As we wind down this year and head into the holidays, there are many reflections and resolutions that we may all be working through. It is also a great time for us to hear from our faculty and scholars about ideas and inspiration that they find important to share with our PACS community.

This year’s recommendations from our faculty and scholars included a higher than before mix of fiction. Research has shown that reading fiction increases empathy and encourages understanding of others. Compassion and grace are our best currency during moments of uncertainty, and so, we are excited to share these recommendations with you.

PACS Faculty Co-Director Rob Reich offers some delightful ideas for literary fiction this year: the humanizing tale of a female artist’s midlife awakening—All Fours by Miranda July (Rob’s best novel of the year recommendation); and Entitlement by Rumaan Alam—a psychological thriller that grapples with personal questions about wealth, privilege, generosity, and the American imagination. 

Science fiction allows for more free-form exploration of futuristic concepts and the potential impacts—positive and negative—they might have on society. It’s no surprise that science fiction also continues to have its hold on PACS scholars. Lucy Bernholz, Senior Research Scholar at PACS, recommends Playground by Richard Powers, an exploration of friendship, amidst the changing tides of AI, neocolonialism, and climate change—all set in the world’s largest ocean. 

While science fiction can be liberating, historical fiction can be grounding, reminding us of the societal and cultural forces that have shaped our present and what we might learn from the characters and their experiences to make sense of the future. Faculty affiliate Angèle Christin recommends Fortunes of War: The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning—an intimate look at civilian everyday life and its negotiations right at the cusp of World War II. 

To wrap up our fiction recs, Executive Director Priya Shanker recommends two contemporary novels from first time novelists who offer refreshing perspectives on what it means to live and strive: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and Headshot by Rita Bullwinkle.

Of course, we have our share of nonfiction recommendations as well. People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal by Marshall Ganz was on the reading list for Faculty Co-Director Robb Willer and many of us at PACS, and not just because we hosted an inspiring book event with the author this year. We also recommend “Philanthropy,” a new entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy authored by Rob Reich, and two PACS alumni—Ted Lechterman and Emma Saunders-Hastings. It offers insights on philanthropy in the context of philosophical traditions and concepts, the politics of giving, current controversies in the field, and more.

Finally, as you read through our recommendations, we invite you to check out some of Rob Reich’s favorite listens this year:

• Song: All Born Screaming by St. Vincent
• Album: Woodland by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
• Album: Cutouts by The Smile
• Album: i/o by Peter Gabriel

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday break and happy new year!

With gratitude,

Stanford PACS