Victoria
My Shelf
The artivist
by Nikkolas Smith
jE Smith
Picture Books
Motivated by the realization of global inequities, a young boy embraces his dual identities as an artist and activist, becoming an "Artivist" to make a difference by using his viral mural as a catalyst for positive change.
Tenderheart : a cookbook about vegetables and unbreakable family bonds
by Hetty McKinnon
641.5636 /McKinnon
Cookbooks, Nonfiction
"From the acclaimed author of To Asia, With Love, a loving homage to her father, a Chinese immigrant in Australia, told in 150 flavorful, vegetarian recipes. Heritage and food have always been linked for Hetty McKinnon. Growing up as part of a Chinese family in Australia, McKinnon formed a deep appreciation for her bi-cultural identity, and for her father, who moved to Sydney as a teenager and learned English by selling bananas at a local market. As he brought home crates full of produce after work, McKinnon learned about the beauty and versatility of fruits and vegetables. Tenderheart is the happy outcome of McKinnon's love of vegetables. From Miso Mushroom Ragu with Oven-Baked Polenta to Celery and Vermicelli Spring Rolls and Sweet Potato and Black Sesame Marble Cake, Tenderheart features 21 essential fruits and vegetables that become the basis for 150 recipes. A tender tribute to her father and his experience as an immigrant, McKinnon explores how food connects us to our loved ones, even when they are no longer with us - and gives us the tools to make recipes that are healthful, economical, and bursting with flavor"--

I picked up this gorgeous cookbook on the Bookmobile and couldn't stop staring at the front cover, so knew I'd be taking it after my shift. This is a book about love; love of family and love of cooking. The two interweave beautifully in the recipe illustrations and the photo album snap shots. The author's love and respect for her father and mother and the sacrifices they made are evident in every recipe. I loved how each chapter was a shout out to a new vegetable or root. Many of the recipes had similar experiences so the book is practical, too. I have tried several recipes already and can't wait to serve up more! -Victoria
Our migrant souls : a meditation on race and the meanings and myths of "Latino"
by Héctor Tobar
305.868 /Tobar
Nonfiction
"Latino" is the most open-ended and loosely defined of the major race categories in the United States. Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of "Latino" assembles the Pulitzer Prize winner Héctor Tobar's personal experiences as the son of Guatemalan immigrants and the stories told to him by his Latino students to offer a spirited rebuke to racist ideas about Latino people. Our Migrant Souls decodes the meaning of "Latino" as a racial and ethnic identity in the modern United States, and seeks to give voice to the angst and anger of young Latino people who have seen Latinidad transformed into hateful tropes about "illegals" and have faced insults, harassment, and division based on white insecurities and economic exploitation.

After a few paragraphs into this book, I was hooked by the author's writing style, historical knowledge and perspective, but perhaps most of all by his humility and humanity. Part professor and part reporter, Tobar is first a collector and reflector of stories, of histories, and this book is an ode to his Latino students and those trying to make sense of their ancestral roots; but will resonate with anyone who has left their motherland in search of a new life. Tobar contends that the very notion of the word "Latino" to describe such myriad life experiences that have intersected with geopolitical and socioeconomic clashes of civilizations (namely North vs. South America,) is ridiculous. I found myself looking up historical facts mentioned in the book, or googling landmarks to gain more insight. While I did not agree with everything the author laid out, overall I thought this was an excellent, moving and brave undertaking. I have no doubt it will bring solace to those who have made journeys across oceans, deserts, or walls due to war, country instability, or in search of something more. In the very least they know that while their stories may differ, they are not alone. -Victoria
Stickler loves the world
by Lane Smith
jE Smith
Picture Books
"Stickler is a woodland creature who reminds us to appreciate the everyday wonders we often ignore"--

Stickler is a captivating, enchanting, and odd one; part Golem with twig-like appendages, full reveler in the magic of every day. Objects jump off the page as they're being praised, "fluffy cloud, mushy moss, weepy tree," introducing young children to descriptive vocabulary with captivating (and sometimes droll- see slimy frog) illustrations alongside. This book is also funny! Lane Smith has created another beautifully illustrated book about reconnecting with the how amazing our world is when we approach it with gratitude and fresh eyes (it helps when you have a cutting-edge space helmet covering your face and Stickler as a guide!). -Victoria
Last chance dance
by Lakita Wilson
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Wilson Lakita
Young Adult
"Leila is crushed when Dev, her boyfriend of four years, breaks up with her right before graduation. Just when she's thinking she wasted her entire high school experience on a dead-end relationship, her best friend Bree reminds her that Last Chance Dance is just around the corner. A high school tradition, the Last Chance Dance gives all the students one last opportunity to find love before they graduate. All Leila has to do is submit three unrequited crushes to the dance committee and if any of her crushes list her too, they'll get matched. Presto: new relationship, just like that. To her utter amazement, Leila is matched with all three of her choices--and with someone she never expected, Tre Hillman, her chemistry partner and low-key nemesis. But as graduation and the dance approaches, and each date seems to change her mind (and her heart)--Leila must figure out what--and who--she really wants. It's her last chance, right?"--

Not usually one for the romance genre (with the exception of Eleanor and Park, Heartstopper, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,) this one will be added to a small but growing list. Leila was a great character and I found myself rooting for her to find someone new to fulfill her dreams. This is a great back to school read; not too heady, but fun, touching, and relatable. -Victoria
Poetry unbound : 50 poems to open your world
by Padraig Ó Tuama
808.1 /Ó Tuama
The author offers reflections on fifty powerful poems.

Poetry is something perfect to pick up during short intervals of time; at the dentist's, on the bus, or waiting for an oil change. It offers condensed pearls of wisdom with often just as much heft as a full-length book. It allows for short bursts of concentrated thinking and reflection. As a self-professed member of the scribbling-notes-in-book-margins-camp, I loved Padraig Ó Tuama's insights surrounding a carefully collected curation of poems dear to him. While some of his choices resonated with me more personally than others, his thoughts always shed some light and prompted pause for exploration. A wonderfully-thoughtful collection! -Victoria
The heat will kill you first : life and death on a scorched planet
by Jeff Goodell
363.73874 /Goodell
Nonfiction
"The Heat Will Kill You First is about the extreme ways in which our planet is already changing. It is about why spring is coming a few weeks earlier and fall is coming a few weeks later and the impact that will have on everything from our food supply to disease outbreaks. It is about what will happen to our lives and our communities when typical summer days in Chicago or Boston go from 90°F to 110°F. A heatwave, Goodell explains, is a predatory event--one that culls out the most vulnerable people. But that is changing. As heatwaves become more intense and more common, they will become more democratic. As an award-winning journalist who has been at the forefront of environmental journalism for decades, Goodell's new book may be his most provocative yet, explaining how extreme heat will dramatically change the world as we know it"--

Here in Iowa this August, cities across the state are breaking historical temperature highs. Though not taken on nearly as much as other extreme weather such as tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, and flash flooding, extreme heat is the number one killer. Prolonging its devasting effects with air conditioning not only places a band-aid on the problem but causes global temperatures to rise even more. Once thought as one-offs, extreme heat events have become the norm, are not going away and in fact, the author notes are becoming more "democratic;" disrupting all facets of our lives (think over-extended power grids and school closures.) While this is a disturbing book to read, if extreme weather will affect you (spoiler, it will,) then this is an absolutely necessary read. I love climate books that offer pragmatic solutions; albeit solutions that could be hard to swallow (think eating insects instead of that hefty steak). Author Goodell is astute at correlating global events in a logical way and in his over two decades of reporting on climate change, has become well-versed in connecting the dots of imminent disaster of a planet in peril if left unchecked. -Victoria
Ab(solutely) normal : short stories that smash mental health stereotypes
by
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Absolute
Channeling their own experiences, sixteen exceptional authors subvert mental health stereotypes in a powerful and uplifting collection of fiction. A teen activist wrestles with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A socially anxious vampire learns he has to save his town by (gulp) working with people. As part of her teshuvah, a girl writes letters to the ex-boyfriend she still loves, revealing that her struggle with angry outbursts is related to PMDD. A boy sheds uncontrollable tears but finds that in doing so he's helping to enable another's healing. In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen diverse and notable authors draw on their own lived experiences with mental health conditions to create stunning works of fiction that will uplift and empower you, break your heart and stitch it back together stronger than before. Through powerful prose, verse, and graphics, the characters in this anthology defy stereotypes as they remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn't mean that you're defined by it. Each story is followed by a note from its author to the reader, and comprehensive back matter includes bios for the contributors as well as a collection of relevant resources. With contributions by: Mercedes Acosta * Karen Jialu Bao * James Bird * Rocky Callen * Nora Shalaway Carpenter * Alechia Dow * Patrick Downes * Anna Drury * Nikki Grimes * Val Howlett * Jonathan Lenore Kastin * Sonia Patel * Marcella Pixley * Isabel Quintero * Ebony Stewart * Francisco X. Stork

This is a fantastic collection of short stories that humanizes mental illness and the negative stigma that is often attached. The scope of fiction alone is impressive, but the stories are heart-felt, authentic and beautiful. I would highly recommend this collection to youth everywhere, as well and those who support them. A must-read! -Victoria
The amazing and true story of Tooth Mouse Pérez
by Ana Cristina Herreros
jE Herreros
Picture Books
Though the world is very different from when his Tooth Mouse descendants worked, a Tooth Mouse named Pérez continues his ancestors' tradition and brings children their permanent teeth.

This was a delightful little read about a few different cultural mores surrounding the tooth mouse/ant/fairy. The illustrations are dreamy and humorous and the text is wry and witty in parts. The author delicately handles the work of the tooth mouse and wonderfully introduces a rather distinguished shining star at the top of his tooth collecting game- Tooth Mouse Pérez. Losing a tooth is a rite of passage and Tooth Mouse Pérez is a story that sanctifies the myth of who collects, barters and bestows gifts for our tiny tools of mastication. -Victoria
Breadsong : how baking changed our lives
by Kitty Tait
641.815 /Tait
Kitty Tait grew up a funny, chatty redhead who made everyone in her family laugh. But around the time she turned 14, Kitty began experiencing anxiety. Slowly, she disconnected from everyone around her and struggled to wake up, get dressed, and leave the house. Full of worry, her parents tried everything, from new hobbies like reading and painting to medication and visits to a specialist. Nothing seemed to help. Then, one day, as Kitty stood on a stool watching her dad mix flour, water, and salt, she determined Al's gloopy, sludgy blob of bread looked a whole lot like her brain. The next day, peaking under the tea towel as the mix gently bubbled and popped, Kitty came to a stunning realization: bread is alive. Al asked Kitty if she'd like to try baking bread herself, and their lives were never the same again. One loaf quickly escalated into an obsession, and Kitty felt better than she had for a long time. Within nine months, Kitty and Al opened The Orange Bakery--and they haven't stopped since. Featuring more than 80 recipes--including cinnamon buns, cheese swirls, and tahini brownies--Breadsong is a celebration of bread and baking, and an inspiring story of the life-saving power of discovering a passion.

This was a wonderful read; especially for young adults who get lost sometimes or feel a sense of hopelessness. I loved the winding, genuine stories around the craft of bread making.The recipes are beautiful, some are very simple to make but the wonderful community that stepped up to help Kitty when she needed it most is perhaps my favorite part of the book. Final verdict: baking enthusiasts- you knead to read this! -Victoria
I kick and I fly
by Ruchira Gupta
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Gupta Ruchira
Young Adult
"On the outskirts of the red-light area in Bihar, India, Heera is living on borrowed time until the day her father decides to sell her into the sex trade to repay his loans. It is, as she's been told, the fate of all women in Girls Bazaar to end up there. But what if she can learn to fight back against 'fate'? When a local hostel owner presents her with the opportunity to practice kung fu, Heera begins to learn that her body isn't an object to be preyed upon, but a vessel through which she can protect herself. She will face unimaginable barriers -- expulsion from school, the unapologetic forces of nature, and a local trafficker who won't take his sights off her. But fate can change, and heroics are contagious. As Heera starts to piece together the whereabouts of a missing friend through a pen pal in the United States, and a competition takes her to New York, the desire to ensure her friend's survival might just lead her to make the ultimate risk" -- Page 2 of cover.

This is an incredibly insightful and powerful book. It tells a story of the caste system, and the how the peoples (namely women,) from the Nat tribes have endured the worst the system affords. This story is about fate, family but mostly destiny carved out by looking beyond what has been pre-ordained for you. Parts of this book are obviously difficult to read, but it is a necessary and wonderful debut. Author Ruchira Gupta is the founder-president of Apne Aap Women Worldwide and Apne Aap International, an organization committed to ending sex trafficking in India. -Victoria
Saints of the household
by Ari Tison
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Tison Ari
When brothers Max and Jay help a classmate in trouble, they struggle with the consequences of their violent actions and worry they may be more like their abusive father than they thought, so the brothers turn to their Bribri roots to find their way forward.

This is a wonderful read. The relationship between Jay and Max is uniquely explored and I think not often captured enough in YA. The back and forth chapters work really effectively to hold even a reluctant reader's attention and the writer contrasts both brother's psyche in an equal but opposite way that works. Past trauma and nature vs. nurture is a common theme throughout. Characters are well developed and I was fascinated to be introduced to and learn more about the Bribri (indigenous people of Costa Rica and Northern Panama). -Victoria
The climate book
by Greta Thunberg
363.73874 /Thunberg
"Greta Thunberg has gathered the wisdom of over one hundred experts - geophysicists, oceanographers and meteorologists; engineers, economists and mathematicians; historians, philosophers and indigenous leaders--to equip us all with the knowledge we need to combat climate disaster"--

I always appreciate Greta's no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to climate change. In this comprehensive manifesto, she's gathered a myriad of inter-disciplinary experts to drop their sage wisdom on a solution-oriented approach to dealing with a rapidly changing climate. I think young adults and fully-fledged adults interested in climate adaptation would enjoy this read. -Victoria
A bed of stars
by Jessica Love
jE Love
Picture Books
A reassuring picture book about finding one's place in the world follows a father as he takes his child on their first camping trip where he shows, under a blanket of stars, that the universe is a friendly place.

Jessica Love (author of Julián is a mermaid and Julián at the Wedding,) has created another wonderful picture book. A Bed of Stars follows a child's first camping adventure into the desert with his father. I especially love the way Love creates warm and familiar inter-generational relationships that are so authentic and addresses core fears children have, while also presenting real ways to address them (via loving and patient family members). As an added bonus, you can learn about desert flora and fauna; "we say hello: ocotillo, globemallow, agave". -Victoria
The wanderer
by Peter Van den Ende
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Van den Ende
"Without a word, and with Escher-like precision, Van den Ende presents one little paper boat's journey across the ocean, past reefs and between icebergs, through schools of fish, swaying water plants, and terrifying sea monsters. The little boat is all alone, and while its aloneness gives it the chance to wonder at the fairy-tale world above and below the waves uninterrupted, that also means it must save itself when storms approach. And so it does. We hope that readers young and old will find the strength and inspiration that we did in this quietly powerful story about growing, learning, and life's ups and downs."--Publisher description.

I happened to stumble across this book by accident and was thrilled! What an epic adventure told in intricately detailed panels documenting a small paper boat's trials and tribulations. The illustrations are imaginative, impeccably descriptive and would be enjoyed by many different age groups. -Victoria
Redaction
by Titus Kaphar
704.949365 /Kaphar
"MacArthur fellows Reginald Dwayne Betts and Titus Kaphar present a stunning literary and artistic collaboration that confronts the abuses of the criminal justice system. Throughout their award-winning careers, visual artist and filmmaker Titus Kaphar and poet, memoirist, and attorney Reginald Dwayne Betts have shed light on the violences of incarceration and the underexplored contradictions of American history. In Redaction, they unite their different mediums to expose the ways the legal system exploits and erases the poor and incarcerated from public consciousness. First exhibited at MoMA PS1, the fifty "Redaction" prints layer Kaphar's etched portraits of incarcerated individuals with Betts's poetry, which uses the legal strategy of redaction to craft verse out of legal documents. Three prints are broken apart into their distinct layers, illuminating how the pair manipulated traditional engraving, printing, poetic, and redaction processes to reveal what is often concealed. This beautifully designed volume also includes additional artwork, poetry, and an introduction by MoMA associate director Sarah Suzuki. The result is an astonishing, powerful exploration of history, incarceration, and race in America"--

This work is an incredible distillation of official legal jargon into pared-down poetry combined with profound art to explore the history and injustice of mass incarceration. It is visceral, overt and absolutely compelling! -Victoria
We are the ark : returning our gardens to their true nature with acts of restorative kindness
by Mary (Gardener) Reynolds
630.2086 /Reynolds
Gardening
"We Are the Ark asks readers to have a sweeping change of vision for our relationship with our gardens. To inspire people to look at what we can do for the earth and all her kin, rather than seeing our patches of the planet as 'outdoor rooms' for our pleasure or 'blank pallets' for our creative visions. To Ark their land and restore a network of native plants instead of 'low maintenance' burdens. It aspires to get all schools on board. From the smallest children up to university level. To inspire them to give their unused land and corners here and there back to nature. To get local governments and commercial and corporate landowners onboard to return unused 'maintained' land back to its true nature, to support life. Ultimately, We Are the Ark asks people to build a patchwork quilt of healed land and water that will wrap its way around the globe and to reform the world of gardening into a network of nature sanctuaries. In a matter of a few short years this will reach a critical mass that will shift the consciousness of the rest of our planet's humans, giving us a real shot at restoring the earth back to health and harmony"--

Although this book is a little simplistic for the avid gardener, it is a great primer for young people and new gardeners. The advice whilst sage, sometimes comes off as a little preachy but overall, this book has a great hopeful message about the positive impact home gardeners, ecologists and those interested in conservation can have on protecting our planet. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and it's worth picking up the book for these alone. -Victoria
Ammu : Indian home-cooking to nourish your soul
by Asma Khan
641.5954 /Khan
"A new cookbook from the star of Netflix's Chef's Table and one of the world's most prominent female chefs. Ammu is a heart-warming cookbook of comforting aromatic Indian flavors: Indian food from home, cooked with heart. Ammu is a collection of recipes from Asma Khan's childhood, from her Indian family kitchen. It is a celebration of where she comes from, of home cooking, and the inextricable link between food and love. It is also a chance for Asma to honor her ammu - mother - and to share with us the recipes that made her and rooted her to home. This book is a joyful celebration of memories of food, and its power to heal, restore, and comfort."--

I love pretty cookbooks, but I especially love cookbook authors who connect us to their rich family heritage, provide gorgeous recipes that are easy to make and share their passion for gathering around the table on every page. -Victoria
Blurp's book of manners
by Cindy Derby
jE Derby
"When etiquette coach Ms. Picklepop teeters off her stool and spills a bucket of paint, a creature emerges. Not a scary one, or an evil one, or anything of the sort. Instead, what comes alive is... BLURP! She'll have to carry on with her lesson, despite Blurp's many, messy distractions. But paint splotches and burps aren't all that disrupt Ms. Picklepop's decorous class. Perhaps through an unlikely friendship, Ms. Picklepop will learn a thing or two about manners herself" --

This is a gorgeous and thoroughly entertaining read! Derby creates sumptuously beautiful and unbridled illustations that children are sure to delight in. An absolute feast for the eyes, with a few life lessons on manners tossed in! -Victoria
Ducks : two years in the oil sands
by Kate Beaton
BIOGRAPHY Beaton, Kate
Katie heads out west to take advantage of Alberta's oil rush-part of the long tradition of East Coasters who seek gainful employment elsewhere when they can't find it in the homeland they love so much. Katie encounters the harsh reality of life in the oil sands, where trauma is an everyday occurrence yet is never discussed. Beaton's natural cartooning prowess is on full display as she draws colossal machinery and mammoth vehicles set against a sublime Albertan backdrop of wildlife, northern lights, and boreal forest. Her first full length graphic narrative, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands is an untold story of Canada: a country that prides itself on its egalitarian ethos and natural beauty while simultaneously exploiting both the riches of its land and the humanity of its people.

Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant and the hilarious The Princess and the Pony,) brings a completely different topic to light in this graphic narrative. I really enjoyed this part of her life being told graphically. She captures the interpersonal relationships of the workers in a very authentic way and what people must sacrifice in their lives to gain employment. She also is adept at sharing the duality of the Canadian wilderness and its preservation and how the oil sands are inextricably tied to the degradation of the environment and the implications of short-term profit at the expense of the landscape. -Victoria
Finding me
by Viola Davis
BIOGRAPHY Davis, Viola
"In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life changing decision to stop running forever. This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose and my strength, but also to finding my voice in a world that didn't always see me. As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. They are bogarted, reinvented to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone who is searching for a way to understand and overcome a complicated past, let go of shame, and find acceptance. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be...you. Finding Me is a deep reflection on my past and a promise for my future. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you."--

This is Viola's story in her own words. What resonated most about this book for me was that despite all of the success she has had, along with all of the talent she possesses, Viola reminds us that sometimes the greatest struggle is the one we have with ourselves. As you might imagine, this book is raw, unfiltered and brutally honest. I love her self-reflection and the way she navigates and comes to terms with the complicated relationships we have with our families; how we love but how we also truthfully reconcile pain. This book is steeped in stories, which Davis admits to herself, she loves. I do, too. I felt as though I was sitting right with her as she is making her peace with her past and promises for her future. -Victoria
Two dogs on a trike
by Gabrielle Snyder
jE Snyder
Picture Books
"When the gate is left open, one dog escapes the yard for an adventure on tricycles, trolleys, and trains. This hilarious story counts up to ten and back down again as more pups join the fun--and one very determined cat goes on the chase!"--Publisher

This book is a hoot! From the hilariously drawn dogs entertaining each other, to the stealth cat adorned in headband and suspicion, kids will love all of the questions and conversations you can solicit with them on each page. I loved that it was a counting book but also that children have the opportunity to count back from ten to one. The humor is subtle so adults will also enjoy this one and the pages are action-packed to keep even the youngest reader engaged. 10 out of 10! -Victoria
Our America : a photographic history
by Ken Burns
973 /Burns
"From one of our most treasured filmmakers, a pictorial history of America--a stunning and moving collection of Ken Burns's favorite photographs"--

Processing the last two years in America is a feat, let alone the past two hundred. In this photographic journey, one of America's most treasured documentary filmmakers has selected moments in history that resonate with telling the story of this country. I love how not all images are pivotal defining moments; some are simply recollecting everyday life. What's evident is that while the country is relatively new compared with others, it has shared some defining times that are quintessentially American. Seeing this journey in photographs highlights the complexity and struggles, the harrowing moments in history as well as the joyous occasions. Burns last picture is one of hope; that through all of the struggle there is still that propensity towards hope. -Victoria
Cooking from the spirit : easy, delicious, and joyful plant-based inspirations
by Tabitha Brown
641.56362 /Brown
After living with a terrible undiagnosed illness for more than a year and a half, Tab was willing to try anything to stop the pain. Inspired by the documentary What the Health, she tried a thirty-day vegan challenge--and never looked back. Wanting to inspire others to make changes that might improve their own lives, she started sharing her favorite plant-based recipes in her signature warm voice with thousands, and now millions, of online fans. Tab's recipes are flexible, creative, and filled with encouragement, so you trust yourself to cook food the way it makes you happy. If you're already a "cooking from the spirit" sort of person, you'll love how much freedom Tab gives to make these delicious vegan dishes your own. If you're newer to cooking--or to vegan cooking--Tab will help you get comfortable in the kitchen and, most important, have fun doing it!

If you've followed the rise of Tabitha Brown on social media, you know what an unending source of joy and positivity she is. Her love of vegan food (and humanity) shines through in the introductions to her recipes and in her "Tabisms" throughout her book. I especially liked the soup section (perfect for right now) as several of her recipes are very unique. One word of caution: if you are a cook who loves to follow a recipe with precision, this is not the book for you. There are no measurements in this book because, as the title suggests, we are cooking with our spirit (which is exactly how I like to throw down in the kitchen!) -Victoria
The more you give
by Marcy Campbell
jE Campbell
"A modern-day response to The Giving Tree, this lyrical picture book shows how family love is passed down from generation to generation"--

The intergenerational joy and relationships cultivated with community and nature are just beautiful in this story. Illustrator of one of my favorite picture books, "The Journey," Sanna's use of color and comic style vignettes on some pages add to the richness of the story. Love, loss, warmth, family, community connectedness and using your past to create a better future are bursting out of the pages of this book. -Victoria
Echoes of Grace
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Mccall Guadalup
Eagle Pass, Texas. Grace struggles to understand the "echoes" she inherited from her mother: visions which often distort her reality. One morning as her sister, Mercy, rushes off for work, a disturbing echo takes hold of Grace. Within moments tragedy strikes. Grace sets goals and begins to recover, but is estranged from Mercy. As Grace's echoes brings ghosts and premonitions, they also bring memories of when Grace fled to Mexico to the house of her maternal grandmother-- who Grace had been told died long ago. -- adapted from jacket

This was an intricately-woven page turner brimming with rich details and beautifully realistic and broken characters. Themes of generational trauma, familial histories and mystical intrigue envelop the plot which is extremely well developed. -Victoria
What we owe the future
by William MacAskill
171.8 /MacAskill
"One of the most stunning achievements of moral philosophy is something we take for granted: moral universalism, or the idea that every human has equal moral worth. In What We Owe the Future, Oxford philosopher William MacAskill demands that we go a step further, arguing that people not only have equal moral worth no matter where or how they live, but also no matter when they live. This idea has implications beyond the obvious (climate change) - including literally making sure that there are people in the future: It's not unusual to hear someone way, "Oh, I could never bring a child into this world." MacAskill argues that the sentiment itself may well be immoral: we have a responsibility not just to consider whether the world of the future will be suitable for supporting humans, but to act to make sure there are humans in it. And while it may seem that the destructive capacity of modern industrial technology means that we ought to eschew it as much as possible, MacAskill argues for optimism in our ability to (eventually) get technology right, for the future's benefit, and ours. Where Hans Rosling's Factfulness and Rutger Bregman's Utopia for Realists gave us reasons for hope and action in the present, What We Owe the Future is a compelling and accessible argument for why solving our problems demands that we worry about the future. And ultimately it provides an answer to the most important question we humans face: can we not just endure, but thrive?"--

This books brings home the Greek quote, "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” MacAskill argues for us to think about others, all over the world and imagine what a world looks like where we invest in the future of humanity. While some of the work he covers is not new material, this is a great ethically focused overall argument to add to the canon. -Victoria
My name is Jason. Mine too : our story, our way
by Jason Reynolds
811.6 /Reynolds
"Jason Reynold. Jason Griffin. One a poet. One an artist. One Black. One white. Two voices. One journey. To move to New York, and make it in New York. Best friends willing to have a hard life if it meant a happy life. All they needed was a chance. A reissue of a memoir of a moment in time within a lifetime of friendship"--

This is a great short memoir about two incredibly talented humans who took a risk, poured their hearts into their art and never stopped grinding. The sparse language, authentic storytelling and illustrations will resonate with young people adamant on carving out their own individual paths in life; and those navigating the larger world while always striving to stay true to themselves. -Victoria
Happy-go-lucky
by David Sedaris
817.54 /Sedaris
The best-selling author offers a new collection of satirical and humorous essays that chronicle his own life and ordinary moments that turn beautifully absurd, including how he coped with the pandemic, his thoughts on becoming an orphan in his seventh decade, and the battle-scared America he discovered when he resumed touring.

I love the way Sedaris can bring so much humor and levity to the commonplace. His essay on gun control was heartfelt, but not preachy. He unpacked the pandemic with tact, keen observation and truth. While his essays ebbed and flowed and I didn't enjoy every one as much as another, I gleaned something from each one and it was a great read. -Victoria
An immense world : how animal senses reveal the hidden realms around us
by Ed Yong
591.5 /Yong
"The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every animal is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving but a tiny sliver of an immense world. This book welcomes us into a previously unfathomable dimension--the world as it is truly perceived by other animals. We encounter beetles that are drawn to fires (and fireworks), songbirds that can see the Earth's magnetic fields, and brainless jellyfish that nonetheless have complex eyes. We discover that a crocodile's scaly face is as sensitive as a lover's fingertips, that the eyes of a giant squid evolved to see sparkling whales, and that even fingernail-sized spiders can make out the craters of the moon. We meet people with unusual senses, from women who can make out extra colors to blind individuals who can navigate using reflected echoes like bats. Yong tells the stories of pivotal discoveries in the field, and also looks ahead at the many mysteries which lie unsolved"--

I'm a big fan of Ed Yong's work and this one is no exception. It's vast in animal knowledge (there is so much information, you may have to re-read pages). It's also so accessible and he always does the leg work for us so everything is distilled into pure gold. What I loved most about this book is how he measures all of the creatures he describes by their own incredible feats and not simply how they measure up to the way humans define them. Many are sentient in ways we can barely begin to understand and Yong points out many times that the ways some of these animals function is unclear- a true scientist! -Victoria
Under the skin : the hidden toll of racism on American lives and on the health of our nation
by Linda Villarosa
362.108996 /Villarosa
"The first book to tell the full story of race and health in America today, showing the toll racism takes on individuals and the health of our nation, by a groundbreaking journalist at the New York Times Magazine"--

Former Executive Editor of Essence magazine and a 1619 Project contributor, Villarosa pens a compelling argument against what she had believed for decades: that the problem of adverse Black health outcomes in healthcare were because of a lack of education and poverty. After reading a study by Dr. Harold Freeman, she changed her mind concluding that education, wealth and access to good healthcare still did not equate to equitable treatment within the healthcare system. This is an illuminating and meticulously well-researched book that explores racism and bias in the healthcare system like no other I know of. -Victoria
Anxious people : a novel
by Fredrik Backman
FICTION Backman Fredrik
Fiction
Taken hostage by a failed bank robber while attending an open house, eight anxiety-prone strangers--including a redemption-seeking bank director, two couples who would fix their marriages, and a plucky octogenarian--discover their unexpected common traits.

Never having read any of Backman's other books besides A Man Called Ove, I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one. As someone who enjoys looking through other people's windows at night on a dog walk (not in a creepy way, but rather just to watch from afar how their silhouettes eat dinner and mill around,) I like to speculate what their lives are like, so I was really drawn to this story. Backman meanders at times but creates strong, life-like characters with flaws and strengths we might find resonate in all of us. it is brutally honest at times and funny in other parts. I really enjoyed this read and it was a good reminder to always offer grace as we never know what life challenges other people have been through or are currently facing. -Victoria
Did ye hear Mammy died? : a memoir
by Séamas O'Reilly
BIOGRAPHY O'Reilly, Seamas
Séamas O'Reilly's mother died when he was five, leaving him, his ten (!) brothers and sisters, and their beloved father in their sprawling bungalow in rural Derry. It was the 1990s; the Troubles were a background rumble, but Séamas was more preoccupied with dinosaurs, Star Wars, and the actual location of heaven than the political climate. ƯAn instant bestseller in Ireland, Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? is a book about a family of loud, argumentative, musical, sarcastic, grief-stricken siblings, shepherded into adulthood by a man whose foibles and reticence were matched only by his love for his children and his determination that they would flourish.

This is a very heartfelt memoir documenting ten orphaned Irish siblings and the seemingly impossible feat of their widowed father navigating raising said posse. It's hilarious at times and littered with the Irish politics that defined that era; including a story of the family's windows getting blown out by the IRA. There were definitely elements of my childhood in this memoir that resonated. It's a little Father Ted mixed with Derry Girls with a hint of Angela's Ashes. -Victoria
The world's worst assistant
by Sona Movsesian
791.45028092/Movsesian
"From Conan O'Brien's longtime assistant and cohost of his podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, a completely hilarious and irreverent how-to guide for becoming a terrible, yet unfireable employee, and getting away with doing the bare minimum at work"--

I had no idea who Conan O'Brien's assistant was before I read this book and I must admit I was drawn to the title and the cover picture. I have loved Conan's writing from The Simpsons, to SNL, to his late-night show, so I was intrigued to see who he would hire in an assistant. Turns out she's a sassy-mouthed, VW-lovin, Armenian-American who revels in mediocrity at the best of times and getting the job done only when it's absolutely necessary. The World's Worst Assistant turns the notion of a work ethic on its head and repriotizes a balance of social and professional life-balance. The book, while documenting a somewhat unorthodox boss and assistant relationship, is hilarious and offers insight into O'brien's career which was a solid bonus. -Victoria
Wastelands : the true story of farm country on trial
by Corban Addison
346.73038 /Addison
"A once idyllic American landscape is home to a closely knit, rural community that, for more than a generation, has battled the polluting practices of large-scale farming that had been making them sick and damaging their homes. After years of frustration and futile attempts to bring about change, an impassioned cadre of local residents, led by a team of intrepid and dedicated lawyers, brought suit against one of the world's most powerful corporations-and, miraculously, they won. As vivid and fast-paced as a novel, Wastelands takes us into the heart of a legal battle over the future of America's farmland, and into the lives of the people who found the courage to fight. With unparalleled entrée in the courtroom, Corban Addison captures the stirring and unforgettable struggle to bring a modern-day monopoly to its knees, to force a once invincible power to change, to vindicate the rights of a long-suffering community, and finally to restore their heritage"--

A gripping story about the strategies used to take on one of the world's corporate behemoths. The risk small landowners, activists and lawyers took to fight is evident throughout and this is an incredibly well-written page-turner. -Victoria
Unbelievably vegan : 100+ life-changing, plant-based recipes: a cookbook
by Charity Morgan
641.56362 /Morgan
When Morgan's husband decided to go vegan, she was skeptical. But after he noticed results: more energy, increased stamina, better sleep. And his teammates noticed how good his home-cooked meals looked, many of them asked her to cook for them too. Soon Morgan was delivering meals for nearly two dozen NFL players. Then Morgan and her two ever-so-active elementary school-aged children went vegan too. Here she explains how she tapped her Creole and Puerto Rican heritage and love of bold flavor and spice to create a collection of flavor-bomb plant-based alternatives. Her recipes prove that vegan food can be healthy, fun, filling, and highly flavorful. -- adapted from publisher info

This book packs a punch of vegan knowlege, realistic recipes and bold flavors that will appeal to vegans and meat-eaters. I've tried several recipes in the book so far and have been really impressed with the final meals! -Victoria
My Lists

About Me
What do you like to read?
For picture books- Mo Willems, Oliver Jeffers, Kadir Nelson but there are SO many! Chapter books; Kate DiCamillo, Jacqueline Woodson and K.A. Applegate. For YA, I’m a fan of Jason Reynolds, Sherman Alexie, Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Azevedo. As far as the adult collection, my favorite authors are Margaret Atwood, James Baldwin, Salman Rushdie, Jenny Lawson, David Sedaris and Yaa Gyasi. I also love non-fiction and cookbooks. I am constantly looking at ways to implement social justice strategies and am a huge fan of Bryan Stevenson and Michelle Alexander.
Do you have pets?
Yes, a motley crew made up of Humphrey; a slightly anxious black lab who loves frolicking in the prairie and being jealous when the other animals get attention; litter-mate cats, Dewey (an obsessive snuggle-monster) and Issy (who can always be found on your laptop when you’re ready to work;) and our hamster Thor (who is still waiting for her hammer).
What are your hobbies?
I love to travel, hike, bike, cook, garden, make art, drink great beers, kayak, listen to great music and volunteer.
What music do you listen to?
Most everything besides contemporary country.
What is your favorite thing about ICPL?
The incredibly friendly staff and the community who love them!
This is a beautiful introduction to the power of art and its ability to wash away the dust of everyday life and hold a mirror up to problems in our world. The text is simple and the story is told mostly through the illustrations (which are fantastic). The ideas are heady and real, but the art is more real and connects the reader to an inertia art creates to bring about real change. A wonderful read! -Victoria