Six life-changing books: Picks from the UTSC Community

Photo of books on a shelf and an open book on a table.
U of T Scarborough current and incoming students shared books that have made a significant impact on their life.

Raquel Russell  and  Tamraa  Greenidge  

Every spring, World Book and Copyright Day is recognized across Canada. To celebrate the power of books year-round, we asked our Instagram community to share what book has changed their lives.  

With over twenty submissions, check out these selections from six U of T Scarborough students with links to find them in the U of T Libraries or Toronto Public Library systems.   

 

  1. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Recent pick at the U of T Indigenous Book Club

“Kimmerer’s book offered me a new way in which to orient myself within my landscape from thinking about gratitude for things such as crops to the agency of the land itself.” - Taylor Fernandes (@Taylor_fer7), Environmental Studies and History, fourth year 

Discover more about Braiding Sweetgrass through the U of T Libraries system  

 

  1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë 

“This book changed my life because it was relatable for me who did not have many friends in middle school. A heroine alone but strives and struggles to make her place in the world spoke to me.” - Palwashay Mughal (@mughalpalwashay), fourth year   

Discover more about Jane Eyre through the U of T Libraries system 

 

  1. The Hidden Power of F*cking Up by the Try Guys (Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, Eugene Lee Yang, Ned Fulmer) 

“The book changed my life because it taught me that even people who have seemingly perfect lives experience major setbacks, but what really matters is how to look at that setback as an opportunity to grow and become stronger.”  -Mrittica Rahman (@Mritticarahman), Mental Health Studies, second year  

Discover more about The Hidden Power of F*cking Up through the Toronto Public Library system 

 

  1. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan 

“The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan began my love of reading through showing me how books can be doors to a different and magical world.” -Maria Bacchus (@Maria.bacchs), History, Anthropology and Classics, third year  

Discover more about The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series through the U of T Libraries system 

 

  1. Miracles of Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino 

“The stories in that book lead to certain advices that were very thoughtful and helpful.” – Rishita (@rishitak_31), Physical and Environmental Sciences, first year 

Discover more about Miracles of Namiya General Store through the U of T Libraries system 

 

  1. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni 

“The book showed me the importance of perspective and how our actions ultimately decide the course of our future.” - Kaira Prasad (@kairxxa), Psychological and Health Science, Incoming UTSC student 

Discover more about The Palace of Illusions through the U of T Libraries system 

 

Looking for your next read? Check out e-books available through the U of T Libraries system or ask your librarian!  

Thank you to everyone that submitted recommendations!