Black History Month in the Library

 

February is Black History Month  

To celebrate the work and lives of Black people in America, we have a virtual display highlighting novels written by Black authors, nonfiction books and films on Black history, culture, and the Black experience.  Visit the display!

Follow us on Instagram (@occ_library) for recommended readings and films each day. 

Book Spotlight: Hillbilly Elegy

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
J.D. Vance
2016
HD8073.V37 A3 2016

Hillbilly Elegy is both a personal memoir and a look at the problems facing the population from Kentucky and West Virginia that migrated to Ohio, colloquially called hillbillies. Elegy is a fascinating examination of a group that is probably unfamiliar to most Southern Californians. This page-turner was a New York Times bestseller that won't leave you bored.

Book Spotlight: Modern Romance

Modern Romance
By Aziz Ansari
HQ801 .A595 2015





Modern Romance is an insightful look at the dating and mating habits of Millennials, told in Ansari's inimitable style. With the help of NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg, Ansari examines topics such as the effectiveness of online dating services and Tinder, love and marriage in the past, and the never-ending search for the perfect person. A must-read for anyone looking for insight into the mysteries of online dating and modern marriage.

Book Spotlight: They Don't Teach Corporate in College

They Don't Teach Corporate in College, 3e By Alexandra Levit 2014 HF5381 .L48 2014

Aimed at twenty-somethings, this book gives advice on how to succeed in the workplace as a young employee. It includes sections on interpersonal relationships, networking, promotion, being effective, and much more. Recommended for all college students.

Book Spotlight: Stat-Spotting

Stat-Spotting: A Field Guide to Identifying Dubious Data By Joel Best 2013 HM535 .B477 2013

Statistics are often used to support arguments, but it's often difficult to determine how accurate those statistics are. This short book explains some of the ways that data is presented in misleading or erroneous ways and teaches the reader to spot the errors. Recommended for all college students and anyone who wants to make more effective arguments.

Book Spotlight: Defining Decade

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now By Dr. Meg Jay 2013 BF724.5 .J39 2013

Dr. Jay uses her experience as a clinical psychiatrist specializing in counseling twenty-somethings to write an engaging book about what the twenties mean in today's society. Much time is spent discussing how twenty-somethings can make their formative years meaningful and how what is done in the twenties greatly affects the rest of a person's life. Recommended for twenty-somethings and people who interact with young adults on a regular basis. 

Book Spotlight: 10% Happier

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in my Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing my Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris 2014 BF161 .H29 2014

In 10% Happier, Harris details his search for a better way to live. He talks extensively about the mistakes of his past and how he came to believe that meditation could help you to become happier. Due to Harris' career as a national TV news journalist, this book also gives an insider view of that career and the stresses that go with being in such a demanding job. Refreshingly honest, this book is an entertaining read that just might teach you something about your own life.

Book Spotlight: 34-Ton Bat

The 34-Ton Bat: The Story of Baseball By Steve Rushin 2013 GV873 .R87 2013

The 34-Ton Bat is the story of baseball, told through objects. There are the expected chapters on bats, balls, and gloves, but Rushin also includes chapters on more esoteric icons, such as stadium seats and food. Telling the history of baseball in this way highlights the importance of objects to our collective nostalgia and gives a new spin on an old story. A great read for any fan of the game.

Book Spotlight: Contagious

Contagious: Why Things Catch On By Jonah Berger 2013 HF5415.153 .B463 2013

Contagious explains the reasons why stories, ideas and media go viral. Berger discusses 6 basic principles that can drive people to share information and media content. This has applications in advertising, but can also be applied to any information that you want to spread. An informative and entertaining read!