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Senior Books: Graduated Student Picks

Every year, the graduating seniors who are working in the library are invited to pick a favorite book and say something about what it was like to work in the library.

2025 Senior Books

Alma Angantyr

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Years in the Library: 4

Book Selection:

Foster by Claire Keegan

“It's a beautiful novella, made me cry, and I immediately reread it. Hard to describe but achingly bittersweet.”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“I like being around books and helping people find what they need.”

Daniela Martinez Partida

Daniela

Hometown: Chicago
Years in the Library: 2.5

 

Book Selection:

Chicana Lesbians: The Girls our Mother Warned us About by Carla Trujillo

“I haven't fully finished it, but it was always an interesting read for the portions I focused on. When I came out to my friends, I was interested in books that had eye catching titles revolving around queerness, especially when it revolved around latinidad since it is a largely shushed topic.”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“I have a really low social battery and normally am introverted, but the front desk has somehow brought out the goofy energy I keep stored away.”

Emanuel Deleon Otazu

Hometown: Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay and Ponta Porã, Brazil
Years in the Library: 1

Book Selection:

Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon

“I enjoyed the blend of philosophy, critique, and personal experience, which made the book both intellectually stimulating and deeply personal.”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“As a DLA Assistant, I enjoy getting the chance to work on some really exciting projects that I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to be part of.”

Fátima Ortega Barba

Hometown: Grayslake, IL
Years in the Library: 4

 

Book Selection:

The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

“If I could choose a book that is representative of me, my identities, and what I love, it would be this book! It is a neo-western where the main characters are Mexican. It is a beautiful intergenerational story with a magical realism twist!”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“I loved the community we had at the desk. I loved how we all had personalities that mixed together well and loved spending time with everyone at the desk. Not only did I love the community with other students but our supervisors and other library staff, too! All the staff is so incredibly kind and care so much about what they do at Mac. Working at the library was so fundamental to my time at Macalester.”

Joel Daniel Sadofsky

Joel

Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
Years in the Library: 4

Book Selection:

What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young

“This book is a beautiful window into the knowledge shared by our avian neighbors and the smart people who know how to listen to them. I think everyone needs to listen to the other species around them more often.”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“I love to help people find what they need. What I thought would be just a work study job evolved into a passion for information access and education.”

Lucy Rubin

Headshot of Lucy Rubin

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Years in the Library: 4

 

Book Selection:

Nimona by ND Stevenson

“Nimona is a fun and quick read as well as a great depiction of fluid identity. It follows the title character, an often-violent shapeshifting sidekick with a mysterious backstory. It’s a great story and I love the art and humor.”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“Working at the library has been one of my favorite college experiences. I love the community that we have at the desk, and I look forward to all of my shifts. If I'm having a tough day, I can always rely on the library desk to be a place where I can take my mind off of things. I feel lucky to have worked at a place that focuses on professional development and am grateful for the skills that I have gained from our various trainings. From chatting with my coworkers and learning about research librarians all the way to competing in The Library Olympics, I have loved my time working at the library.”

Olivia Johnson

Olivia Johnson

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Years in the Library: All 4 years!

Book Selection:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

“I chose Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix because as a huge Harry Potter (NOT J.K. ROWLING) fan, the series has been a part of my life for 14 years since my parents began reading them to me. I feel especially connected to this book because we get an inside glimpse into Harry’s mind, a bunch of marauders' lore drops, and amazing angst!”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“Spending time with amazing people surrounded by great books! I love my library community!!”

Piper Gordon

Max the cat on a pile of books

Hometown: Newton, MA
Years in the Library: 4

 

Book Selection:

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong 

“I chose this book as it is a book I enjoyed and would recommend to others! The book is magical realism retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai.  ”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“I have enjoyed the community that I have made while working in the library!”

Seamus McMurrer

Seamus McMurrer

Hometown: Amherst, MA
Years in the Library: 4

Book Selection:

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

“I really enjoyed reading this book, it (and the series) really made me think about life and the earth in a new way that even science fiction doesn't often do.”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“The people <3”

Sofia Doroshenko

Max the cat on a pile of books

Hometown: Chicago
Years in the Library: 4

 

Book Selection:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

“Jo is my favorite character in the book, and is my inspiration in terms of accomplishing goals due to her determination. Also, I love all the tomboy qualities she exhibits and feel very represented. ”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“I love seeing strange oddities appear, such as a 3D printed man-lizard or a squishy stuck to the ceiling. Overall, there's never been a dull shift.”

Tommy Fowler

Max the cat on a pile of books

Hometown: Durango, CO
Years in the Library: 3.5

Book Selection:

Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud

“This has been my favorite book since I was little: a little bit of magic and a little bit of overthrowing the government!”

What have you enjoyed about working in the library?

“Mostly the people, I love getting to know the staff and whole Macalester community better.”