Summer Reading

Summer Reading Selections

Taft is pleased to share the selection of Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri as the 2025 all-school summer read.

Nayeri was born in Iran and lived as a refugee for a few years before immigrating to Oklahoma with his family when he was eight. In Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story), Nayeri weaves stories of his family’s deep, rich history in Iran with their plight as refugees, and, ultimately, life as an émigré in the United States.

Taft students and faculty read one common book each summer, then come together in the fall to reflect on the experience. Our summer reading selections are chosen carefully, and often explore current social issues, common campus themes, and matters of historical significance. Many of the books—and many of the authors—are award-winning and widely renowned. Recent selections have included: How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks; Once I Was You by Maria Hinojosa; The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett; Educated by Tara Westover; Born a Crime by Trevor Noah; All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brandon Kiely; and Mudbound, by Hillary Jordan.