This book is about crimes such as breaking and entering, burglary, assault, murder, sabotage, and terrorism. The perpetrators are all animals, plants, and trees. Using her humor, Mary Roach investigates how we deal with lawbreakers who are just using their instincts. Animals such as bears, cougars, monkeys, birds, and rats are discussed but also trees, legumes, and other plants are included. This was a fascinating look at nature. Although I found the last two chapters dealing with poisons and extermination was a bit much, this was an interesting read. Roach's humor adds to the book in the right places. I strongly recommend this book to those who enjoy hiking and the outdoors, biology, and the environment.
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M. T. Anderson tells the life story of composer Dmitri Shostakovich, the Russian Revolution, and life under siege during World War II. As the people of Leningrad were starving because of the German siege around the city, Shostakovich described the events through music by writing his Symphony No. 7. It would be later be smuggled to the United States and Europe on microfilm. After I read this award winning book, I listened to a recording of the symphony. I felt I had a bigger appreciation for it after knowing the backstory. Teens who like reading about history, music, or about World War II will enjoy it. There are many photos throughout the book not only of Shostakovich but of Russian/Soviet history that provides a historical perspective. This graphic novel is autobiographical as Gene Luen Yang decides to write about his school's boys varsity basketball season. It also discusses the history of basketball and the team, its successes, its disappointments, its controversies, and more. It also covers Yang's personal life and struggles as he writes/draws this book and gets to know the team and its players. This was a fun book to read. I like how personal Yang got as well as how he captured the excitement of the basketball games. Sports fans and graphic novel fans will enjoy this book. Run is the first book in the second autobiographical trilogy about John Lewis' life during the civil rights movement. In this book, he finds himself at odds with the direction the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee is heading. He finds himself moving away from the SNCC and looking toward politics. This graphic novel covers an area of American history that is often skipped in history class. Even with the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, the fight for civil rights continued. Those who enjoyed his other graphic novels, will love this one as well. In alternating chapters, Scott Kelly discusses his year at the International Space Station and his life leading up to the mission. In the chapters about his mission, he describes the space station, adapting to weightlessness, maintaining equipment, going on spacewalks, the hardships of being away from his family, and the friendships with the other astronauts on the station. It was interesting to hear about what life is like on the station and some of the issues they had to deal with that we here on Earth take for granted. After reading this, I found a virtual tour of the space station. In the other chapters, Scott Kelly tells of his childhood, his education, becoming an engineer, military pilot, test pilot, and finally being accepted into the NASA program. He struggled in school and it wasn't until he read Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff before he discovered what he wanted to do. He goes into the training he went through before becoming a pilot and then for each space mission. He even goes into his personal life: marriage, becoming a father to two daughters, his divorce, relationship with his parents and twin brother, and being up in space when his sister-in-law, Representative Gabby Giffords was shot in Tucson, Arizona. I listen to this memoir and it was read by Scott Kelly. I enjoyed hearing his voice and tone throughout. It was neat to hear about all of the friendships he developed with astronauts and cosmonauts from all over the world. Those who are interested in the space program will find this a fascinating read. This book takes a look at the history of the Los Angeles Central Library focusing on April 28, 1986, when a fire broke out destroying thousands of books and other materials. Orlean reports on the investigation of the fire and how suspicions led to Harry Peak.
This is more than a story about a fire. Orlean takes a look at the history of the public library in Los Angeles as well as the operations in the public library. Orleans' writing makes this an interesting book. She weaved in history, current operations, and the story of the fire throughout the book. Much research, including interviews, was done for this book and it shows. Those who love libraries should include this title in their "To Read" list. In 1933, William E. Dodd, a professor at the University of Chicago, was named ambassador to Germany. He takes his wife, son, and daughter to Germany. He accepted the position in hopes that it would give him time to write a series of books about the history of the Old South - a dream of his. Little did he know the the political unrest that would befall on Germany. This was a fascinating book. Larson's writing makes it read like a novel including drama with Dodd's daughter, Martha, and her relationships with Nazi officers and a Russian spy; suspense, as Germany's political climate turns dangerous with the attacks on Jews and the approaching war. I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about history, especially World War II. This memoir tells the story of how Jodee Blanco's life changed after writing her memoir about being bullied in school. She describes how her former classmates who once bullied her reacted to it. The response to her book from teenagers all over the country led her to develop an anti-bullying program for students, teachers, and parents. She talks about how doing these programs affected her. It was an interesting biography--not as powerful as her previous book, Please Stop Laughing at Me--: One Woman's Inspirational Story, but well worth the time. I recommend this book to all those who have read her first book and want to learn more about her life afterwards. Tells the story of Abe who as a teen is asked by a teacher are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? It discusses how when placed in hot water how the carrot, egg, and coffee bean changes. The same can describe how we react during stressful times. I read this in one sitting and found it to be very inspirational and will be one I will keep around the house as a reminder. Cosmologist Stephen Hawking provides his answers to big questions about the existence of God, how the universe began, if there's intelligent life other than on Earth, what's inside of a black hole, is time travel possible, and more. This was a fascinating read. I must admit there were a few parts that somewhat went over my head, but I think Hawking really tried to write this as simple as possible. I did enjoy reading about the beginnings of the universe, if there's another intelligent life in the universe, and about black holes, but then again space has always been an interest of mine. What was also interesting was getting glimpses of Hawking's life. He started the book discussing his life a bit. At the end of the book are: an afterward by his daughter, Lucy Hawking, and transcripts of the eulogies given at his funeral. I recommend this book to those who have an interest in science. |
AuthorMr. Andrusyk is a school librarian at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Illinois. Past Book RecommendationsClick here to view a listing of Mr. Andrusyk's list of favorite authors, series, fiction, and nonfiction. Archives
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