Tag Archives: non-fiction

Review: Everybody Always

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Everybody Always
by Bob Goff
5 stars

The thoughts I had after finishing this book was: I want to read this again. And I want to be Bob’s friend! This is my first read by Bob Goff. In fact, I had never heard of him before picking up this book, although this is his second book. The cover is intriguing (and you find out more about the cover in the epilogue). I had also seen this pop up on Goodreads with rave reviews. Bob is a Christian and loves Jesus, but I believe anyone would be inspired by this book. Bob’s writing is simple, but his stories are amazing. He is just an average person, but has experienced some incredible things and met some interesting people just by changing the way he interacts with them. This book was very inspiring and I have been recommending it to many of my friends. “What if we could stop avoiding difficult people and simply love everyone.” Bob explores this idea and shares many fascinating stories that will make you laugh, cry, and want to share them with your friends.

Read-alikes

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

Looking for Lovely by Annie F. Downs

If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey

Review: The Stranger in the Woods

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The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
by Michael Finkel
4 stars

Finkel writes about Christopher Knight, a man who chose to seclude himself in the wilderness of Maine for 27 years. Weaving together stories of Knight’s experiences in the wilderness – fact checking along the way – and philosophical questions of the human condition, this short narrative nonfiction packs a punch. Knight was not forthcoming with details about his life, which forces Finkel to flesh out the story. Knight led a unique existence, committing over 1000 break-ins and subsisting on stolen goods, but Finkel is careful not to glorify it. Overall a wonderful story that delves deeper into the thought process that leads to this sort of outcome.

 

Read-alikes

Into the Wild by John Krakauer

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

Earth Day Books for Kids

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Earth Day is a worldwide event on April 22nd that is celebrated to demonstrate support for environmental protection. In honor of Earth Day, here is a list of our favorite books about the earth, the environment, conservation, and sustainability.

Biographies
Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell
recommended for ages 5-8
JBIO GOODALL

Great for younger readers, Me… Jane is a short biography about primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall. She is best known for her long-term study of wild chimpanzees.

 

The Great White Shark Scientist by Sy Montgomery
recommended for ages 10-14 
JBIO SKOMAL

Sy Montgomery has several books focused on animal scientists who work in different areas of the world. This book follows Dr. Greg Skomal, a scientist who studies Great White Sharks. Children can learn more about the animal, as well as the research processes that help us learn more about sharks.

 

 

Nonfiction
Buried Sunlight: How Fossil Fuels Have Changed the Earth by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm
recommended for ages 5-8
J 333.82 BAN

In a simple, understandable book, Bang and Chisholm talk about what fossil fuels are, how our use of them is changing the balance on earth.

 

 

Our World of Water: Children and Water Around the World by Beatrice Hollyer
recommended for ages 7-10
J 363.61 HOL

This book follows the lives of children in Peru, Mauritania, the United States, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Tajikistan. It shows the many roles that water plays into their lives. Rich with pictures, this book highlights the importance of protecting our natural resources.

 

 

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul
recommended for ages 6-9
J 363.728 PAU

The people of Njau, Gambia drop their plastic bags when they can no longer use them. One woman, Isatou Ceesay thinks that something more can be done with the waste. She finds a way to reuse it, and turns it into a profitable business.

 

 

Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles by Philippe Cousteau
recommended for ages 5-8 J
597.928 COU

Viv finds out that the lights from her hometown are confusing baby sea turtles, who rely on moonlight to find their way to the ocean. She leads a campaign to turn out the lights, and help the sea turtles survive.

 

 

Grow! Raise! Catch! How We Get Our Food by Shelley Rotner
recommended for ages 4-7
J 641.3 ROT

This book explains where we get our food from, and how the food-to-table process works.

 

 

 

Fiction

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
recommended for ages 10-12 
J HIA

When the construction of a new building threatens the survival of an endangered species of owls, Roy and his friend work together to save the land.

 

 

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
recommended for ages 10-13
J SAC

Two students stumble into mud and form a rash. They start investigating what caused it and learn more about the ramifications of bad science.

 

 

 

 

Graphic Novel

Science Comics: Coral Reefs, Cities of the Ocean by Maris Wicks
recommended for ages 10+ 
J GRAPHIC 577.789 WIC

A story about coral reefs and the life they support underwater.

 

 

 

The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown
recommended for ages 10+ 
J GRAPHIC 978.032 BRO

A graphic novel telling the story of the Great American Dust bowl, and the farming practices that caused it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Year of Yes

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Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun, and Be Your Own Person
by Shonda Rhimes
5 stars

“You never say yes to anything.”  These were the words Shonda Rhimes’ sister muttered to her one Thanksgiving.  These six words caused the creator of Grey’s Anatomy to rethink her life and to challenge herself to a new way of living.  Rhimes describes herself as a life-long nerdy introvert who often would shy away from new experiences.  She decides to commit to a full year of saying yes.  She’ll say yes to experiences that scare her, to putting herself first, and to saying no when needed.

This is a fun, inspiring read about a woman working to grow and improve herself.  Fans of Rhimes’ shows will love some of the behind-the-scenes descriptions, but there’s plenty here for readers who have never heard of the famed TV writer.  Highly recommended!

Read-alikes

Hunger by Roxane Gay

Love, Loss, and What We Ate by Padma Lakshmi

Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik

Review: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing

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When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
by Daniel H. Pink
4 stars

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing is the latest book by bestselling American author, Daniel H. Pink.  This is a powerful book on timing and understanding on when to make decisions based on the time of day to gain control of your environment to shape outcomes in your future. Do you know the best time to appear before a friendly judge, best time to get a complete colonoscopy or the best time to have a meeting at work? Not just relying on life to happen as it should, Pink cites many fascinating examples of scientific research on this subject giving you simple, practical steps to improve your productivity and live better. There are exercises and charts to allow you to evaluate your own performance and figure out your greatest work strengths, as well as your weaknesses. I found this book fun and compelling and I loved all the examples causing me to rethink how to approach different areas in my life. Recommend!

 

Read-alikes

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink

David and Goliath:  Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell