Staff Picks: What's On Your Reading List This Fall? 

Published October 28, 2024

Discover which books received the Harvard Online Instructional Design staff’s stamp of approval

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As the chill in the air invites us to settle in with a good book this fall, staff from our Instructional Design team have curated some good reads that are perfect for this New England cozy weather. These selections not only offer engaging narratives but also tackle the challenges of personal growth, identity, and the intricacies of human connection. Dive into these titles and enjoy the stories within. What’s on your reading list this fall?
 

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Becky Greenhalgh 

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning 

By Peter Brown, Henry Roediger III, Mark McDaniel 

"Make It Stick explores successful learning techniques from the perspective of cognitive psychology. This book challenges traditional learning methods by emphasizing that familiarity with information isn't the same as having a deep, functional understanding. The distinction between these two concepts guides the learning principles presented in this book. Drawing on scientific research, the authors provide compelling evidence and practical strategies to refine both teaching and learning approaches." - Becky 

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April Opoliner

Up Home: One Girl's Journey

By Ruth Simmons

"As a first year student at Smith College, I attended my first all campus meeting the night before classes began. When our president took the stage of John M Greene Hall, the room burst with energy. Students stomped on the ground, cheering and clapping, until it finally came together as a chant, "Ruth, Ruth, Ruth." When the room finally quieted down and she began to spoke, I understood what the love and excitement was all about. This was my first introduction to Ruth Simmons.

So when she released a memoir, I knew I had to read it. And when I learned that she reads the audiobook herself, I knew I had to listen to it, as I fondly remember her voice and expert storytelling. And I was introduced to her all over again through Up Home: One Girl's Journey. I already knew she was "a sharecroppers daughter turned Ivy League president," but this book gives so much more depth to her childhood and young adulthood. Beyond a description of the difficulties and hardships she faced and overcame, it's a story of gratitude and admiration for the Black teachers and schools in a segregated East Texas that saw her, challenged her, supported her, and shaped her. It gives us a glimpse of what motivates her lifelong commitment to providing access to high quality education to those who have historically faced additional and unfair barriers. It's a beautifully written (and read) book, that expands our understanding of both Ruth Simmons and education during Jim Crow." - April

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Susan Timberlake

How to Write a Poem: Based on the Billy Collins Poem "Introduction to Poetry" 

By Tania Runyan

"My dedication to selecting the exact right word and the perfect turn of phrase developed when I worked in museums, writing exhibition text. When time permitted and space constraints demanded, a museum label might be as carefully crafted as poem. But other than some doggerel written in response to early pandemic-era Facebook challenges, I hadn't tried to write any poetry since junior high English class. Over the last few years, poetry nights hosted by friends awoke in me an interest in poetry. It was on one of those nights that I first heard poetry by Billy Collins. So, when I was looking for help getting started writing, this book caught my eye. Its practical, structured approach appeals to the engineer and educator in me." - Susan 

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Nicole O'Neil

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know

By Malcolm Gladwell

"In my role as a project lead, I constantly interact with a menagerie of people - from different countries, social status, and educational philosophy - and therefore I am always looking for books and courses on how to engage more meaningfully with them all to create excellent accessible courses for a global audience. 

In this book Gladwell investigates why humans are sometimes so trusting of others (even when we shouldn't), and at other times, not trusting enough (even when we should) and the fallout that ensues in both scenarios. He comes at the topic from historical, evolutionary, statistical, and cultural perspectives to ensure the concept is accessible to people of varied backgrounds and professions. The big takeaway for me after reading this book is to thoughtfully examine how we include people in our courses and take into account their own histories they bring with them." - Nicole 

Stop by your local bookstore, library, or online to grab a copy!

Personal views expressed above do not reflect endorsement by the University.