My Bookish Life in July 2018

I know I read a lot, and yet when I see the list of books I have finished by month end, I always feel the need to go back and check to see if it is right. I checked and it is. Here are the books I finished reading in July.

1. 1. Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine
   2. Hello, Nebulon! (Galaxy Zack #1) read aloud with my son
   3. Sharp Objects for July book club
   4. No One Tells You This: A Memoir
   5. Nevertheless She Persisted: True Stories of Women Leaders in Tech
   6. The Art of Inheriting Secrets
   7. The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan
   8. Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks
   9. SELF-ish: A Transgender Awakening -- My review is coming later this week!

Also surprising, yet not, is the list of books that joined my TBR pile from a number of sources. (I like saying it this way. It sounds like they wandered over on their own accord.)

In July, I purchased Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life from Barnes & Noble and a used copy of The Seeker's Guide (previously published as The New American Spirituality) from Biblio.com.

I won an audiobook copy of Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat by Patricia Williams and with Jeannine Amber through a Book Riot-hosted contest sponsored by Libro.fm.

From the library, I picked up I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer for my local book club meeting in August. Sadly, I didn’t even open it before it was due and I had to take it right back again. This happens sometimes.

Through subscription services, I selected The Summer Wives: A Novel as my Book of the Month, and Faithbox included in its box Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff. Goff’s book was a nice surprise as it happened to be on my wishlist already.

Lastly, I have received a bunch of ebook review copies from Netgalley. This month, they include:

• Bow First, Ask Questions Later: Ordination, Love, and Monastic Zen in Japan published May 8, 2018


• Namaste the Hard Way: A Daughter's Journey to Find Her Mother on the Yoga Mat by Sasha Brown-Worsham to be published September 4, 2018


• Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist to be published September 18, 2018


• Essential Oils for Mindfulness and Meditation: Relax, Replenish, and Rejuvenate by Heather Dawn Godfrey to be published November 6, 2018


• Body Mindful Yoga: Create a Powerful and Affirming Relationship with Your Body by Robert Butera and Jennifer Kreatsoulas to be published November 8, 2018


• The Art of Psychic Reiki: Developing Your Intuitive and Empathic Abilities for Energy Healing by Lisa Campion and Rhys Thomas to be published October 1, 2018

That's a pretty good month, I think!

Disclaimer: I used Amazon affiliate links in this post. Should you choose to buy something through those links, you will not pay any extra, but they will send me a small fee, which I will likely add to my book fund. Thank you. Please see my Book Review Disclaimer for more information.

Bookish Link Love for 7.28.2018

Books bring understanding to life and, in turn, life makes books more interesting. Here are some of the stories from around the web that caught my attention recently.

One barber set up a mini-library so kids can spark a love for reading while getting a haircut -- “Books about slavery and civil rights have their place, Irby believes, but little black boys and girls deserve books that allow them to be children.”

Science shows reading books is good for you! -- Thank goodness! I should be super healthy now.

Page Chaser made a grumpy old man read a romance and share his thoughts -- and it is delightful.

A real look at depression and anxiety by author Fredrik Backman -- One of my favorite authors opens up about his day-to-day mental health.

Kids got to drop off their stuffed animals for a sleepover in a library -- They (the stuffed animals) watched movies, ate takeout, and slept next to the bookshelves. The library chronicled their event through photos.

An interview with Frances Mayes about her new book and writing about Italy -- I was already excited to read Women in Sunlight, but after this interview, I’m even more intrigued.

Chained libraries used to be a thing -- It kept the books from being stolen.

The Art of Inheriting Secrets: a book review

The Art of Inheriting Secrets: A Novel

by Barbara O'Neal

Released July 17, 2018

Lake Union Publishing

Looking for a light summer read with a gorgeous setting, delicious food descriptions, mystery, and romance? The Art of Inheriting Secrets is a good bet.

In it, we follow food editor Olivia who has inherited from her mother a dilapidated English estate that she didn’t even know existed. She flies from San Francisco to see exactly what it is and quickly has more questions than answers as she tries to determine what to do with it, what it means, and why her mother kept it a secret all this time.

This novel has a number of things going for it: a rich setting that beckons wandering, food descriptions that make me want to spend more time in my kitchen, and an exploration of class systems, ethnic heritage, and sexuality. With these last ideas, the novel provided more diversity than I anticipated. I appreciated that aspect.

I generally read a lot of nonfiction, but like to sprinkle in some fiction, as well, and this book didn’t disappoint. Although I didn’t necessarily relate to the characters, I found the setting remarkably engaging. My favorite aspect of the story was Olivia’s friendship with Pavi, the owner of an Indian restaurant. The way Olivia engaged with food was interesting to me and made me want to appreciate it as much as she does. Reading about the ingredients and concoctions served appealed to my nonfiction side.

If you’re looking for a light read for the end of summer, give this one a try.

Disclaimer: I received an advance-read copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I used Amazon affiliate links in this post. Should you choose to buy something through those links, you will not pay any extra, but they will send me a small fee, which I will likely add to my book fund. Thank you. Please see my Book Review Disclaimer for more information.

No One Tells You This: a book review

No One Tells You This: A Memoir

by Glynnis MacNicol

Released July 10, 2018

Published by Simon & Schuster

No One Tells You This is a memoir in which Glynnis MacNicol explores what it means to be a woman at age 40 who is unmarried and without children.

In U.S. society, it is often "understood" that women will marry and have children, and those who don't tend to receive assurances that it can still happen, as if being happy alone is not an option.

MacNicol's exploration of her own experiences as a single woman approaching then turning 40 years old is a narrative we don't get to see enough of. Her perspective is refreshing as she realizes that she never questioned her path previously, but then begins to do so. After so many people in her life, including strangers, offer "you'll be okay" sentiments, she realizes it never occurred to her that she wouldn't be.

At the same time that she is strengthening her identity, her mother is battling her own identity as dementia takes hold. In this way, MacNicol covers quite a lot of ground.

I enjoyed reading this memoir and appreciated MacNicol's refreshing perspective. As a divorced woman of the same age, I am often assured that I can get married again -- a statement that makes me bristle. I don't want another marriage. Although my circumstances are somewhat different than the author's (I have been married and I am a mother), she and I share some basic beliefs. It was nice to see how someone else navigated the world as a single woman in her 40s.

Disclaimer: I received an advance-read copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I used Amazon affiliate links in this post. Should you choose to buy something through those links, you will not pay any extra, but they will send me a small fee, which I will likely add to my book fund. Thank you. Please see my Book Review Disclaimer for more information.

Green Almonds: a true story graphic novel review

Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine

by Anaële Hermans (Author) and Delphine Hermans (Artist)

Released July 3, 2018

Published by Lion Forge

Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine is a true story depicted in graphic novel format.

Anaële Hermans traveled from her home in Belgium to Palestine to volunteer with an aid organization. During that time she exchanged letters with her sister Delphine back home. Green Almonds brings these letters to life as a graphic novel.

During her time there, Anaële goes back and forth between Palestine and Israel, befriending people in both places, experiencing life on both sides of a physical wall between cities, and witnessing the violence that happens in occupied territories.

This book was originally published in France in 2011. There it received the Doctors Without Borders Award for best travel diary highlighting the living conditions of populations in precarious situations.

I definitely recommend Green Almonds, especially for people who like memoir, travel writing, and social justice issues.

Disclaimer: I received an advance-read copy of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I used Amazon affiliate links in this post. Should you choose to buy something through those links, you will not pay any extra, but they will send me a small fee, which I will likely add to my book fund. Thank you. Please see my Book Review Disclaimer for more information.

White Fragility: a book review

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism

by Robin DiAngelo

Released June 26, 2018

Beacon Press

Having recently finished When They Call You a Terrorist about the Black Lives Matter movement, White Fragility is a great follow-up. But even if you haven't read the other, this is a necessary read for white people in the U.S.

Race relations are in a tough spot, especially with the current political climate. Many of us white people may have thought racism and discrimination were a thing of the past, but it is vital that we understand these things persist.

With a PhD in multicultural education, Robin DiAngelo -- a white woman -- leads university courses, as well as corporate training in multicultural teaching, inter-group dialogue facilitation, cultural diversity, social justice, and anti-racist education.

In White Fragility, DiAngelo explores the subtle and not-so-subtle ways whites uphold racism, perhaps without realizing it. She gives many examples from her consulting experience that show how we get in our own way in understanding racial issues and how we effectively cut off dialogue that could be productive.

She talks about phrases that aren't helpful, like "I have a black friend" or "my family member married/adopted a person of color" or "I marched in the 60s" and explains why these statements don't exclude the speakers from racist tendencies.

I learned a ton in this book, and I plan to keep reading and learning and listening as much as I can about social justice. I encourage other white people to do the same.

I highly recommend White Fragility as a great starting place. This is a book that white people should read. I'm not sure whether there is much value in this book for people of color other than to reinforce what they have already experienced, but if you are a person of color who has read this book, let me know your thoughts.

Disclaimer: I received an advance-read copy of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I used Amazon affiliate links in this post. Should you choose to buy something through those links, you will not pay any extra, but they will send me a small fee, which I will likely add to my book fund. Thank you. Please see my Book Review Disclaimer for more information.

When They Call You a Terrorist: a book review

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir

by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele

Released January 16, 2018

St. Martin's Press

 

 

I had been wanting to read this book since hearing Rebecca Schinsky talk about it on the All The Books podcast earlier this year. I bought my copy from the museum gift shop at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.



When They Call You a Terrorist is a memoir that follows Patrisse Khan-Cullors and her family as they experience police throughout their lives. She writes matter-of-factly about the times her brothers are detained by the police without merit, the time her partner is pulled from their bed in the middle of the night because he fits the description of some minor crime that just happened, her brother's experiences in and out of prison and how he is denied his mental health medication while there.

It all paints a vivid picture of how different people of color experience day-to-day life in the United States.

Khan-Cullors started the hashtag #blacklivesmatter during a written discussion with a friend. Along with a few others, Khan-Cullors went on to turn that into a movement with peaceful protests and speaking up at political events, on Rodeo Drive, and anywhere they could. By the time she builds to this part of her life, the reader is able to better understand why it was so necessary.

Khan-Cullors also describes her experiences as a queer black woman, as well as that of other people of color from the LGBTQ community.

This is an important book at a time when white people like me are trying to understand the deep-rooted anger and fear that our counterparts of color have experienced all along. Where have we been? How could we have missed this?

Whether you are interested in the Black Lives Matter movement (and you should be) or you just like a good memoir, this book is for you. It is not an easy read because of the content and the questions you will find yourself struggling with, but it is a necessary read.



Disclaimer: I used Amazon affiliate links in this post. Should you choose to buy something through those links, you will not pay any extra, but they will send me a small fee, which I will likely add to my book fund. Thank you. Please see my Book Review Disclaimer for more information.