List of Books Class of 20192020

Introduction

The graduating class of 20192020 faced a unique set of challenges. Between the shift to online learning, the global pandemic, and the social movements that defined the era, students turned to literature not only for academic success but also for comfort, insight, and inspiration. This page gathers the mostrecommended titles that filtered through classrooms, book clubs, and personal reading lists during those two years. The books are grouped by genre and purpose, with short annotations to help readers decide which titles might suit their interests.

Core Academic Texts

Science & Technology

• Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans Melanie Mitchell (2019)

  A clear, critical look at what AI can really do. Mitchell balances technical explanation with philosophical questions, making it a favourite in computerscience courses that examined ethics of machine learning.

• The Gene: An Intimate History Siddhartha Mukherjee (2019)

  This Pulitzerwinning narrative weaves genetics, history, and personal memoir. It became a staple for biology majors and sparked lively campus debates on gene editing.

• How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy Jenny Odell (2019)

  Though not strictly a science book, Odells argument about reclaiming attention resonated with students overwhelmed by Zoom fatigue and endless notifications.

Humanities & Social Sciences

• The BlackAmericanNarrative Henry Louis Gates Jr. (2020)

  A comprehensive anthology of AfricanAmerican literature, music, and cultural history. Used in many literature courses to contextualise 20thcentury voices.

• The World: A Brief Introduction Richard Haass (2020)

  Haass offers a concise overview of global politics, from pandemics to climate changeperfect for International Relations seminars.

• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Bessel van der Kolk (2019)

  A landmark text in psychology, this book helped many students process collective trauma experienced during 2020.

Fiction That Shaped the Cohort

Contemporary Novels

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• The Vanishing Half Brit Bennett (2020)

  Exploring identity, race, and family, this novel sparked campus discussion panels and reading groups focused on the politics of belonging.

• Normal People Sally Rooney (2019)

  Its portrayal of young love under modern pressures resonated strongly with graduating seniors navigating remote finals.

• The Midnight Library Matt Haig (2020)

  A whimsical yet philosophical look at alternate lives, often cited in mentalhealth workshops as a hopeful narrative.

ScienceFiction & Fantasy

• The Testaments Margaret Atwood (2019)

  The longawaited sequel to The Handmaids Tale arrived at a time when conversations about women's rights were at the forefront.

• The City We Became N.K.Jemisin (2020)

  Jemisins urban fantasy, set in a living New York, became a rallying point for discussions about city life in the pandemic era.

• Project Hail Mary Andy Weir (2021, but widely read in 2020)

  Although published a year later, early advance copies circulated in 2020, inspiring engineering clubs with its problemsolving narrative.

Personal Development & Wellness

• Atomic Habits James Clear (2019)

  Its practical framework for building tiny routines appealed to students managing remote study schedules.

• Untamed GlennonD.Doyle (2020)

  A memoir urging readers to trust their inner voice, often recommended by counseling centers.

• Dare to Lead BrenBrown (2018, but heavily referenced in 2020)

  Browns research on vulnerability entered leadership curricula as campuses reimagined governance.

Books That Fostered Community

Many student organisations curated reading lists to strengthen solidarity. Below are titles that became shared experiences across dorms, virtual book clubs, and faculty lounges.

Social Justice & Activism

• How to Be an Antiracist Ibram X.Kendi (2019)

  Adopted by numerous campus groups as a foundational text for workshops on systemic racism.

• Women, Race & Class Angela Y.Davis (1981, resurgence 2020)

  Reissued editions saw a surge in sales as students connected historical struggles with contemporary movements.

Environmental Awareness

• The Ministry for the Future Kim StanleyRobinson (2020)

  Robinsons climatefiction novel offered a hopeful vision that inspired campus sustainability projects.

• All We Can Save Edited by AyanaElizabethJohnson (2020)

  An anthology of essays by women leading climate action, frequently cited in environmental science labs.

How to Use This List

Whether you are a senior preparing for graduation, a faculty member curating a syllabus, or an alumni looking back, you can use the list in several ways:

1. Build a reading plan. Pick one book per month to balance fiction, nonfiction, and personalgrowth titles.
2. Create a discussion group. Pair books with *Zoom* or *Discord* meetings; many titles have readymade discussion questions online.
3. Integrate into coursework. Professors can assign excerpts as supplemental reading to illustrate course concepts.
4. Share with peers. Use the Goodreads community to post reviews and recommendations.

Further Resources

• NPR Books weekly reviews and author interviews.
• The Guardian Books international perspective on literary trends.
• University Library Catalog check availability of the titles listed here.