Lakefront Library Event | Reading is always profitable, freshman book list is here
Dear WKUers, welcome to the warm and caring Wenzhou-Kean University family! Embark on a new journey. At the beginning of new semester, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. YANG Yixin has prepared a special booklist for all of you, a precious gift filled with wisdom and enlightenment. This booklist covers various fields, including academic knowledge, life philosophy, scientific exploration, and aims to broaden your horizons and increase your knowledge. More importantly, it will help you develop critical thinking, a positive mindset, and problem-solving abilities. Through reading these books, we hope to stimulate your thinking and support you in finding your direction in university life and becoming leaders in your journey of personal growth.
Guest Introduction
Dr. Yang Yixin is an expert in molecular oncology and international higher education. He currently serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs for Wenzhou-Kean University and the Vice President for Kean University. In 2023, he was awarded the Zhejiang Province West Lake Friendship Award, and in 2022, he became the leader of the first batch of Undergraduate Higher Education Teaching Innovation Teams at Wenzhou City. In 2021, he received the title of Advanced Individual in Wenzhou’s High-level Innovative Urban Construction. He is actively involved in the development of small molecule drugs for cancer treatment and research on the internationalization and governance in higher education. The bioinformatics base he established was approved as a Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center in 2021.The applied biomedical and biopharmaceutical informatics he created became a key laboratory in Wenzhou in 2021. He has made significant contributions to the research of cancer biotherapy, innovatively utilizing molecular drugs such as BRAF inhibitors and heat shock protein inhibitors in the targeted cocktail treatment of malignant melanoma. In recent years, his discoveries about the dual effects of antioxidants, including vitamin C, on malignant melanoma and his research on gas-induced signal transduction proteins using bioinformatics methods have drawn considerable attention. Dr. Yang’s research was supported by subawards of National Institute of Health of the United States and the International Collaboration Grant of Natural Science Foundation of China. His research has been published in highly impacted journals including Molecular Carcinogenesis, Cancer Letters, Cell Death Discovery, Nature Plants, Molecular Plant，Trends in Plant Science and Mutation Research. He has been invited to give research talks at many international conferences and universities. He has been conferred Guest Professor or Honor Professor title by several Chinese universities.
He actively promotes the establishment of high-level internationalized universities in China that are co-sponsored by public universities from both China and the United States, have a wide audience, emphasize accessibility, and fully reflect educational equity. Combining the strengths of the education systems and philosophies of China and the United States, he explores a fusion of Sino-American international education models. He actively promotes the internationalization of education while maintaining local characteristics and pursuing the holistic development of medical humanities. He actively establishes platforms for the integration of Chinese and Western cultures.
Book Recommendation
Educated / Tara Westover
It is a profoundly moving autobiographical work that presents the author’s struggle and triumph in an isolated and heavily constrained environment in a deeply touching manner. Through self-learning and a steadfast pursuit of knowledge, she breaks free from constraints and embarks on a path to change her destiny. This book not only encourages people to bravely face challenges, pursue education, and achieve personal success, but also prompts deep contemplation about life through the author’s unique experiences and reflections. It inspires individuals to courageously pursue personal growth and development. It reminds us of the power of education, which can open new perspectives, deepen empathy, and broaden horizons. At the same time, it urges us to maintain an open-minded attitude, warmly embrace different viewpoints and experiences, and approach acquired knowledge with humility. This book will provide profound insights to people, instilling in them a strong belief in their ability to transcend adversity, pursue their authentic selves, and create infinite possibilities in life.
Becoming / Michelle Obama
Becoming is a memoir written by former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, published in 2018. This political memoir covers various themes related to personal growth, family life, social responsibility, and women’s leadership. Becoming takes us on a journey to understand a historical figure, allowing us to delve into the depths of her soul and witness how she strives to live authentically and contribute to higher ideals. This book shows her struggles and triumphs, dedication to making a difference, and unwavering commitment to using her voice for positive change. Becoming offers readers an intimate and inspiring look at the life of a remarkable woman who broke barriers and impacted the world.
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer / Siddhartha Mukherjee
Understanding cancer is to understand the limitation of human beings as biological entities. “The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer” is a grand, profound, and humanistic biography of cancer that tells the story of cancer from its first recorded instances thousands of years ago, through humanity’s understanding, treatment, and conquest of cancer in the twenty-first century, leading to a fresh understanding of the nature of cancer. This book not only showcases the advancements of science to readers but also reveals the humanity, resilience, and hope behind the issue of cancer. This captivating, fast-paced, and consistently astonishing book offers a unique reference for the future of cancer treatment, while providing a clear perspective for those seeking to understand the truth about cancer.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down / Haemin Sunim
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down expresses reverence for life and love through warm and lyrical words, guiding readers to reflect on their attitudes towards life and seek inner peace and happiness. If you are looking for a book filled with wisdom and warmth to help you find tranquility within the hustle and bustle of life, then The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down might be an excellent choice.
Brave New World / Aldous Huxley
Brave New World is one of the most classic works of anti-utopian literature in the 20th century. In the book, Aldous Huxley constructs a fictional future world, where control over people is achieved through non-violent mind and body conditioning, genetic manipulation, and behavioral suggestion and reinforcement. It embodies his critical reflections and warnings against scientism and hedonism. The comfortable and happy technological utopia envisioned in Brave New World seems even more relevant to our current reality, making it worthwhile for us to reflect on the true impact and significance of hedonism, self, and independent will on the real world.
Freshman Reading in English / Futian Chen
Freshman Reading in English was designed to cultivate well-rounded individuals and liberal arts scholars. This book brings together forty-three outstanding articles from the humanities and social sciences, showcasing a diverse range of genres and classic works. It embodies the educational philosophy of general education-oriented and cultivating liberal arts scholars advocated by the Foreign Language Department of Southwest United University. Looking towards the future and pursuing depth, the book allows students to understand the essence of education, the art of learning, the methods of learning, the purpose of learning, and how to apply their knowledge. Through immersion in classics, various abilities are strengthened, personality is nurtured, and spiritual enrichment is achieved. Reading this book leads to holistic growth and developing a refined inner world.
Asking the Right Questions / Neil Browne, Stuart Keeley
Never underestimate the power of asking questions. Learning to ask questions is an essential prerequisite for problem-solving. In Asking the Right Questions, Neil Browne and Stuart Keeley apply the latest research findings from the field of critical thinking, presenting the material in an accessible language with practical examples and exercises. They teach people how to critically and logically pose questions, think, judge, and solve problems, enabling individuals to continually enhance their reasoning abilities. In this era of information overload, the ability to question critically will undoubtedly be the key to maintaining clarity in one’s mind.
One Two Three… Infinity / George Gamow
One Two Three… Infinity is one of the world’s most influential popular science classics today. In this book, the author George Gamow skillfully blends various subjects such as mathematics, physics, and biology using vivid language. He presents them simply and entertainingly, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the realm of science and experience the charm of scientific knowledge, inspiring dreams of science. Whether you are a science major student or a general reader interested in scientific knowledge, you can find inspiration and enjoyment in this book.
Selected Essays by Wang Zengqi, Life Can be Fun Too / Zengqi Wang
Amidst busy academic pursuits and complicated relationships, most people are always tense, leaving little time to truly experience life. “Life Can Be Fun Too” presents a refreshing sense of joy and tranquility, allowing readers to discover a unique sense of slowness and leisure within its pages, instantly forgetting all worries and anxieties. Amid a bustling life, when you have some spare moments, opening this book will lead you on a journey with Mr. Wang Zengqi to appreciate the charm of life, making you feel that life is beautiful and full of poetic inspiration.
How to Read a Book / Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van Doren
Reading is an art, an essential course for every avid reader. How to Read a Book is an enduring guide and classic that covers a wide range of reading techniques and methods. It emphasizes that reading is not merely about scanning words, but an active process of thought that requires active engagement, reflection, and comprehension. This book takes readers through four levels of reading, guiding them on how to read various types of books more effectively and deeply. It helps readers enhance their reading skills, enabling them to better understand and appreciate the contents of the books, while expanding the depth and breadth of their reading experience. By encouraging interactive engagement with books, it broadens knowledge and perspectives.
More
《人生由我》 / 梅耶·马斯克
《被讨厌的勇气》 / 岸见一郎，古贺史健
《人性的枷锁》 / 威廉·萨默塞特·毛姆
《我们内心的冲突》 / 卡伦·霍妮
《献给阿尔吉侬的花束》 / 丹尼尔·凯斯
《人是一根会思考的芦苇》 / 帕斯卡
《西西弗神话》/ 阿尔贝·加缪
《艺术的故事》 / E.H.贡布里希
《把思考作为习惯》 / 韩焱
《心流》 / 米哈里·契克森米哈赖
《微习惯：简单到不可能失败的自我管理法则 》 / 斯蒂芬·盖斯
《非暴力沟通》 / 马歇尔·卢森堡
《认知觉醒：开启自我改变的原动力》 / 周岭
《哲学家们都干了些什么?》 / 林欣浩
The Gene: An Intimate History / Siddhartha Mukherjee
Leaves of Grass / Walt Whitman
The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald
Romeo and Juliet / William Shakespeare
Less / Andrew Sean Greer
Before the Coffee Gets Cold / Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Capital in the Twenty-First Century / Thomas Piketty
Thinking, Fast and Slow / Daniel Kahneman
Born a Crime / Trevor Noah
Who Moved My Cheese / Spencer Johnson
Wenzhou-Kean University Library encourages and welcomes all freshmen to select books that suit their interests and learning needs for reading. You are invited to use the link or scan the QR code below and actively share your personal reading insights and experiences (no less than 200 words) through it. Meanwhile, on the 3rd-floor atrium of the Student Learning and Activity Center, we have displayed a collection of recommended books for borrowing. Active participation in this event will make you eligible to receive a randomly selected exquisite gift prepared by the library after the activity ends. Lucky readers might even get a chance to take the recommended books of this event! The activity ends on September 17, 2023, and the list of lucky readers will be announced both on the library’s WeChat platform and website.
Reading is a way to explore the world, which leads us into different realms, introduces us to diverse characters, and offers insights into various cultures and ideologies. Wenzhou-Kean University library encourages everyone to continue their reading journey throughout their college life. May you discover more knowledge and wisdom within the world of reading, becoming a person enriched with knowledge and creativity. Whether it’s through the recommended books in the new student booklist or in your future reading endeavors, we hope you continue to grow and progress, embracing a fulfilling and wonderful university life!
Content | GU Mengmeng & HU Linxiao
Review | YANG Yixin & REN Yuanyuan
Layout | HU Linxiao
