Your source for what's new at Mizzou Libraries
Fall 2023 theses and dissertations are now freely available to view on MOspace. MOspace is an online repository that permanently houses all theses and dissertations written by MU students. The full collection highlights student research back to 1896.
This batch adds 25 theses and 32 dissertations to our expanding collection, with an additional 42 items embargoed until December 2024.
View the full collection on MOspace.
Calling all ice cream lovers! How much do you know about MU’s favorite ice cream shop?
Located on the south side of Eckles Hall, Buck’s Ice Cream has been a favorite among Mizzou students since opening in 1989. Buck’s ice cream is produced with the help of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources and allows students to learn about the manufacturing and maintenance of ice cream. Beyond serving tasty treats on campus, Buck’s is a vital component of many Mizzou students’ education, but likely would have never opened without the support of two MU graduates.
Determined to spread their love of ice cream to their alma mater, Wendell and Ruth Arbuckle established an endowment to support ice cream research at Mizzou in 1987. With the advancement of on-campus ice cream research, Buck’s was able to open its doors only two years later!
Well before the shop’s opening, Wendell Arbuckle wanted another way to share his love of ice cream with people of all ages. In 1981, Arbuckle decided to write a book answering every question he often received about the dessert and titled it The Little Ice Cream Book.
Recently digitized by MU’s Digital Initiatives department, Wendell Arbuckle’s The Little Ice Cream Book is now available on MU’s Digital Library. This book includes content such as the history of ice cream, famous recipes, and many fun facts and hand-drawn illustrations. If you are interested in this unique piece of Mizzou’s history, you can view The Little Ice Cream Book here.
For more information on Buck’s Ice Cream, visit the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources site for its location, flavors, and additional history.
Fall 2022 theses and dissertations are now freely available to view on MOspace. MOspace is an online repository that permanently houses all theses and dissertations written by MU students. Feel free to explore the full collection, which highlights student research back to 1896.
The Fall 2022 batch adds 32 theses and 61 dissertations to our expanding collection of online MU scholarship, with an additional 47 items embargoed until December 2023.
View the full collection on MOspace.
As of now, Spring 2022 theses and dissertations are freely available on MOspace. MOspace is an online repository that permanently houses all theses and dissertations written by MU students. Feel free to view the full collection, which highlights student research back to 1896.
The Spring 2022 batch adds 59 theses and 87 dissertations to our ever-growing collection of online MU scholarship, with an additional 92 items embargoed until 2023-2024.
View the full collection on MOspace.
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and at Mizzou Libraries we are celebrating Asian and Pacific American stories and authors! Join us in celebrating these stories and authors by picking up one of these books at your Mizzou libraries!
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan:
The Joy Luck Club is a story that focuses on the relationship between mothers and daughters and the deep feelings that connect us all. We follow four Chinese women in 1949 after their recent immigration to San Francisco. As these women begin a routine of meeting up to eat dim sum, play mahjong, and talk with one another, the reader and the women see how between their shared history, loss, and hopeful optimism, these women share a connection and, through this connection, they create the “Joy Luck Club”. Amy Tan writes a tender and immersive story that highlights the beauty and deep feelings that connect all mothers and daughters that will hopefully leave everyone feeling understood by these characters and stories.
http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b4049057~S1
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki:
In this unforgettable novel, we follow two stories: the first takes place in Tokyo, where we meet sixteen-year-old Nao, who, after being bullied by her classmates, contemplates taking her life. However, before she does anything drastic, she wants to document her great grandmother’s eventful life as a Buddhist nun. Recording everything in her diary, Nao writes without understanding how important her words will eventually become. Across the ocean on a remote island, a novelist discovers a washed-up Hello Kitty lunchbox containing a collection of artifacts and believes it to be debris from the 2011 tsunami. However, as the story develops and these artifacts’ contents are uncovered, we learn how these two characters overlap and how their stories can hopefully help each other. http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b9598306~S1
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang:
In this action-packed graphic novel, we follow the lives of three very different characters: Jin Wang, the new kid in town, who quickly realizes he is the only Chinese-American student; a character named “Monkey King”, who is the subject of one of the oldest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of negative Chinese stereotypes, who ruins his cousin Danny’s “popular” image every year when he comes to visit. This modern fable is filled with twists and turns perfect for young adult readers or anyone curious to see how these three characters’ stories unfold. http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu/record=b5854219~S1
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri:
From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, Unaccustomed Earth consists of eight stories that range from Seattle to India to Thailand. In these stories, we follow a diverse cast of characters as they navigate different relationships in their lives. In the titular story, a mother has just moved to a new city and watches the bond between her father and son grow, but is unaware of her own father’s secrets. In “A Choice of Accommodations,” a husband attempting to turn a friend’s wedding into a romantic getaway finds the night taking dark and surprising turns. In “Only Goodness,” a sister eager to give her younger brother the picture-perfect childhood she never had must now wrestle her guilt and anger when his alcoholism threatens her family. Filled with rich stories and stunning writing, Unaccustomed Earth is a powerful piece of work you have to check out! http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b6304064~S1
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong:
Author Cathy Park Hong, daughter of Korean immigrants, didn’t understand why she grew up feeling ashamed, suspicious, and sad. Later in life, she would coin these feelings as “minor feelings” that often occur when American optimism deeply contradicts and affects your realities. Using her own story, Hong examines racial consciousness in America and unpacks each of her relationships, from her family to her feelings towards the English language. Minor Feelings is a unique and eye-opening memoir that will blow you away with Hong’s honest and critical writing! You can request a copy here: http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b13651982~S1
Danielle Gorman / English Intern / Spring 2021
Did you know that April is National Arab American Heritage Month? This month, we celebrate and recognize Arab American heritage and culture and pay tribute to contributions made by Arab Americans. Join Mizzou Libraries in celebrating this month by supporting Arab American voices and stories with these books!
Palace Walk, Naguib Mahfouz
This novel is the first novel in the Cairo Trilogy written by Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz. The Cairo Trilogy follows the family of a tyrannical patriarch, who keeps a strict ruling household while he lives a secret life away from those pressures and expectations. Throughout this novel, we follow the stories of Amina, his oppressed wife, Aisha and Khadija, his sheltered daughters, and his three sons, Fahmy, Yasin, and Kamal. As you turn each page, you begin to see how the family’s own struggles mirror the world around them, as we follow their stories through two world wars and a changing country.
http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b2327182~S1
The Words of My Father: Love and Pain in Palestine, Yousef Bashir
In this candid memoir, author Yousef Bashir details his life growing up next to an Israeli military base and his childhood in Gaza during the Second Intifada. Bashir expresses his commitment to peace in the wake of devastation and brings insightful stories to the reader that highlight the importance of moving past anger, fear, and prejudices. http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b13062042~S1
Amreekiya: A Novel, Lena Mahmoud
This novel follows the story of twenty-one-year-old Isra Shadi, who, after the death of her mother, is forced to move to California with her uncle and aunt. Remaining an outcast in her house, her family strongly encourages Isra to get married and move out. She believes it is hopeless among the multiple suitors she rejects until she finds Yusef, a man she loved from her past, and marries him. Amreekiya switches between the two storylines of Isra’s adolescence and her present-day married life as we watch her struggle between two cultures and how she can define herself.
http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b13217031~S1
Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits, Laila Lalami
In her debut novel, Laila Lalami tells the gripping story of four Moroccans illegally crossing the Strait of Gibraltar in a boat heading to Spain. We follow the characters of Murad, an educated man who has been forced into hustling tourists for money; Halima, a woman fleeing her alcoholic husband; Aziz, a man forced to leave behind his wife to find work in a new country; and Faten, a young, religious student who finds herself at a crossroads between her faith and an influential man who is determined to destroy her future. This novel has the reader on the edge of their seat, as you wonder will they survive this risky journey, and if they do, will it have been worth it?
http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b5371575~S1
Sex and Lies: True Stories of Women’s Intimate Lives in the Arab World, Leila Slimani
In this eye-opening and heartbreaking expose, Slimani documents the lives of Moroccan women and the struggles they face toward sexual liberation. In Morocco, adultery, abortion, homosexuality, and sex outside of marriage are punishable by law, which creates a difficult standard for the women who live there. Women must decide between being a wife or remaining a virgin. Sex and Lies shines a light on the best-kept secrets of women’s sexual lives in Morocco and makes a strong case for a sexual revolution in the Arab world. This book isn’t yet available to check out from MU Libraries, but you can request it here: http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b13695020~S1
Danielle Gorman / English Intern / Spring 2021
From Milk and Honey to Robert Frost, what are your thoughts about poetry? It tends to be one of those genres that stirs a lot of debate. You either love it or hate it. I think poetry gets a reputation that it doesn’t deserve. Sure, there are a lot of poetry books out there that are not worth my recommendation, but with every not-so-good collection, you also have a great one. So, this month for National Poetry Month, I’m counting down the top five must-read poetry books that you can find at your Mizzou libraries! This list contains recommendations perfect for fans of the classics, fans of contemporary, or just readers who don’t know where to begin. Be sure to check out one of these books before April ends!
Crush, Richard Siken
The 2004 winner of the Yale Younger Poets Prize, Crush, is an impressive collection of poems centering around the obsession that can come from being in love. Siken is a master at his craft and an expert at capturing vulnerability to its core, as he creates a series of work that leaves you feeling every raw emotion written on the page. This collection is filled with yearning, heartbreak, and violent imagery that will stay with you long after you finish and is a must-read for lovers of more popular and contemporary poetry.
Envelope Poems, Emily Dickinson
Envelope Poems is a collection of work from legendary poet Emily Dickinson written on the actual scraps of paper she originally wrote on! Since Dickinson has only a small amount of her work published, this book is filled with beautiful poems that give the reader the ability to escape into Dickinson’s mind and witness her exact scribbles of these poems. This is an excellent collection for beginners or readers who are intimidated by classics and is a fascinating binding of Dickinson’s work that will leave you marveling at her envelope poems.
Native Guard, Natasha Tretheway
2007 Pulitzer Prize winner Native Guard is a story that honors Natasha Tretheway’s mother’s life as well as her childhood. This book of poetry is heartbreaking and sometimes troubling to read as Tretheway confronts the racial history of the South and the story of one of the first black regiments, the Native Guard, who were called to serve in the Civil War. Natasha Tretheway is a natural writer, composing poems that leave the reader feeling heartbroken and impacted by her words. This is a must-read collection for those looking for poems that will leave a lasting impression!
The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou, Maya Angelou
In her lifetime, Maya Angelou left her mark on the world by capturing the most vulnerable feelings of being human and putting them into words. Discussing topics from the African American experience to womanhood to the trials and tribulations of love and pain, Angelou inspired and healed her readers with her poems. This is a stunning collection filled with all of Angelou’s most powerful and prominent poems like “Still I Rise” and “On the Pulse of Morning” and is a must-read for fans or readers looking for a beautiful collection of poetry to try out!
Ariel: The Restored Edition, Sylvia Plath
After she died in 1963, Sylvia Plath left behind a legacy of being one of the most prominent writers of her time and also a collection of poems called Ariel. In 1965, two years after her death, Plath’s work was finally published and went on to receive worldwide acclaim for her confessional and vulnerable words. However, due to editing by her husband, this original edition was highly inaccurate to Plath’s vision of her collection, and it wasn’t until 2004 that Ariel was able to be restored and published true to Plath’s desires. Ariel: The Restored Edition is a brilliant and thought-provoking collection of poetry that highlights the talent and struggles of the famous poet and is sure to leave the reader enthralled by Plath’s genius writing.
Danielle Gorman / English Intern / Spring 2021
National Women’s Month may be coming to an end, but there are still many ways you can support female voices throughout the rest of this month and beyond! Whether you chose to donate to a nonprofit organization or decide to learn more about women’s history through sites such as https://womenshistorymonth.gov/, here at Mizzou Libraries, we encourage you to continue showcasing and uplifting women’s voices however you can. One of our favorite ways to celebrate anything at our libraries is by supporting our favorite books and authors! To celebrate National Women’s Month, we asked some library staff members who their favorite female authors are!
Rachel Brekhus (Librarian III, Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian, Instruction Department): Octavia Butler, Sheri S. Tepper, and Harriet Washington.
William Morgan (Library Information Specialist, E-Learning): Marilynne Robinson and Jesmyn Ward.
Gwen Gray (Librarian III, Business, Economics, & Entrepreneurship): Donna Leon, Agatha Christie, Carol Carnac, Sujata Massey, Anne Perry, and Charles Todd.
Corrie Hutchinson (Associate University Librarian for Acquisitions, Collections, and Technical Services): Jane Austen and Agatha Christie.
Rebecca Graves (Educational Services Librarian, Health Sciences Library): Ursula Le Guin and N. K. Jemisin.
Erin Merrill (Library Info Specialist): Sophie Kinsella and Gail Carriger.
Dorothy Carner (Head, Journalism Libraries): Deborah Willis (here is an online exhibit curated by Journalism Libraries showcasing Willis’ work https://spark.adobe.com/page/ZYMtHBO9rPcTn/ )
You can check out many of these authors at your Mizzou Libraries: http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu/search/X.
Along with reading from your favorite authors, it is also important to remember why supporting female voices is essential when consuming literature. Here is why Mizzou Libraries’ staff members believe reading work by women is important to them!
Corrie Hutchinson: I think it’s important to read female authors so that you have a balanced viewpoint. Books and stories are how people share viewpoints and experiences, so why limit yourself to only one perspective? Why escape to a world that only men created? That’s just silly. No limits.
William Morgan: Because male authors were so much of my own education as well as what I had to teach in World Literature as a high school teacher, I feel I need to focus more on female authors so that I have a more well-rounded view of both historical and modern literature.
Rebecca Graves: Their writing is rich and deep. It is not so filtered through the lens of “I” of being the focus of attention when walking into a room. There’s more depth to even the minor characters. I.e., the characters are there for the story and have their own backstory. They aren’t just there to prop up the lead. I find more variety in their writing. True, all genders of writers have tackled the hero’s journey, but there are more stories to be told than simply the hero’s. I also find it confirming that women have written brilliant stories. To read Le Guin or Jemisin is to have excellent language, rich worlds, and well-crafted plots. They are masters of the craft.
Whatever way you decide to celebrate the duration of Women’s History Month, we hope you visit one of our Mizzou Libraries and pick up a book to support female authors!
Danielle Gorman / English Intern/ Spring 2021
Just because February is almost over doesn’t mean there isn’t still time to pick up a great read to celebrate Black History Month. This month, at Ellis Library, we are appreciating all the wonderful reads written by Black authors, showcasing Black stories. Here are just a few of our favorite picks you can find available at Mizzou libraries or request through our website.
For the Non-fiction Lovers:
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Told in verse, Brown Girl Dreaming tells the story of author Jacquelin Woodson’s childhood and her experience as a young African American girl growing up in the 1960s. From her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement to her self-discovered love of writing and reading, Woodson crafts beautiful poems that share an emotional and connective journey of self-discovery and adolescence. Brown Girl Dreaming is the perfect read for poetry and auto-biography lovers looking for an embracive and powerful read about a young girl’s coming-of-age.
http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b10675107~S8
Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
This powerful memoir documents the honest journey of writer and activist Janet Mock’s childhood, as we follow her story growing up as a lower-class, multiracial, trans woman in America. Mock captivates the reader with her unapologetic writing as she recounts tales from her experience transitioning as a teenager up into her college years and falling in love for the first time. This memoir is a fascinating read for readers who enjoy powerful and personal stories that leave you feeling inspired and changed for the better.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
In this moving and gripping memoir, comedian Trevor Noah reflects on his life, as a young boy growing up in apartheid South Africa, to his present-day reality as one of the biggest comedians of his time. Noah begins his story with the event of an unexpected crime: his own birth. Born a Crime is a captivating read about the struggles of finding your identity and place in a world in which you were never supposed to exist. This read is perfect for those looking for an insightful yet humorously told coming-of-age story that leaves you feeling everything from heartbroken to unnerved to fully inspired by Noah’s ability to compose an unforgettable memoir.
For the Fiction Lovers:
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This dark and quick-paced read follows our main character, Korede, who has always felt second to her younger sister, Ayoola. Ayoola is seemingly the perfect daughter, except for one problem—she cannot stop killing her boyfriends, leaving Korede to clean up her mess. My Sister, the Serial Killer, takes the reader on a frightening journey, making you question how far one can go to protect those they love. This novel is perfect for readers looking for a short and fun yet truly haunting read.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates’s best-selling novel is the best pick for readers looking for a challenging yet profound read that will leave you feeling impacted and heartbroken by Coates’s beautiful storytelling. This novel follows Hiram Walker, who was born into slavery; when his mother is sold away, he believes he has truly lost all memories and remains of what he knew of her. Years later, when Hiram experiences a brush with death, in which he only survives because of a strange and magical power he possesses, he wonders if he contains more of his mother than he realizes. This discovery leads him on a dangerous and unexpected journey to find the answers he has always sought and attempt to find and rescue the mother he has not seen since he was young.
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
In this heartbreaking and beautifully honest novel, by legendary writer James Baldwin, we follow a young artist named Fonny who is unjustly arrested and sent to New York’s notorious “Tombs”. His girlfriend, Tish, who is pregnant with his child, refuses to let him stay locked away and is determined to free him. If Beale Street Could Talk is a powerful novel that addresses necessary and prevalent topics like punishment and crime in America and is perfect for readers looking for an unforgettable classic read.