Month: May 2019

    This new novel follows Annika Rose, a young woman who stands apart from the crowd.  The story is divided into two time periods: when Annika is first in college in Chicago in 1991 and the “current day” of 2001.  When we meet Annika in college we see she is a high-functioning possibly-on-the-spectrum attractive young student who just manages to get by in the world.  Annika runs in to her college boyfriend, Jonathan in 2001 after ten years of being apart. He is newly separated from his wife and we aren’t sure how happy he is to see Annika.  Why did they break up in the first place ten years ago?  Annika is now a librarian and single. She sees a therapist.  In the chapters told from Jonathan’s point of view, we see he has moved on from his college relationship, but may still have feelings for Annika.  Janice, Annika’s college roommate and friend, has guided Annika over the years to help her navigate the world.  Annika is a quirky, caring, and somewhat naive woman who doesn’t process social cues, but yet sees the world much brighter than most of us do.  I enjoyed watching how she lived in the world and managed to maintain relationships.

I just finished this adorable book that will appeal to Librarians and book-lovers alike. In Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks, author Annie Spence pens a letter to each book she weeds from her Library collection – 50 Shades of Grey, Matilda, The Virgin Suicides – with admiration in some cases and snark in others that pays homage to each book some loved – some forgotten.

Any avid reader would appreciate her humor and nostalgia – give it a try!

   

Children’s author/illustrator, Judith Kerr, passed away at the age of 95 last week.

She was first published in the 1960’s and is well known for her Mog the cat character as well as novels.  She was still writing and making appearances this month and had just been named illustrator of the year at the British book Awards. Read her obituary here. 

Surviving the City, besides being a beautiful graphic novel and story, is a good reminder of a lesser known issue that plagues women in the United States.

Tasha Spillett’s graphic novel debut is a story about Miikwan and Dez who are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew. Together, the teens navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban landscape – they’re so close, they even completed their Berry Fast together. However, when Dez’s grandmother becomes too sick, Dez is told she can’t stay with her anymore. With the threat of a group home looming, Dez can’t bring herself to go home and disappears. Miikwan is devastated, and the wound of her missing mother resurfaces. Will Dez’s community find her before it’s too late? Will Miikwan be able to cope if they don’t?

Native American women are among the most marginalized populations in the US. They face a far greater risk of facing racial or gender-based violence, being murdered, or going missing. If you are interested in this topic, or are uninformed visit the NWAC website – the statistics are chilling.

The North Liberty Community Library in Iowa has a series of podcasts on a variety of subjects for expectant parents, calling them “Stork Storytime Talks.” The idea was developed by 2 children’s librarians from that library, who cover different aspects of early literacy in the podcasts, and have found experts on subjects ranging from newborn screening to surviving summer while pregnant to children speech pathology. Check out the full article from American Libraries.