A surprisingly important read, Butts: A Backstory is an informative dive into the history of the human rear, its ancestral origin and its cultural significance through time.
Radke’s extensive research and interviews encompass topics centered around the butt cheeks, including their evolution and adaptation over centuries, the fashion industry leading to warped realities on the “ideal” body, racial and gendered implications of perceptions surrounding the butt, dance, drag, and so much more.
Butts is a meaningful and serious (but not too serious) discussion on a shared human experience.
-gina
“And I said to my body, softly, ‘I want to be your friend.’
It took a long breath and replied, ‘I've been waiting my whole life for this.’" – Nayyirah WaheedThis is what I’ve needed to hear all my life. This book reminds us that we deserve to feel at home in our bodies, to dispel incessant and arbitrary judgement and shame from social pressures, media representation and marketing, and the self-destructive narrative and biases we’ve adapted over generations.
Taylor provides thorough and inclusive reflections on the many ways that body-shaming in its varying manifestations harms us all. This book is for any human, challenging us to empower radical kindness and acceptance for others and ourselves.
-gina
What We Fed to the Manticore is a powerful and concise collection of short stories told through animal eyes, giving us a closer, more intimate look at the depth of human impact on our natural world and how our actions affect us all. Do we consider dissonance boats create in the sounds of the ocean by which whales depend on to guide them? Do we recognize the distress of a tiger watching her home disappear, or a wolf desperately protecting her kin?
Stories are shared of loss and devastation, along with those of companionship and hope. We feel each being's voice personified as our own, straining to survive in a balance disrupted. Kolluri presents an important perspective in that what we see as mundane may be taking a greater toll globally and in our daily lives, calling necessary attention to the strife and needs of all beings of the earth.
-gina
It’s hard to review a memoir, the collected writings of the most personal moments in the life of someone you barely know. There is real vulnerability and courage in admitting to the things you didn’t know then, the pressure and the pain and the shame you were led to believe in and thought was righteous, deserved and for your benefit.
Jennette McCurdy recounts the details of her world under her mother, the projection of her dreams onto her from a very young age. Her writing is honest and engaging as she illustrates the suffocating control in the lives of child actors, memories of her dysfunctional family and her certain path to mental disarray. This book is important in many ways as we see the real Jennette through her trauma and resilience, an empowering voice reclaiming her own interests, her experiences and herself.
-gina
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Gaiman offers us an elusive human experience, immersing the reader in a dreamlike, nostalgic existence fading between reality and the imagined. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is an ephemeral tale on memory, overcoming fear, and maintaining our sense of childhood wonder as we grow; A moving story told in the classic Neil Gaiman way, masterfully weaving ominous fairytale elements and heartwarming encounters into a beautiful, nearly-forgotten image of home.
-gina
Melanie is a cheerful 10-year-old girl who loves to learn. In full-body restraints, she is escorted daily by armed guards to a classroom that teaches children lessons they will likely never need. What makes her special, prized, perceived as dangerous, and why is she here?
The Girl With All The Gifts is a deliberate and intriguing tale of survival, adaption, and finding humanity in a menacing world. Told in multiple vivid perspectives, we grasp these characters’ every sensation and the threats they face to life as they know it.
-gina
A Monster Calls is a short, heartfelt novel peering into a young boy’s experiences navigating his world using fantastical illustrations and imagination to combat feelings of grieving and fear. Ness and Dowd offer an eccentric perspective on how we process difficult emotions and provide an excellent introduction to resilience, coping, and healing for young readers and adults alike. This solemn yet sweet and meaningful story is a reminder to all that we are not our thoughts and that we don’t have to go through life alone.
-gina
A detective assigns himself to a vexing murder case that eerily resembles the events of his past. Twenty years from his trauma, he endures the anguish of buried emotions and shadows of memories repressed, devising possible leads intertwined with present observations and with the expertise of his companion adept in human behavior.
In the Woods is a captivating dive into social and psychological being through small-town secrets in an aura of noir; An intense yet lyrical narrative on life after pain and strangeness in once-familiar places, leaving you wondering what's there to be unearthed in the vastness of the woods.
-gina
Perks is a coming-of-age story written in the form of letters to a “dear friend”. We see Charlie’s genuine perspectives in navigating relationships and emotional conflicts around him with a hint of teenage naivety and innocence that make his experiences feel deeply personal and real. We share Charlie’s all-familiar insecurities, stumbling through awkward phases and interactions, niches and mixtapes, longing for passion and connection in what moves us, and discovery of who we are alongside the people we love.
Perks evokes nostalgia for those thrilling moments in fleeting summer nights and reminds us it’s okay to reach for the support we need when life is overwhelming, like finally releasing a scream and succumbing to the comfort of a warm embrace.
-gina
Visceral, engaging, empathetic and true, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is an investigative triumph following the sadistic crimes committed by the “Golden State Killer", original night stalker of Northern California in the 1970s. Journalist Michelle McNamara skillfully illustrates the time, the lucid and palpable atmosphere of terror haunting the nation after these offenses, and presents compelling detailed evidence compiled through thorough research, case reports and interviews. Obsessed with uncovering the truth and identity of the predator, she has dedicated her life to bringing justice to these victims and their families.
This book is deeply personal, written with unparalleled eloquence and passion. We become immersed in the lives of those affected and see ourselves in their place. A bittersweet yet satisfying end, this book acts as a hopeful light against fear and what’s lurking in the darkness.
-gina
Grace Porter has recently graduated with her PhD in astronomy, searching to land a position in a highly competitive field with barriers stacked against her as a young, biracial woman. She's done everything she can to succeed while under the constant pressure of her military father to achieve. On vacation in Las Vegas with her friends, Grace awakens hungover in her hotel room with a ring, a gleaming photograph of her with her new wife, and the lingering aroma of sea salt and sage. In a leap of spontaneity, Grace travels to New York to meet this mysterious woman, hoping to find meaning in their connection and in her place in life.
Honey Girl is beautiful and raw, highlighting complexities in intersectionality, harm in expectations of perfection, and struggles with mental illness, loneliness, and dynamics in relationships. Rogers speaks to us through the experiences of a twenty-something fighting what many of us face; trying to discover what allows us to thrive and finding our own sense of self and belonging.
-gina
Juliet Milagros Palante is a 19-year-old, freshly-outed queer Latina who embarks from her home in the Bronx on a summer internship opportunity where she will live and study with her favorite feminist author in Portland. Coming out didn’t go as planned and she worries for her mother’s love and acceptance while away, but on the West Coast, Juliet discovers a supportive community among others like her, gaining new perspectives on society and herself, and learning value in connecting with your roots.
This book is empowering and important, bringing light to voices otherwise stifled or missing from discussions on intersectionality and privilege, explorations in sexuality, race, and identity, and owning spaces that challenge ideals designed for someone else. Gabby Rivera's debut novel Juliet Takes a Breath is truly a breath of fresh air and an essential read for anyone seeking their sense of belonging in the world; I long to see more diverse and introspective books like this on the shelves for young readers and adults alike.
-gina
Tien is a second-generation Vietnamese American teen who connects with his mother through a blend of languages and fairy tales they share between their cultures. He and his mother love each other and get along well, but he’s not quite sure how to come out to her with what seemingly little they have in common.
Nguyen’s debut graphic novel is deeply personal and endearing, a tale told through intricate art and meaningful design about bringing a family together across generations through the power of storytelling and the importance of learning to truly support and understand one another.
-gina
In the quiet suburbs of Shaker Heights, a home is set aflame. Leading up to this event we meet Elena, a local journalist who’s lived her life by the rules, and Mia, an eccentric artist and photographer moving into town with her teenage daughter and nothing but the essentials packed in their car. The families are swiftly intertwined and become fascinated with each other’s ways of living, but are strained by secrets and the ongoing personal and influential custody battle that divides the community.
Little Fires Everywhere examines family dynamics and finding identity in a tightly woven society, challenging the systemic effects of unchanging structure and beliefs on class, culture, and the unspoken obligation to conform. Through the attentive ingenuity of Celeste Ng’s writing, we observe these characters’ organic interactions with empathy and find insight to deeper intuitions, most prevalent being the devotion of motherhood and giving everything to protect the ones you love.
-gina
“The past no longer exists, and the future is not here yet. The only moment in which you can be truly alive is the present moment.”
Renowned Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh shares his perspective on true mindfulness, the practice of being present in every moment of our lives. Simple and effective, You Are Here is a collection of essential teachings on grounding the self and calming our minds with the constant of the breath and showing empathy without judgement for our thoughts and emotions as we would for a child or a friend. This work gives our restless lives pause to kinder reflections on love, deep listening, gratitude, and allowing ourselves time and experiences to connect with this world while holding compassion for ourselves and each other.
-gina
A brilliant, modern retelling of Greek mythos through the eyes and intertwining experiences of Hades, King of the Underworld, and Persephone the Goddess of Spring; a vivid world is presented through stunningly hand-painted panels and an enticing and endearing narrative. So much more than romance and drama, Lore Olympus offers provocative reflections into our own lives through these familiar, fantastical characters and the complex relationships they share. Elegantly showcasing her ability to weave contemporary, emotional interpretations from this classic tale, Smythe delivers such dreamy and enthralling storytelling so easy to devour it’ll leave you longing for more.
-gina
One of the most impactful books I’ve read, The Glass Castle is a raw and honest memoir recounting the vivid experiences of a girl who grows up across the United States in poverty. Her and her siblings must find ways to adapt, to survive and support one another as their parents remain elusive and unpredictable.
This is the true story of a woman with tremendous resilience who follows her own path, struggling against a broken system and major family dysfunction; a strenuous journey through forgiveness, affection and understanding. Through her eyes, we share her reality and complexities in familial love, mental illness, hope and redemption.
Thank you to my high school English teacher for recommending this incredible story all those years ago so I can share my love for it with everyone in my life~
-gina
What happens when our bodies reject us? When our bodies and minds stop functioning in the way we’re used to, turning our lives completely upside down?
Brain on Fire is an intense psychological and medical mystery following the story of Susannah Cahalan told in her own writing, pieced together through memory fragments, hospital notes and observations as she receives treatment for an unknown condition. A powerfully complex narrative, this book is engaging and emotional, keeping you on the verge of tears through her sickness and healing.
-gina
Beloved author Bill Bryson embarks on a once in a lifetime hiking trip throughout the Appalachian Trail alongside his friend Katz, a quirky and greatly inexperienced traveling companion. A Walk in the Woods is an amusing and insightful read on hiking and the benefits of immersing yourself in nature.
-gina
