Each year during UD’s International Education Week (IEW), the Global and Intercultural Affairs Center celebrates the value of international education and exchange around the world. On our campus, the week casts a spotlight on the rich diversity of our community and the cultures, perspectives and experiences that shape it. IEW invites us to think more broadly, deepen our understanding and engage with the world beyond our immediate surroundings.
For International Education Week Feb. 9-13, we asked members of the campus community to share their favorite books focused on peacemaking, bridge building and global experiences.
After receiving many thoughtful recommendations, we partnered with University Libraries to bring these titles to campus and share them with the broader community. Browse the list below or visit the book display in the leisure reading area adjacent to the lobby on the first floor of Roesch Library to check one out.
Recommended Reading for IEW
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman
I read this book as part of an undergraduate course focused on global engagement, similar to the Global Languages and Cultures courses offered at UD. It thoughtfully explores belonging in a new culture; the role of language in shaping thought; and the tension between tradition and change through the experiences of one Hmong family. The book has stayed with me, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in multiculturalism and international affairs. (Ben Borja, operations coordinator and education abroad and away global adviser, GIA)
The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett
This is a well-written novel, and the author does an excellent job developing the characters. The story explores complex themes such as race, identity and family dynamics. (Amanda Black, University Libraries director of access services and building operations)
People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks
This novel reminds me that history is not just a collection of artifacts but lives in the memories and experiences of those who came before us. When people pass on, their stories are often lost, but novels like this bring them to life through a masterful blend of real and imagined events. It also reinforces how pursuing history — through major discoveries or everyday stories — deepens our connection to the world and to one another. I first bought and began reading this book during my very first visit to Dayton, making it one of my earliest personal connections to the city I now call home. (Adrian deSilva, programs coordinator, education abroad and away)
The Art of War, by Sun Tzu
This timeless classic goes beyond military strategy, offering profound insights into leadership, decision-making and conflict resolution. It’s accessible to all readers and provides a unique window into ancient Chinese philosophy, making it invaluable for anyone interested in global wisdom and strategic thinking. (Yan Wang, first-year doctoral student, educational administration)
Fundamentally, by Nussaibah Younis
This is a lovely and funny book about working in other countries and the relationships that help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. (Anonymous)
The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI, by Fei-Fei Li
Fei-Fei Li arrived in the United States as a teenager with few resources and limited connections. Today, she is a pioneering AI researcher, co-directing Stanford University’s Human-Centered AI Institute and earning the nickname “Godmother of AI.” Her family faced poverty, and her mother’s illness added further challenges. Fei-Fei worked long hours while adapting to a new culture and language. A high school teacher, Bob Sabella, recognized her potential and nurtured her love of literature and science, guiding her to a physics degree from Princeton and a doctorate from Caltech. Fei-Fei credits Sabella with sparking the curiosity that fueled her groundbreaking work. This story shows how one person’s kindness can transform a life — and even help shape the future. (Judy Yang, associate professor of Chinese studies, Department of Global Languages and Cultures)
Experiments in Decolonizing the University: Towards an Ecology of Study, by Hans Schildermans
Hans Schildermans’ book challenges us to rethink what a university might look like and where it might be situated. He engages deeply with philosophical concepts, but the book remains accessible to non-philosophers. As seemingly intractable conflict in the Middle East persists, Schildermans’ work helps readers see glimpses of educational hope amidst contexts of trauma. (Paul J. Geis, director of education abroad and away)
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
This novel is very special to my heart. It tells the story of a boy traveling to the Egyptian pyramids to find his “treasure.” I learn something new every time I read it. The book explores making friends across cultures and countries and the deeper meaning that God has put into place. I will be honest — the idea of God in it is not what initially drew me, but the lessons and small excerpts continue to teach me new things each time I read it. This novel has forever changed the way I see the world and the people in it for the better. (Grace Cannon, administrative assistant, GIA)
Genocide Bad: Notes on Palestine, Jewish History, and Collective Liberation, by Sim Kern
It’s important in our current political and cultural climate to expand our collective understanding of conflicts around the world. Sim Kern is an anti-Zionist activist who encourages readers to consider the news they read, hear or see about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in its larger context. It is not a conflict that began on Oct. 7, 2023, nor is it a singular war that has been raging for thousands of years. As with most things, the truth lies somewhere in between, and this book is one of many tools we can use to find it. (Anonymous)
Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, by Anu Taranath
I appreciate this book because it helps readers consider how to move beyond "feel good" travel toward more honest, reflective and ethical engagement. Through stories, the author reminds us of the importance of humility and how learning happens through meaningful connection. (Sangita Gosalia, interim executive director, GIA)
Editor's note: Taranath, who teaches about global literatures, post-colonial theory, race and gender at the University of Washington, visited the University of Dayton Feb. 5-6 for a Dialogue Zone event and a workshop in the Human Rights Center based on the book.
Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like, by Jay Williams
This is one of my favorite and most memorable books as a kid. It tells a story of kindness and seeing beneath the surface. The illustrations are spectacular, featuring elements of Chinese calligraphy and fine detail. During grad school, I read this book to an elementary school class during International Education Week, and I still cherish that memory. (Sky Lantz-Wagner, UDayton Global academic operations director)
Dream Count, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This is a beautiful book that weaves together stories of four women across generations and cultures; it was inspired by a true event and the grief of losing a mother. (Amy Anderson, vice provost for institutional effectiveness and engagement)
The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America, by Saket Soni
I use this book in my anti-trafficking advocacy class. It's a wonderful and gripping story of overcoming human rights violations. (Tony Talbott, director of advocacy in the University of Dayton Human Rights Center and director of Abolition Ohio)
Additional recommended titles
- Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee
- The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
- The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese
- One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
- Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi
- City of Women, by David R. Gillham
IEW Events
On-campus readers can view the GIA page on Porches for IEW events.
— Meredith Robinson is an engagement coordinator in the Global and Intercultural Affairs Center.