The University of California system has highlighted a range of books, music, and movies created by its alumni and faculty for those seeking entertainment or gift ideas during the holiday season. The selections span various genres and media, reflecting the diverse talents within the UC community.
In television, several UC-affiliated individuals have contributed to notable series. Professor Kimberly Guerrero from UC Riverside appears in “Welcome to Derry,” an HBO Max prequel to Stephen King’s “It.” Guerrero said, “I’ve worked more in my 50s, and on very high-profile work, than I ever had. It’s been one project after another. I’m on a high right now.” Tazbah Rose Chavez, a UCLA alumna, served as co-executive producer, writer, and director for FX/Hulu’s “Reservation Dogs,” which was also selected as the “Common Experience” media for first-year students at UCLA in 2025. Jordan Chiles from UCLA competed on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” following her achievements as an Olympic gymnast.
Brendan Talwar from UC San Diego participated in Netflix’s “All the Sharks,” documenting marine biologists’ efforts to film sharks in remote locations. Talwar reflected on his involvement: “Worst case — you don’t like the show but get to dive together in some of the last remaining near-pristine marine ecosystems the world can offer. Best case — the show plays a part in inspiring the next generation of marine biologists, showcases the wide diversity of sharks and rays in our oceans, and makes a global audience excited about these animals and their habitats, many of which are under increasing threat. So, we decided that the goal of the show was worth the risk.”
UC Merced was featured on Amazon Prime’s “The College Tour,” where students introduce viewers to campus life at one of California’s fastest-rising universities.
Among books authored by UC affiliates is Robert Reich’s memoir “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America.” Reich draws upon his personal experiences to analyze societal changes over recent decades. Beatriz Victoria Albina from UC San Francisco wrote “End Emotional Outsourcing,” offering guidance on overcoming codependency: “You are not the icing, you are the cake,” she writes.
Mariam Rahmani (UCLA) released her debut novel “Liquid, a Love Story,” while Edward J. Watts (UC San Diego) published “The Romans: A 2,000-Year History.” Jeff Chang (UC Berkeley) authored a biography titled “Water Mirror Echo” about Bruce Lee’s influence across cultures.
Morgan Lockhart (UC San Diego) penned “A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart,” described by Library Journal as offering “a slow burn, second chances, and an endearing collection of small-town characters.”
Music contributions include Gillian Welch’s Grammy-winning folk album “Woodland”—her career began at UC Santa Cruz—and Steve Aoki’s dance record “Hiroquest 3: Paragon.” Aoki started producing music while attending UC Santa Barbara.
Cookbooks from Joe Sasto (UC Davis), titled “Breaking the Rules,” encourage flexibility in Italian cooking; Samin Nosrat (UC Berkeley) offers over 125 recipes focused on comfort and connection in her book “Good Things.”
Film releases feature Ethan Herisse (UC Irvine) starring in “Nickel Boys,” adapted from Colson Whitehead’s novel about two boys surviving a brutal reform school; Sara Bareilles (UCLA) executive produced Apple TV’s documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light,” chronicling poet Andrea Gibson’s experience with terminal illness.
These works demonstrate ongoing creative output across campuses within the University of California system.
