Find your next favorite book and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2021 prompt to "Read a book suggested by a Library staff member" with these personal recommendations from our colleagues!
An excellent book examining privilege as it relates to race, socioeconomic standing, religion, and ability. Very personal and yet it speaks to the larger reckoning the United States finds itself facing related to racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Convicting and honest, but not judgmental, this book is perfect for anyone wanting to examine their own privilege and grow to be their best self. Discussion questions at the end of the book encourage further contemplation and perhaps even discussion within a small group. This is a book I'll be returning to time and again.
This 1947 nonfiction best seller helped to establish the genre of the environmental study aimed at a popular audience, and it set the tone for many others that followed, including Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. But it’s much more than a “nature book”: Douglas manages to weave the entire history of Florida into her narrative (including the story of its indigenous peoples and their mistreatment at the hands of outsiders, beginning with the earliest European explorers), because this history both shaped and was shaped by the singular geography of the Everglades. To my knowledge the book has never been out of print, and it holds continued relevance for the way Douglas spotlights the folly of mistreating fragile ecosystems like that of the Everglades.
When Satoru Iwata passed away in 2015, he left behind a world-renowned legacy as a programmer, corporate leader, and friend to many brilliant game creators. Every gamer owes him a debt of gratitude. In this collection of essays translated into English, Iwata describes his personal history, professional ethos, and his perspective on several landmark moments in Nintendo's history. I enjoyed reading about his methods for gathering employee feedback, pushing for new ideas, comparing creative processes, and maintaining a humble viewpoint from the top of the corporate ladder. Iwata's successes often come down to endlessly experimenting, never resting on his laurels, taking pride in his work, and looking for a fresh angle that's never been done before. This is the sort of book to read when you want to feel inspired about your own projects. If you ever feel stuck in your own mind, ask Iwata. He knows a thing or two about invention.
This is one of the first books I read with a transgender protagonist, and I still think about it months later. August is a transgender teen whose dream is to be an actor on Broadway. However, as issues of representation rock the theater world, August struggles with his own identity. He creates personas for himself for each person in his life. He’s the cool guy, the funny guy, the serious actor… and sometimes the “perfect daughter” his parents insist he is. August must decide who he wants to be all while navigating the high-drama world of a performing arts school. Although written for teens, the issues in this book are timely and real. Definitely worth a read—especially if you haven’t read much LGBTQ fiction. It’s an easy and enjoyable introduction to that world.
There are few books that I wish that I could read again for the first time, but this is one of them. It’s a quiet story of a life led only in the present, with all the suffering that would entail, but also broken up by beautiful moments. It’s a story of relationships, and all their complicated parts. Schwab's writing is dreamy, poetic, lyrical, melancholy—lonely. Addie LaRue is so lonely, and you can physically feel her sorrow with every word she speaks. Her friendships dissolve overnight, her parents don't remember her face, but Addie is stubborn and still hungry for life and adventure. She is a character that is cursed to be forgotten, but that I will never forget.
If you've become concerned about declining bird populations and ecological imbalances but don't know what to do to help, this book is for you. There are practical solutions and suggestions for everyone: from apartment renters to suburban homeowners and everyone in between. Find out how to turn your patch of lawn into an oasis of native plants that will attract and nurture all kinds of wildlife. Learn how putting out just a container or two of local flowers can help bridge the gaps in our landscape. Dr. Tallamy is passionate and incredibly knowledgeable on this subject and writes very readable books.
Alex B., Richland Library Sandhills
I am not Starfire
Mariko Tamaki, Yoshi Yoshitani, and Aditya Bidikar
The queer goth daughter of famous Superhero Starfire struggles to contend with her mother's sparkly pink reputation. Are people just friends with her because her mom's famous? Will she find the power within? More importantly, will she kiss that girl she has a crush on?
Pretty boys by David Yi, tells the history of the beauty icons that were the embodiment of masculinity. Included with each chapter are period specific beauty tutorials ranging from: how to find your signature scent like Alexander the Great (who was said to have the greatest nose of his time), Clark Gable’s perfectly coiffed hair, Frank Ocean’s keys to maintain a healthy glow, to nail care inspired by Bad Bunny. Throughout the book, Yi reminds us that beauty is not exclusive to women and that living your best life and loving yourself transcends time and social constructs. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy history, gender studies, and all things beauty.