If you bleed blue and white, it might be hard to find a book to read that scratches your Penn State itch. Looking up and down the aisles at a bookstore, nary a Nittany nor a Lion can be found easily.

We’ve looked far and wide for books connected to Penn State for your reading pleasure, be it history lessons on the football team, classics written by former professors, or just judging a book by its cover.

Murder In The Stacks: Penn State, Betsy Aardsma, & The Killer Who Got Away, By David Dekok

You probably already knew about the infamous Penn State library murder, but did you know that murder went unsolved? Only after 45 years of investigation, long after the case went cold, would a killer be found. It might make your next visit to the library a little chillier, and maybe even steer you toward away from the stacks.

If you’re looking for a thrilling look back in time on the same streets you walk every day, look no further than David Dekok’s “Murder in the Stacks.”

Catch-22, By Joseph Heller

If you’re looking for an author with roots in Happy Valley, look no further than Joseph Heller. A Penn State English professor in the 1950s, it’s been said that he started work on his opus on this very campus. While he had moved on from State College by the book’s 1961 release, this book still gives a glimpse into a famous Penn State mind.

“Catch-22” is the absurd yet profound tale of Captain Yossarian as he navigates the contradictions of being drafted to war and has become a classic in the American canon. You owe it to yourself, and Dear Old State, to give this book a read if you haven’t already.

Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America, By Leila Philip

Beaver Stadium, a modern cathedral where the Penn State faithful gather on fall Saturdays, has nothing to do with the animal that shares its name. That doesn’t mean the humble beaver hasn’t shaped the lives of Americans more than you might expect.

Detailing the history of the fur trade in North America, award-winning author Leila Philip spins a compelling narrative from the inception of the practice to the modern day. Resonating even more in the modern day where these creatures have returned from the brink of extinction, “Beaverland” will get you up to speed on all things fur.

Tales From The Cafe, By Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Cafe 210 might be one of the most magical places in State College. If the weather is nice, the prospect of a pitcher with friends at Cafe is almost unbeatable. “Tales From The Cafe” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is therefore the perfect read for anyone about to miss Cafe as we head into the cold of winter.

Have you ever woken up after a hazy night at Cafe and wished you could go back and save yourself from a moment of drunken embarrassment? The second novel in Kawaguchi’s series about a mysterious cafe that can take a patron back in time, “Tales From The Cafe” takes readers on an adventure shared by four people who must face their pasts to move on with their lives. It just might make you more curious the next time you visit the bar.

Men In White: The Gutsy, Against-All-Odds Return Of Penn State Football, By Chris Raymond

It’s football season, folks. The team is poised to make a deep run this year and if you’re a fan who’s hungry for more Nittany Lion content like me, you should grab a copy of Chris Raymond’s “Men in White.”

The book chronicles the era following the Sandusky scandal and the team’s perseverance through a damaged reputation, depleted scholarships, coaching changes, and a player exodus. Learn more about the events of those seasons with stories about the players who stayed and coaches who brought new traditions to put the team’s return to national relevance in perspective.

Lawn Boy, By Jonathan Evison

If you look to the sidelines at a Penn State football game, keep an eye out for the “Lawn Boyz” chain on the neck of one of the Nittany Lion running backs. Named because they chew up grass on the field, the position group’s nickname is close to being shared with one of the most talked about books in the last decade.

The award-winning “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison is a coming-of-age story about Mike Muñoz, a gay, biracial teen finding his way in the world. The book, banned in schools in some states, follows Muñoz as he confronts LGBTQ+ issues, the weight of growing up in poverty, and racism in America. It’s certainly worth a read if you missed picking this book up already, even with its dubious-to-non-existent ties to Penn State.

The New Harbrace Guide: Genres For Composing, Fourth Edition, By Cheryl Glenn

If you’re a student, you already have it on your bookshelf. If not, and you want the Penn State experience, pick this one up. Award-winning author Cheryl Glenn will guide you through ENGL 15 with a “reader-friendly presentation” and an “emphasis on writing in multiple media.”

The newest edition covers different writing genres and persuasion techniques with a step-by-step handbook and 36 (count ’em!) readings to spark your interest in writing more! From MLA to APA, “The New Harbrace Guide” is your go-to read for upping your writing composition game.