Stories, Music, and Film to Spark Creativity and Curiosity in this Summer Time!
by Fabiola M. Martinez Del Valle
Summer offers a natural pause for reflection, and our faculty have gathered a host of recommendations, from books and movies to music, TV series, and podcasts, that speak to both creativity and curiosity. Whether you’re in the mood to relax or looking for fresh inspiration, these picks are sure to make your summer more engaging and thought-provoking.
Books
Fiction
- This is Happiness by Niall Williams – Erika Meitner (Creative Writing): “A really beautiful novel about a small village in Ireland that gets electricity- it’s slow-moving, lyric, + the perfect antidote to our fast-paced internet-laden days.”
- The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer– Anja Wanner (English Language and Linguistics): “The book is about a group of teenagers who meet as campers at an exclusive, artsy summer camp in the woods. How will their lives unfold? Will they become artists, singers, writers? Will they stay ‘interesting’? It’s a long, character-driven novel, perhaps best listened to as an audiobook, perfect for those who like to reminisce about the promise of summer.”
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons — Joshua Calhoun (Literary Studies): “A former student recommended this 1990 Hugo Award-winning book to me when he found out I was teaching a new course on AI and archives. A prescient commentary on AI set within a frame narrative similar to Canterbury Tales, filled with literary allusions, and available as an audiobook narrated by multiple excellent readers—a perfect excuse to put in earbuds and do some more yard work.”
Nonfiction
- Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer – Sara Kelm (Rhetoric & Composition): “This is still one of my favorite books, after many years. I find that my orientation to Kimmerer’s beautiful writing can change depending on the season, so I enjoy revisiting it when I’m in a time of transition, whether between semesters, seasons, or another way of marking time. Her writing helps me notice.”
- The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman by Niko Stratis – Martin Foys (Literary Studies): “Hot off the presses- a poignant tale of a closeted transwoman + child of a hardworking glassmaker who details how so-called “dad rock” of the early 2000’s (think Wilco) unexpectedly gave her the strength + inspiration to find her own identity.”
- Love in a F*cked-Up World: How to Build Relationships, Hook Up, and Raise Hell Together by Dean Spade – Jen Plants (Creative Writing & Interdisciplinary Theater Studies): “Asks us to consider how our relationships–whether they be romantic, professional partnerships, or nation-spanning collaborations–can be richer for us as individuals and better for building communities. If you’ve never thought about intimate friendships or romance as a central part of liberation movements, read this book with someone you love!”
- Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature’s “Secret Fire” by William Newman – Ron Harris (Literary Studies): “While Isaac Newton is best known for his work on gravity and optics, for his entire life, he also practiced alchemy.”
Poetry
- The Collected Poems of Mary Ellen Solt – Ron Harris (Literary Studies): “Solt was an influential writer, scholar, and teacher of Concrete Poetry, a movement of the 1960s. Her poem “Forsythia” is a good starting point.”
- Library of Small Catastrophes by Alison C. Rollins – Joshua Calhoun (Literary Studies): “A poet, a librarian (with a masters in library science), and a colleague in the department, Rollins paints books and dictionaries and metadata and Borges and archival impulses and chaos and order into a poetic, formally inventive triptych of palimpsested personal and public histories.”
TV Series
- Southside created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle –Amy Quan Barry (Creative Writing): “Southside is a big-hearted comedy with wide-ranging humor including slapstick, physical sight gags, and whip smart jokes too. It may be set on Chicago’s south side as working class Black folks hustle for their share of the American Dream, but it’s a show that will resonate with anyone who’s ever imagined more for themselves.”
- We Are Lady Parts created, written, and directed by Nida Manzoor – Sara Kelm (Rhetoric & Composition): “We are Lady Parts is funny, sharp, and delightful, with catchy songs and well-crafted characters.”
- The Pitt created by R. Scott Gemmill – Sara Kelm (Rhetoric & Composition): “The Pitt is everything you want in a fast-paced medical show: plenty of blood and tears, some laughter, and a lot of crucial conversations about ethics and the state of the healthcare system.”
Movies
- Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler – Kirk Sides (Literary Studies): “Stories of American music; the migration of black communities from Delta to Chicago. Important stories to tell in this current moment.”
Music Albums
- From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID – Nate Marshall (Creative Writing): “Saba is the best rapper putting music out today. His writing should be studied (and it will be!). No ID is the most underrated producer in hip-hop. This album is special.”
Performances
- Black Light by Jomama Jones – Jen Plants (Creative Writing & Interdisciplinary Theater Studies): “Black Light is a cabaret performance about what to do when you’re at the crossroads of grief and. . . whatever comes next. The recording captures the intimacy of the original performance and reminds us why storytelling with music remains one of humanity’s most powerful ways to communicate.”
Podcasts
- Life with Machines hosted by Baratunde Thurston – Jen Plants (Creative Writing & Interdisciplinary Theater Studies): “I’m a super-fan of Thurston’s earlier podcast “How to Citizen,” but his new podcast “Life with Machines” about life with AI is equally compelling. He doesn’t challenge the fact that our lives, our work, and our futures are inextricably connected to computers and AI (and whatever comes next)–that ship has sailed–but instead he asks: How can we shape these tools so that they fuel the celebration, exploration, and enrichment of the things that make us most human?”
- Heavyweight hosted by Jonathan Goldstein – Sara Kelm (Rhetoric & Composition): “Heavyweight invites people to revisit and/or resolve difficult moments from their pasts, particularly regrets, missed opportunities, or necessary but impossible conversations. It is often equal parts heart-wrenching and hilarious, awkward and sincere.”
These recommendations capture a spectrum of creative insights that reflect the diversity of perspectives within our community. We invite you to explore these works this summer and join the conversation as you experience the inspirations they offer. Reading, watching, or listening to one of our picks? Share your thoughts and tag us on social!