quirky inventions of 19 century britian.

As a lover of Shark Tank, I was super entertained by Julie Halls' Inventions that Didn't Change the World. When I first received the book, I thought to myself, what people come up with now makes me laugh, reading about what inventions people came up with in the 19th Century will be even more amazing. And I was right.

19th Century Britain was a hub for bizarre inventions as design protection was the new rage and everyone wanted in. Halls book is filled with authentic illustrations and descriptions of strange inventions such as an umbrella with peep holes so you can see your surroundings in case of a mugging, and even a collar with spikes sticking out of it  (that were concealed by cloth) that worked to help you defend yourself if you were grabbed around the neck during a mugging which apparently was a thing because there are a lot of self defense inventions. My personal favorite? The corset with the inflatable bust that also gives you an hourglass shape. So the Kardashian's did exist two hundred years ago...

the civil rights movement and basketball.

Strong Inside by first-time author Andrew Maraniss tells a story that many have never heard, about a kid who integrated big-time college basketball with very little support. Growing up in the midst of The Civil Rights Movement, in the South no less, it wasn't easy for Perry Wallace to become the first African American basketball player in the Southeastern Conference, but that never stopped him.

Andrew Maraniss did an amazing job chronicling Wallace's journey from North Nashville to Vanderbilt University. While reading, it never seemed that Wallace ever meant to be a trailblazer or a pioneer, he simply wanted a good education and to play ball, and that's exactly what he got, but not without some fight. 

how to not pee on yourself in the woods.

Since Cheryl Strayed's Wild came out in 2013, women of all ages have become more adventurous and confident in all things wild such as camping, hiking, and backpacking. To help boost confidence still, Ruby McConnell came out with a guidebook tailored to women titled A Women's Guide to the Wild: Your Complete Outdoor Handbook. Because although women are JUST AS CAPABLE AS MEN, we are a special breed that has certain needs. McConnell gets that.

Chapters range from where to go, what to bring, lady business, and how to properly conduct yourself in the wild around the most dangerous animal of all. Stupid men (my words). McConnell's main prerogative is to help any woman be successful during her first or 45th trip. It's funny and practical and if you are a woman who is outdoorsy, you'll love it.

Me?

 

if you're considering adoption.

You know that saying, God gave you this life because you are strong enough to live it? Well, what if you're not? Teen suicides are becoming terrifyingly common, and no one really wants to talk about it. Except for John Brooks who lost his teenage daughter to suicide. She was seventeen and jumped off a bridge, leaving her family to wonder why. She wasn't bullied. She was loved. What did everyone miss? That's what The Girl Behind the Door: A Father's Quest to Understand His Daughter's Suicide is all about. 

Casey Brooks, before she was Casey Brooks was abandoned at birth in Poland. She was in an orphanage for 14 months before John and his wife, Erika adopted her. The rest of her life seemed fine, but she was suffering from attachment disorder. Although it's unlikely she fully remembered those early years, Casey never felt secure because she began her life neglected, abused, with no primary caregiver. As she grew up, she couldn't accept the love she was given because that part of her was broken. This is a very real story that honors Casey, her struggle, and will now help others going through the same.

technology, education, and reading.

As an English teacher who substitute teaches during the year, and teaching summer school during the summer, Lit Up by David Denby was exactly what I need to gear up for another summer with the neighborhood slackers. And I can say they are slackers because none of them have documented learning disabilities. They are just plain lazy and unmotivated. And being the reading lover that I am, I want all of my students to find the pleasure in it that I do. Which is exactly what Denby's book is about.

Set in very different tenth grade English classrooms, Danby explores these questions. How, in a social media obsessed world, do we establish in-class reading for pleasure? Are we reading the right books to allow students to connect emotionally to the text? Are we in need of better educators? Danby and his subjects (well reading is the subject, but you get what I mean) answer these questions and more as he finds the twenty-four books that can turn any nonreader into a reader. And I cannot wait to utilize his advice in summer school.

not your average fifties housewife.

In honor of National Women's Day tomorrow and March being Women's History Month, I am pleased to review journalist, Rachel Cooke's Her Brilliant Career: Ten Extraordinary Women of the Fifties because it's the perfect fit and a great read for those interested in history, that era, and British women who break the mold.

All ten women celebrated in this book are trailblazers who left the home and values of that time period to become whomever they wanted to be, opening up possibilities to the women who came after them wanting to do the same. Sheila Van Damm became a racecar driver during a time when it was more deadly than ever. Rose Heilbron was Britian's first high court judge and extremely well respected. Joan Werner Laurie was a magazine editor and a lesbian. She edited women's interest stories that no one would typically speak about.

Her Brilliant Career is a collection of ten mini-biographies that will leave you in awe.

ramen for every occasion.

Every college student who has ever lived in a dorm room knows how to doctor up a bowl of ramen noodles, but apparently it's prisoners who have perfected the art. Prison Ramen by coauthors Gustavo “Goose” Alvarez and Clifton Collins Jr., is a collection of stories and ramen recipes from the author's friends and some big-name celebrities who have developed ramen delicacies behind bars. Yes, even Shia Labeouf had something to contribute. Prison Ramen would actually make a great graduation present, the chilling stories should keep your college bound kid out of trouble, and the recipes (there are sandwiches, soups and salads) are pretty inventive.

an american tale.

I had never heard of New England's Market Basket supermarket chain until I was perusing the new releases on Amazon, and saw We Are Market Basket: The Story of the Unlikely Grassroots Movement That Saved a Beloved Business. Being a huge fan of loyalty myself, I just had to see what all the fuss was about.

No one has loved their CEO more than the employees of Market Basket, and when he was ousted from his long-time position in the name of change, they fought back. They as in the managers, associates, customers AND suppliers and vendors. None of them took this injustice lying down, they picketed and marched and defended their leader. And as you can see by the title, they won. Authors, Korschun and Welker went behind the scenes to inform readers that you actually can be the change you wish to see in the world.

couldn't put it down.

There are certain topics that I shy away from in any social situation. Politics, religion, and race. I am breaking that rule today with my review of Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race--and Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us by former NFL player and commentator, Benjamin Watson. Why? Because it was too good to ignore. I work in a city school district, but it's not inner city by any stretch of the imagination, and I still have students (mostly jokingly, but sometimes seriously) calling me racist when I ask ANYTHING of them. They just throw around the word like they have any idea what it means (in this town, I truly don't think they do).

My favorite quote of the entire book is this one: "I'm angry because white people don't get it. I'm angry because black people don't get it, either." THIS SAYS IT ALL. Watson absolutely addresses the issues facing black people today. But he doesn't pretend that he has any idea of what REAL segregation is. Because he doesn't. And he doesn't put all of the blame on white people for the segregation seen today. He wants to know why black people don't reach up and grab the opportunities white people do. I really enjoyed his chapter about growing up and how kids know that black and white looks different, but it doesn't matter, until it does. Until someone makes it matter. In my opinion, that is where the problem lies. You should absolutely read this book for yourself. It gets uncomfortable at times, but Watson is a great writer and his experiences and views on the past vs. the present definitely got inside my head in a good way.

seriously, what doesn't jerry rice do?

As a born and raised Bills fan, the Super Bowl is a huge disappointment to me as you can imagine. Even when we've made it, it was a huge disappointment. For the last, what, 22 years?, I still pick a team to root for, and make the best of things by binge drinking and eating lots of nachos and pigs in a blanket. So don't feel too sorry for me. What I love about 50 Years, 50 Moments: The Most Unforgettable Plays in Super Bowl History by Jerry Rice is that the Bills are mentioned (when they played the Giants and only lost by ONE POINT). I know almost doesn't count, but what a fricken game. Okay, I was five, but I've heard stories. The book as a whole is exciting and necessary for any football fan. There's a lot of behind the scenes pictures and details that will definitely take you back and psyche you up for February 7th!

for the dog lover.

Everyone has an animal lover in their life. If you don't you should probably get some new friends. Me? I'm a cat lover. And absolutely believe in rescuing over pet shop buying. Gift idea #3 is My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts by journalist Laura T. Coffey who has finally said what everyone has been thinking. What is so good about puppies? They pee wherever they want and mess with your REM cycle. I honestly feel the same way about babies, but we can talk about that another time.

The point is. Older dogs have A LOT of love to give. And you will completely fall for the rescues you meet in this collection of stories (the photos are fabulous as well). A little warning, My Old Dog gets super emotional, even for a Grinch like me. But the sappy dog lover in your life is going to LOVE it.

just wow.

Just Show Up: The Dance of Walking through Suffering Together written by Kara Tippetts and her bestie Jill Lynn Buteyn tells the story of friendship during tragedy. These two women somehow made such a beautiful book and tribute to friendship out of the heart wrenching situation of Kara's stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis. All through her treatments, and eventually hospice, chapter by chapter Kara and Jill tell their story one after the other. It's honest, and very much a memoir rather than just a self-help on how to be there for your friend during difficult times (but it is that, too). I just wish that Kara's life didn't have to end to help share this message.

bossladies and gents.

This past year I began a photography business, so Strategize to Win: The New Way to Start Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career by Carla Harris spoke to me. It was written for the twenty-two-year-old college graduate, those of you who are finding careers after the military, and people like me. The people who got a degree that they are barely using and JUST got the guts to pursue something they are passionate about. I am not the kind of person who can do the same thing everyday. That's why I quit teaching fulltime and started subbing. That's why I take photographs. In her book, Harris points out that it's no longer best to stay at the same company for decades, and I'm like RIGHT!? Because I just can't. I found all the chapters to be helpful, but the chapters on building relationships and communication were the best for me.

Don't know exactly what you want to do? Read this book. Harris made me feel much more comfortable sorting out the next move in my career journey, and I know she can do the same for you.

for the visual gamers.

Although I am a non-gamer, I do think the Batman Arkham series is pretty cool. This gaming series began in 2009 and was significantly influenced by the DC Comics. There are storylines and everything, each ending with Batman saving the day, if you're a good enough gamer that is.

Enter Batman: Arkham Universe by Matthew Manning, a visual guide that is to work as a companion for those who enjoy the Arkham series. Manning gives fans an inside look into the Arkhamverse, with cool images and fun facts on the characters you will come across while gaming. Now when your mom kicks you off your Xbox and tells you to pick up a book, you'll have it covered.

pokemon encyclopedia

Pokémon is still so incredibly IN according to the younger school-aged kids, who knew? So why not get them reading about their favorite Pokémon with the Deluxe Essential Handbook by Scholastic? Your Pokémon fan will read this handbook daily, no, you may not get why, but if they are reading this book, they aren't bothering you so everybody's a winner!

This book does not contain the X & Y generation, but fun facts or stats for over 640 Pokémon are included from the Kanto, Shino, and, Unova - and I'm over here like, whatever that means. But apparently this book is pretty kick ass according to about 32423 kids.

it's the truth even if it didn't happen.

In honor of suicide prevention week last week, and the fact that we are all a little crazy, I want to share with you all an extremely interesting read. Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness by Joel and Ian Gold is a book about the influence that culture has on madness, with a focus on schizophrenia and delusions. Mental illness is a disease, and environment does play a role in this disease, just as it does in many others. In this book you will find true stories from actual patients, and also a new perspective on how mental illness is diagnosed and treated. Suspicious Minds is expertly researched and the writing is easily accessible to anyone who's interested.

but are we too late?

After reading Mark R. Levin's Plunder and Deceit: Big Government's Exploitation of Young People and the Future I think that every young person should take the time to do the same. As a member of the rising generation, I am going to inherit this mess, and I want to know everything. Levin tells everything.

Our annual debt as a country has exploded from $10 trillion to 18 trillion and rising under the current President. My generation and my children's generation will be paying the interest off this debt in a world where good jobs are harder to come by. And this is just a tiny blimp in the problems our country is facing, and what Levine touches on in this book.

It's clear that Levin doesn't care for Obama, and some may find this book to be a ploy to stop our generation from voting for candidates like Obama, and that may be true. But facts are facts, and current events are current events, Levine is here to educate us. The moral of the story is that if we want a better America, we are going to have to build it ourselves.

a theory that works.

My parents desperately need to train their little yippy dogs, but refuse. They never trained their children either so it makes sense. But I did share what I learned from Team Dog: How to Train Your Dog the Navy Seal Way this AMAZING audio CD I received by Mike Ritland with them. And so far, they are ignoring me. But if you're planning on getting a new dog anytime soon, I would listen up.

First of all, Ritland is VERY descriptive (and repetitive) on how to train your dog. He's super NAVY oriented, lots of teamwork and mutual respect between canine and master, stuff like that. Keep in mind that this book is filled with the basics for every new dog owner, you are not expected to send your puppy into a raging battle on the sea after reading this book. Ritland will also show you how to turn your new BFF into a well-trained social dog which is necessary if you're the sidewalk café or dog park type of person. Which if you're not, you should probably also pick up a self-help book for yourself on being more social. Just a thought.

if you want to major in gambling.

I will never forget my first time in a Vegas casino. I walked right up to an employee and said with confidence, "can you please tell me where the Russian roulette table is?" And I was not kidding. I honestly thought that roulette was called, Russian roulette. He gave me the strangest look and responded, "we don't do that here". Needless to say I was super confused until I explained the encounter to my girlfriends and they took away my right to be anywhere by myself except for our hotel room. That was my first brush with real gambling, other than the horse races in my small town where I would bet $2 to place. Maybe it was fate that I received Mark Bollman's Basic Gambling Mathematics: The Numbers Behind The Neon when I did, just in time for labor day at the racetrack.

The whole idea of Bollman's book is to explain to readers the mathematics involved in analyzing games of chance such as casino games, horse racing, and lotteries. It is very much a textbook that focuses on probability and statistics, not necessarily how to win regularly at your gambling drug of choice. I don't imagine readers becoming the next Rain Man by reading this book, but it's definitely interesting.

a diary of an illness.

The Ghost in my Brain: How a Concussion Stole My Life and How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Helped Me Get it Back is a true account designed for anyone suffering or has someone close to them suffering from a traumatic brain injury or, as the title states, even a concussion. Dr. Clark Elliott writes of his experiences after a concussion he received in a car accident and it is out of this world scary. Like, I will never let my son if I ever have one play a contact sport scary.  His accident happened in 1999 and he was a professor focusing on artificial intelligence at the time, what was viewed as a minor concussion changed everything . Elliott shares his symptoms and how he has found life again after trauma through brain plasticity. What helped him could help you or someone you love, so it's worth the read.