Ashley Howard, a professor of African American Studies and history at the University of Iowa, exemplifies the passion of a dedicated reader. Her penchant for reading is evidenced by her extensive use of library cards, both from the university and Iowa City libraries. An avid reader, Howard is known to read around one hundred books annually, not all related to her academic work. She meticulously logs each book in a blue journal, a habit she started in 2009. One of her favorites is T.L. Huchu’s dystopian novel, The Library of the Dead.
Howard’s office in Schaeffer Hall, filled with books that inspire her work, provided the backdrop for her first book, Midwest Unrest. This book, published in June, explores the overlooked urban uprisings of the 1960s in Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Omaha. Her collection includes influential works such as the 1968 Kerner Commission report and Gerald Horne’s Fire This Time, both of which have been pivotal in her research.
Among her treasured books is an old copy of Stokely Carmichael’s autobiography, Ready for Revolution. “This is the book that actually made me want to be a historian,” Howard shares, highlighting a passage that moved her: “That line, ‘An account of my people, my remarkable heroic struggling people’ gave me chills.”
Her passion for history is driven by a desire for connection, as illustrated by her favorite books like Rebecca Hall’s Wake and Trevor Getz’s Abina and the Important Men. These works emphasize history as both an investigation and an imaginative act. Howard also appreciates children’s literature, particularly Matt de la Peña’s Milo Imagines the World, which she believes encourages readers to envision a new world.
Howard’s most cherished book is a signed copy of Camille Dungy’s Soil. She reads a line she loves: “‘Gardens, history, and hope are the same … if left unattended without anyone’s dedication and care, much will totally be lost.’”
Her personal library includes works by University of Iowa colleagues such as Colin Gordon, Tara Bynum, and Richard Turner. Howard appreciates the dual appointment she holds at the university, which broadens her perspective on the human experience.
Her collection also features genre-bending works like Bryant Terry’s Vegan Soul Kitchen and Tanisha Ford’s Dressed in Dreams. These books reflect her eclectic taste and interest in subjects that blend culinary arts and cultural history.
Yet, the most precious book in Howard’s collection is her grandmother’s handwritten journal, a diary of family events and garden notes, kept safely at home. “That’s the one I’d grab in a fire,” she asserts.
Living in Iowa City, a UNESCO City of Literature, Howard finds joy in raising her three children in an environment rich with books. “For me, the joy of raising children here is there are books everywhere in this city,” she says. “As you can tell, I love books,” Howard concludes. “I think that the act of reading helps us connect to people around the world and, most importantly, connect with ourselves because it helps us understand who we are and who we want to be.”
Read More Here
