Every Body Yoga by Jessamyn Stanley

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Jessamyn Stanley is known for her fresh Instagram account, posting pictures of herself in all kinds of yoga asanas.  While this might not seem revolutionary to most, Jessamyn isn't your typical yoga practitioner - waifish and white.  She's a big black lady who can twist into the most epic asanas I've ever seen.

 I've been waiting for this book for a while, because I love yoga and I love seeing Jessamyn's Insta and because we need it.  Yoga is good for most people - I know that it works for me.  I'm more flexible, stronger, and more healthy mentally when I'm practicing on the regular and Jessamyn hits on those points in this book.  But the more important message here is that EVERY BODY can do yoga.  You don't have to get in shape to then try to get in shape.  So many of the messages coming from yoga, outright and subliminally are that you have to be skinny and in shape to do yoga and it's not true.  Jessmyn talks about her life and how she got to where she was and how she came into her practice and what that did for her.  The book is also a solid beginner's guide to practicing yoga.  Jessamyn covers basic asanas or poses, modifications, and also puts together some simple sequences to practice. I love the models in this book.  They are diverse bodies - different sizes and shapes rocking different asanas.  I will definitely be purchasing this for the library and putting it into the hands of several of my friends and patrons.

The Trespasser by Tana French

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I always go into Tana French’s novels with two questions: who’s it gonna be and how’re they gonna get it?  This time it’s Antoinette Conway, the half South American, half Irish, all woman detective with a chip on her shoulder the size of Dublin Castle itself.  When Conway and her partner Moran are partnered with oily senior detective Breslin on what appears to be a routine domestic murder, Conway’s suspicions rise.  There’s something more to this case than the gaffer and Breslin are letting on, but she isn’t sure what.  Could it be a test of her skills?  A gang connection?  Or something more sinister? 

 

The Trespasser didn’t disappoint.  French’s mysteries twist out into directions that I never expect, and I find myself wandering among tangled what-ifs and who-could-ofs until finally when I think that I’m lost beyond all reasoning, I find the answer smack dab in front of me.  Conway was an interesting pick as a protagonist – very different from most of her other previous heroes.  There was one moment in the middle that felt very forced (you’ll know it when you read it), but otherwise the story read smoothly.  (I also always try to pick out who will be the next protagonist, but I’m not positive this time – maybe Breslin, maybe the journalist…) Overall, a good read.  Not her best, in my opinion, but definitely intriguing.

The Worst Breakfast by China Mieville

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Two sisters rehash the worst breakfast they ever have.  Their descriptions start tamely - burnt toast, soggy tomatoes, and then spiral into the most fantastical and disgusting foods.  Mieville's writing is tweely rhyming (and meta - making fun of a few slant rhymes) and Smith's watercolor illustrations pile putrid food upon putrid food.  This would be a great storytime book for two voices and a fun read to share with the whole family.  Two thumbs up!

Professor Astro Cat's Atomic Adventure

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Professor Astro Cat’s Atomic Adventure by Dr. Walliman, illustrated by Ben Newman is an illustrated exploration of physics. This publication is impeccably timed with education’s push for more STEM studies as well as the Common Core’s focus on informational texts. The space-suited Professor Astro Cat leads readers through basic physics theories that range from rainbows to dark matter. While the topics may seem at times overly complicated, Walliman makes the information easily accessible. This, in fact, would be a good physics primer for both children and adults. Walliman’s narrative pairs well with Newman’s illustrations which are reminiscent of Richard Scarry’s Busy Town. The simple characters are painted with vibrant colors making every page pop. While Professor Astro Cat doesn’t have the hands-on appeal of the Scientists in the Field series, it’s an invaluable resource, as it gives an thorough overview of a subject that many find abstract and confusing. A great addition to any elementary or public library.

Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky

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Isabel, Apple, Erin and our unnamed narrator are the biggest Strepurs around. No, not strippers, STREPURS - fans of the eponynously named boy band the Ruperts (yes all of the band members are named Rupert and not ironically). The girls find out that the Ruperts are going to be staying at the Rondack Hotel while they're in New York and use Apple's parents' money and devotion to get a room there in the hopes that they might catch a glimpse of the band. What they actually catch is one of the Ruperts in the flesh...and then they take him back to their room...and tie him up...What follows is a hilarious exploration of fandom, girl friendships, and just being a teen.

I liked this book. Just like. I know many have professed their undying love for it, but, while it was entertaining and humorous, it was also problematic. SPOILERS TO FOLLOW: The characters were diverse, which was nice, but the fat shaming of Apple was completely unnecessary and grossly cliched, also the fact that she didn't grow or really learn anything from the whole experience was sad. I did feel like the book was overall dismissive of fandom. I'm not really part of any fandom myself, but I know that fandom and fanfic and everything that goes along with that can be really important and identity forming for many teens and to make fun of it doesn't really do much to add to the conversation about that topic. Yes, we do need to talk about crazy fans ("stans"), but it's reductive to dismiss all of fandom as ridiculous or stupid. I also didn't love the whole "Am I crazy?" subplot at the end. Yes, please, let's play on centuries old hysterical female tropes. All of that being said, I think that the black black humor is cutting and brilliant and I'd like to read other stuff that Goldy Moldavsky writes. (Also this would be a hilarious movie)

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

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Romance novels are a guilty pleasure of mine.   I have very high standards for my romance novels, though.  I think probably because the first one I ever read was Pride and Prejudice.  There’s very little that can compete with the tale of Darcy and Elizabeth.  I remember when I found the BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries on VHS in my public library during my college years.  I watched the three half hour tapes that I could check out and raced back down to the library to return them and check out three more.  So imagine my surprise, delight, and trepidation on learning of Curtis Sittenfeld’s modern retelling of my favorite romance novel.


That all being said, Eligible is fantastic.  It takes what is a very period story and updates it in a suitable fashion.  Nothing really feels forced about the update (besides Fitzwilliam remaining Darcy’s first name); Liz is a modern woman with normal problems and quirky sisters. If one wasn’t familiar with the original inspiration (God forbid), Eligible would just seem like a contemporary romance novel.  Sittenfeld’s writing is masterful as Eligible reads just as deliciously as Austen’s own, similarly peppered with wonderful witticisms.  The magic is there and reading Eligible was like getting a bear hug from a great friend you haven’t seen in years. 

My digital copy courtesy of Edelweiss and Random House.

The Little Gardener Book Review

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The little gardener loved his little garden. It was his home and his food and his life. But he’s very very little and isn’t sure that he can keep up with everything all by himself. So he makes a wish…

The Little Gardener is a beautiful book (like most Flying Eye and NoBrow titles). Emily Hughes’ illustrations are lush and rich and remind me of the Secret Garden coloring book by Johanna Basford, wild and tangled vegetation. Every part of the picture is a feast for the eyes. Hughes’ attention to detail is awesome and I couldn’t help but search each page for the little gardener’s earthworm friend and other little treasures. The text is simple but powerful, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown’s books. Possibly my favorite part of the physical book itself is the little flower that runs along the edge of the cloth spine. Possibly my favorite part of the text is Hughes’ dedication: “For my Pappy, Petunias still bloom for you, as do I.” Beautiful.

My copy courtesy of Flying Eye Books. Much thanks.