A sneak peek at possible picks for UCSB Reads 2025

The UCSB Library has announced its shortlist of titles under consideration for UCSB Reads 2025. The four nonfiction titles and one fiction title explore diverse cultural, social and scientific subjects that can ignite discourse and thoughtful discussion inside and outside of the classroom.

UCSB Reads is an award-winning campus- and community-wide “one book” program led by UCSB Library. An advisory committee composed of UCSB faculty, staff, students and community partners collaborate to help the library select an intellectually stimulating, interdisciplinary book by a living author that appeals to a wide range of readers and can be incorporated into the UCSB curriculum.

The final pick for UCSB Reads 2025 will be announced in the fall.

The shortlist selections, in alphabetical order, are:

• “The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet,” by John Green

• “The Book of Delights: Essays,” by Ross Gay

• “The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History,” by Ned Blackhawk

• “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” by Gabrielle Zevin

• “Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality,” by Venki Ramakrishnan

The shortlisted titles are available for loan in multiple formats at UCSB Library, Santa Barbara Public Library and Goleta Valley Public Library.

Those wanting to share their input with the committee can vote here for their top UCSB Reads 2025 pick by August 19. One survey participant chosen at random will receive a free copy of the selected book.

Going into its 19th year, the UCSB Reads program will kick off again in the 2025 winter quarter with a book giveaway for students, and culminate in a free public lecture by the book’s author in the spring. A variety of free events will be held along the way.