With the 2021 Law School Convocation now behind us, it's time to put summer plans in action. Whether that involves bar exam preparation, a summer associate job, or a fun post-vaccination trip or two, you may want to unwind with a good book occasionally. But with free time at a premium, how can you find a title that you’ll be sure to enjoy?
E-book enthusiasts can filter the Duke Libraries Catalog to items "Available Online," or use the separate E-Books Search to locate titles available via Duke. This page also links to the Duke Libraries' eBook FAQ, which provides guidance on using the various electronic publishers' platforms, such as OverDrive, ProQuest, and EBSCO.
If you're looking for specific suggestions on what to read next, try NoveList Plus. This database provides reading recommendations and reviews, and is available to current Duke University students, faculty and staff members. (Recent alumni who have a public library card in North Carolina may also access this database via the NC Live consortium.) Enter search keywords to identify some promising leads, or type the title of a recent favorite to find "read-alike" suggestions based on either the specific title or the author.
The website GoodReads offers similar reading suggestions and book lists, with added social features for members, such as the ability to share reviews and recommendations with a friend list. The site includes the annual "GoodReads Choice Awards," which can connect you to recommended titles in various categories.
Of course, personal recommendations are also a good way to find new titles to read. Here are a few titles that research librarians at the Goodson Law Library have either personally recommended or are looking forward to reading this summer, along with links to print, ebook, or audiobook access via Duke:
- Klara and the Sun: A Novel by Kazuo Ishiguro (available in ebook and print)
- Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things that Last by Wright Thompson (available in ebook, print, and audiobook)
- While Justice Sleeps: A Novel by Stacey Abrams (available in print)
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard Rothstein (available in ebook and print)
- Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (available in print and audiobook)
We hope these resources will help you find your perfect summer reading list! For help with searching the libraries’ catalog or using the NoveList database, be sure to Ask a Librarian.