Count down to King's with this summer reading list

Put yourself in the mind of Lindsay Lohan.  Still here?  Oh good, we thought you were a goner for a second. Now think back to the scene in Mean Girlswhere the parents send Cady off to public high school for the first time.   Her mom packs her a lunch and writes her phone number down on a piece of paper.

Many King's students relate to Cady, who has just spent time abroad in Africa and comes from a homeschool environment.  But to come back to King's, you don’t need a lunch or your phone number. You need a summer reading list. Here are some suggestions to start you off:

Leadocracy: Hiring More Great Leaders (Like You) into Government by Geoff Smart It’s a study of why people with great leadership qualities actually avoid government and a call to stop this phenomenon.

Cowards:  What Politicians, Radicals, and the Media Refuse to Say by Glenn Beck  The former Fox television figure comments on the way current media manipulates our opinion on politics.  He points out the misuse of the Bible in progressive political ideology and the poor reputation libertarians are unfairly gaining.

Abstract City by Christoph Niemann  This is a collection of the pieces from Niemann’s visual blog in the New York Times pertaining to everyday life in the city.  It’s sure to change your perspective.

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt  Platt says that ‘taking up your cross’ requires that Americans sacrifice many things they hold dear.

The Searchers: A Quest for Faith in the Valley of Doubt by Joseph Loconte If you've had Prof. Loconte for Western Civilization, you know he can tell a good story. The Searchers tells the story of the two travelers in Luke 24 who unknowingly mourn the death of Jesus to Jesus himself and relates their search for truth to contemporary readers.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky This novel is a must-read not only because the movie debuts Sept. 20, but also because it’s a huge trend in the hipster culture.  The quote “and in that moment, I swear we were infinite,” has circulated around Tumblr.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald  You can read it with either Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in mind or Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. Either way, you’ll need a glass of ice water and an air conditioner nearby. DiCaprio and Mulligan star in the movie hitting theaters this Christmas.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo  While most MCA majors know every lyric by heart, very few can say they’ve actually read the novel.  You have 144 days until the Dec. 14 release date to get through more than 1200 pages.    Don’t try that math at home unless you’re a PPE or Business major.

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama  Our President searches for the meaning of his father’s life in Kenya, and how it inspired him to lead America forward. 

Roots of Obama’s Rage by Dinesh D’Souza Our college President explains the anti-American ideology associated with Obama’s father’s culture.

For the women:

The Kissing Sailor:  The Mystery behind the photo that ended World War II by Lawrence Verria and George Galdorisi  The mysterious identity of the sailor and his relationship with the nurse in Alfred Eisenstaedt’s photo, taken in Times Square Aug. 14, 1945 is finally revealed.  Let's hope love existed in 1945.

For the men:

How to Be a Man: A Guide to Style and Behavior for the Modern Gentleman by Glenn O’Brien  This is a must have for all the men of King’s looking to enhance their menswear collection.

When you’re done with this list, look forward to Tim Keller’s Center Church, which will be an in-depth explanation of how to minister specifically in Manhattan and a testimony of the revival of our city.  It’s due out Sept. 4, and it’s sure to be a trending topic on campus.