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Jess Reads
Feminist library assistant. Music enthusiast, tea & coffee addict. Sherlockian & casual gamer.
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BiblioTech: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever in the Age of Google
I initially found out about this book when John Palfrey gave an engaging and dynamic talk at the Kansas City Public Library in 2015. Thankfully the Library streamed it on YouTube, otherwise I would have missed it entirely.What he has to say is important. I think most people who grew up with libraries, who work in libraries, and who are keeping close eye on how technology continues to evolve - will agree that libraries DO matter more than ever. The message, however, is a bit redundant throughout the book. An impassioned plea for digital change to keep libraries alive in the age of draconian budget cuts will only catch the ears of those who know what will be missed. We have to recognize the various, essential services that libraries provide, and implement better marketing strategies. (If people don't know what libraries can do, why would they visit in the first place?) The truth is that librarians are undervalued, overworked, and this isn't news. So who is this book intended to reach?
It's thoughtful. This may not be essential reading to those in the field, but it is nevertheless worthy of being an advocacy tool for libraries.
Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
Looooved Adichie's DEAR IJEAWELE. Pretty sure I'd add that to my Intersectional Feminism 101 Class. IMO, required reading for parents.Original review posted here: https://twitter.com/jess_reads/status/829074836421017601
The publisher provided an eGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wonderful. I highly encourage everyone to read this little book. It's practical, smart, and applicable to parenting, but also in reeducating oneself to be a better feminist in practice.
Panther
I'm torn on how to rate this one. The art is stunning, and I'm not used to reading horror. I'm utterly distraught by what happens; I feel sick. I didn't "enjoy" it, but it was incredibly well made. It's going to stick with me for a long time.
WHAT WE DO NOW: Standing Up for Your Values in Trump's America
I received this as an ARC/eGalley from the publisher. This collection is comprised of easily digestible speeches, essays, and letters from prominent figures imploring the progressive public to resist complacency and depression in the next Presidential administration. The theme is clear: We are the majority, you are not alone, and we need to stick together.
While this is geared towards the general "liberal" demographic, much of this reads as a primer for the dismayed white voter who has been jolted into grassroots activism as a result of the 2016 US Election. To that aim, it's an excellent way to focus one's thoughts without getting overwhelmed by the onslaught of social media commentary, blogs, and editorials. I would caution against this being the ONLY read on the subject, though. I suggest interested readers and community members combine this with reading many other writings from POC and LGBTQ+ activists over the past several decades.
(Review was originally posted on Edelweiss+ on January 4, 2017.)
Unwrap My Heart: or It's Time For Mummies
SPOILER: IT'S ABOUT MUMMIES.This is, without a doubt, the silliest book I have read in years. It's more than just a self-aware Twilight. I'm probably biased since I'm a long time listener to the Read It and Weep podcast, but I think they did an excellent job writing this book, making fun of what the public loves about paranormal YA romance.
I'm definitely the middle of their target audience demographic Venn Diagram. Not sure how much reread value there is in this, but I had a lot of fun reading it. Finally something good happened in 2016.
Hamilton: The Revolution
One of the most remarkable things about musical theatre is how profoundly it changes lives. I've read scripts and listened to soundtracks all my life, but I haven't read a story of how a show singularly redefined the genre since RENT was published (with the behind the scenes/libretto printed in faux duct tape binding). Hamilton is astonishing, and the story behind it all is just as incredible to experience. I had the distinct pleasure of both reading and listening to the Revolution, and it's definitely a treat to listen to Lin-Manuel Miranda read his footnotes to the libretto.
Wages of Rebellion
This book feels incredibly timely given today's political climate, and given the gravity of the topic, I needed to take it in small doses (I also admit that I'm not the most focused of audiobook listeners, which was the format I used). I found it fascinating and frightening at the same time. I will probably try to find a physical copy for a closer reread.
Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here
Scarlett's story was smart and funny with plenty of snark. If you like reading YA fiction about fandom/internet culture with a strong and nuanced feminist protagonist (who owns her mistakes when she makes them), I definitely recommend it. I read it in a single sitting, which isn't something I've been able to do for awhile.
First Position
"First Position" is a sweet story about finding love in unexpected places with someone you didn't let yourself get to know at first. It's fun to spend time with these young women, watching them challenge each other initially as blink-and-you'll-miss-it "rival" ballerinas and support each other as friends and lovers as they grow in their relationship. It's a light read with a bit of heat, and checks off plenty of romance tropes.
Divergent
What can I say that hasn't already been said about Divergent? The series has already finished, they've made 3 movies (and allegedly will have a semi-related TV series), and everybody who was going to review it already has, so why did I wait until now to read the first book?TBH, it was a roadtrip novel. My husband and I have vastly different reading tastes, and it was one of the only books we were both relatively interested in listening to together. We'd seen the movie, and the book obviously has a lot more detail (much of it gruesome) than was touched on in the film. It made for interesting conversation between the two of us as we listened to it, and it was light enough that if the passenger dozed off, the driver could get them caught up upon waking.
I'm glad that I finally got around to it, and I can use it more accurately in my readers advisory, but have decided to not pursue the rest of the series at this time.
Kansas City Noir
I listened to this book at work this summer and also on a road trip. The most compelling thing about this book was that all of the stories were based in or referenced Kansas City, so it was fun to actually picture the locations that were mentioned. Other than that, the stories were less than compelling and many of the characters were pretty unlikable. That being said, while I read mysteries, I'm less familiar with noir as a sub genre and this style may not be my kind of book. (I have picked up a copy of Seattle Noir, and will test this theory at a later date.)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts I & II (Special Rehearsal Edition)
To be clear, I enjoy reading scripts; my rating isn't an intent to "punish" this publication for not being a full-fledged novel. I would be happy to see the play and I'm sure the cast, crew, and staging are all wonderful. It's not related to who was cast in which role, or whether queer-baiting was intentional as far as Scorpius and Albus are concerned.As far as the story goes, I can take it or leave it. It feels like quality fan-fiction. I don't regret reading it, but it doesn't enhance my experience in the Wizarding World.
 - J.K. Rowling, John Kerr Tiffany, Jack Thorne)
This Raging Light
It's more than just YA romance and teenage angst. Lucille is literally trying to keep her little sister fed and clothed and deal with adult responsibilities ALL WHILE HIDING THE FACT FROM EVERY ADULT THAT SHE'S DOING THIS BY HERSELF. You'll find similar themes of "adulting is hard" and "does-he-or-does-he-not-love-me" that resonate in much of YA lit, but holy hell. Life can really, really suck without it literally being the apocalypse. Lucille is a badass and does what needs to be done. "This Raging Light" packed a punch. It was hopeful and devastating, and yo-yoed me back and forth. I haven't been so emotional reading a book since "The Fault in Our Stars".
A Poet's Dublin
I received this as an advanced reader's copy, and the only thing I wish more than to dive back into these poems is to have a physical copy of this collection so that I may more fully immerse myself. I can't believe that I have lived as long as I have without having been introduced to Eavan Boland's poetry.She gracefully travels through the city of Dublin, walking along its streets as both native and outsider. Her observations and wordplay acknowledge several Dublins defined by politics and tragedy, family and feminine strength, culture and socioeconomic divides. I also really enjoyed the conversation between Paula Meehan and Eavan Bolan about how the city has shaped their lives and influenced their work over the years.
My digital copy showed small, awkwardly oriented photographs between the lines of many poems that interrupted the flow while reading, but the beauty of the words and the images they invoke will only be enhanced when the photographs of the subjects lay side by side with them. I can't wait to see it in person.
Girl in the Dark: A Memoir
Disclaimer: I don't read many memoirs, so I'm not used to first person narratives and the occasional use of stilted turns of phrase. Regardless, I am glad I read this one.Of the few I have read, they are chronologically oriented from childhood to adulthood, from the start of a job to a different and inspired career path, etc. Anna's recollection of her life starts this way, and then spirals into not only a loss of light, but a loss of the sense of time; this wasn't a concept that initially occurred to me. The narrative is broken between sets memories with various ways to keep one from going mad in nearly full darkness. It should feel disjointed and awkward, but it doesn't. It feels real.
Anna's delight, despair, and determination should incite just as much respect or inspiration as any memoir of someone overcoming or making peace with cancer or chronic illness.
No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State
Captivating, thrilling, and terrifying. Greenwald knows how to tell a story, and I'm definitely going to read more about government surveillance, technology, and the threat to our (online) privacy in this next year.
