The University Press Library: Bridging the Gap Between Academic Libraries, University Presses and You

You’ve probably heard the big news (or you haven’t) about De Gruyter’s University Press Library. On October 7^th, we officially launched the UPL, after helping it grow for five years as a pilot program between select presses and libraries. We see the University Press Library as a solution to the complex, ever evolving difference between the needs of academic libraries and university presses. But on top of that, the UPL presses publish unforgettable titles in countless genres that deserve their own moment, now that the fanfare of the launch has died down.

While De Gruyter is widely known as a scholar’s press, where focused research finds a home, we’re confident that we do have something for everyone. The University Press Library is just one example of our many innovative programs striving to bring more content and bigger ideas to the world stage. Between the eleven partner presses of the UPL, there are many gems that you can read and enjoy outside of the library.

Whether for curiosity, entertainment, or staying up to date on cultural trends, staying well-read is something we can all aspire to. Find 10 great books from the UPL to add to your list below – ones that offer important insights on popular media, today’s shifting politics, favorite stories from history, and even climate change!

Obsessed: The Cultural Critic’s Life in the Kitchen by Elisabeth BronfenRutgers University Press
In this combination of memoir and cookbook, cultural critic Elisabeth Bronfen turns her passion for home cooked meals into a shared experience with the reader that gives practical advice and accessible recipes, even if the readers’ tastes, skill levels, or pantries differ from Bronfen’s own.

What We Did in Bed: A Horizontal History by Nadia Durrani and Brian FaganYale University Press
Though it may be surprising, beds were not always limited to the privacy of sleep. From a place of governing kingdoms to vehicles of the afterlife, this book explores the wide variety of roles that beds have held throughout history.

Mafia Movies: A Reader (Second Edition) edited by Dana RengaUniversity of Toronto Press
Mafia Movies: A Reader explores further than easily recognizable figures of the genre, like Michael Corleone and Tony Soprano, by analyzing the portrayals of the Italian and Italian-American mafia in over forty films.

Survive and resist: The Definitive Guide to Dystopian Politics by Amy L. Atchison and Shauna L. ShamesColumbia University Press
As real-world politics begin to parallel classic dystopian novels, Survive and Resist explains these connections in a way that is funny and accessible, while also providing tools for survival and resistance.

The Passion Project: Modernist Women, Intimate Archives, Unfinished Lives by Melanie MicirPrinceton University Press
To preserve their personal lives, but avoid exclusion from literary history, many modernist women writers turned to biographical writing. The Passion Projects explores the work of various women writers, including Sylvia Townsend Warner and Virginia Woolf.

One Hundred Thousand Biographies: A Memoir by David LehmanCornell University Press
Following a painful cancer diagnosis and consequent treatment, David Lehman wrote every day during chemotherapy and while recovering from surgery. He refers to One Hundred Autobiographies as a “fake memoir,” as it is composed of one hundred short pieces that feature incredible insights as well as appearances from Lehman’s mentors and various pop culture figures.

Duty and Choice: The Evolution of the Study of Voting and Voters edited by Peter John Loewen and Daniel RubenseonUniversity of Toronto Press
Divided into three sections focused on turnout, vote choice, and electoral systems, Duty and Choice explores the central function of elections in a democracy and provides scholarly insight into voting behavior.

Meat Planet: Artificial Flesh and the Future of Food by Benjamin Aldes WurgaftUniversity of California Press
As population growth and climate change have become increasingly concerning, researchers have turned to lab-created cultured meat in an effort to generate sustainable protein, but this may not be a perfect solution. From a neutral perspective on the subject, Benjamin Aldes Wurgaft contributes five years’ worth of research to the social and political conversation surrounding cultured meat.

Einstein on the Run: How Britain Saved the World’s Greatest Scientist by Andrew RobinsonYale University Press
How did the world’s greatest scientist end up on the run? Andrew Robinson tells the story of how Albert Einstein fled his home in Berlin, fearing assassination by Nazi agents, and came to live in rural England.

Time to Get Real! Turning Uncertainty into an Action Plan for Personal and Professional Success by Alex J. Plinio and Melissa SmithRutgers University Press
Time to Get Real! provides you with the tools you need to take control of your life. From educational case studies to inspirational quotes, this book has everything you need to achieve personal and professional success.

From the comfort of home cooking to a look at modern-day democracy, or from a playbook of the essential (but overlooked) mafia movies to a practical guide to a successful life, the presses of the UPL have a book for any occasion. So, the next time you look towards De Gruyter for scholarly content or innovative research, take a look at our other offerings, and find something new to read when you need a break in the library.

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Want to enjoy this prestigious eBook content, all on De Gruyter online?

Be sure to let your librarians know, and have them contact us here so they can learn more about being a part of the UPL, just like adding a new wing to your library.

[Title Image by leonsbox on Getty Images ]