science.

Genre: Non-Fiction/ history

Whoever Fights Monsters by Robert Ressler

This is a good book if you are into true crime. It was written by the FBI agent who coined the term "serial killer" and caught some of America's most famous killers. Gives interesting insight into how authorities conduct their investigations and profile people.

Genre: Non-Fiction/ True Crime/ Psychology

Fresh Banana Leaves
by Dr. Jessica Hernandez

The author does a magnificent job in explaining how Western conservation was shaped by settler colonialism and discusses the importance of indigenous science, and indigenous cultures to biodiversity conservation and stewardship. Great read!!

Genre: Non-Fiction/Indigenous Science/Environment

A People's History of the United States
by Howard Zinn

This book is one of the ones that took me a LONG time to get through, becauase it was so emotionally and mentally draining to think about the REAL and UNCENSORED history of the U.S., with many first hand accounts included in the book.

Genre: Non-fiction/history

Deviant by Harold Schechter

This book goes into detail about Ed Gein's childhood, his crimes and his trial. Ed Gein was the inspiration of many modern horror films charactes, such as Norman Bates from Psycho, Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs. Interesting read!

Genre: Non-FIction/True Crime

Fiction I Enjoyed Reading...

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

After You by JoJo Moyes

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Catalyst by Lydia King

Invsible Man by Ralph Ellison

Johnny got his gun by Dalton Trumbo

The Masks of Time by Robert Silverberg

*Just started my first star wars book:Lost Tribe of the Sith, loving it so far

My "Will Read Eventually" List

Changing Tides: An Ecologist's Journey to Make Peace with the Anthropocene by Alejandro Frid

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

The Doctors Plauge: Germs, Childbed Fever, and the Strange Story of Ignac Semmelweis by Sherwin B. Nuland

Twelve Diseases that Changed the World by Irwin W. Sherman

Medieval Medicine: Its Mysteries and Science by Toni Mount

*Always looking for more books to add to my list, please recommend more!