College of Science and Engineering Recommends: Books and Podcasts

What we're reading and listening to this summer

Faculty, staff, students and alumni across the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) community share the books and podcasts influencing their work, thinking and lives.

Faculty and staff

Students

Alumni

Faculty and staff

A woman an her son laughing together in front of tall grass

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Students

A male student stands in front of a large whiteboard filled with handwritten equationss.

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Alumni

Marcia Bjornerud leans against a large outcrop of Wisconsin granite. Trees blurred in background

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What do you recommend?

We'd love to hear what you're reading and listening to. Share your book or podcast recommendation to be featured in an upcoming collection. 
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More faculty and staff recommendations

Dean Andrew Alleyne leans against a railing in a bright building

Nudge · Sludge · BOOKS
By Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, followed by Cass Sunstein
"Together, these books explore how systems can help people make better decisions. This includes identifying unnecessary barriers as well as means to remove them. I recommend them to anyone interested in human behavior and the choices we make, often subconsciously. It is also fascinating to understand how society around us impacts the choices we make."
Andrew Alleyne, dean of the College of Science and Engineering
 

Portrait of Paige Novak standing in her office with artwork

Project Hail Mary · BOOK
By Andy Weir
"It’s a fun, imaginative escape. As an environmental microbiologist, I love the idea of Astrophage and imagining how you might study three extraterrestrial cells. I recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging, easy read. This summer, I planted cucamelons for the first time. Sadly, my long beans are not State Fair contenders, although they have won in the past!”
Paige Novak, department head of civil, environmental, and geo-engineering and Rose S. Ling Chair in Environmental Engineering

Portrait of Krishnamurthy Iyer against a neutral brick background

Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose · BOOK
By Francis-Noël Thomas and Mark Turner
"This book shows that strong writing is not simply about following grammatical rules. It begins with understanding the writer’s purpose and relationship with the reader. I recommend it to graduate students and early-career researchers who want to communicate technical ideas more clearly."
Krishnamurthy Iyer, associate professor and director of master’s programs in industrial and systems engineering

Professional portrait of Brittany Hartwell smiling in a laboratory environment with research equipment in the background.

Everything Is Tuberculosis · BOOK
By John Green
"John Green offers a compelling and moving exploration of the world’s deadliest infection and the ways tuberculosis has both shaped and been shaped by society. I was especially interested in how he connects infectious disease, biomedical engineering and culture. I recommend it to any biomedical researcher or engineer, whether or not they work in infectious disease."
Brittany Hartwell, assistant professor of biomedical engineering 
 

Professional headshot of Joe Konstan smiling in a bright, modern indoor setting. 3:2 size

The Soul of a New Machine · BOOK
By Tracy Kidder
"A riveting account of the engineers behind a groundbreaking computer—their commitment, trials and errors, and the project’s impact on their lives. I recommend it to anyone interested in the human stories behind technological innovation.”
Joseph Konstan, CSE associate dean for research and Distinguished McKnight Professor of computer science and engineering

Close-up headshot of Marnie Andrews smiling while wearing glasses

Frank and Red · BOOK
By Matt Coyne
"It’s a sweet reminder that we all need connection. It made me think about how times of transition can bring us closer or leave us feeling more isolated. That resonates with my work supporting college students. Not everyone is comfortable being vulnerable or asking for support. It reinforced the importance of looking out for one another, at every age and stage of life."
Marnie Andrews, assistant director of CSE Academic Advising and Wellness Advocacy

Headshot of Victor Barokas inside a building with a window

In Wells' Time · BOOK
By David Loring Nash
"A creative and compelling science-fiction story about fighting addiction. I recommend it to readers who enjoy speculative fiction grounded in a deeply human struggle."
Victor Barocas, professor of biomedical engineering and CSE associate dean for graduate programs

Close-up headshot of Emily Rice smiling in her office

Lessons in Chemistry · BOOK
By Bonnie Garmus
"It brought to light feminist perspectives rarely seen in fiction. She talked about science in a way that made sense to anyone, and inspired me to see that complex systems, math, and processes don’t always have to be complex. I strive to write so passionately!”
Emily Rice, marketing communications and event coordinator for industrial and systems engineering 

Headshot of Mark Hillmeyer with glasses, smiling on a white wall

Project Hail Mary · BOOK
By Andy Weir
"I loved all the science in this great (fictional) story about how to preserve our shared future! Speaking of next steps, we're designing, developing, and deploying sustainable new plastics that can fit into a circular plastics economy."
Mark Hillmeyer, associate head of chemistry and Prager Chair in Macromolecular Science

Portrait of Brittany Hartwell in a lab

Night Science · PODCAST
By Itai Yanai and Martin Lercher
"It explores the messy, creative side of research—the brainstorming and hypothesis-building that happen before the logical, orderly work presented in papers. The hosts talk with scientists about how they generate ideas and approach that less-visible part of discovery."
Brittany Hartwell, assistant professor of biomedical engineering

Dean Andrew Alleyne leans against a railing in a bright building

One Song · PODCAST
By Diallo Riddle and Blake “LUXXURY” Robin
"A fun, fascinating choice for both audiophiles and casual listeners who want to understand how great songs are constructed and hear familiar music in a new way. You can also pick up on some background information that you didn't know."
Andrew Alleyne, dean of the College of Science and Engineering

More student recommendations

Headshot of Navametha Ramkumar inside a building with lighting

Good Vibes, Good Life · BOOK
By Vex King
"I love how accessible the book is, written in simple, straightforward language. The real value was in noticing these truths and applying them to everyday life. It reminded me that kindness practiced internally reflects outward and genuinely enriches the world around you. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a mindset reset or a gentle nudge toward more intentional living."
Navametha Ramkumar, master’s student in electrical and computer engineering

Camila Naranjo Colmenares smiling with Goldy Gopher in a stadium

The Little Prince · BOOK
By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
"I recommend this book to readers of every age. Its imaginative story encourages children to dream while teaching humility and responsibility. For adults, it offers a grounding reminder of the curiosity, optimism and desire to improve the world that often inspire our career journeys. My family has read the book together since I received it in 2006, sometimes in different languages. Its message inspired my own desire to create, dream and help others, which are passions I now bring together through biomedical engineering."
Camila Naranjo Colmenares, biomedical engineering ‘29, with a minor in Swedish

More alumni recommendations

Joe Monti and his wife sitting at an outdoor cafe table in Rome, with the pantheon in the background

Acquired · PODCAST
By Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal
"It can best be described as a monthly Harvard Business School-like case study highlighting some of the world’s best companies. As a former management consultant, I appreciate the thorough research and deep analysis of competitive strategy and business valuation. You don’t need an MBA to appreciate these riveting stories of entrepreneurs who changed the world—just a bit of time and curiosity about how big things happen."
Joe Monti, chemical engineering ‘78, Italian ‘23

Headshot of Tim Ekblad smiling in front of a building with classical stone architecture

A Life on Our Planet · BOOK
By David Attenborough
"It details modern-day troubles surrounding climate change, natural resources, and biodiversity, and the steps humans need to take to reverse the damage. Working in the utilities industry and managing water usage, it opened my eyes to how connected everything is to the natural world. I recommend it to anyone who wants to do their part but doesn’t know where to start."
Timothy Ekblad, environmental engineering ‘26