“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” – Ernest Hemingway
“So many books, so little time.” - Frank Zappa
“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” -James Baldwin
My mother, Elaine “Boots” Fisher, was a voracious reader. When she died, my family established a special collection in her name of Newbery and Caldecott Medal and Honor children’s books at the Shaker Heights Public Library.
She read a hardcover book almost every week and instilled a love of reading in me and my siblings. To this day, because of my mother, I borrow and read a hardcover book, eBook, or audiobook from a public library about every two weeks.
I highly recommend downloading the app Libby created by OverDrive, the leading worldwide digital platform for eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital media for libraries, schools, government agencies, corporate learning centers, and colleges and universities. Libby enables you to borrow digital and audiobooks from public libraries instantly for free. The CEO & President of OverDrive is Steve Potash ’78, a member of our C|MLAW Hall of Fame.
Next Monday, I plan to send a suggested summer reading list to all our students, including those who will join us in our Fall 2018 first year class. Lawyers must have the skills not only to be expert technicians and wise counselors but also critical thinkers and effective leaders and change makers. I want the reading list to be broad enough to include not only books about law school and the legal system but also about decision-making, leadership and social justice.
So I am asking for your fiction and non-fiction recommendations with 1-2 sentences why you think it’s a book worth reading. Please use the subject line: Summer Reading. I’ll include some of your and my recommendations in next week’s Monday Morning Message.
Have a great week.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.
My best,
Lee
My views in all my Monday Morning Messages are my personal views alone and do not reflect the views of our Law School or our University.