Early Book Review: Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber by Sarah Albee

Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber by Sarah Albee is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on October 22 2024.

Ever wondered what makes rubber bounce? Or why it's stretchy? And WHY is rubber so . . . rubbery?! Learn the science and history behind this ubiquitous material! With sidebars, graphics, fun facts, and more, the history of rubber reveals plenty of fascinating secrets and surprises. Elementary school readers will discover that early balls didn't bounce; that people in the rainforest made waterproof gear from rubber thousands of years before Europeans got into the act; and that sneakers, bicycles, and cars created demand for more and more rubber! Back matter includes a time line and a bit about the complicated implications of harvesting rubber.

Bounce! is a good overall look at the way rubber and its uses have become so wide spread. I do like that the book acknowledges the way those that actually first discovered, worked with, and harvested natural rubber were treated- and how current rubber workers are still underpaid and underappreciated. However, the book focuses on how American and European scientists and inventors had used and changed the way we use rubber. While the fact that the indigenous people figured out that latex sap could be useful- and figured out a variety of ways to use it- seems to be more of a footnote. I was left wanting to know more about how the original discovery and development happened than what those that commandeered the people, land, and resources did with it from there. While I do appreciate that the author tried to be respectful of all that, and that it is a children's book, I was still left feeling gross about how treatment of people in history is often glossed over, ignored, or relegated to footnotes rather being included as a major part of the story.

 

Early Book Review: Loch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time by Rebecca Siegel

Loch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time by Rebecca Siegel is a middle grade nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on April 23 2024.

In 1934, a man was walking by a lake in the Scottish Highlands when he saw a long-necked creature swimming in the water. He grabbed his camera and snapped a photo. When the photo landed on the front page of the Daily Mail, it shattered the belief that paranormal creatures were pure fiction. But amid the monster-hunting craze, complex conspiracies soon emerged. The Loch Ness Monster became more than a mysterious sea creature—it became a phenomenon that caused people to question their assumptions and dig for the truth.   Meticulously researched through primary sources and in-depth interviews with key figures, Loch Ness Uncovered is the fascinating true story of the conspiracy that sparked intrigue worldwide.

Loch Ness Uncovered is a book with solid research and many details about the Nessie legends that I did not know previously. I liked the inclusion of archival images, and the context of what else was going on in the world and how the known news cycles effect the way things were reported and viewed. The depth of information is amazing and I appreciated it throughout the book.  The images and text were well balanced and the text was engaging and entertaining to read. I am a firm skeptic, with the caveat that I still think there are things to discover out there in the world. While on the face of it I agree with the book, that Nessie is a combination of many things but not a monster living in a loch.  However, I did wish that the tone was a little less judgmental. It was clear within the first chapter that the author had little empathy for those that believe (or want to believe) that Nessie could be something more than a hoax, a scam, or a log or known animal in the water. It is possible to point out the problems in a sighting and possible motivations behind claims as well as the psychological and sociological reasons why someone might believe something without distain.

Early Book Review: The Astronomers' Library: The Books that Unlocked the Mysteries of the Universe by Karen Masters

The Astronomers' Library: The Books that Unlocked the Mysteries of the Universe by Karen Masters is currently scheduled for release on April 23 2024.

Humankind has looked to the heavens since the dawn of time, wondering what is out there, as well as how everything works and (originally) who was responsible for it. Every tribe, race and civilization has wondered about our place in the universe and what lies beyond and what lies within it, below our feet. Lately, attention has turned to the origins of the universe. From the turn of the millennium, knowledge and ideas were recorded, first on tablets or rock, then in the form of simple manuscripts, and eventually in a much more elaborate fashion as illustrative, engraving, and printing skills evolved. As far back as the tenth century, Persian scholars such as Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi was recording his findings, observations and speculations on the wider universe, in his Book of Fixed Stars. The focus turned to Europe in the Middle Ages, with Germany, Holland and England the centers of study and publication. Following the “Copernican Revolution”, observation and study underwent a radical change, paving the way for astronomers such as Kepler, Galilei and Newton to shed further light on the nature of the planets and stars of our known systems, and the ground beneath our feet. Each of those famous names contribute to the illustrated books that are featured within.

The Astronomers' Library is a well researched and documented book that explores some of the most important and influential astronomy books from the last 800 years. As someone that has always been fascinated with the subject, I found the combination of information about the history or the field and its texted enthralling. I thought the illustrations and photographs use enhance the understanding and keeps the reader fully engaged with the book while also encouraging further exploration of the featured texts and times.  I felt that I learned a great deal from this read, and am likely to revisit it because it was an enjoyable read while also being informative. I also appreciated the list of more modern texts recommended by the author at the end of the book.

Early Book Review: Famous Finds and Finders: Searching for the Past by Tom Velcovsky; Stepanka Sekaninova; Adam Wolf

Famous Finds and Finders: Searching for the Past, written by Tom Velcovsky and Stepanka Sekaninova, illustrated by Adam Wolf, is currently scheduled for release on November 28 2023. In this book young readers are taken on an journey back through time as they learn about the field of archeology and its role in uncovering the secrets of our past. Emphasizing the importance of preserving and recording moments in history, it encourages children to consider their own place in the ongoing story of humanity. Readers can also learn about the tools and techniques (from crude to state-of-the-art) that archeologists and paleontologists use, as well as about the challenges they face in uncovering fragments of the past buried in the ground or under the ocean. This book highlights some of the most significant archeological discoveries of all time, introducing young readers to some of the key figures in the field. It provides a fun and engaging way for children to learn about historical discoveries and the people who made them, and will inspire them to continue exploring the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Famous Finds and Finders is an informative read, with a great deal of well organized information. I wish I had found this book when I was a young reader, as I would have loved getting a real look at the discoveries made, tools used, and maps detailing pertinent information. I do think that this is best suited for readers that already have some interest in the subject matter, as it is a great deal of information on each page. Those that are not already curious might be discouraged by that and not be fully engaged. As someone that has always been interested in archeology, I found the flow of text, images, maps, and other things to be engaging and kept me turning pages. 

Book Review: Words from Hell: Unearthing the Darkest Secrets of English Etymology by Jess Zafarris

Words from Hell: Unearthing the Darkest Secrets of English Etymology by Jess Zafarris is a exploration of the English language, where words go to be tortured and mutilated into unrecognizable shadows of their former selves. It's where Latin, Greek, and Germanic roots are shredded apart and stitched unceremoniously back together with misunderstood snippets of languages snatched from the wreckage of conquest and colonialism. It wreaks merciless havoc upon grammar and spelling. It turns clinical terms into insults and children's tales into filthy euphemisms. With an emphasis on understanding where the foulest words in the English language came from-and the disgusting and hilarious histories behind them-this book demonstrates the true filth of our everyday words. But this book is more than just a list of vulgar words and salacious slang. It's a thoughtful analysis of why we deem words as being inappropriate as well as revealing 'good words' that have surprisingly naughty origins. Dirty-minded word nerds and lewd linguistics lovers will derive unadulterated pleasure in leering at the origins of swear words, sexual lingo, inappropriate idioms, violent vocabulary, and terminology for bodily functions-not to mention the unexpectedly foul origins of words you thought were perfectly innocent. If it's inappropriate, stomach-churning, uncomfortable, or offensive, this book reaches into the dark recesses of history and exposes them for all to see.

Words from Hell is a book crafted for readers that love learning about words, and take joy in discovering the dirty, unexpected, and unusual path some words have taken to get to their current connotation, and dictionary definition. I was glad that the author took the time to point out how much of the English language has been stolen from other languages, and how many cultures, languages, and people were destroyed via colonization over the years. Not to mention the classism, racisms, and xenophobic tendencies that seem to pepper themselves trough out the way the language has developed. I thought the book was well organized, and offered a sardonic tone, with facts and humor balancing nicely. I think word nerds will enjoy the read. 

Book Review: Shipwrecked! Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler

Shipwrecked! Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler is scheduled for release tomorrow, October 31 2023. Most of the world’s ocean floor remains to be discovered. In fact, it’s estimated to be home to over 3 million sunken vessels and countless treasures of the past. This enthralling and adventure-filled nonfiction book for young readers recounts some of the most captivating shipwrecks from history, ranging from the Shinan, a Chinese merchant ship laden with riches from the 14th century, to the the HMS Erebus and Terror, two polar exploration ships that mysteriously disappeared in the early 1800s. Combining new research, stunning archival material, and vivid storytelling, Shipwrecked! dives deep into the world of marine archaeology and shows young readers what each discovery reveals about the world before our time.

Shipwrecked! is an interesting introduction the topic of shipwrecks and their discoveries. I think that this book is for young readers that already have an interest in the subject matter, and adults that are looking for a solid introduction. I have always been fascinated with archeology, and marine archeology is fascinating although not the  specialty I wanted to explore back in the day. The book focused on the history of the ships and their owners, not just the wrecks and salvage. I was engaged while reading the book, and I learned a great deal. However, I think younger readers might loose interest if this is not something they are already interested in. Sometimes it read a bit dry, and I could see some losing focus. I was disappointed in the lack of maps, but I was very appreciative of the index, brief notes on other shipwrecks, bibliography, and other back matter.

Early Book Review: Anatomical Oddities: The Otherworldly Realms Hidden within Our Bodies by Alice Roberts

Anatomical Oddities: The Otherworldly Realms Hidden within Our Bodies by Alice Roberts is currently scheduled for release on November 7 2023. Every part of the human body has a name—and story. But how familiar are you with your arachnoid mater or your Haversian canals? Anatomical Oddities explores the less-familiar realms of the body, unveiling the mysteries etched into the most outlandish landscapes hidden inside all of us: our crypts and caverns, gorges, islets, and mountains. Along the way, it dips into the history of our relationship with our physical form and the discoveries that paved the way for modern anatomy and medicine. Quirky, bizarre, and beautiful, these pages feature original artworks by Alice Roberts. The stunning, full-color illustrations lay bare the intricate details of the human body, the stories of people who unearthed its secrets, and the meanings of the words we use to describe it.

Anatomical Oddities is a fascinating read, and I am very glad that I requested it on Netgalley. I thought the page long sections on each body feature was just enough information to keep readers engaged, interested, and learning. I found the text to be accessible, with a conversational tone and sense of humor that balanced the more scientific and technical aspects of the topic. I thought the matching images were very well done, and gave context to the text. It was well written, and readers can feel the expertise and knowledge that has gone into crafting the book. The only thing I could have asked for is a bibliography or suggestions for further reading for those that would like to explore anatomy or the entomology of the related language further.  I really enjoyed the entomology for the terms, and learning more about the human body, and how bizarrely wonderful it is. 

Early Book Review: The Upside-Down Book of Sloths by Elizabeth Shreeve, Illustrated by Isabella Grott

The Upside-Down Book of Sloths, written by Elizabeth Shreeve and illustrated by Isabella Grott, is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. Many find sloths cute, while some find them just plain bizarre. This book shares the less-well-known evolutionary history of sloths and how they became the beloved—and unique—creatures of today. The author pairs and compares the six extant modern species, like the pygmy sloth, the brown-throated sloth, and the ai, with their prehistoric counterparts, such as Thalassocnus, the tough seafaring sloth; Paramylodon, which had armor-like skin and walked on the sides of its feet; and Megatherium, which could weigh up to 8,000 pounds. She even reveals how modern sloths have adapted to hang upside down, how they learned to swim, and even how they poop!

The Upside-Down Book of Sloths is an entertaining, cute, and informative book for readers of all ages that want to know more about sloths. I thought the art work was extremely well done. The sloths looked very real, many images looking like photographs. The skill and work that went into the art is impressive, and frankly makes to book worth flipping through for the art alone. However, that is not to say that the text is not well done or important, it is both. I found the information to be well written and organized. The text is more aimed at the upper elementary and older readers- especially for those loving the sloth or doing a research project on them. However, the artwork and text combined make this a great book to share with he younger readers as well. As someone that loves reading about the less expected animals, including sloths, I still learned a great deal about these creatures and their history. Best of all, the author includes a time line and recommendations for further reading at the end of the book. This is a great addition to public, school, and personal library collections. 

Early Book Review: The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women by Lisa Perrin

The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women by Lisa Perrin is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. This illustrated book will introduce you to some of the most infamous women throughout world history, united by their shared taste for poison. It weaves together the stories of more than twenty-five accused women poisoners, exploring the circumstances and skill sets that led them to lives of crime. You might find yourself rooting for some of them—like Sally Bassett, who helped poison her granddaughter’s enslavers in Bermuda, or Giulia Tofana, who sold her name-brand concoction to women wanting to be rid of their abusive (or otherwise undesirable) husbands. Other stories, though—including that of Yiya Murano, one of Argentina’s most notorious swindlers and serial killers, or the terrifying Nurse Jane Toppan—may prove less palatable. Organized into thematic chapters based on the women’s motives, the book also includes an illustrated primer that delves into the origins and effects of common poisons throughout history, as well as a foreword by Holly Frey and Maria Trimarchi, creators and hosts of the podcast Criminalia. It is a treat for true crime fans, feminist history buffs, and any curious readers fascinated by the more macabre side of human nature.

The League of Lady Poisoners is a well researched and written book. I found the author's voice and discussion of the social, economic, and gender expectations of each situation to be well informed and helpful in getting a better understanding of the topic, and what we just do not know because of the way journalism and history color history and information. I liked that the topic and people were all treated with respect but at the same time the author never took themselves too seriously, so there was a sense of humor and with through out the book as well. I thought the artwork matched the text and tone of the book, and enhanced the read for me. I greatly appreciated the detailed bibliography, which helps readers intrigue by a particular story or aspect of the book to further explore the research and information behind the book. I always appreciate recommendations to further my knowledge or understanding of a topic. 

Early Book Review: Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America by Matika Wilbur

Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America by Matika Wilbur is currently scheduled for release on April 25 2023. In 2012, Matika Wilbur sold everything in her Seattle apartment and set out on a Kickstarter-funded pursuit to visit, engage, and photograph people from what were then the 562 federally recognized Native American Tribal Nations. Over the next decade, she traveled six hundred thousand miles across fifty states—from Seminole country (now known as the Everglades) to Inuit territory (now known as the Bering Sea)—to meet, interview, and photograph hundreds of Indigenous people. The body of work Wilbur created serves to counteract the one-dimensional and archaic stereotypes of Native people in mainstream media and offers justice to the richness, diversity, and lived experiences of Indian Country. The culmination of this decade-long art and storytelling endeavor, Project 562 is a peerless, sweeping, and moving love letter to Indigenous Americans, containing hundreds of stunning portraits and compelling personal narratives of contemporary Native people—all photographed in clothing, poses, and locations of their choosing. Their narratives touch on personal and cultural identity as well as issues of media representation, sovereignty, faith, family, the protection of sacred sites, subsistence living, traditional knowledge-keeping, land stewardship, language preservation, advocacy, education, the arts, and more.

Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is a stunning and important book. The photography is absolutely wonderful, and I could page through this book for hours to appreciate each image. More important, the text and purpose of this book is incredibly significant and I found the book to be highly engaging, informational, and meaningful on multiple levels. I think letting each of the interviewed individuals choose how that wanted to be photographed, and how their words were shared untouched went a long way in sharing their real and authentic voices, experiences, and perspectives with readers. Reading this book was as close to meeting such a variety of individuals and communities from across the country as I am likely to ever have a chance to personally. I feel like I learned a great deal, and will continue to learn more as I explore more ownvoices works by indigenous individuals. I thought I had a much better grasp and understanding on how colonialism and bigotry had shaped this country and all of its people, but I feel like I have a much better understanding of how little I actually knew after reading this book. This book has inspired be to continue my learning and understanding, and I hope it will have the effect on a wide variety of readers. 

Book Review: 100 Disasters That Shaped World History by Joanne Mattern

100 Disasters That Shaped World History by Joanne Mattern is a children's nonfiction book. From the Great Fire of London to the Challenger explosion, earthquakes, crashes, floods, and accidents have been major turning points throughout history. In 100 Disasters That Shaped World History, young readers will be introduced to some of the most notorious disasters known to mankind, discovering how these fateful events unfolded-and how they changed the world as we know it.

100 Disasters That Shaped World History is a book that covers a wide range of disasters, including some I would not have never thought to include, like the MGM fire and a molasses flood. The impact of these crisis are covered- such as how laws and regulations followed and how people's behavior did (or did not) adjusted afterwards. This many incidents is a great deal of ground to cover, so some are cover in much more depth than others, but this is an interesting and informative read. I thought the illustrations were less than stellar, but they are credited to the publishing group rather than an individual so that is not terribly surprising. I did like the trivia and project suggestions at the end, but that could have been made even better with some suggested resources for further reading as well. This is an interesting and engaging read for young readers that like history and learning about things that have gone wrong in the past. 

Book Review: Radium Girls by Cy

Radium Girls by Cy is a historical graphic novel inspired by real events. It’s 1918 in Orange, New Jersey, and everyone knows the “Ghost Girls.” The proud holders of well-paying jobs at the local watch factory, these working-class young women gain their nickname from the fine dusting of glowing, radioactive powder that clings to their clothes after every shift painting watch dials. The soft, greenish glow even stains their lips and tongues, which they use to point the fine brushes used in their work. It’s perfectly harmless . . . or so claims the watch manufacturer. When teeth start falling out, followed by jawbones, the dial painters become the unprepared vanguard on the frontlines of the burgeoning workers’ rights movement. Desperate for compensation and acknowledgement from the company that has doomed them, the Ghost Girls must fight, not just for their own lives but the future of every woman to follow them.

Radium Girls is an engaging and honest look at what some of the young women that worked with radium went through. I had already read quite a bit on the subject, so I went in knowing most of the facts, but this graphic novel made it all more real by giving the people faces, personalities, and lives. I will admit that at first I was not a big fan of the art style, but it was so well done and matched the time period of the work so well that it quickly won me over. I found that the story did more than just teach readers about what happened with radium, but it also dealt with other parts of everyday life that are universal. Like friendship, family, trying to find your way and your self, and butting heads with those that have different opinions and judge the world differently than you. This was an all around well written, researched, and drawn book and I would recommend it for learning about the Radium Girls and for just being a great read. 

Audiobook Review: Haunted in America: True Ghost Stories From The Best of Leslie Rule Collection by Leslie Rule, Narrated by Lisa Flanagan

Haunted in America: True Ghost Stories From The Best of Leslie Rule Collection by Leslie Rule, narrated by Lisa Flanagan, is a compendium of the best of Leslie Rule’s ghost explorations and interviews. With the most-spine tingling stories from the author’s previous four books, Coast to Coast Ghosts, When the Ghost Screams, Ghosts Among Us, and Ghost in the Mirror, along with new and updated accounts and theories, Rule brings her original voice to this omnibus of chilling, fascinating tales.

Haunted in America is an interesting listen for believers and skeptics alike. I liked that while there are plenty of tales of encounters, some spooky and others hopeful, there was great importance placed on respect for the current owners of these locations, the people that have had the experiences, the souls of those that might be trying to communicate, and the families that are left behind. I thought that the focus on history, research, and respect was a bit gratifying and quite the change from attitude many ghost researchers and hunters seem to have in the field, and the way media presents it. I thought that the narrator did a great job of telling the stories with the respect and solemnity due the subject matter- especially when relating the details of tragedies and death that often come hand in hand with tales of hauntings. I did not always agree with the authors take of certain situations and stories, but I did appreciate the honest and well researched relating of both her experiences and those she discovered in interviews and through research. 

Audiobook Review: A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts by Leanna Renee Hieber; Andrea Janes, Narrated by Linda Jones

A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts was written by Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes, and the audiobook is narrated by Linda Jones. From the notorious Lizzie Borden to the innumerable, haunted rooms of Sarah Winchester's mysterious mansion, this book explores the history behind America’s female ghosts, the stereotypes, myths, and paranormal tales that swirl around them, what their stories reveal about us—and why they haunt us. Sorrowful widows, vengeful jezebels, innocent maidens, wronged lovers, former slaves, even the occasional axe-murderess—America’s female ghosts differ widely in background, class, and circumstance. Yet one thing unites them: their ability to instill fascination and fear, long after their deaths. Here are the full stories behind some of the best-known among them, as well as the lesser-known—though no less powerful. Tales whispered in darkness often divulge more about the teller than the subject. America’s most famous female ghosts, from from ‘Mrs. Spencer’ who haunted Joan Rivers’ New York apartment to Bridget Bishop, the first person executed during the Salem witchcraft trials, mirror each era’s fears and prejudices. Yet through urban legends and campfire stories, even ghosts like the nameless hard-working women lost in the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire —achieve a measure of power and agency in death, in ways unavailable to them as living women.

 A Haunted History of Invisible Women offers a readers a variety of ghostly legends, including the research into the people and places involved, all through the lens of feminism. The social constructs, expectations, and realities of life as a woman have colored even the most factual hauntings, and this book dives into how this has shaped specific stories, and how our perception and interest in the stories has been shaped as well. I love a good ghost story, and more than that I love looking into the historical research of what really happened, particularly what we do know and what is lost in time and legend because of record keeping and unsolved crimes. I like that this book focused on the history, lives, and treatment of the women that these ghostly legends are based on, and the spiritualists and women that are drawn to the subject matter. While every time I hear ghost stories I think about what can be proven, what can be debunked, and the real lives of the people at the heart of the story, I think this book made me even more conscious of how our societal expectations and stereotypes shape  the stories and how we think about them. I think this book offers exactly what it promises and while I was well acquainted with many of these tales, it offered me bits of history and some new perspectives to consider with other stories I already know, or might hear about in the future. 

Book Review: Cities of the Dead: The World's Most Beautiful Cemeteries by Yolanda Zappaterra

Cities of the Dead: The World's Most Beautiful Cemeteries by Yolanda Zappaterra is a nonfiction book and collection of photography. Readers will discover the fascinating stories of the world’s most beautiful cemeteries, featuring spectacular photography, unique histories and famous residents. The book invites readers on a tour of memorial sites, ranging from monastic settlements to grand cathedrals, Shinto shrines to Gothic chapels, tombs and crypts. Enjoy tales of myths and monsters, grave-robbers, pilgrimages, spiritual retreats, remembrance and community. Marvel in cemeteries with a hundred thousand to a handful of graves which feature famous headstones, weeping angels, ocean views, woodlands, thousands of glowing lanterns and a tomb of poets. From London's famous Highgate Cemetery, which houses famous names from Karl Marx to Malcolm McLaren, George Eliot to Christina Rosetti, to Hawaii's breathtaking Valley of the Temples, this book spans the globe to bring you the most fascinating, intriguing and evocative cemeteries across cultures and continents. Together with the photographs, the stories behind these notable burial sites bring these sanctuaries to life, detailing the features that make them special, highlighting both similarities and differences between time periods, religions and cultures, and showing how cemeteries are about and for the living as much as the dead.

Cities of the Dead is a fascinating read and visually captivating. I thought the information provided for each site was well researched and written, with just enough information to give readers an understanding of the location, and perhaps inspire some further research for the locations that really speak to them. I have to admit that I was much more interested in the photography, but that is more on my personal preference and visual nature than any lack on the author's part.  It was nice to see the beauty ad dignity of these locations, rather than the focus of dark and spooky that I mostly see particularly this time of year. The serenity and magnitude of some of the locations was interesting and I liked the variety of locations and seasons and time of day in which the pictures seemed to be taken. I found some of the images sad, like the cramped crowd of tombstones of Beth-Chaim in Prague, and some of the less well tended expanses, however other locations seems so restful and carefully tended that they exude peace. The contrasts of how history and people shape these things is important, and too often forgotten. I like that the author included a guide to the symbolism in cemeteries, visitor information on the featured locations, an index and the full list of photograph credits. These important details too often are lost in the process, and I love digging into these kids of details at the end of a nonfiction book.  I think my only complaint is that the number of photographs per cemetery seemed a bit uneven, some locations only had one while others had several pages. I understand that this is partially because of image availability and cemetery size and accessibility, but it still bothered me in the end.

Book Review: Better Than Balderdash by Owen Janssen

Better Than Balderdash by Owen Janssen is a collection of interesting facts and trivia for all ages. For instance: Did you know that you can heat up a cup of coffee by yelling at it? How about the fact that bananas are radioactive? Or that Google hires goats as gardeners? Or that competitive slapping is a sport in Russia? Our world is chock-full of fascinating facts, unbelievable but true stories, and mind-blowing trivia. This book is your one-stop guide to all the extraordinary, shocking and enthralling information you didn’t know you needed to learn. Impress your friends and family with a vast knowledge of topics guaranteed to stimulate interesting conversations! If you want to learn some of the world’s most intriguing stories to pass the time at work, fuel the fire on your next trivia games night, or are looking for top-notch entertainment for that family road trip, then you need this book.

Better Than Balderdash is a fun and entertaining read that easily kept me entertained. I love random trivia, from Jeopardy to the bathroom readers that the author mentions in the opening in this book. I squirrel away bits of strange but interesting information because you never know when they will come in handy. That being said, I new several of the stranger facts shared in this book (like the bat bombs) because of the weird history and science shows that I have running in my house all the time. But, I did learn some new things. My whole family loves this kind of this, and I am thinking that this book will make a great addition to my son's book collection. 

Audiobook Review: Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World by Anthony Sattin

Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World, written and narrated by Anthony Sattin, is an adult nonfiction book. It explores the transformative and often bloody relationship between settled and mobile societies. The story of the shifting, umbilical connections between these two very different ways of living presents a radical new view of human civilization. From the Neolithic revolution to the twenty-first century via some of the lesser-known Eurasian steppe cultures, the great nomad empires of the Persians, Arabs, Mongols, and Mughals, as well as the mobile native North American peoples, nomads have been a perpetual counterbalance to the power of the settled and their cities. Exploring evolutionary biology and the psychology of restlessness that makes us human, Anthony Sattin's sweeping history charts the power of nomadism from before the Bible to its decline in the present day. Connecting us to mythology and the records of antiquity, Nomads explains why we leave home, and why we like to return again. This is the groundbreaking history of civilization as told through its outsiders.

Nomads is a fascinating read (or listen) and I think the author's enthusiasm for the subject is clear in print or audiobook format. I have always been firm in the belief that history is written by the colonizers rather that giving us a full view of our past, and Sattin explores one aspect of our missing history. I like that he included the way people have looked and and interpreted tales that started as oral tradition, and how the views of mobile versus settled people has evolved and changed just as much as people themselves have. I did feel like certain groups of nomadic people were not included in the book as more than a quick mention, and I have to admit that there were several moments that I completely lost track of where the book was in the timeline and thought we were covering certain periods of time more than once- but I was also listening while driving so very well could have missed something here or there. However, I did feel like I learned a great deal on the subject, and Sattin's interest in the subject mater and his adventures was a bit contagious and I became more and more interested in the topic as I listened to the book. 

Book Review: A Call to Needles: Acts of Craftivism and Crafted Kindness in the Age of Trump by Dee Ann Eisner

A Call to Needles: Acts of Craftivism and Crafted Kindness in the Age of Trump by Dee Ann Eisner is a comprehensive look at how our needlework became a tool for change, especially in the Age of Trump. Needleworkers have a particular set of skills, and this blending of craft and activism is often referred to as craftivism. This book pays homage to craftivists and needleworkers reacting to challenging times. The ideas, the design and development of patterns, the teams that have been built around these ideas, and the outreach to other needleworkers to support and sustain these efforts deserve more attention. Eisner builds on her backstory, calling on readers to feel their own Call to Needles, whether they participate in an existing project or create a new phenomenon. Writing this book began as the author's coping mechanism while watching the slow chipping away at democracy, both in the US and around the world. It quickly became a passion project. The moment came that, even knowing there was more to discover, the writing simply had to stop. The story will continue, with updates on those in the book and new endeavors at www.acalltoneedles.com.

A Call to Needles taught me a bit about the history of crafting in the activism lens, and I feel like I learned a great deal in that regard. I had no idea about some of the craft related protests and projects, both in our relatively distant history and much more recently. While I knew about the pussyhats and the penguin sweaters, many of the other projects and movements were things I had never heard about and things I very easily could have taken part in. The book has made me more interested in getting involved, and looking more at what I can do locally and globally with my resources and skill sets. I thought the book was informative and inspiring, with a great deal of information and resources to help readers further research the things that interest them and to do some self assessment to understand our own motivation and not only how we can help, but the most effective, efficiently, and ecologically friendly way we can do so. Time to put me privilege, skills, and inability not to have at least two works in progress to better use. 

Book Review: World of Weird: A Creepy Compendium of True Stories by Tom Adams, Celsius Pictor

World of Weird: A Creepy Compendium of True Stories written by Tom Adams and illustrated by Celsius Pictor, It is a compellation of unusual and somewhat creepy artifacts and stories from the past framed as a 21st century a scientist uncovering their Victorian ancestor’s notebook in a box. The ancestor is Dr. McCreebor; an eminent explorer, philosopher, and collector of the very strange and truly creepy. Dr. McCreebor's book is filled with the dark and disturbing stories he has collected on his travels around the world. Discover the fascinating stories behind a series of objects, people, and places in every chapter. McCreebor writes from a Victorian perspective – and his descendant isn't afraid to write notes in the margins, bringing the science into the 21st century. Uncover Artificalia (man-made objects), Naturalia (natural creatures and beings), Spiritualis (the spirit world), ScelereSupplicium (crime and punishment), Scientifica (scientific tools), Magicae (magical objects), and Morteum (skulls, bodies, and more). Steampunk illustrator Celsius Pictor intricately illustrates McCreebor’s sketches, maps, records, and photographs. From shrunken heads to witches’ charms, saints’ blood to graverobbers’ remains, hangman’s salve to trepanning tools, this book is a peek into our grisly and macabre past.

World of Weird is a book that will appeal to readers of all ages that enjoy learning about some of the darker and stranger ideas in history. I did not find any of the stories or artifacts described to be terribly unknown or gruesome, as these are the types of historic nonfiction that I tend to gravitate toward, but some of the information might be new to other readers. I thought the urging of respect for the dead not taking chances in messing with ghosts or other people's beliefs to be very respectful and responsibly handled. I also thought that the text and illustrations were well suited to the subject matter and accessible to a wide range of readers. I found text and art are well paired to keep the readers attention, and are done in nice small subtopics so that no one looses interest of focus and can read the book in small doses if that is what works best for them. I liked that a glossary was included as well.  I think this book will see regular check outs in school and public libraries and be a favorite read for many. 

Book Review: The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds by Larisa Grollemond; Bryan C. Keene

The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds by Larisa Grollemond; Bryan C. Keene is an exploration of the impact of medieval imagery on three hundred years of visual culture. From the soaring castles of Sleeping Beauty to the bloody battles of Game of Thrones, from Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings to mythical beasts in Dungeons & Dragons, and from Medieval Times to the Renaissance Faire, the Middle Ages have inspired artists, playwrights, filmmakers, gamers, and writers for centuries. Indeed, no other historical era has captured the imaginations of so many creators. This volume aims to uncover the many reasons why the Middle Ages have proven so flexible—and applicable—to a variety of modern moments from the eighteenth through the twenty-first century. These “medieval” worlds are often the perfect ground for exploring contemporary cultural concerns and anxieties, saying much more about the time and place in which they were created than they do about the actual conditions of the medieval period. 

The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds is a well written and researched exploration on the subject matter. I thought the book can appeal to those with a background in medieval studies or literature and those with little advanced knowledge as well. Since I studied Medieval literature in college and am an avid fan of fantasy, this book was a perfect combination of my interests.  I really enjoyed getting to look at the artwork along side the text, the combination made this book equally interesting intellectually and visually.  I wish I had the time and energy to get to the The Getty Museum to see the exhibit this book is a companion for, but if you are lucky enough to be able to attend I think it is worth the time. 

I think The Fantasy of the Middle Ages would make a great addition to the library of anyone interested in the subject matter, and it would be a great addition to public library collections as well.