I mostly skimmed this one when I realized after 50 pages the style, voice, and writing were very much not going to connect with me. It wasn't what I tI mostly skimmed this one when I realized after 50 pages the style, voice, and writing were very much not going to connect with me. It wasn't what I thought it would be. I'd hoped for some more actual insight into the practices but there was very little of that. Stalking God: From Laughing Yoga to Burning Man, My Unorthodox Search for Something to Believe In did it better. ...more
An outstanding yoga book, whatever your particular flavor of practice is. It's empowering and encouraging and a deep reminder how easy it is to incorpAn outstanding yoga book, whatever your particular flavor of practice is. It's empowering and encouraging and a deep reminder how easy it is to incorporate all the limbs into a single practice and more, into a single pose.
I listened to this on audio and while Baptiste was great to listen to, the recording itself was riddled with flaws. Repeated lines happened a few times and at one point, Baptiste coughs to clear his throat and it was not edited out (BIZARRE).
That said, I loved the book enough to want to pick it up in print to notate it because there's so much in here, whether you're a yoga teacher or a student.
The framework is simple and powerful: 1. Be a Yes 2. Give up what you must 3. You are ready now
I loved the Baptiste classes I've taken and have had many of the principles of his methodology baked into my education and my own teaching. These tools will only further that. ...more
I love Trebek, but what he said at the beginning of the book is spot on: he's really not that interesting or remarkable. He just has a public job and I love Trebek, but what he said at the beginning of the book is spot on: he's really not that interesting or remarkable. He just has a public job and he's been doing it for a long time.
That said, I still enjoyed listening to his stories. It was a little odd to have Ken Jennings perform the bulk of the book, since it really made me start hearing this AS Jennings's memoir, instead of Trebek's. Trebek does a few of the chapters, but otherwise, Jennings does it.
When you know someone's voice and can hear it in their writing, it's such a treat. That's the case for me with this book, as I've had the honor of getWhen you know someone's voice and can hear it in their writing, it's such a treat. That's the case for me with this book, as I've had the honor of getting to know Mikki a bit over the years. This essay collection is her at her best, her voice perfectly clear, succinct, and impactful.
Hood Feminism is essential reading for feminists -- especially white feminists -- more concerned about mommy wars and last names than about prison reform, fair housing, and abolishing the police. It's not easy reading and it's not "nice" reading, not should it be. Instead, it's a wakeup call for how to be an accomplice, as opposed to an ally.
With the caveats that Elovic herself notes that she's cis, white, and Jewish, this comic about learning to accept -- maybe even love -- one's own bodyWith the caveats that Elovic herself notes that she's cis, white, and Jewish, this comic about learning to accept -- maybe even love -- one's own body is a delight. The art is fun and fresh, with a bright, full-color palate, and Elovic isn't afraid to be honest about the "flaws" she saw in herself that are, turns out, completely normal.
This would be such a great comic especially for teen girls looking for insight into their own experiences or seeking a reminder that it's possible to accept your flaws as you grow. While Elovic is definitely positive about hers, the tone here isn't that every one should love their bodies but rather, it's a life-long relationship you work through to find a place of acceptance.
Even more than the physical realities explored here, from butts to periods to chin hairs to shaving and more, the inner wisdom and realities of being female in a world meant to shrink female-identifying folks down is rendered smartly without ever being a lecture. Rather, we see Elovic learn why it is she lost her backbone growing up and how she learned to rediscover her own power. ...more
If you know anything about collectibles or fiascos like that of the Beanie Baby, little in here will be new. It's bigger and more expansive, and in a If you know anything about collectibles or fiascos like that of the Beanie Baby, little in here will be new. It's bigger and more expansive, and in a lot of ways, far more browsable than it seems. I went in and out with how in-depth I read and felt like I enjoyed it a lot more by not forcing myself to read it closely.
The tl;dr is what it always is: middle class white folks' aspirations fall victim to capitalism, eager to cater to it. Most stuff we own is worthless and meaningless and woof, as someone who worked at Hallmark during the Precious Moments era (and the Willow Tree figurines!), that was a flashback to some grim times.
It also made me feel way better about seeking out older kid toys from my youth and instead of keeping them pristine and collectible -- as they're being sold in many arenas -- giving them to my kid to actually play with. That's what the value is. ...more
If you like Dolly, you'll enjoy this collection of four reprinted essays on why she's become such a unifying figure in American pop culture -- what maIf you like Dolly, you'll enjoy this collection of four reprinted essays on why she's become such a unifying figure in American pop culture -- what makes her appeal to such a wide audience and why has she seen a renaissance in her popularity since 2016? These essays explore the things that make her who she is and why that's so appealing to so many.
Dolly won't call herself a feminist, but Smarsh talks about how that doesn't mean she isn't; rather, she lives the work, rather than studies and labels it, and that comes from a life where she's not college educated in the same manner as many feminists are (read: middle class white people). A nice reminder that a label is useful to those who understand it, but that one can be living those values without seeing the need to attach a label they feel excludes their real lived experiences. ...more
Visiting this every morning after meditation was lovely. Some sections will resonate more than others, but so many really nailed a lot of what has beeVisiting this every morning after meditation was lovely. Some sections will resonate more than others, but so many really nailed a lot of what has been on my mind in regards to living yoga, as opposed to doing yoga. ...more
The audiobook likely took me longer to listen to than picking up the hardcover would have, but listening to the stories of these Black migrants from tThe audiobook likely took me longer to listen to than picking up the hardcover would have, but listening to the stories of these Black migrants from the south to cities in the north and west will stay longer with me having heard them like this.
A powerful book and essential reading on American history and Black American history.
I was particularly engaged with the bits about Cicero, Illinois, having grown up very close by and never knowing it as a "white town." Because, by the time I grew up in the area, it wasn't -- and Wilkerson offers a too-obvious answer as to why that is the case and why towns like that look the way they do now. ...more
A super fascinating look at "culture" as it relates to animals, specifically whales, parrots, and monkeys. Why do humans think we're the only creatureA super fascinating look at "culture" as it relates to animals, specifically whales, parrots, and monkeys. Why do humans think we're the only creatures who have cultural habits and norms? Other animals do, too, and this takes a dive into norms as seen through the eyes of those creatures (as opposed to creating meaning from our eyes).
Audio was serviceable. The production solid, though it's a longer book and I only didn't LOVE the audio because I could have read it faster, even at increased listening speed.
For readers who love nature, animals, and readable science nonfiction. ...more
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may or may not know that 1 out of every 5 Americans is disabled, whetThis year marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may or may not know that 1 out of every 5 Americans is disabled, whether visible or not, and that number is even more startling for Black Americans, wherein 1 in every 4 are disabled. This collection, expertly curated and edited by disability activist Alice Wong, is not only timely, but it’s a vital anthology for readers -- abled and disabled -- to understand the realities of disability and disability justice today.
Broken into four sections -- Being, Becoming, Doing, and Connecting -- each of the essays digs into something related to the theme at hand and each piece is tightly written by a wide range of contributors. Some of the names will be familiar, while others will be new names, but there’s not a single weak essay in the collection.
Among the ones that really stood out to me included “The Isolation of Being Deaf in Prison,” wherein Jeremy Woody tells his experiences being Deaf behind bars to Christie Thomas. It’s something I’ve never thought about, despite my own interest with prison justice.
In the Becoming section, Haben Girma’s piece on how guide dogs aren’t leading Blind people but instead are being led by them really made me pause. I had an incredible opportunity last year to spend time with Dr. Kathie Schneider, who founded and funds the Schneider Family Book Award for presentation of the disability experience in children’s literature, and she took me to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire’s campus, wherein there’s a statue of a guide dog -- hers -- and what all it represents for the school and for the study, understanding, and humanity of those with disabilities. Girma’s essay was a reminder of how symbols mean so much more than what a general population might think they mean. This section also had a great piece by Keah Brown about Black Disabled Joy that reminded me how fantastic her writing is. Keshia Scott has a piece in this section, too, about asexuality and how it relates to the disability experience that will mean so much to queer -- especially ace -- readers.
Zipporah Arielle wrote a powerful piece about why more celebrities like Selma Blair speaking up and out about disability and living visibly with it could make a tremendous impact for disability justice.
Eugene Grant writes about Benjamin Lay, an abolitionist Dwarf, and how much a shame it is that people’s disabilities and bodies don’t take up more space in history books alongside what they did -- Lay’s story and experiences as a Dwarf would have changed so much, given that representation of Dwarfs in pop culture is as a joke or laughter or side kick and never central or hero.
s.e. smith’s piece at the end of the book explores what it is to see a performance on stage where literally every performer is disabled, where there are interpreters for the show, and wherein nearly the entire audience is disabled as well -- and what happens when someone who is able-bodied takes the mic in that space.
These essays will challenge you, whether or not you’re disabled, and they’ll be reminders of how much work there is still to do in order to make spaces accessible and welcoming to those of all disabilities, visible or not. Moreover, these pieces are a cry to center disabled voices and experiences when it comes to change and reform across all sociopolitical arenas, including in otherwise diverse spaces where disability is still not always part of an organization or movement’s mission.
Necessary reading that’s easy to read cover to cover OR, like I did, pick up and put down to really think about what the pieces each said. We don’t have enough books about disability from disabled voices. This is a crucial addition to the small -- but growing -- shelf. ...more
This really gets at a lot of what I've been mulling over and moving my life toward during this pandemic. This really gets at a lot of what I've been mulling over and moving my life toward during this pandemic. ...more
he book explores the history of science as it relates to our understanding of our closest planetary neighbor, Mars. It’s chronological, from about thehe book explores the history of science as it relates to our understanding of our closest planetary neighbor, Mars. It’s chronological, from about the 1950s until now, but it goes much further back than that, digging into what made seeking out life in worlds outside of our own so captivating and the wheres, whys, and hows of the beliefs people had through time about space.
Woven into the history and major players in Mars exploration is Johnson’s own memoir of growing fond of this research. And it’s this, perhaps, that made me so captivated by the book. It’s got the heavy research, but it’s coupled with the human aspect of why. Why are scientists -- and the average person -- obsessed with the idea of life on Mars? What does life mean, anyway? And what if what life is isn’t necessarily something we want it to be?
The book explores beliefs ranging from those of Percival Lowell who believed a utopian society existed on Mars to Carl Sagan and the research he did and ultimate disappointment he and others felt when his theories didn’t align with what physical evidence was found until after his death, to Audouin Dollfus, who conducted astronomical research with stratospheric balloons. Johnson parallels this research with the work she and other scientists are doing here on Earth in some of the most remote and inhospitable places, like the Dry Valleys of Antarctica and the salt flats of Western Australia (with discussion that reminded me a lot about the otherworldliness of The White Sands in New Mexico and the gypsum the dunes are comprised of).
It’s a personal book as much as it’s a universal book, and it was such a thought-provoking work about what life is -- and what life may not be. Johnson, from what it sounds like, believes we found life on Mars but because it’s not life we think life looks like, it’s a hard sell. And that, at least for me, is what is at the heart of the book: what are the lines between scientific evidence and human belief? What makes some things easy to understand and others easy to dismiss?
For readers who love science, space, and philosophy mixed smartly with memoir. ...more
Mitchell's book is a month-by-month observation of nature . . . and her experiences of depression. It's a soothing read, though the subtitle is a littMitchell's book is a month-by-month observation of nature . . . and her experiences of depression. It's a soothing read, though the subtitle is a little misleading. It's less about how nature heals and more about the experiences Mitchell has with nature helping HER through depression (and in this particular year, it's not as she usually experiences). It's a nice read, easy, and the design with art and photography is pretty. ...more
Appealing and engaging, this nonfiction is easy for teens -- and adults -- to read in a sitting or through multiple short reading sessions. It looks aAppealing and engaging, this nonfiction is easy for teens -- and adults -- to read in a sitting or through multiple short reading sessions. It looks at US protests from colonization through 2019, and it offers context to many of the protests that offer insight into what we're seeing today (quite literally).
It's about 180 pages long, so it's not going to include everything. The information is not comprehensive, and for some of the lesser-known protests, it's hard to say how much historical context is enough or too much/too little. There wasn't enough here about who can/cannot protest, though the images speak pretty loudly in a number of cases, which is about the biggest thing I felt it was lacking.
But a damn solid introduction and will certainly encourage more reading. ...more
Essential reading, and I cannot recommend the audiobook more highly, as the author performs it absolutely perfectly.
This is about Park Hong wrestling Essential reading, and I cannot recommend the audiobook more highly, as the author performs it absolutely perfectly.
This is about Park Hong wrestling with her lived experience as an Asian American and what that label and identity even means. She's Korean, but what context does -- or doesn't -- that add to the label she's been given? How does it play out in what she writes? In what ways has she or hasn't she been able to truly and authentically express herself, given how limited and colonial the English language is?
Smart, fiery, fierce, and a crucial addition to anyone's shelf who wants to be seen or wants to be better at seeing those who are unlike them. ...more
It’s almost universal that people love butterflies. It’s almost equally universal people don’t like moths. But the difference between a butterfly and It’s almost universal that people love butterflies. It’s almost equally universal people don’t like moths. But the difference between a butterfly and a moth isn’t what you might think it is. Instead, it’s a small body part that controls how the wings move and that’s about it.
If that has you intrigued, this book will be your jam like it was mine.
Set up in three parts: past, present, and future, Williams -- who writes in a super approachable, delighted manner, but with great research to buoy the book -- takes a deep dive into the butterfly and her allure.
A wholly fascinating book, I learned so much about butterflies. Their wings are actually made of scales, which I didn’t know, and more, the blue butterflies that are so highly prized are such because they are among the few things in nature where blue is an actual hue, as opposed to a reflection of light upon their wings. Williams doesn’t go into the thievery of butterflies as much as I’d hoped, but with name drops, I know there are a ton of people whose stories and crimes I’ll be Googling later. I also had no idea the black on the wings of the monarch are actually veins. Oh, and the book digs into how horrible the male monarchs are toward the females when they want to mate . . . at least in the early generations. Once they’re onto the fourth generation, or the ones that will migrate, the females are much more safe, as the males have lost a lot of their machismo. If you’re unfamiliar with the ideas of monarch generations, you’ll get up to speed here, too.
Williams is delighted by everything she learns, and by turns, it makes the reader delighted, too. This isn’t an especially long book, and while it’s well-researched, it’s a breezy read. In the author’s note, Williams mentions being almost 70 (or in her 70s, I can’t entirely remember). I don’t remember the last time I read a book by an author who was older, so bonus points for that. It was neat to experience the world of butterflies through her eyes, and frankly, I’ll never look at them the same way through my own. ...more
The thing many reviewers didn't like about this is precisely what I did: this isn't a straight true crime book but rather, a memoir about a woman who The thing many reviewers didn't like about this is precisely what I did: this isn't a straight true crime book but rather, a memoir about a woman who is fixated on the events of a cold case in rural West Virginia. I don't care for true crime, and Copley Eisenberg's book kind of gets into why it is I don't. This is a book about privilege, about the ways we almost romanticize the deaths of young white girls, and about how everything we think we know about a place like Pocahontas County, West Virginia isn't right. But we can't know that unless we live there and are part of that community, rather than an outside observer.
Engrossing and fascinating, Copley Eisenberg stays out of the story enough to make clear this isn't necessarily about her but about a common experience many of us have in waking up to those truths. She performs the audio and is excellent. ...more
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