AS EXCITING as the start of the semester might be, it is also a daunting time that requires plenty of motivation. One of the best ways to become intellectually motivated is to pick up a casual read. Whether you are in the mood for a reflective journal, a heart-warming lecture, or a thrilling dystopian novel, the satisfaction of finishing a book will surely reignite your passion for academia.

A Reading Diary by Alberto Manguel

   If you find annotations in used books fascinating, A Reading Diary is just the book for you. Greeted by the elegant, vintage book cover, the reader is invited into Manguel’s solitary book club where he hosts conversations about his favorite books. Being a passionate reader and an avid thinker, Manguel’s fascination for books is infectious—he talks about them as he would about old friends, reminiscing the first time he “met” them—and interacting with quotes in his daily life. Learning about a new book in A Reading Diary is like being introduced to a stranger at a party: the initial indifference transitions into an urge for a personal connection with it.

   Because a personal diary is not intended to be read by other people, the logical progressions of Manguel’s ideas are not meticulously explained. Instead, each thought exists in paragraphs that are connected with loose correlations, which adds authenticity to the diary format. The reader gets to comb through each paragraph to figure out why Manguel decided to include a particular quote or an anecdote, piecing together the inner workings of his mind like a private puzzle. This unpolished demeanor of A Reading Diary allows it to be read in an academically imaginative way, prompting readers to join in on Manguel’s literary conversations and discover new literature alongside the author. The book embodies the spirit of a breezy, laid-back literature seminar that will be a preparation course for the upcoming semester.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow

   The “last” of anything has a certain melancholic gravity to it. However, the last lecture of Professor Randy Pausch is a celebration of a life well-lived. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, this book is Pausch’s personal goodbye to everyone he knew and loved. Within the personal aspect, there is also a message that reaffirms the readers’ childhood dreams as a source of motivation.

   While the general moral of the story—“If you can dream it, you can do it[1]”—is nothing new, the episodes in which the morals are applied are what make this book stand out. These ridiculous, wholesome stories tell how Pausch made his childhood dreams into reality by committing to it as an adult. For instance, he goes out of his way to fly on a plane that simulates zero gravity just so he could fulfill his long-time dream of floating. The book emphasizes that the optimism and hope one carries as a child is an important motivator to get through hard times. When you read The Last Lecture and look upon your start-of-semester plans again, you will consider adding something that would build towards what your heart has always wanted.

Fahrenheit 451  by Ray Bradbury

   Fahrenheit 451 is a long-standing classic science fiction, set in a dystopian society where books are illegal. Although Bradbury’s negative perception of image-based media might be slightly outdated for the digital era, his observation on the value of books is still valid. As books encourage people to have a mind of their own, the fight to preserve them becomes a fight to preserve the freedom to think and deliver knowledge to future generations. There is a certain pride to be felt for being part of this great succession of knowledge as university students.

   The power of fiction lies in its ability to put ideas into perspective. The thrilling conflict between those who burn books and those who preserve them makes us feel as if our intellectual pursuits are full of illegal treasure. Perhaps being reminded that we are disciples of free thought would bring the romance back into our academic lives.

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   These book choices are not only a refreshing start for the semester but also allows us an opportunity to think about our purpose and passion as academics. Whether you are exploring literature across time and space, making life worthwhile by following your dreams, or appreciating your status as the inheritors of humanity’s wisdom, these books will help you rekindle your academic passion for the start of school.

[1] Walt Disney