Category Archives: Books by Bruins

Books by Bruins - LGBTQ Stories

I

n celebration of Pride month, our Books by Bruins series features publications about LGBTQ topics ranging from personal memoirs to historical stories to humorous film critiques. As this compilation of Bruin authors grows, we’re categorizing the books into an online library, but we’ll need your help to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you know of one, please submit a Bruin author. While all these books are written by UCLA alumni, inclusion in the list is not an endorsement.

Movies That Made Me Gay (2023)

Larry Duplechan ʼ78

Larry Duplechan’s memoir transports viewers through Hollywood history with humorous film criticism while simultaneously covering his experience growing up as a Black gay man in the early 1960s. Duplechan is the author of five novels, including “Blackbird,” which is considered the first modern Black “coming-out” novel, and the Lambda Literary Award-winning “Got ‘til it’s Gone.”

Q&A: Voices from Queer Asian North America (2021)

Alice Hom, M.A. ʼ92

“Q&A: Voices from Queer Asian North America” considers how Asian American racial and queer sexuality interconnect in mutually shaping and complicating ways. Alice Y. Hom is an Asian American LGBTQ community activist and author, and the director of Equity and Social Justice for The Northern California GrantMakers. She is also the host of the Historically Queer Podcast. Her 1998 book, “Q&A: Queer in Asian America; Unifying Differences,” won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Book in Lesbian and Gay Anthologies/Non-Fiction.

Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians (2009)

Stuart Timmons ʼ81

Drawing on rare archives and photographs as well as more than three hundred interviews, Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons chart L.A.'s unique gay history, from the first missionary encounters with Native American cross-gendered “two spirits” to cross-dressing frontier women in search of their fortunes; from the bohemian freedom of early Hollywood to the explosion of gay life during World War II to the underground radicalism set off by the 1950s blacklist; and from the 1960s gay liberation movement to the creation of gay marketing in the 1990s. While a student at UCLA, gay historian, activist and author Stuart Timmons cofounded Outfest, which has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most influential LGBT film festivals.

Queer American History: A Reader in Documents and Essays (2024)

Amy Sueyoshi, M.A. ʼ98, Ph.D. ʼ02

Sueyoshi bridges feminist, queer and ethnic studies to show how the white quest to forge new frontiers in gender and sexual freedom reinforced racial inequality through a pan-Asian American stereotype weighted with sexual and gender meaning. Amy Sueyoshi is the associate dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. She is the author of “Queer Compulsions: Race, Nation, and Sexuality in the Affairs of Yone Noguchi.”

It Rhymes with Takei (2025)

George Takei ʼ60, M.A. ʼ64

Following the award-winning bestseller “They Called Us Enemy,” George Takei’s new full-color graphic memoir reveals his most personal story. Takei has shown the world many faces: actor, author, outspoken activist, helmsman of the Starship Enterprise and living witness to the internment of Japanese Americans. Now, for the first time ever, he shares the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out as gay at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything.

Twenty Years of Legal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in the United States: Evidence Review and New Analyses (2024)

Benjamin Karney, M.A. ʼ92, Ph.D. ʼ97

It has been 20 years since the first marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples in Massachusetts. The authors of this report draw on an evidence review and analyses that reveal that the benefits of access to legal marriage for same-sex couples are unambiguously positive. For the past 25 years, Dr. Benjamin Karney has been studying change and stability in intimate relationships, especially in the early years of marriage.  His research relies upon longitudinal data, repeated measures, multilevel modeling and observational coding of couple interactions.

Love Comes First: Creating LGBTQ Families (2021)

Bradford Kolb, EMBA ʼ22

This first-hand account covers practical information from an organization specializing in adoption for LGBTQ parents as well as sperm donation from the largest sperm bank in the country. As president and managing director of HRC Fertility, Dr. Bradford Kolb is internationally known for having some of the highest rates of pregnancy success in the country. He has also been a pioneer in assisting LGBTQ families. Dr. Kolb is the president and board chair of Love Comes First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering awareness of LGTBQ families via multimedia storytelling.

Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas (2019)

Dustin Lance Black ʼ96

Dustin Lance Black wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for “Milk” and helped overturn California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8, but he grew up in a conservative Mormon household outside San Antonio, Texas. His book explores what it took to remain a family despite such divisions — a journey that stretched from the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to the wood sheds of East Texas. Black is an Oscar winner, a TFT alumnus and a veteran screenwriter, producer, director and playwright.

***

Send your Books by Bruins recommendations. You can also search for authors or share news on the UCLA Alumni Class Notes page.

Books by Bruins Library

Previous articles in the Books by Bruins series

Recent Articles

Books by Bruins - Health and Wellness

M

ay is Mental Health Awareness Month. As part of our ongoing Books by Bruins series, we are featuring a compelling collection of books that focus on this theme in a variety of ways — from personal stories of healing to healthy cookbooks to finding peace in yoga and meditation. As this compilation of Bruin authors grows, we’re categorizing the books into an online library, but we’ll need your help to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you know of one, please submit a Bruin author. While all these books are written by UCLA alumni, inclusion in the list is not an endorsement.

Anti-Cancer Foods Meal Plan Cookbook: A 28 Days Quick, Easy and Nutritious Diet Guide for Cancer Patients (2023)

Margaret Paul, M.A. ʼ62

“The Anti-Cancer Foods Meal Plan Cookbook" is a guide to embracing the healing power of food. The book features delicious recipes to nourish your body and invigorate your spirit, explained by cancer survivor, Emily, who discovered the incredible potential of anti-cancer foods. Margaret Paul holds a Ph.D. in psychology and is a public speaker, educator, chaplain and artist. She is the author of several best-selling books that have been translated into 11 languages. She has appeared on many radio and TV shows, including the Oprah show. She has taught classes and seminars for individuals, couples and businesses since 1967.

Organic Soul: The Healing Power of African American Music in a World of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Mario Ewell, M.A. ʼ20

“Organic Soul” is an exploration of music's transformative power, focused on African American music’s profound impact on health and well-being. Stevie Wonder’s pioneering work with synthesizers influenced the development of technologies like advanced AI systems and voice interfaces. Discover how the rhythms, melodies and harmonies of African American music can reduce stress, boost immunity and enhance cognitive function. UCLA Graduate and Professional Student Alumni Network board member Mario Ewell brings his unique blend of creative vision and business acumen to this groundbreaking work.

The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children (2018)

Dale Atkins, Ph.D. ’82

“The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children” offers inspiration and activities to teach empathy, inspire a culture of compassion and connection, and empower children to make a difference in their community and the world. The book presents 10 fundamental concepts to weave into a family’s daily life including sections on relaxation, breathing, visualization and meditation. Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in educational philosophy. “The Kindness Advantage” is her seventh book.

Influenced: The Impact of Social Media On Our Perception (2022)

Brian Boxer Wachler (1984-1988)

This book explores what happens to our brains and our behaviors each time we addictively engage in social media. Brian Boxer Wachler argues that our reliance on social media has an impact on how we think, feel and perceive everything around us. “Dr. Brian” has devoted his career to the physical and mental intersection of how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. He is the medical director at his Beverly Hills institute and a staff physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He has written numerous articles and authored four popular medical books.

Recipe For Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life (2022)

Dana Ellis Hunnes, M.P.H. ʼ07, Ph.D. ʼ13

In her book “Recipe for Survival,” dietitian and environmentalist Dana Ellis Hunnes outlines the steps to becoming a healthier and more sustainable consumer and improving the health of the planet. Her research examines the relationships among climate change, food choices and food security, and how these affect our health, as well as the health of the planet and its oceans. Hunnes is an adjunct assistant professor with the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA where she teaches courses on nutrition, chronic disease and the environment. She is a senior dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

The Psyche's Gifts: Art, Art Making, and the Journey from Mental Illness to Mental Wellness (2021)

Corinne Lightweaver ’85

"The Psyche's Gifts: Art, Art Making, and the Journey from Mental Illness," features a series of artworks that reflect Corinne Lightweaver’s personal experience of living with mental illness, including depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Working from her unconscious, she uses techniques of paper collage to access, reveal and artistically document her journey. Lightweaver is an artist, writer, editor and author. Her artistic journey began in painting, with wildlife as her favorite subject.

Off the Hook: How Forgiving You Frees Me (2019)

Dana Tibbitts ʼ80

“Off the Hook” shares real-life stories of people who were unknowingly captive to past hurts, and who then walked through deep forgiveness. This way offers healing and freedom through forgiveness. It’s about the power of letting go of old pain. Dana Trapnell Tibbitts began her career as a writer and media relations professional at UCLA in 1980 and continued to work in higher education, media and the arts for much of the next three decades. She has authored several books, including “Harnessing the Sky: Frederick ‘Trap’ Trapnell, the U.S. Navy’s Aviation Pioneer,” published by the Naval Institute Press.

Your Personal Renaissance: Twelve Steps to Finding Your Life's True Calling (2008)

Diane Dreher, M.A. ’70, Ph.D. ’73

Combining the lost wisdom of the Renaissance with groundbreaking research in positive psychology, "Your Personal Renaissance” approaches the concept of a personal calling — not just a job, but a joyous, meaningful life. The book features an innovative program of contemplative steps and practices drawn from Eastern and Western philosophy. With a Ph.D. in English literature from UCLA, as well as an M.A. in counseling, spiritual counseling and holistic health credentials and International Coach Federation certification, Diane Dreher is a best-selling author, professor, positive psychology coach, keynote speaker and associate director of the Applied Spirituality Institute at Santa Clara University.

Unbreakable Mindset: The Four Habits That Will Help You Thrive in Your Career and Life (2020)

Edward Gorbis, M.S. ’13

Edward Gorbis is a high-performance coach, blogger, keynote speaker and podcast host. In this work, he teaches immigrants and first-generation professionals how to rapidly accelerate their careers by developing an invincible mindset and focusing on a few activities that yield tremendous results. Gorbis is the CEO of Career Meets World, an online coaching platform and a startup advisor, helping startups develop their growth strategies. He was formerly a civil engineer who became a senior sales director at WeWork.

Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference (2024)

Guy Kawasaki, MBA ’79

In “Think Remarkable,” tech titan Guy Kawasaki teams up with Madisun Nuismer, producer of the Remarkable People podcast, to deliver insights from a collection of interviews to help readers show the world their best self. The authors draw on insights from working closely with some of the world's most remarkable people. Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, an online graphic design tool. Formerly, he was an advisor to the Motorola business unit of Google and chief evangelist of Apple. He is also the author of "APE," "What the Plus!," "Enchantment" and nine other books. Kawasaki also has a B.A. from Stanford University, as well as an honorary doctorate from Babson College.

Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder (2022)

Joanna Poppink ʼ77, M.A. ʼ77, Cert. ʼ15

One in five women suffer from eating disorders. For women in their thirties and beyond, issues of loss from divorce, death, empty nest syndrome marriage and career pressures can trigger an eating disorder. “Healing Your Hungry Heart” offers a comprehensive recovery program for women with eating disorders, based on the author’s 30-year professional practice treating adults with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. She shares her personal struggles, along with stories from a wide range of clients she has counseled and a step-by-step program. Poppink is a California, Arizona, Florida, Oregon and Utah psychotherapist, whose specialties are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and eating disorder recovery with adults.

Get Out of Your Own Way (2004)

Jovita Jenkins, MBA ʼ94

In her debut offering, success strategist and executive coach Jovita Jenkins challenges readers to get out of their own way and deal with whatever is holding them back. With the honesty of an old friend and the insight of a professional coach, she leads readers on an intense journey of self-discovery that sets them on the path towards creating a compelling new chapter of their lives. In her book, she brings her prescription for success to her readers and empowers them to be more focused, confident and successful. She is certified as a professional coach through the International Coach Federation and is an area director for Toastmasters International.

Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Staying Afloat in an Uncertain World (2023)

Lauren Cook ’13

From licensed clinical psychologist and TikTok therapist Lauren Cook, “Generation Anxiety” is a practical guide aimed at millennials and Gen Z for tackling anxiety. This relatable, honest and information-packed book incorporates research and diverse client experiences to help readers gain insight into their own stressors. It also provides easy, actionable steps to help readers ride the waves of anxiety rather than constantly swimming against them. Cook began her training at UCLA, where she majored in psychology and communication studies. She completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University. She created the Name Your Story mental health group training curriculum that has been utilized by thousands of collegians around the country. She has been featured in many digital and print publications and has given more than 500 talks at various companies, universities and organizations.

Mastering Life's Energies: Simple Steps to a Luminous Life at Work and Play (2007)

Maria Nemeth ʼ67, Ph.D. ʼ74

“Mastering Life’s Energies” shows us how to use all the energies of our lives — physical vitality, creativity, time, money, enjoyment and relationships — to realize our goals and dreams and live a life filled with possibility and promise. Maria Nemeth offers purpose-driven people simple yet powerful tools for training our brains for success. Designed and refined over decades of work with people all over the world, her work turns timeless wisdom into practical skills that have helped tens of thousands to live and serve with clarity, focus, ease and grace. Nemeth is founder and director of the Academy for Coaching Excellence, which has trained thousands of people worldwide.

Sparks of Spirit: How to Find Love and Meaning in Your Life 24 Hours a Day (2004)

Rolf Gompertz ʼ51

“Sparks of Spirit” contains 27 brief meditations and a list of supportive biblical verses. The simple, practical system is non-denominational and can be incorporated into the reader’s belief system. Gompertz fled Nazi Germany to America when he was 11 years old, and settled in Los Angeles. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles and short stories on Jewish and spiritual themes. He was honored with the English Department's Best Student of the Year Award and named to the honor society, Phi Beta Kappa.

The Success Messages: Inspiration to Recharge Your Passion, Potential & Purpose (2014)

Romeo Marquez Jr. ʼ04

“The Success Messages” is a collection of inspiring wisdom to reset your mind and spirit for success. The intention of this book is to enlarge your vision and remind you of the miracles you are set to create in this world. Read with an open heart and you'll experience the inner joy and happiness you are destined to live. Romeo Marquez Jr. is an international keynote speaker, author and creator and host of Superstar Success University. He earned his B.A from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film & Television and trained with an elite group of global success leaders.

Your Life as Story: Discovering the New Autobiography and Writing Memoir as Literature (1997)

Tristine Rainer ʼ68

In “Your Life as Story,” autobiography expert Tristine Rainer explains how we can shape the important messages in our lives into compelling narratives. Blending literary scholarship with practical coaching, Rainer shares her remarkable techniques for finding the essentials of story structure within your life's scattered experiences. At UCLA, she co-founded the University’s Women’s Studies program and taught the first course offered on women writers. As founder and director of the Center for Autobiographic Studies, she promotes the creation and preservation of autobiographic works, teaches, lectures and consults. She has written a memoir about her relationship with Anaïs Nin.

The Big Happy Life: A Journey to Happiness Starring Posie the Penguin (2016)

David Pettit ʼ72, J.D. ʼ75

This rhyming children's story carries with it a message about finding happiness that is as relevant for the children reading it as it is for the adults who may read it to a child. Posie the Penguin begins to feel that she is not content with her life in Antarctica and decides that there must be more out there than her life of black and white. She travels to a warmer climate where she learns an important lesson about happiness.

Engineering Happiness: A New Approach for Building a Joyful Life (2012)

Rakesh Sarin, M.S. ʼ73, Ph.D. ’75

Rakesh Sarin has been conducting ground-breaking research on happiness for more than a decade. Together with co-author Manel Baucells, he integrates their research with the latest thinking in the behavioral and social sciences to offer a new approach to the puzzle of happiness. Woven throughout with wisdom from the world’s religions and literatures, “Engineering Happiness” has something to offer everyone who wants to better understand, attain and sustain a more joyful life. Sarin has been a member of the UCLA Anderson faculty since 1979. He was awarded the Paine Chair in Management in 1990.

The Psychology of Self-Esteem: A Revolutionary Approach to Self-Understanding That Launched a New Era in Modern Psychology (2001)

Nathaniel Branden ʼ51

Dr. Nathaniel Branden introduces readers to six action-based practices for daily living that provide the foundation for self-esteem and explores its central importance in five areas: the workplace, parenting, education, psychotherapy and culture. Six Pillars of Self-Esteem provides concrete guidelines for teachers, parents, managers and therapists who are responsible for developing the self-esteem of others. Branden is a lecturer, practicing psychotherapist and the author of 20 books on the psychology of self-esteem, romantic love and the life of Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand. His work has been translated into 18 languages and sold more than four million copies.

Finding Real Yoga (2025)

Daren Black, M.A. ʼ81

In “Finding Real Yoga,” Daren Black shares his experience as a student of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Through his autobiographical memoir, he shares how he experienced a transformation from illness and homelessness to healing and self-empowerment through spiritual self-help. He has included tools, inspiration and wisdom from his spiritual self-help journey. Black has been practicing yoga and meditation since the 1970s. He developed Practical Ayurveda as a more user-friendly approach to Ayurvedic yoga.

***

Send your Books by Bruins recommendations. You can also search for authors or share news on the UCLA Alumni Class Notes page.

Books by Bruins Library

Previous articles in the Books by Bruins series

Recent Articles

Books by Bruins - Stories About Women

E

ach month, this Books by Bruins series will feature a new collection of books by theme. In this issue, we’re highlighting books written about women, which include industry trailblazers, rom-com socialites and unsung heroines who have shaped the course of history. As this compilation of Bruin authors grows, we’re categorizing the books into an online library, but we’ll need your help to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you know of one, please submit a Bruin author. While all these books are written by UCLA alumni, inclusion in the list is not an endorsement.

Bold & Brave: Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote (2020)

Kirsten Gillibrand, J.D. ’91

On the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand shares the stories of 10 suffragists who fought for women's right to vote. “Bold & Brave” introduces children to strong women who have raised their voices on behalf of justice, and inspires them to raise their own voices to build our future. Senator Gillibrand of New York is a passionate advocate for women's rights. The New York Times bestselling author of “Off the Sidelines,” this is her first book for children. She is a graduate of UCLA School of Law.

Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM (2023)

Deborah Shlian, MBA ’88

Deborah Shlian is a physician, healthcare consultant and the author of fiction and nonfiction books including a best-selling medical mystery series written with her husband. “Stories from Women Leaders in STEM” is part of a series that showcases women who overcame the odds while paving the way for others. Shlian and her husband, Joel Shlian, also a physician, became the first couple to complete the UCLA MBA program together.

We Are Inspiring: The Stories of 32 Inspirational Asian American Women (2019)

Angel Trazo, M.A. ’20

"We Are Inspiring" brings to life the stories of Asian American women from different communities. Trazo wrote the book with the goal of preventing the erasure of Asian Americans as an integral part of American history. Aimed at children ages 10 and over, the book covers 32 inspirational women including scientists, artists, actresses, comedians, judges and Olympians. Trazo is an author, illustrator and grad student based in the Bay Area. She holds a master's degree in Asian American Studies from UCLA. This is her debut children's book.

The Assertive Woman: A New Look (1975)

Nancy Austin ’71, MBA ’77

“The Assertive Woman” debunks stale stereotypes of women bosses, stay-at-home moms and superwomen. Packed with personal vignettes, exercises, step-by-step procedures and tips, it became the first book of its kind in 1975, and has been updated and reprinted several times since then. Nancy Austin is a writer and business consultant. She received her MBA from UCLA where she was part of the team at the Neuropsychiatric Institute studying California’s community mental health system. Her books have sold approximately one million copies and have been published in seven languages.

Trophies: A Novel (2008)

Heather Thomas ʼ80

Marion Zane is the top Trophy — she has it all: a faithful husband, loyal fellow-Trophy girlfriends, queen-bee status over the Hollywood "name-above-the-title" charities, and — best of all — no prenup! She knows inside information is king, smiles hide jealousy, jackals lure husbands away (or worse, steal personal assistants), housekeepers have the power to destroy and that everyone has devastating secrets — including her. Heather Thomas graduated from UCLA where she studied in the School of Theater, Film and Television. She starred as Jody Banks in TV's “The Fall Guy” from 1981 to 1986 and then left acting in 1998 to pursue writing.

Pounders of Grain: A History of Women, Work, and Politics in Mozambique (2016)

Kathleen Sheldon, M.A. ’77, Ph.D. ’88

This history of women in Mozambique includes their contributions to the social and economic lives of their communities from the mid-19th century through the end of the 20th century. In her book, Sheldon emphasizes the centrality of women's choices and decisions. Kathleen Sheldon is an independent historian who is a research affiliate with the UCLA Center for the Study of Women. She received her Ph.D. in history from UCLA in 1988 and her M.A. in African Area studies in 1977. She has written several books on women in Africa.

Before Amelia: Women Pilots in the Early Days of Aviation (2003)

Eileen (Fitzpatrick) Lebow ’47, M.A. ’49

“Before Amelia” is the remarkable story of the world's first female aviators who braved the skies during the early days of flight. Lebow looks at an international spectrum of pilots and their influence on each other. In an era when women's professional options were severely limited and the mere sight of ladies wearing pants caused a sensation, these women succeeded as pilots, flight instructors, airplane designers, stunt performers and promoters. Lebow taught in Maryland schools for 20 years before becoming an author of books on early aviation and education.

The Women Who Made Early Disneyland: Artists, Entertainers, and Guest Relations (2024)

Kelsey Knox, M.L.I.S. ’14 and Cindy Mediavilla, M.L.S. ’77, Ph.D. ’00

This one-of-a-kind book examines the lives and achievements of the women who made early Disneyland. When Cindy Mediavilla attended a Disneyana convention held in 2015, she was surprised to learn about Ruth Shellhorn, a prominent post-war landscape architect who created the outdoor environment that became the original Disneyland park. Knox and Mediavilla – both lifelong Disney fans – found that as they researched Shellhorn and her work, there were countless women who were instrumental in building and operating what generations have known as, “the happiest place on earth.” Knox serves as the university archivist for UC Santa Cruz, while Mediavilla’s accolades include induction into the California Library Hall of Fame in 2022.

Entry Lessons: The Stories of Women Fighting for Their Place, Their Children and Their Futures After Incarceration (2022)

Jorja Leap '78, M.S.W. ’80, Ph.D. ’88

Recent reports show that women make up the fastest-growing population within the United States’ criminal justice system. Now, through immersive storytelling and expert analysis of women’s lives after prison, anthropologist Jorja Leap explores their journeys into, through and beyond the jail cell. Jorja Leap is on the faculty of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, where she also serves as the executive director of the UCLA Social Justice Research Partnership. Dr. Leap has been the recipient of the UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award. She is the author of the highly acclaimed books “Jumped In” and “Project Fatherhood.”

Uta Barth: To Draw With Light (2012)

Uta Barth, M.F.A. ’85

Blind Spot Series publishes small-format, limited-run artist’s books that present a series of images from single bodies of work by important contemporary artist-photographers. Uta Barth’s stunning “To Draw With Light" features 46 color photographs alongside new works created specifically for the book. The Los Angeles–based contemporary artist has spent her decades-long career exploring the complexities and limits of human and mechanical vision.

She Damn Near Ran the Studio: The Extraordinary Lives of Ida R. Koverman (2020)

Jacqueline R. Braitman ’79, M.A. ’81, Ph.D. ’88

Best known as the woman who ran MGM, Ida R. Koverman served as talent scout, mentor, executive secretary and confidant to American movie mogul Louis B. Mayer for 25 years. “She Damn Near Ran the Studio” is the first full account of Koverman's life and the true story of how she became a creative political powerhouse during Hollywood's Golden Era. Jacqueline R. Braitman is a historian of American history who specializes in California women and politics. She is coauthor of “Justice Stanley Mosk: A Life at the Center of California Politics and Justice.”

Five Women of Byzantium (2020)

Robert Englekirk, M.S. ’65, Ph.D. ’70

The history of the pre-11th century Byzantine Empire presents the courageous, determined effort of the Byzantines to succeed. Women played a significant part in the evolution of mankind for they often saved mankind from disaster. Robert Englekirk has had a profound impact on civil infrastructure in California. His designs include the Getty Center, the Hollywood and Highland center and the tallest precast concrete building in California. He is an adjunct professor in civil engineering and has taught structural engineering at USC and UC San Diego. In 2015, he and his wife Natalie established the Englekirk Presidential Endowed Chair in Structural Engineering at UCLA.

There's Cake in My Future (2012)

Kim Gruenenfelder ʼ89

After listening to her closest friends' latest travails in love, parenting and careers, superstitious bride-to-be Nicole believes she has the perfect recipe for everyone's happiness: a bridal shower "cake pull" in which each ribboned silver charm planted in her cake will bring its recipient the magical assistance she needs to change her destiny. Kim Gruenenfelder graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in women's history. In addition to her novels “A Total Waste of Makeup” and “Misery Loves Cabernet,” she has written feature films, episodic teleplays and two stage plays.

The Ziegfelds' Girl: Confessions of an Abnormally Happy Childhood (1964)

Patricia Burke Ziegfeld Stephenson

Patricia Burke Ziegfeld Stephenson’s father, Florenz Ziegfeld, was the king of Broadway, producing an annual Follies featuring the cream of Broadway talent. Her mother, Billie Burke, is most remembered for her portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch of the North in the 1939 movie classic "The Wizard of Oz." "The Ziegfelds' Girl: Confessions of an Abnormally Happy Childhood," is the colorful backstage story of her adventures with her parents. 

Brava: A Latina Lawyer’s Path to Empowerment (2023)

Adriana Palomares ʼ04

“Brava” is the inspirational story of a young Latina's coming-of-age journey as she searches for success and true happiness after she migrates to the United States from México. The book was the recipient of the 2024 International Latino Book Awards in two categories including the Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Fiction Book Award. Since publishing “Brava, A Latina Lawyer’s Path to Empowerment,” Adriana Palomares has presented at the Brilliance UCLA Alumnae Conference and other events including Latina Fest and the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) conference. 

Heart Matters: A Memoir of a Female Heart Surgeon (2010)

Kathy E. Magliato, MBA ʼ06

Dr. Kathy Magliato is one of the few female heart surgeons practicing in the world today. She is also a member of an even more exclusive group — those surgeons specially trained to perform heart transplants. In this powerful and moving memoir, which inspired the NBC series “Heart Beat,” Dr. Magliato takes us into her highly demanding, physically intense, male-dominated world and shows us how she masterfully works to save patients' lives every day. She is currently on staff at Providence Saint John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, California, where she developed a Multidisciplinary Women’s Health Center to address the cardiac needs of female patients. In 2006, she earned an Executive MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Business and received their Inspirational Alumni Award as part of the 75th anniversary of the school.

Gertrude Stein and the Essence of What Happens (2005)

Dana Cairns Watson ’89, M.A. ’93, Ph.D. ’96

In “Gertrude Stein and the Essence of What Happens,” Dana Cairns Watson traces Stein's fascination with the cognitive and political ramifications of conversation. Watson shows how Stein’s use of silent reading and social speaking reveals the way reading and conversation build communities of meaning, to form personal relationships and the larger political structures we inhabit. Dana Cairns Watson has taught American literature and English composition at Middlebury College, Santa Monica College and UCLA. 

Edith Heath: Philosophies (2021)

Jennifer M. Volland, M.A. '06, Cert. '03

“Edith Heath: Philosophies” is the definitive resource on Edith Kiertzner Heath and the history of Heath Ceramics, emphasizing the philosophical foundations and influences of the creative force. This publication offers an in-depth commentary on the presented themes of the environment, feminism, architecture and politics, while solidifying the relevance of Edith Heath's story in contemporary life and society. Jennifer M. Volland is an independent writer, curator, researcher and archivist. Her past work explores two architectural typologies: the cabin and the hotel as both author and curator.

Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets (2013)

Carissa Phelps, MBA ’07, J.D. ’07

Phelps was a runaway by age 12, escaping a troubled and dangerous home life. She turned tragedy into triumph as she rose from runaway to holder of an MBA. and a law degree from UCLA. "When I was at UCLA Anderson, I planned to go into private equity," Phelps said. "I wanted to start a fund through local investing that would focus on costly social questions. But I stepped away, went back to Fresno, wrote the book and formed Runaway Girl in early 2012." Runaway Girl, a California for-profit entity with a "special" or social purpose, creates employment opportunities for former runaways and survivors of human trafficking. 

Noushin, a Memoir: The Making of a Woman Architect (2022)

Noushin Ehsan, M.Arch. ’72

Noushin Ehsan, a licensed architect with over 35 years of international experience, founded Accessible Architecture, PC, where she developed the concept of “The Spirit of Space” which incorporates the spiritual as well as the practical approach to architecture. Ehsan promotes designs that create a positive energy in your space. She believes that through harmony, proportion, light, cohesiveness of thought in design and use of material, one can design holistic spaces that uplift the spirit and energize the physical being. This approach to holistic design has no relevance to the size and budget of your projects and can be adapted in any style. Ehsan received her master’s degree in architecture & urban design from UCLA.

War, Women, and Power: From Violence to Mobilization in Rwanda and Bosnia-Herzegovina (2018)

Marie Berry, M.A. ’10, Ph.D. ’15

Rwanda and Bosnia both experienced mass violence in the early 1990s. Through close examination, Marie E. Berry unpacks the puzzling relationship between war and women's political mobilization. Dr. Berry is assistant professor of international comparative politics at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. She was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.

A Daughter's Journey: A Memoir (2024)

Susan M. (aka Susie Myung-Sook) Chung ’77, M.S.W. ’79 

Susan M. Chung, who has been described as "the 'Godzilla' of divorce attorneys in Silicon Valley," published her second autobiographical book, "A Daughter's Journey: A Memoir." The book "tells her accounts of courtroom dramas with golden threads of perspective and wisdom earned through decades of fighting, not only for justice, but her own personal struggles." Her first book, 2011's "A Mother's Journey — A Tale of Early Korean Settlers in Silver Lake," was a tribute to her mother, describing her family's arrival in Los Angeles and their significant role in the founding of Koreatown. Chung earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and her master's degree in social welfare from UCLA.

Humanizing the Sacred: Sisters in Islam and the Struggle for Gender Justice in Malaysia (2015)

Azza Basarudin, Ph.D. ’09

Based on ethnographic research of Sisters in Islam (SIS), a nongovernmental organization of professional women promoting justice and equality, Basarudin examines SIS members' involvement in the production and transmission of Islamic knowledge to reformulate legal codes and reconceptualize gender discourses. By weaving together women's lived realities, feminist interpretations of Islamic texts and Malaysian cultural politics, this book illuminates how a localized struggle of claiming rights takes shape within a transnational landscape. Azzarina Basarudin is assistant professor in the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at CSULB. With a Ph.D. from UCLA in gender and sexuality studies, her research interests are transnational feminisms, gender and Islam, and intimacy and human rights politics. 

Martha: The Life and Work of Martha Graham (1992)

Agnes De Mille ’26

Agnes De Mille was a close friend of choreographer Martha Graham for more than 60 years. Her book traces Graham's inspirations and pivotal moments. Graham developed a dance technique that has been called the "cornerstone" of American modern dance, based on the opposition between contraction and release, a concept based on the breathing cycle. Graham was famous for works including “Appalachian Spring,” “Ekstasis” and “Lamentations.” American choreographer, Agnes de Mille graduated from UCLA Cum Laude at age 19, having developed a love for great literature. As a choreographer, she was known for her storytelling, which is expressed in her works like “Rodeo,” “Oklahoma” and “Carousel.” 

***

Send your Books by Bruins recommendations. You can also search for authors or share news on the UCLA Alumni Class Notes page.

Books by Bruins Library

Previous articles in the Books by Bruins series

Recent Articles

Books by Bruins - L.A. Stories

F

or the next several months, our Books by Bruins series will feature a new collection of books by theme, starting with books about Los Angeles — its history, environment and the people who call it home. As this compilation of Bruin authors grows, we’re categorizing the books into an online library, but we’ll need your help to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you know of one, please submit a Bruin author. While all these books are written by UCLA alumni, inclusion in the list is not an endorsement.

Imagining Los Angeles: A City in Fiction (2004)

David Fine '83

The literary image of Los Angeles has evolved since the 1880s from a New Eden to contemporary visions of the city as a perplexing, sometimes corrupt, even apocalyptic place. In “Imagining Los Angeles,” the first literary history of the city in more than 50 years, critic David Fine traces the history and mood of Los Angeles through the work of writers including Helen Hunt Jackson, Mary Austin, Norman Mailer, Raymond Chandler, Joan Didion and Carolyn See. Fine was a professor at California State University, Long Beach for over 35 years. A graduate of UCLA, he was a Fulbright Scholar, a member of the UCLA marching band and served in the United States National Guard Reserves as a member of a military band. 

Native Shrubs of Southern California (2023)

Peter H. Raven, Ph.D. ’60

Southern California’s valleys, mountains and deserts are an exceptionally rich environment for native shrubs. “Native Shrubs of Southern California” contains approximately 400 kinds of shrubs, with both color and black and white illustrations. Peter H. Raven is a botanist and environmentalist, and is the former president and director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States.

Sons, Daughters, and Sidewalk Psychotics: Mental Illness and Homelessness in Los Angeles (2024)

Neil Gong, M.A. '13, Ph.D. '19

Neil Gong is assistant professor of sociology at UC San Diego, where he researches psychiatric services, homelessness and liberal social order. His book “Sons, Daughters, and Sidewalk Psychotics” is about inequality in mental health care in Los Angeles. His public commentary can be found in the Washington Post, the Atlantic and the Los Angeles Review of Books. 

Conservation of California Walnut in the Eastern Santa Monica Mountains (2022)

Travis Longcore, M.A. '95, Ph.D. '99

The walnut was first cultivated in California by Franciscan Monks in the late 1700s; many of today’s trees are descended from these early plantings. “Conservation of California Walnut in the Eastern Santa Monica Mountains” addresses a region that is subject to ongoing development pressure threatening the remaining walnut groves and oak–walnut woodlands. Travis Longcore is an adjunct professor in the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and co-chair of the Environmental Science and Engineering Program. He conducts research on environmental health focusing on the conservation of biodiversity in cities. 

Fruteros: Street Vending, Illegality, and Ethnic Community in Los Angeles (2020)

Rocío Rosales, M.A. '08, Ph.D. '12

Young Latino street vendors, known as fruteros, sell fruit salads out of pushcarts throughout Los Angeles. Drawing on six years of fieldwork, this book examines how they navigate the complexities of local and federal laws prohibiting both their presence and their work on street corners. “Fruteros: Street Vending, Illegality, and Ethnic Community in Los Angeles” sheds light on those complexities and offers the concept of the "ethnic cage" to explain both the promise and pain of community. Rocío Rosales is associate dean, Faculty Development and Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Professor at UC Irvine focused on international migration, immigrant and ethnic economies and immigrant detention.

Los Angeles Residential Architecture: Modernism Meets Eclecticism (2015)

Ruth Wallach '86, M.L.S. '88

During the first half of the twentieth century, Los Angeles grew into a sprawling metropolis. As suburbs developed, demonstration homes like the California Home and Garden Exhibition showcased the latest in timesaving appliances and inspired a new generation of homebuyers. In her book “Los Angeles Residential Architecture: Modernism Meets Eclecticism” author Ruth Wallach tours the varied Modernist styles that give Los Angeles its distinct residential landscape. Wallach has a B.A. in economics and an M.L.S. in library science from UCLA. She is the associate dean of Social Sciences and Humanities Libraries at USC.

Goal Dust: The Warm and Candid Memoirs of a Pioneer Black Athlete and Actor (1993)

Woody Strode (1937-39)

Woody Strode's extraordinary career led him from the football field to Hollywood. In 1939, Strode, along with teammates Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington, led UCLA to its first undefeated football season. Strode and Washington had been two of the best-known college football players in the nation. After World War II, they became the first Black players drafted into the NFL. In 1950, Strode became pro wrestling's first Black star. After that it was a small step to Hollywood where he appeared in films such as The “Ten Commandments,” “Spartacus” and “The Cotton Club.” He was also known for his roles in numerous TV westerns. Woody from “Toy Story” was named in his honor.

Packer and Jack (2013)

Rachel Hoffman, Ph.D. '97

"Packer and Jack," is an L.A. love story set in the six square blocks of downtown they call home. Rachel Hoffman, who is also the author of the novel "Saltine," earned her Ph.D. in art history from UCLA and later moved to Italy to make wine, milk cows and write. Her work has appeared in more than a dozen literary journals. A 2017 Fulbright granted Rachel a month's residency at the International Writers' and Translators' House in Latvia to complete a memoir of her years living in Africa.

Little Tokyo: One Hundred Years in Pictures (1983)

Ichiro Mike Murase '70

This book tells the story of Little Tokyo through photographs, from its early beginnings in 1885, through World War II and into the 1980s. Ichiro Mike Murase moved with his Kibei-Nisei family to Los Angeles when he was nine years old. Murase was one of the founders of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, as well as serving as president of Nisei Bruin Club while he was an undergraduate at UCLA in the late 1960s. As an activist, attorney, administrator, community organizer and teacher, Murase has served the Asian American community in many capacities over the past four decades.

Chican@ Artivistas: Music, Community, and Transborder Tactics in East Los Angeles (2020)

Martha Gonzalez ’99

By showcasing the social impact made by key artist-activists in the art world and music industry, Gonzalez charts the evolution of a now-canonical body of work that took its inspiration from the Zapatista movement, particularly its masked indigenous participants, and that responded to efforts to impose systems of labor exploitation and social subjugation. Martha Gonzalez is a Chicana artivista (artist/activist) musician, feminist music theorist and associate professor in the Intercollegiate Department of Chicana/o Latina/o Studies at Scripps College. A Fulbright, Ford and Woodrow Wilson Fellow, her academic interests have been fueled by her own musicianship as a singer/songwriter and percussionist for the GRAMMY Award-winning band Quetzal. 

Ethnopolitical Entrepreneurs: Outsiders Inside Armenian Los Angeles (2023)

Daniel Fittante ’05, Ph.D. ’18

In “Ethnopolitical Entrepreneurs: Outsiders Inside Armenian Los Angeles”, Daniel Fittante expands our understanding of U.S. political history. The author shows how Glendale's Armenian community is changing the country's political reality within its dynamic, multiethnic suburbs. Fittante is a postdoctoral fellow in the department of sociology at Södertörn University. His research areas include political and urban sociology, diaspora studies and immigration. 

Compton in My Soul: A Life in Pursuit of Racial Equality (2024)

Albert Camarillo ’70, Ph.D. ’75

When Al Camarillo grew up in Compton, California, racial segregation was the rule. His relatives were among the first Mexican immigrants to settle there — in the only neighborhood where Mexicans were allowed to live. The author of seven books and numerous articles and papers, “Compton in My Soul” weaves his personal story with the history of his L.A. neighborhood, and illuminates a changing U.S. society — the progress and backslides over half a century for racial equality and educational opportunity. Entering UCLA in the mid 1960s, Camarillo was one of only 50 Mexican American students, and became one of the first Mexican Americans in the country to earn a Ph.D. in history. He is widely regarded as one of the founding scholars of the field of Mexican American history and Chicano Studies. Ha also played basketball under Coach John Wooden with teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ’69. 

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders (2001)

Vincent Bugliosi, J.D. '64

Only a few years out of law school, Vincent Bugliosi gained fame as the Los Angeles County deputy district attorney who prosecuted the Charles Manson murders in 1969. After leaving the DA’s office, he co-wrote “Helter Skelter,” a book about the Manson trial. He went on to write numerous bestsellers including, “Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy” in which he challenged numerous conspiracy theories and “Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O. J. Simpson Got Away with Murder” about the acquittal of O. J. Simpson. At UCLA Law, he was president of his graduating class.

From Watts to the World: A Chronicle of Service (2021)

Rosalyn Cain King, M.P.H. '72

Dr. Rosalyn C. King’s life story is a testament to the transformative power of determination, passion and service. This book chronicles her five-decade career in pharmacy and public health; a global journey that took her to countries like Romania and Nigeria, where she played a vital role in healthcare services and pivotal projects funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She is a distinguished pharmacist, author, professor, consultant and global health advisor.  

Giant Robot: Thirty Years of Defining Asian American Pop Culture (2024)

Eric Nakamura '83

Eric Nakamura founded Giant Robot as a photocopied and stapled zine in Los Angeles in 1994. Giant Robot magazine reached a wide audience interested in Asian popular culture. Nakamura built on the success of Giant Robot with stores and galleries in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, and has curated over 300 exhibitions. “Giant Robot: Thirty Years of Defining Asian-American Pop Culture” features the best of the magazine’s sixty-eight issue run alongside never-before-seen photographs, writing by contributing journalist Claudine Ko and tributes from now-famous fans. Nakamura works in and owns the Giant Robot store and GR2 Gallery which offer pop culture goods and art exhibitions.

Zev's Los Angeles: From Boyle Heights to the Halls of Power (2023)

Zev Yaroslavsky ’71, M.A. ’72

“Zev's Los Angeles: From Boyle Heights to the Halls of Power” tells the story of Zev Yaroslavsky, from young social activist to a powerful elected official who sparked reforms in policing, transit, land use and fiscal policies. His Los Angeles political career spanned four decades as a member of the City Council (1975-1994) and County Board of Supervisors (1994-2014). Yaroslavsky is the former director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA. 

Black Los Angeles: American Dreams and Racial Realities (2010)

Darnell Hunt, M.A. '91, Ph.D. '94

During the first half of the twentieth century, Los Angeles was also seen as a mecca for both African Americans and a steady stream of migrants from around the country and the world, transforming Los Angeles into one of the world's most diverse cities. Darnell Hunt serves as UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost, responsible for administering campus operations and the academic enterprise. A celebrated scholar of race and media, he is well known for his longstanding commitment to high-quality public education, support of interdisciplinary research for the common good and vision for inclusive excellence. From July through December 2024, he served as UCLA’s interim chancellor, prior to the beginning of Chancellor Julio Frenk’s tenure.

East Los Angeles: History of a Barrio (1983)

Ricardo Romo, Ph.D. '75

“East Los Angeles: History of a Barrio” is the story of the largest Mexican-American community in the United States, the city within a city known as "East Los Angeles." The author examines how Mexican immigrants adjusted to life in one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, how they fared in this country's labor market and the problems of segregation and prejudice they confronted. Ricardo Romo is an American urban historian who served as the fifth president of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) from May 1999 to March 2017.

90210 Photobook (2016)

Priscilla Mars '14

“90210 Photobook” is a self-published photographic exploration of the city of Beverly Hills over several years. Priscilla Mars is a Mexican American artist originally from Fresno, California, who is obsessed with movies and the cinematic landscapes of L.A. Mars works in photography and cinematography in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of UCLA School of Arts and the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop for Women.

City of Inmates: Conquest, Rebellion, and the Rise of Human Caging in Los Angeles (2017)

Kelly Lytle Hernández, M.A. '00, Ph.D. '02

“City of Inmates” explores how the City of Angels became the capital city of the world's leading incarcerator. Marshaling more than two centuries of evidence, historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez unmasks how histories of native elimination, immigrant exclusion and black disappearance drove the rise of incarceration. Professor Lytle Hernández is a professor of history, African American studies and urban planning at UCLA where she holds The Thomas E. Lifka Endowed Chair in History. In 2019, she was named a MacArthur Fellow for her historical and contemporary work. Her newest book, “Bad Mexicans,” tells the dramatic story of the magonistas, the migrant rebels who sparked the 1910 Mexican Revolution from the United States.

***

Send your Books by Bruins recommendations. You can also search for authors or share news on the UCLA Alumni Class Notes page.

Books by Bruins Library

Previous articles in the Books by Bruins series

Recent Articles

Books by Bruins - Vol. II

I

f you’re looking for a new book to settle down with over the holidays, or gift a loved one, why not get one written by a Bruin? In continuation of the Books by Bruins series, we've put together a list with something for every reader — from young adult mysteries to memoirs or a nonfiction bestseller if that’s more your taste.

Have you written a book or do you know an alum who has? Take a look at our list of Bruin authors at the bottom. If you don't see their name, be sure to enter their information to be included in the online Bruin Library coming soon.

“Desert Echoes” (2024) by Abdi Nazemian, MBA ’14

Iranian-American author, screenwriter and producer Abdi Nazemian has written six novels, including “Desert Echoes,” a young adult novel about loss and love. His book “Only This Beautiful Moment” received both the Lambda Literary Award and a Stonewall Book Award. Nazemian is also a screenwriter and producer with credits including films “The Artist’s Wife” and “Menendez: Blood Brothers.”

Review:

“This story, told in three points of view from three generations of the same family, is nothing short of masterful. This is the kind of story that young adult literature is made for — a story of the heart, of the very real human struggles young people face and that adults try to — but never truly — forget.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)

“We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights” (2018) by Adam Winkler

Adam Winkler explores the Supreme Court decision to extend free speech and religious liberty to corporations. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award, the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award and the California Book Award. Winkler is a professor at UCLA School of Law, where he specializes in American constitutional law. He is also the author of “Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America,” which explores the ongoing political battle.

Review:

“Much of the value of Winkler’s book lies in his elegant stitching together of 400 years of diverse cases, allowing us to feel the sweep and flow of history and the constantly shifting legal approaches to understanding this unusual entity ― Blackstone’s ‘artificial person.’ Four hundred years is a lot of time, and Winkler does a wonderful job of finding illustrative details without drowning in them, and of giving each case enough attention to make it come alive…By nailing down the absurdities of the past, Winkler allows us to see how the future becomes more open.” ― Zephyr Teachout, New York Times Book Review

“Compton in My Soul: A Life in Pursuit of Racial Equality” (2024) by Albert Camarillo ’70, Ph.D. ’75

Entering UCLA in the mid-1960s, Camarillo was one of only 50 Mexican American students, and became one of the first Mexican Americans to earn a Ph.D. in history in the country. He is widely regarded as one of the founding scholars of the field of Mexican American history and Chicano Studies. At UCLA, he played basketball under legendary Coach John Wooden with teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ʼ69. The author of seven books and numerous articles and papers, “Compton in My Soul” weaves his personal story with the history of his L.A. neighborhood.

Review:

“Al Camarillo has been a mentor, role model and inspiring educator to thousands of students over decades. His life's journey reminds us of the wonderful progress America has made toward racial equality and also inspires us to keep working hard to close the gaps that still exist.” ―Julián Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

“Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil” (2024) by Ananda Lima, M.A. ’08

Ananda Lima came to UCLA from her home of Brasília on a study-abroad program, returning to earn her master’s in linguistics. She is a poet, translator and fiction writer. Her 2021 poetry collection, “Mother/land,” was awarded the Hudson Prize. “Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil" is her fiction debut, a book of stories that travel through time and place.

Review:

“Irreverent and very conscious of form, this is a remarkable debut that announces the arrival of a towering talent in speculative fiction.” ―The New York Times

“Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling” (2024) by Jason De León ’01

The winner of the 2024 National Book Award for nonfiction is a character-driven look at human smuggling which revolves around a coyote (human smuggler). De León spent seven years chronicling the lives of people living on the border to be able to share their stories. A UCLA anthropology professor, he is also the author of “The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Sonoran Desert Migrant Trail” (2015).

Review:

“The book’s great virtue is in its close attention to the individual lives of its small group of central characters...toggling between the macro and the micro: the globe-spanning, incomprehensibly vast forces that have brought these smugglers’ lives into being, as well as their own individual struggles to make something of what the world has made of them.” — The New Republic

“Super-Italian: More Than 110 Indulgent Recipes Using Italy's Healthiest Foods” (2025) by Giada de Laurentiis ’96

Giada De Laurentiis is the author of 10 New York Times bestselling cookbooks. Her first cookbook “Everyday Italian,” based on her TV show, has almost 1,500 reviews on Amazon and 50,000 ratings on Goodreads. It introduced her take on Italian-American recipes. Twenty years later, her newest cookbook, Super Italian, will be released in March, 2025, with recipes that use Italian superfoods to create nutritious and delicious meals. She is an Emmy winning television host, a judge on Food Network Star and the owner of three restaurants. 

Review for “Giada’s Italy” 

“After so many years of focusing on convenience, I love that we’re all getting a little more savvy about foreign ingredients and that Giada can showcase local foods and tempt us with new flavors, picking out a whole red snapper at the market, slicing up fennel like it’s no big thing and telling you why you have to try Calabrian chiles (no seriously, try them). If you’re hungry for fresh and light Italian fare, and are craving an escape to the coast, come back for this one.” — the kitchn

“26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career” (2019) by Meb Keflezighi ’99

Long-distance runner Meb Keflezighi was recruited by UCLA in 1994, where he won four NCAA distance titles and earned a degree in communication studies. The four-time Olympian is the only man in U.S. history to win the Boston Marathon (2014), the New York City Marathon (2009) and to medal in the Olympics (Athens). In his newest book, he shares the life lessons he has gained through the hard work and sacrifice that went into completing 26 marathons.

Review:

“Meb’s 26 Marathons is like opening a treasure chest full of inspiring stories that give a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the mental and physical joys and obstacles that elite-level racing can bring. His advice on training, overcoming injuries, and adversity is for everyone. It’s pure gold!” — Shalane Flanagan, 2017 TCS NYC Marathon Champion

“At the Hour Between Dog and Wolf” (2023) by Tara Ison ’87

A graduate of the UCLA Department of English, where she studied literature and creative writing, Tara Ison is the author of books including “A Child out of Alcatraz,” a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the essay collection, “Reeling Through Life: How I Learned to Live, Love, and Die at the Movies.” Her book “At the Hour Between Dog and Wolf” tells the World War II story of a twelve-year-old Jewish girl hiding in plain sight from the Nazis. 

Review:

“’At the Hour Between Dog and Wolf’ is a thrilling novel, not just as a splendid read but as a deeply resonant work of art driven by the central yearning in the greatest literary narratives: the yearning for a self, for an identity, for a place in the world. Tara Ison has always been a writer I've ardently admired. Here she is at the height of her estimable powers.” — Robert Olen Butler, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain” and “Paris in the Dark”

“Brown Girls Do Ballet: Celebrating Diverse Girls Taking Center Stage” (2024) by JaNay Brown-Wood ʼ07

Children’s picture book author JaNay Brown-Wood grew up in Fresno, California, and followed her interests in writing and children’s education to UCLA, where she studied psychology and applied developmental psychology. She is an early childhood professor and the author of many books for children. Her first book, “Imani’s Moon,” won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award. Her book “Brown Girls Do Ballet: Celebrating Diverse Girls Taking Center Stage” comes out next year.

Review:

“Photographs of brown girls of all ages, shapes, skin tones and abilities are the star of this empowering ode to the grace and beauty of dancing brown bodies.... text and image(s) send the fierce message not just that ballet is for everyone, but that brown girls, too, have the right to move, to take up space and to be seen.” — School Library Journal, starred review

“Kill Her Twice” (2024) by Stacey Lee ’93

Stacey Lee is the New York Times bestselling author of young adult fiction, including the New York Times bestseller “The Downstairs Girl.” A fourth-generation Chinese American, her books have won the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association Award, the PEN Center Award for YA and the Golden Poppy Award. She is a co-founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement. Her newest book, “Kill Her Twice,” is a young adult murder mystery that takes place in 1930s Los Angeles's Chinatown.

Review:

“Takes readers on a wild ride. Woven into the mystery are elements of grief, romance, family dynamics, struggle, prejudice and deceit. Lee skillfully introduces actual history into this fictional story, leading readers to learn what the residents of L.A.'s Old Chinatown faced. The story contains intriguing characters, but not everyone is who or what they appear — these twists will delight readers . . . Whether teens enjoy mysteries, historical fiction or both, this is one to get into their hands.” — School Library Journal, starred review

“All My Rage” (2022) by Sabaa Tahir ’04

Sabaa Tahir grew up at her family's 18-room motel in California's Mojave Desert. The former newspaper editor is the author of the bestselling “Ember in the Ashes” series, which has been translated into more than 35 languages. The first book in the series, “An Ember in the Ashes,” was named one of TIME's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Tahir's most recent novel, “All My Rage,” won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2022.

Review:

“’All My Rage’ is a love story, a tragedy and an infectious teenage fever dream about what home means when you feel you don't fit in.” — New York Times Book Review

“Gay Bar: Why We Went Out” (2021) by Jeremy Atherton Lin ʼ96

In this National Book Critics Circle Award winner, Jeremy Atherton Lin embarks upon a historical, transatlantic tour of gay bars, a place of solidarity and sexual expression. From Hollywood in the 1970s to London in the 1770s, he charts police raids and riots, as well as his own personal history. Atherton Lin is an Asian-American essayist based in Los Angeles and East Sussex, England. His debut book “Gay Bar” was listed in the New York Times Critics' Top Books of 2021 and received the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography. His memoir, “Deep House,” will be published in 2025

Review:

“A remarkable debut. . . it’s a difficult book to pin down, but that’s what makes it so readable and so endlessly fascinating. . . Each observation is sharp and phrased beautifully; Atherton Lin wastes no words, and the ones he chooses are carefully considered. Gay Bar is a book that’s beyond impressive, and Atherton Lin’s writing is both extremely intelligent and refreshingly unpretentious.” ― NPR

***

Books by Bruins Library

Previous articles in the Books by Bruins series

We’re building an online Bruin Library and these are the alumni authors we have thus far. Don’t see a name that should be in there? Submit a Bruin author.

Recent Articles

Books by Bruins

F

rom fast-paced mysteries to heartfelt memoirs and enthralling historical fiction ꟷ Bruins are writing compelling and engaging stories. In this new series featuring Bruin authors, we've assembled a list of works based on positive book reviews. For a larger selection, check out the UCLA College Bruin Bookshelf, which celebrates a wide range of faculty, student, alumni and staff authors.

“Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ʼ69

Former UCLA and NBA basketball star and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is also a New York Times bestselling author of 15 books, including his biography, “Giant Steps” and the memoir “Coach Wooden & Me” on his long-time friendship with the legendary coach. The third book in his “Mycroft and Sherlock” series, “The Empty Birdcage,” thrills with action and intrigue as the Holmes brothers pursue a murderer through Victorian England.

Review:

"The third Mycroft tale is another winner. The Victorian setting is well drawn, the dialog rings true, the period details, both factual and fictive, support a labyrinthine plot including race and class distinctions...Highly recommended, as are its two predecessors."  - Library Journal Starred Review

“Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail” by Joan M. Griffin ʼ77

Joan M. Griffin holds a degree in psychobiology from UCLA. Her memoir, “Force of Nature” is the compelling story of three women in their fifties who set out on a 200-mile hiking adventure. Her inspiring tale blends the beauty of the journey with all its exhilarating dips and climbs.

Review:

"’Force of Nature’ is a tale of both physical endurance and a story of inner transformation and the enduring power of nature... a must-read for both adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers." - Readers' Favorites Reviews

“Delicious El Salvador: 75 Authentic Recipes For Traditional Salvadoran Cooking” and “El Salvador, Sabores Deliciosos: 75 Recetas Auténticas de la Cocina Tradicional Salvadoreña” by Alicia Maher ʼ92

Winner of the Gourmand Award for best first cookbook, “Delicious El Salvador” and “El Salvador, Sabores Deliciosos” contain recipes for authentic and delicious meals including pupusas, quesadilla and torrejas. Maher was born in El Salvador and moved to the United States at the age of 19, earning her B.A. in art history at UCLA. UCLA Magazine named her El Salvador's culinary ambassador.

Review:

"In Delicious El Salvador, Maher gives you a thorough course on Salvadoran cuisine - one of the strongest Latin cuisines represented in Los Angeles - with around 75 recipes in English. It's the only book of its kind and one of only two Salvadoran cookbooks in print . . . Maher makes sure to include the fundamental preparations like salsa casera and salsa criolla - the two essential tomato sauces - and Salvadoran-style beans, rice dishes and tortillas that are served with many dishes. Yes, there are recipes for pupusas ꟷ don't worry..." - Bill Esparza, Los Angeles Magazine Digest

“Every Day We Get More Illegal” by Juan Felipe Herrera ʼ72

The former United States Poet Laureate has written more than 30 books of poetry. A poet, performer, teacher and activist, Herrera’s newest poems came from his travels across America as Poet Laureate. Voted a Best Poetry Book of the Year by Library Journal and included in Publishers Weekly's Top 10 Poetry Books of the Year, the political and poignant book delves into the idea of who is called “illegal” and what that means.

Review:

"Many poets since the 1960s have dreamed of a new hybrid art, part oral, part written, part English, part something else: an art grounded in ethnic identity, fueled by collective pride, yet irreducibly individual too. Many poets have tried to create such an art: Herrera is one of the first to succeed." - New York Times

“Facing the Mountain: An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II” by Daniel James Brown, M.A. ʼ77

Daniel James Brown is the author of “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics,” which spent two-and-a-half years on the NY Times bestseller list and is now a major motion picture. His most recent book, “Facing the Mountain: An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II,” explores the meaning of patriotism, resistance, trust and betrayal. The book was longlisted for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography and winner of the Christopher Award.

Review:

“Brown combines history with humanity in a tense, tender and well-researched study of the lives disrupted and disregarded by misperceptions and misinformation. ‘Facing the Mountain’ is ‘not a story about victims,’ as Brown writes. Rather, ‘It’s a story of victors, of people striving, resisting, rising up, standing on principle, laying down their lives, enduring and prevailing.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“The Bohemians” by Jasmin Darznik ʼ94

Chosen as one of the best historical novels of 2021 by Oprah Daily, "The Bohemians" returns to 1920s San Francisco and imagines a friendship between renowned photographer Dorothea Lange and her assistant. A New York Times bestselling author, Darznik also wrote “Song of aCaptive Bird” and “The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother’s Hidden Life.”

Review:

 “Modern echoes abound in a city under a pall of economic turmoil and racial disharmony advanced by politicians for their own ends as well as the global influenza pandemic. Darznik has created an arresting portrait of two women set before an illuminating backdrop.” - Booklist

“So Sorry For Your Loss: How I Learned to Live with Grief, and Other Grave Concerns” by Dina Gachman ʼ96

Dina Gachman graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English Language and Literature/Letters from UCLA, where she was a staff writer for the Daily Bruin. In her book "So Sorry For Your Loss," she explores her personal grief through a combination of storytelling, reporting and memoir, resulting in a book that can provide comfort to others.

Review:

“Journalist Gachman 'Brokenomics' delivers a poignant, personal exploration of grief…Gachman perceptively puts words to the uncomfortable realities of loss…and deconstructs its social myths, helping readers feel less alone. Those facing loss will find solace here.” - Publishers Weekly

“Dream Town” by Lee Goldberg ʼ85

New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg earned his B.A. in communication studies from UCLA, where he was a reporter and feature writer for the Daily Bruin. He published his first book ".357 Vigilante" as a UCLA student under the pen name, Ian Ludlow. In “Dream Town,” the latest installment of his Eve Ronin series, the title character investigates the murder of a reality star in a gated neighborhood where fact and fiction begin to blur.

Review:

“Fans of fast-paced police procedurals will enjoy Goldberg’s trademark humor and his insight into the entertainment world in his latest Eve Ronin novel (following ‘Movieland’).” - Library Journal

“Hotel Laguna” by Nicola Harrison ʼ01

Nicola Harrison is the author of three books of immersive historical fiction including “Montauk” and “The Show Girl.” Her latest novel, “Hotel Laguna,” tells the story of a young woman who becomes a Rosie the Riveter during World War II. When the war ends, she must decide whether to return home or make a new life in California.

Review:

"Nicola Harrison captures all the turmoil of the post-war world, of the women who found factory work until the men came home ꟷ and then found themselves with no place to go, except back home. But what about the women who don't have a home to go back to? In Hotel Laguna, a destitute and desperate young woman finds an unexpected home and sense of purpose when she takes a job with an aging artist, never guessing that finding his secrets will also help her find herself. You'll feel like you've dipped your toes in the sand of Laguna Beach. The perfect book to slip into your beach bag." - Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author

“Buck: A Memoir” by MK Asante, M.F.A. ʼ06

The Los Angeles Times called Asante “one of America’s best storytellers.” He has an M.F.A. from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television and is the author of five books. He recounts his experiences growing up in North Philadelphia in the bestselling “Buck: A Memoir,” and shares the story of how literature changed his life. His forthcoming book, “Nephew: A Memoir in 4-Part Harmony” is about the transformational power of family bonds.

Review:

“Frequently brilliant and always engaging . . . It takes great skill to render the wide variety of characters, male and female, young and old, that populate a memoir like ‘Buck.’ Asante [is] at his best when he sets out into the city of Philadelphia itself. In fact, that city is the true star of this book. Philly’s skateboarders, its street-corner philosophers and its tattoo artists are all brought vividly to life here. . . Asante’s memoir will find an eager readership, especially among young people searching in books for the kind of understanding and meaning that eludes them in their real-life relationships. . . A powerful and captivating book.” - Hector Tobar, Los Angeles Times

“Living Colour’s Time’s Up” by Kimberly Mack, M.A. ʼ11, Ph.D. ʼ15

Kimberly Mack is a double Bruin, with a M.A. and Ph.D. in English. Her latest book, “Living Colour’s Time’s Up,” is part of the 33 1/3 series on iconic record albums. The book builds a legacy of their experimental and political second studio album, which blends rock with jazz, soul-pop and metal.

Review:

"Expansive. . . . Mack digs deep into Living Colour's history as a band while fleshing out their story with some crucial historical and personal context." ― Okayplayer

“The Do-Over” by Suzanne Park, MBA ʼ02

Suzanne Park is a former comedian and the author of seven books. She holds an MBA in marketing strategy and entertainment from the UCLA Anderson School of Management where she was a first year Dean's fellowship recipient. In her latest romance novel, "The Do-Over," a young woman must return to college to be eligible for her dream job. Once there, she reunites with someone special from her past.

Review:

"'The Do-Over' is a delight — hilarious and smart, with insightful commentary about second chances, self-doubt and what it really means to have a successful life." - Real Simple

***

Send your Books by Bruins recommendations to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu. You can also search for authors or share news on the UCLA Alumni Class Notes page.

Books by Bruins Library

Previous articles in the Books by Bruins series

Recent Articles