It’s Book Lovers Day! 10 Baylor Faculty Share Their Top Reads

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, 254-327-8012
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In celebration of National Book Lovers Day on Aug. 9, Baylor University faculty members from across campus share their love of the written word by sharing their favorite books. Their list spans a wide range of genres, reflecting the diverse academic and personal interests of Baylor faculty.

From thought-provoking nonfiction to classic literature to contemporary novels, each book holds special significance to the faculty members who selected them, offering readers a glimpse into the works that have shaped their thinking and teaching.

National Book Lover’s Day: What Baylor Faculty Are Reading

Trey Cade, Ph.D.

Director of  the Baylor Institute for Air Science and the space weather research laboratory, College of Arts & Sciences

“I'd have to say my favorite book is Foundation by Isaac Asimov. As a kid, I devoured classic science fiction novels and they were a huge influence on me, so it's no surprise that I became a space scientist. This book, in particular, captivated me with how hard science and social science were blended to do nothing short of saving civilization. With amazing characters and a story spanning hundreds of years, and a series of novels that spans thousands of years, it's a true example of epic storytelling.”

Julia Y. Chan, Ph.D.

Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, The Tim and Sharalynn Fenn Family Endowed Chair in Materials Science and 2024 ACS Fellow, College of Arts & Sciences 

“It took a while for me to decide… initially, I thought a science text is a bit too ‘nerdy’, but I like books that are organized and systematic. One of my favorite texts is Elements of X-ray Diffraction by B.D. Cullity – a text to provide a good introduction to X-ray diffraction, with both theoretical and experimental details. But, I also like A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. I like it because the author is systematic and asks good questions of recognized experts. Similarly, a good scientist should always consult a seminal reference and Cullity does a good job on that front… and Lee Strobel does the same thing. Both are very readable!”

Gia M. Chevis, Ph.D.

Clinical professor and interim chair of accounting and business law, PwC Professor of Teaching Excellence, director of Innovation in Accounting Data & Analytics, Hankamer School of Business and guest book reviewer for KWBU’s Likely Stories

“It is difficult to pick a single favorite. However, the one I love most right now and recommend to anyone who asks for a great read is Good Omens by Terri Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It's going to be a multi-read for me. I love its wit and humor and laughed out loud many times. It keeps you on your toes. I also love its skewering of hypocrisy and absurdity. The Amazon series with David Tennant and Michael Sheen was outstanding, but the book – chef's kiss!”

Jane Haas Damron, Ph.D.

Senior lecturer and director of undergraduate programs in communication, College of Arts & Sciences

“One of my favorite books is Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. The first time I read this book, it completely shifted the way I think about my time and energy and the choices I make professionally and personally. I now read it once a year and frequently recommend it to friends and colleagues. Essentialism is about ‘doing less, but better,’ pursuing ‘the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.’ Achieving more by doing less is a surprisingly countercultural idea, but it is one that has transformed how I contribute to the organizations I’m a part of and how I show up for the people in my life.”

Leigh Greathouse, Ph.D., MPH, MS, RD

Associate professor of nutrition sciences, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences

“My favorite book recently is You’ve Been Chosen by Cynt Marshall. This book speaks to me personally on a very deep level as a young adult cancer survivor and aspiring leader. How you choose to perceive challenges in your life, as opportunities for spiritual growth, developing mental fortitude and inspiring others, is key to living a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.”

Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, Ph.D.

Associate professor of Christian Scriptures and director of the Black Church Studies Program, Truett Seminary

“One of my favorite books is Bill Walsh’s The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership. Told through his experience as head coach of NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, Walsh tells an inspirational story of how sports, and its implicit life metaphors, teach basic principles of leadership, attitude and behavior when striving for excellence. As a kid, growing up in California, my brothers and I would frequent Candlestick Park to attend San Francisco Giants baseball games with my uncle. I was both influenced and mesmerized by the sport’s history of Candlestick, home to where Willie Mays and other great Giants baseball players played. Candlestick Park was also home to the storied 49ers football club, who, at the time of my visits, was in the era of their championship dynasty run. This book highlights this personal success and Walsh’s leadership principles while telling the saga of the rise of the 49ers from a dreadful NFL football squad to a storied championship franchise of the 1980s and 90s.”

Ronald Angelo Johnson, Ph.D.

Associate professor and The Ralph and Bessie Mae Lynn Chair of History, College of Arts & Sciences

“The book I've recently gone back to and have been recommending to friends is The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb. This debut novel captured and kept me throughout. The book takes its readers on a delightful journey from rural North Carolina to music venues across the United States, to a grand classical event in Europe. The author's creative narrative balance of thriller/adventure, classical music and history is superb, entertaining and enriching. For the record, my “stuck on a deserted island with only one book” pick is David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.”

Sandeep Mazumder, Ph.D.

The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean, Hankamer School of Business

“One of my favorite books is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. It’s a classic that is action-packed from the very start and takes some twists and turns you do not expect. I really enjoyed the story because it has a mix of fascinating plot lines including intrigue, hope, justice and redemption. The book is a long one – over a thousand pages if I remember correctly – but it is a real page-turner nonetheless.”

Yuko Prefume, Ed.D.

Senior lecturer in Japanese, College of Arts & Sciences

“I am a Japanese immigrant who moved to the U.S. over 30 years ago. One of the English books I read in my early days in America that deeply connected me was The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. The story revolves around four Chinese immigrant families in San Francisco who start a club called The Joy Luck Club, where they play the Chinese mahjong game and share a feast. This story is not just a book about the Chinese-American experience but a universal story of family, heritage and the enduring bonds between mothers and daughters. The first time I read this book, I felt like being challenged to reflect on the complexities of identity and the unique experiences of life’s joys and sorrows. As someone who has journeyed from Japan to the U.S., I found a deep connection to the characters’ struggles and triumphs, which transcend cultural boundaries. This book reminds us that while our heritages may differ, searching for understanding and acceptance is a shared human endeavor. Although it was written in 1989 and may sound a bit serious, the book has timeless themes and humor and is enjoyable for everyone, even today.” 

Meagan Soltwisch, DNP, FNP-C

Clinical associate professor, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, and co-leader of the LHSON Faculty-Staff Book Club

“My favorite book is Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller. It is a great reminder that we need to rest no matter where we are in life. And if we don't, our bodies will tell us.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.