It is a great story about love and friendship. It was the first book I’ve ever read and have now read it multiple times. Each time I find a new meaning in the story.

RA Iván

I read this book while working on a project about social media addiction, and it just keeps blowing my mind. It's a super unique take on how to deal with the problem of using your phone too much — I think everyone is dealing with it right now to some degree. Some of the ideas in this book are things soooo many people could benefit from. Plus it's available free from the SF library website as an audiobook/ebook! That's how I "read" it at least.

RA Dylan

The wizarding world of magic, stories of family, friendship, community, and living in Hogwarts (which is technically a Residential Hall!).

ResEd Director Jeremy

This was the last book I read before I stopped having time to read! I don't remember why I picked it up, but I sure don't regret it -- it's now my favorite book! it's about a man whose wife disappears, and every clue makes the public blame him more and more. the big twist happens about halfway in, and it's so interesting in a way that separates this from other stereotypical and cliche mysteries. It's been adapted into a movie starring Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck!

RA Riah

For anyone interested in furthering radicalizing their politics-- This autobiography is written by Huey P Newton, one of the founders of the Black Panther Party. This gives a huge insight into Newton's personal inspiration and reasons for radicalization to further develop his community. It talks about his youth, the creation of the Party, and even the time he spends in Alameda County's jail. It's truly an important read, and the language inside is very digestible for a variety of reading levels. It's a good start if you're interested in Revolutionary Left politics, and getting some first-hand insight into the evils America is founded on and continues to feed.

RA Mikayla

James Baldwin is a literary great who explores the intersectionality between race, gender, sexual orientation, and class with great storytelling skills. Giovanni's Room explores all of those themes while emphasizing the importance of being honest with yourself. It is a story about a man named David traveling through Paris while hiding from the woman he should marry and lying to the man he doesn't realize he loves. The moral of this story is to not hide who you are to meet societal expectations, otherwise, you might live the rest of your life regretful and longing for something deeper. It is a great reminder to love yourself during times when the world could use more love in general.

REC Marcos

The book is a beautifully done graphic novel that tells the story of an LGBTQ+ high school student who is navigating a bad relationship, dealing with heartbreak. It’s written wonderfully and is a great read that's engaging and even takes place here in the Bay Area!

RA Quinn

This historical fiction chronicles the lives of four generations of the Trueba family as they navigate the post-colonial social and political landscape in Chile. Although mostly grounded in reality, the author incorporates elements of magical realism and the supernatural to enhance the events that take place throughout the novel.

The book quickly skyrocketed to popularity after being published and was adapted into a film in 1993 featuring legendary actresses Meryl Streep, Glen Close, and Winona Ryder. It was also published in 20 different languages but if you're able to, I highly recommend reading it in its original language: Spanish.

RA Tony

Aura is a fictional novel written by Mexican novelist, Carlos Fuentes. It tells the story of a young historian who is hired by a mysterious old widow, Consuelo, to be her live-in assistant and organize the memories of her deceased husband, General Llorente. While going through the couple's old photos/records, he makes a startling discovery about who he is and the unforeseen relationship he has with his employer. Definitely expect hints of magic, the paranormal, and a shocking plot twist when reading this book.

Aura is a very short read, consisting of around 60 pages, so I highly recommend reading this during your time in quarantine. I also have a dual-language copy of the book that I'd be more than happy to lend out!

RA Tony