Tag Archives: nonfiction

Review: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

Posted on by

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
by Steve Brusatte
5 stars

Before my review, I have a quick disclaimer: I am mildly obsessed with dinosaurs. Jurassic Park was my favorite movie when I was a child. When I heard that my college had a basic geology course covering Dinosaurs and their evolution, I waited eagerly each semester for it to be offered. When it finally was, I sat front and center every day and consumed every required and suggested reading. After I met a paleontologist I joked to my friends that we were going to get married, if only for him to spin me tales of geology every day.

Reading Stephen Brusatte’s book was nothing short of wonderful, though again, I am a biased source. Brusatte does a wonderful job of introducing you to the world of the dinosaurs, as well as the evolution that produced them. I loved hearing about his work with specific scientists, especially his time in China. He also worked the menial art of spreadsheets, identifying differences and similarities between fossils. It may sound boring to anyone else but me, but tracking those differences and similarities is key to tracking relationships between species.

Brusatte also has turns where he talks about his own journey into paleontology, and at points the book is as much about him and his studies as it is the dinosaurs he covers. I felt his excitement as he recounted moments where he met and worked with distinguished paleontologists. He also mentioned a museum in Rockford, Illinois that he loves to go to (a museum that I will have to make a trip to after reading this book). While these turns towards autobiography were fun, they also added to the story and developed it into something more than just an informational book. Brusatte’s passion for the subject shines throughout the book. If you give it a chance, I hope you love it as much as I did.

 

Read-alikes

Rise of the Necrofauna: A Provocative Look at the Science, Ethics, and Risks of De-Extinction by Brit Wray

T. Rex and the Crater of Doom by Walter Álvarez

Articulating Dinosaurs: A Political Anthropology by Brian Noble

 

Review: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on by

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin
4 stars

I’ve heard about Team of Rivals for years ever since it spent weeks and weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list after it was published in 2005. It was also the inspiration for the 2012 film Lincoln starring Daniel Day-Lewis that I enjoyed immensely. When I needed to pick a Civil War related book for the March History Roundtable meeting, I immediately looked to see if it was available as a downloadable audiobook. Thankfully, the eIndiana Digital Consortium has it in both abridged (7 or so hours) and unabridged (40+ hours) formats. I went for the unabridged version narrated by the author herself.

Goodwin does an excellent job reading her brilliant book. I was left even more enamored of Abraham Lincoln’s intellect and leadership and developed an appreciation for his compassion for his fellow man and his immense wit. I was left to mourn what could have been if Lincoln had lived through his 2nd term. Though a long book, it never felt tedious. Highly recommended for history buffs and anyone slightly interested in American history.

 

Read-alikes

Grant by Ron Chernow

Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief by James M. McPherson

 

Review: Out of School and Into Nature

Posted on by

Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story
by Suzanne Slade
5 stars

Anna Comstock loved nature from a young age, and grew up watching the world around her. She married an entomologist she met at Cornell, who piqued her interest in drawing bugs. Her illustrations were both beautiful and accurate representations of the specimens she studied. Comstock became the first female professor at Cornell, and one of the first instructors to bring students out into nature to study, helping popularize nature study throughout the country.

Suzanne Slade’s book is beautifully illustrated, and focuses entirely on Comstock. With sweet, lilting quotes that convey her passion for nature, Comstock is wonderfully portrayed in this biography.

 

Read-alikes

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez

Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang

Small Wonders: Jean-Henri Fabre and His World of Insects by Matthew Clark Smith

 

Review: What Do They Do with All That Poo?

Posted on by

What Do They Do with All That Poo?
by Jane Kurtz
5 stars

Have you ever wondered what happens with all the animal poo at zoos? I have to admit, I took it for granted. Kurtz takes you through what various animal poos look like, from shape to consistency. It’s more than you may want to know, but for kids who are obsessed with all things gross this is a perfect book.

 

Read-alikes

Worms for Breakfast: How to Feed a Zoo! by Helaine Becker

Flies Eat Poop! By Miriam Coleman

Poop Detectives: Working Dogs in the Field by Ginger Wadsworth

Review: Looking for Lovely

Posted on by

Looking for Lovely: Collecting the Moments that Matter
by Annie F. Downs
5 stars

Our Assistant Director, Emily Ellis, kept mentioning how much she loved Annie F. Downs, so I thought I’d give one of her books a try.   I have to say, I share her love.  Annie F. Downs’ writing is friendly, engaging, and totally relatable.  In Looking For Lovely, Downs describes how she decided to look for the beautiful things in her life, even when things don’t seem so beautiful.  She breaks up her book in short stories that each reflect on something lovely in her life, and how within that lovely she’s able to see God’s hand in her life.  Downs does a nice job of incorporating Biblical scripture in with her personal stories, and in the end creates an uplifting, fun read.  Highly recommend.

 

Read-alikes

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

Wild and Free by Jess Connolly & Hayley Morgan

Everybody, Always by Bob Goff