This was a gift from one of my best friends when I was dealing with grief when my husband died. I love mushrooms, and I was mourning, so it really wasThis was a gift from one of my best friends when I was dealing with grief when my husband died. I love mushrooms, and I was mourning, so it really was a thoughtful selection! I finally got around to reading it 3 years later, and I'm even more into mushrooms now than before.
I could really relate to some of the feelings Woon experienced when newly widowed, and there were a few pages where I highlighted things that resonated, but I didn't have the connection to the writer and the topic that I expected. It jumped around too much and didn't allow me to sit with her grief or experience it in any way...when she described the most agonizing moments of her life, I wasn't really invested enough to be touched yet, and she abruptly switches topic to mushrooms again. In fact, she starts the book being happy and moved on, so I think that took much of the impact from the words describing her grief and death experiences when she gets around to that part. I wasn't emotionally impacted by this book, which is very surprising.
It was interesting to learn about the culture of mushroom fanatics, especially the fact that they are scientists who are into suppressing knowledge. Overall, it was a solid 3-star book that I wouldn't recommend to anyone who loves mushrooms or is widowed. I do recommend getting into hobbies that take you into the natural world, as she and I have done, but not too much is gained reading this whole book. (The "unmentionables" chapter was the most intriguing if you are going to read any of it).
A true crime that happened in our community, and the writing was not bad! I appreciated hearing the entire story about this tragedy that was a result A true crime that happened in our community, and the writing was not bad! I appreciated hearing the entire story about this tragedy that was a result of a horribly toxic relationship due to someone's low self-esteem. I guess what I learned here is that our poor romantic choices, staying in toxic relationships, allowing someone to abuse and control us, affects the people around us, too. If your sociopathic or narcissistic partner can't hurt you enough at some point, they may just kill your mom. So make good choices!
At times it was really hard to read the barrage of miserable text exchanges in an unhealthy, abusive relationship. I just cringed, wanted to throw up sometimes, and wanted to scream at the guy and say, "Get a damned backbone and ditch this horrible girl! Get some counseling! This is not "love," for crying out loud! " I just wish that people were more educated about what a healthy, loving relationship actually looks like.
Anyway, I had strong emotional investment and reactions to what was going on in this story, and I am horrified to know that Katie Conley is a free woman right now after murdering a beloved woman in our community because of some technical error in how her damning evidence against her was handled. I hope to never run into her, and I hope that our justice system can be reformed soon so that black people can stop being convicted of crimes they didn't commit and pretty white girls can get the justice they deserve for cold-blooded, calculated, murder.
I read all of the introductory materials that talked about the history of the trail and general advice for hiking anywhere, including this trail. I thI read all of the introductory materials that talked about the history of the trail and general advice for hiking anywhere, including this trail. I then read only about the section that I did and it was pretty accurate even nine years later. Granted, I didn’t do that long of a hike but I will keep this and use it when I come up to do more. ...more
I went through a lot of field guides for local edible plants after taking a class, and this was my favorite. I love the authors writing style; She stiI went through a lot of field guides for local edible plants after taking a class, and this was my favorite. I love the authors writing style; She sticks to plain English. She gives enough context and details to help identify and has chosen plants that for the most part don’t have poisonous look-alikes. You’ll learn how to harvest and when and when you can expect to find them, and her recipes so far have been good!...more
A very PG memoir about a guy trying to "investigate" why none of his crushes ever turned into a relationship with any intimacy at all. It was mildly hA very PG memoir about a guy trying to "investigate" why none of his crushes ever turned into a relationship with any intimacy at all. It was mildly humorous, probably relatable to high school students, and definitely positive and religious. I have a teacher who has 11th graders coming to the library for a memoir, and I sometimes get the complaint that so many of them are dark, or the challenges are just too much (drug abuse, abuse, etc.) and this is a good one to recommend for those students. The writer overcomes a challenge, but it's not too much more than the average, clean-pure-and-wholesome teen does. LOVED the handwritten flow-charts and graphs to illustrate his levels of humiliation, the likeliness of things to happen, etc.--they cracked me up....more
This is not about Tubman and the network of safe-houses and Tubman-led escapes as one might expect from the title. It's a collection of stories and faThis is not about Tubman and the network of safe-houses and Tubman-led escapes as one might expect from the title. It's a collection of stories and facts about how enslaved people freed themselves (in the U.S.) and the context for each situation. You'll go way back to thriving African nations and the start of the transatlantic slave trade to the abolishment of slavery and a bit after.
Much of the smashing takes the white-savior-centered narrative of the Underground Railroad and focuses on enslaved people's efforts to escape the chains of slavery. It was interesting but not more than a 3-star book for me, probably because there was almost nothing new to me. Students will learn a lot, though! ...more
A very accessible account of Henry VIII's wives at a very basic level. I'm glad this exists, and even though I've seen the musical, Six and read FatalA very accessible account of Henry VIII's wives at a very basic level. I'm glad this exists, and even though I've seen the musical, Six and read Fatal Throne and already know the story, it is neat to see it so condensed and knowing that a student with major reading struggles could enjoy this book. ...more
I'm learning stuff I didn't know, and I've read a LOT about the American Revolution. Stuff like the truth about Paul Revere, how much of our historicaI'm learning stuff I didn't know, and I've read a LOT about the American Revolution. Stuff like the truth about Paul Revere, how much of our historical facts come from literary or artistic renderings long after the events took place, getting the two Adams more clearly understood, etc. It's Messner's style that makes it stick and points out the interesting bits for what they are; I cracked up multiple times and wanted to talk about these stories after I read them. This is for kids, but....LOVE IT! I want to read all of the History Smashers now!
"In the end, the white men who made up the Continental Congress decided they wanted quick support for their declaration more than they wanted to fight for equality and freedom for everyone."...more
A friend loaned me her copy to read on the train, and I did finish it in 3 hours. It's Dr. Laura, so expect to hear rantings about how feminists have A friend loaned me her copy to read on the train, and I did finish it in 3 hours. It's Dr. Laura, so expect to hear rantings about how feminists have destroyed society, the American family (which only has one definition) and most women's hopes for ever having a happy life.
There is some great relationship advice in here, provided you have a healthy union. Most of the book is telling you what's wrong with your relationship and everyone else's.
While I do not identify with her deep scorn for most people or her sense of superiority for the most part, we do share a reverence for integrity and good character, and doing what's "right' rather than what's easy and convenient. It's good to suffer her lectures every now and then, as it often gives me a welcomed kick in the pants, but I can only take so much. I don't agree with most of her ideas.
I had never even heard of this guy until a friend told me that she had several people recommend this book to her in a short time, and it was availableI had never even heard of this guy until a friend told me that she had several people recommend this book to her in a short time, and it was available at the library, so why not? WOW. Simple truths from a very wise gazillionaire. LOVE THIS. Keeping a copy at home as a reference and inspiration. I liked this better than the Thich Naht Han books! ...more
I hated chickens, and now I want them in my life. Mission accomplished, Sy Montgomery! I love this author, and there's nothing more delightful than liI hated chickens, and now I want them in my life. Mission accomplished, Sy Montgomery! I love this author, and there's nothing more delightful than listening to her read her books. She reads her own words with such delight, reverence, and awe about every little thing, and I can't get enough of her, really. I was blown away by what I learned about chickens, and I want to love them....more
Egan covers much ground with this little book with the goal of helping you make better food choices for animal welfare, the environment, your budget, Egan covers much ground with this little book with the goal of helping you make better food choices for animal welfare, the environment, your budget, and your health. This is the omnivore's dilemma: all day, every day, we are faced with copious food choices, and there's really an overwhelming amount of information and implications to consider, so it's no wonder that some of us get excited about prescripted diets that take the decisions out of our hands.
The author sums up the major points and pros and cons of different food choices: do I choose wild-caught fish or farm-raised (and the dozens of factors to consider for each); do I eat out, choose a meal delivery kit, or cook?; do I choose the vegan option or the meat, and if I choose the meat, should it be grass-fed, antibiotic free, reduced fat, or full fat? Then, do I grill it or have it in a stew? Ugh! So many choices! For the most part, she helps you sort some info out to consider and sort of steers you in one direction or another, but each choice requires you to do a LOT of work/research in addition to her tips. I loved that she alerted me to the existence of so many organizations who are watching/inspecting/certifying/reporting on particular issues, and she encourages you to check. For example, there's an organization that tells you which restaurants have the most sustainable practices, and another that focuses on just the antibiotics in meats in each restaurant, and another that will report on how likely this store or restaurant is to have fraudulent fish, etc. There are so many organizations to check, though, and it makes it seem like it will be hours and hours of homework to make each choice, which feels like quite a burden. I need to check on human rights/labor practices, animal welfare, sustainability, myriad health benefits or perils, cost, carbon footprint.....
I feel more informed, and I purchased the book to use as a reference later now that I've read it all; much I already knew, some was entirely new, but most importantly, the names of the organizations reporting on the aspects that I care about and the websites to keep checking will be what I use the most. ...more
I found this to be really useful and practical; no complaints! I learned that there are many things to explicitly teach and things to do to support stI found this to be really useful and practical; no complaints! I learned that there are many things to explicitly teach and things to do to support students in talking to each other (classroom discussions to build learning) as well as presenting information (which I already had down). There is nothing missing in this book; resources include video clips of teachers putting this into practice with real students, visual aids, and very specific instructions for using these strategies and techniques in the elementary and middle school classroom, although I think it would work in HS as well.
Pretty interesting! This reminded me of A History of the World in 6 Glasses, but the 6 innovations were glass (including lenses), sound (from communicPretty interesting! This reminded me of A History of the World in 6 Glasses, but the 6 innovations were glass (including lenses), sound (from communication devices to measurement techniques), time (wow about clocks!), cold (refrigeration/AC), light (from electricity to laser technology), and clean (sterilization techniques). I just eat this stuff right up; how science or tech affects civilizations (social history) is just my favorite thing, I've discovered. We take so much for granted, and being prompted to see the world around me in a new way, mostly as a series of accidents, discoveries, and collaborations that gave me all the beautiful conveniences and opportunities that I have right now, was an eye-opening and awe-inspiring experience.
I highly recommend for middle school students! ...more
I loved the layout and illustrations of this book. I have a lot of dying plants in my house, and this gave me enough information to know exactly how tI loved the layout and illustrations of this book. I have a lot of dying plants in my house, and this gave me enough information to know exactly how to care for each of them, how to save each of them, and easy to understand tips for choosing and maintaining any houseplants, including witch pests each type of plant is susceptible to and how to deal with them. I feel confident that I can keep my plants alive now that I have read this and have it on hand!...more
These twin Christian teens started the "rebelution" movement when they decided to host a blog about the need for teens to rebel against the low standards and expectations set for adolescents. It was refreshing to read about teens striving to achieve, accomplish, stand out, make a difference, and "do hard things" to live in accordance with their Christian values. The book is a How To, provides many examples of teens living their values and making hard changes and doing amazing things, and it provides much reference to Biblical scripture to support their claims that this is necessary. What an inspiration to read about teens focusing on Character, Competence, and Collaboration, and refusing to skirt by with the bare minimum required. ...more
I will be bicycling from Buffalo to Albany this summer, and this book is an invaluable resource. There are maps for every section of the trail with reI will be bicycling from Buffalo to Albany this summer, and this book is an invaluable resource. There are maps for every section of the trail with recommended sights to see in each area. I checked out the areas that I know really well, and I thought their recommendations were pretty solid. You also get the history of the Erie Canal, suggestions for places to rent bikes, camp, stay in hotels, or get your bike repaired along the way and tips for training ahead of time. I haven’t gone on the big trip yet, but it answered all of my questions, give me things to think about that I hadn’t, and each map looks like it is going to be perfectly useful....more
This is a great book for any single girl to read! So positive! It's all about having the confidence to be your total true self and not to have any gimThis is a great book for any single girl to read! So positive! It's all about having the confidence to be your total true self and not to have any gimmicks or tricks to catch another person's interest. It's what I'd have wanted to teach a daughter, and here I got to have the same talking to. I just loved this. ...more
Malik guides us through 6 underlying myths that feed our political discontent and ongoing problems. These myths "divide and instill a sense of superioMalik guides us through 6 underlying myths that feed our political discontent and ongoing problems. These myths "divide and instill a sense of superiority over others. Nations are susceptible to these impusles when going through times of instability, when they become vulnerable to demagoguery, or fall to dictatorship" (5). Malik gave me much to ponder, and her explanations helped me to understand this pendulum swing away from what I thought was "progress" in the United States and elsewhere.
The first myth, that we have reliable narrators, exposed how awful our journalism is and has been, and how journalists and the media are to blame for misinforming us because they are simply lazy, not conforming to journalistic standards because our media sources are comprised of mostly one gender, race, and class (and they all hobnob with the people in power, and therefore take the word of the people in power and publish as truth without proper vetting). Facets of issues are not being represented, and I appreciated her use of the war in Iraq as an example. I remember understanding and being outraged by the fact that the media was so pro-war and not investigating or even presenting opinions about whether we were doing the right thing. How widespread the issue is alarming.
The Myth of the Political Correctness Crisis and the Myth of the Free Speech Crisis are also interesting chapters (and I wish the Right would read it!), although nothing is really new there for me, since this is a topic I keep current on.
The Myth of Harmful Identity Politics is about identity; the far Right claims to hate the whole "identity" thing, but all of the outcry about talking about and addressing Race, gender, ethnicity, etc. is just "grievance flipping" because it, too, is about identity (White, patriarchal, protestant, etc.) "The only thing white elites are out of touch with is the pervasiveness of white identity politics."
The Myth of National Exceptionalism: This was the most fascinating chapter. It's all about rewriting history and glorifying the past. One thing I took away from this in shock was how the Clinton administration unnecessarily bombed the author's home of Khartoum to divert attention from the Lewinsky scandal! I also learned about the Balance Sheet (contextualizing history to soften it, such as taking an unjustifiable act and "putting scores on the board to balance out the criticism" of it, such as a war. It is "equivocation [that] turns history into a constantly evolving account with the purpose of erasing wrongdoing" (146). I especially appreciated Malik's argument against saying things like, "It was a different time; it's unfair to put today's standards on people back then." She says, "It assumes that at any given time there was a uniform and time-specific set of ethics." So true; it's not like everyone agreed slavery was okay and necessary. Even then, there were countless people horrified by it, especially those enslaved. We can't erase the opposition, the ethical protests, the attempts to escape, the abolitionists' efforts by saying that "back then, slavery was just accepted." I, too, have been guilty of listening to that argument (it was a different time; we can't hold those people to the moral standard we have today). If my ancestor was a slave holder, I can say he was a jerk; other people at that time were advocating for slavery to be abolished. (P.S. this is hypothetical; I have no slaveholders in my past that I know of!)
Most importantly, I learned that in Texas and other areas of the South, they are actually not teaching about slavery. One McGraw Hill textbook referred to it as MIGRATION, and called the enslaved "workers who migrated from Africa." Holy crap! The image of slavery as benevolence is also explicitly taught to Southern kids, supposedly, and I just really didn't know this.
The last one, the Myth of Gender Equality, had some shocking information about Jordan Peterson and his assertion of biological determinism...a friend of mine recommended his work to me, and now I'm concerned about my friend. Much of this chapter's content is not new to me, but I appreciate how she's put it all together.
Overall, I take away a better understanding of how we got to now, which I see as this horrible backslide from progressivism, and I see that there's really nothing new; this backlash against the loss of rights of those comfortably in power, the status quo, has been a natural state of things for centuries. Malik tries to provide hope, but I didn't believe a word of her positive thinking. I also learned about several types of arguments that persist that I will now be able to identify when they are happening, from the tool of the "balance sheet" to trivializing complaints as indulgences because, well, at least we aren't being tortured, and for this I am grateful, because I think I'll be less shocked with what will be the next outrage I see in our political future....more
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