Other schools selected books that can be broadly applied. For example, Olin College of Engineering encourages students to read, “Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation” as by Edward L. Deci and Richard Flaste.
This book breaks down how to motivate people as students, professionals and individuals and argues that “the best way to motivate people — at school, at work, or at home — is to support their sense of autonomy.” Publisher’s Weekly describes “Why We Do What We Do” as “An insightful and provocative meditation on how people can become more genuinely engaged and successful in pursuing their goals.”
If you’re looking to be challenged and inspired or just on the hunt for your next read, check out the great books that college students are reading this summer:
Program: First Readings
Book: “The Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories,” by Anthony Marra
Program: Common Reading Book
Book: “A Man of the People,” by Chinua Achebe
Program: MIT Reads
Book: “Americanah,” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Program: One Book, One Northwestern
Book: “A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality,” by Danielle Allen
Program: Summer Book Program
Book: “Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation,” by Edward L. Deci and Richard Flaste
Program: First-Year Book / Freshman Book
Book: “Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right,” by Arlie Russell Hochschild
Program: Princeton Pre-Read
Book: “What Is Populism?,” by Jan-Werner Müller
Program: Smith Reads
Book: “The Book of Unknown Americans,” by Cristina Henríquez
Program: On the Same Page
Book: “Hamilton,” by Lin-Manuel Miranda (cast album)
Program: Williams Reads
Book: “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption,” by Bryan Stevenson
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