The UCSB Library is pleased to announce its shortlist of titles under consideration for UCSB Reads 2026, the 20th edition of the award-winning campus- and community-wide common book program. The four nonfiction titles and one fiction title explore diverse cultural, social, and scientific subjects that can ignite discourse and thoughtful discussion inside and outside of the classroom.
UCSB Reads brings the campus and Santa Barbara communities together to read a common book that explores compelling issues of our time. Each year, an advisory committee composed of UCSB faculty, staff, students, and community partners help the Library select an intellectually stimulating, interdisciplinary book by a living author that appeals to a wide range of readers and can be incorporated into the UCSB curriculum.
The Shortlist
A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought this Through? (2023) by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith
A humorous yet deeply researched exploration of the scientific, ethical, and logistical challenges of colonizing space—and whether we should even try.
Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides (2022) by Geoffrey Cohen
A compelling look at the psychological and social science behind how people form connections—and how we can overcome division to foster greater inclusion.
Crying in H Mart (2021) by Michele Zauner
A poignant memoir of grief, identity, and Korean-American culture told through the lens of food and family after the loss of the author’s mother.
Everything Is Tuberculosis (2025) by John Green
An exploration of the historical, scientific, and social dimensions of tuberculosis intertwined with the poignant contemporary story of a young tuberculosis patient in Sierra Leone.
Remarkably Bright Creatures (2022) by Shelby Van Pelt
A heartwarming and quirky novel about an unlikely friendship between a grieving woman and a clever octopus, unraveling long-held family secrets.
The shortlisted titles are listed in alphabetical order. Titles are available for loan in multiple formats at UCSB Library, Santa Barbara Public Library, and Goleta Valley Public Library.
Share Your Voice
The UCSB Reads 2026 Advisory Committee invites students, faculty, staff, and community members to vote for their top UCSB Reads 2026 pick by Monday, July 28th, 2025. One survey participant will be randomly selected to receive a free copy of the chosen book.
What’s Next?
The UCSB Reads 2026 book selection will be announced in the fall. The program will kick off in early 2026 with a free book giveaway for UCSB students. Throughout the winter and spring quarters, the Library will sponsor a variety of free learning, experiential, and social events to explore the book’s themes. UCSB Reads 2026 will culminate with a public lecture by the author(s) of the selected book in the spring.
