I marvel at the depth of this manga series and have enjoyed episodes of the anime. This is a new series "Code Black" and in this first volume tackles I marvel at the depth of this manga series and have enjoyed episodes of the anime. This is a new series "Code Black" and in this first volume tackles smoking, alcohol, and an STD which is why it's a spinoff series but still accomplishes all of the same scientific feats the original series does by explaining simple and complex scientific theory, diseases, and body systems in a way that shows the action that is constantly keeping your body running. With a bit of humor and a heavy dose of knowledge, it provides a full experience.
I even discovered recently that our cosmetology class uses snippets of the anime in their class. ...more
I like what it's putting out in the world but I don't necessarily need it right now in my life. It covers a range of topics like children and work butI like what it's putting out in the world but I don't necessarily need it right now in my life. It covers a range of topics like children and work but also the holidays since it has a religious leaning. The meditative nature of the reminders is uplifting. ...more
It's exactly what it says it is. A book about manga iconography. But at this point I've read enough manga that nothing was a surprise in terms of the It's exactly what it says it is. A book about manga iconography. But at this point I've read enough manga that nothing was a surprise in terms of the icons used to express anything from surprise and envy to speed and embarrassment.
Using a frog and a rabbit each page is an icon with a short description of its usage and then a few panels that demonstrate it, though I thought not as blatantly as it could have in some cases.
There were tidbits thrown in like a cultural reference and reading panels of manga, but overall, short, quick, focused, and wysiwyg. ...more
I will read ANYTHING Montgomery likes and I've become enamored with her meditations-- these short novellas about an animal because they become more poI will read ANYTHING Montgomery likes and I've become enamored with her meditations-- these short novellas about an animal because they become more poignant because they are short and focused. It leaves room for personal reflection for a reader and juxtaposed with Montgomery's experience with the animal. In this case: chickens!
Living in rural New Hampshire, she touches on her farmstead with animals previously written about and then her hens. As she shares, everyone who owns chickens has a nickname for the flock-- Rangers, The Girls, My Ladies. And then most also have individual names for each because they have distinct personalities and attributes including the dozens of types of domestic chickens.
Montgomery shares details about how she ordered them and how they shift from the fluffiness to their feathers. Roosters. Their nesting habits. Their predators. Their daily habits. Food. She shares her one "slow" chicken, Pickles, and the last survivor of the flock. Details are sprinkled in that teach about chickens like them being fierce to one another if they see red (like pecking each other or themselves if they're bleeding/injured), what kind of noises they make from happiness to making the flock aware of a predator, and studies about how they recognize their images and generally "see" the faces and recognize other hens.
The book is a delightful reflection that appreciates a chicken- the animal, not the food. Montgomery is an animal lover with a heart for connection and brain for science. I love her perspective and will seek it out always. ...more
The color palette works to its advantage as does the gentle nature of Egbert's story to share the complications of his mother's (then undiagnosed but The color palette works to its advantage as does the gentle nature of Egbert's story to share the complications of his mother's (then undiagnosed but eventually diagnosed) paranoid schizophrenia. But the book is more about the use of his mother's religion to control the narrative of their family including keeping their father (Corey and his sister Sarah) away from the kids. She accused the dad of sexually abusing Sarah but can really be traced to her own father's abuse of young girls. Either way, they were kept from him before Egbert's mother eventually kidnapped them and went on the run leading to some horrific experiences traveling in the west in their car.
It's heartbreaking and beautiful and sad and hopeful at the same time and works so well as a graphic memoir to identify the confusion of what his mother thought and the person he was becoming, an independent thinker to question his mother's judgement. ...more
In the span of a few days of reading this nonfiction book, I went from knowing nothing about the existence of phages to reading about it AND in a car In the span of a few days of reading this nonfiction book, I went from knowing nothing about the existence of phages to reading about it AND in a car ride with a fifteen year old who is doing research ABOUT phages. Who knew? Of course, history concludes by Zeldovich's accounts that no one really wanted to know and poo pooed the scientists who discovered this living virus that can kill bacteria.
Well, it's not going anywhere because it is effective. There is one pause for concern, which is brought up but the book is amazingly sensitive to the politics of scientific discovery, research, collaboration, and of course about the money involved. Zeldovich introduces the lifesaving effectiveness of phages and then dives into the lives and history of the discovery and those that discovered it before circling back to the importance of using it to our full capacity since antibiotics are seemingly running their course and are not able to effectively manage issues because there are too many resistant.
It relies on the science, not talking down to readers which means that some of the presented material is out of my league, however I liked being a seat at the table to learning about this. It feels like I got smarter by reading this science story. Not only coming out of the pandemic, is this an important book but also it felt a little like reading a "race to space" type science and politics showdown. I know TWO people I'm going to immediately recommend it to and of course buy a copy for my HS library.
"When my son has a sore throat, he gargles with Pyophage," Pavlenishvili says. "He really likes the ttaste. Actually, I don't know why, but it seems that all kids like how phages taste." Adults don't necessarily agree, he adds. "It's not a bad taste, just a different taste, and for some reason, kids like it. After he gargles, he can spit it out, but he likes to swallow it."
"The Iraqibacter: The Iraq War was a very different type of combat for the US military. Never before had so many American soldiers fought in desert conditions. And that meant very different types of injuries. In most prior wars, the majority of injuries came from bullet wounds, which usually have small entry points and relatively small contamination from bacterial organisms... During the Iraq War however, the vast majority of injuries were caused by explosions, so these wounds were not only large but often covered in soil and sand. Many soldiers also had burn wounds, with dead tissue that served as food for the incoming organisms. The sand blasts caused by improvised explosive devices seeded broken, bleeding, and burnt tissues with massive amounts of nasty soil bacter, letting them spread wide and penetrate deep... Nicknamed "Iraqibacter" and impervious to many antibiotics, A. baumannii was the worst of them all. It cost some American soldiers an arm or a leg. "Some would eventually die or have a very miserable life because of the infection that no one can get rid of," Young says."...more
It's a curious book because it isn't so much a book about Bill Gates as a book about billionaires. Featuring prominently in the story include Warren BIt's a curious book because it isn't so much a book about Bill Gates as a book about billionaires. Featuring prominently in the story include Warren Buffet, Jeffrey Epstein, ex-wife Melinda French Gates, and the rest of the billionaires that have come to shape the economy, politics, and philanthropy like Bezos, Musk, and Zuckerberg. It doesn't mine the work ethic of the billionaires or provide similarities and differences between billionaires and average people. It shares more about the money trail and influence.
While there were focal points that individually fascinated me, as a whole, the book isn't what it sets out to do in the title/subtitle/description. It paints a curious picture of America's richest. It poses the ethical question about using wealth for good whether in other countries or related to scientific development. Though Das does focus on how Gates' worldview has shaped the world because he can put money to shape that influence. ...more
Gorgeously illustrated, this is a picture book biography of Carol Powder, a Cree woman who became an activist because she started women and children dGorgeously illustrated, this is a picture book biography of Carol Powder, a Cree woman who became an activist because she started women and children drum circles when the pushback was that men were the only ones who could lead the drum circles.
Her pushback was that to recognize culture and generations and traditions, why did it have to be reserved only for men when women passed down knowledge and respect for culture too?
There's a melodic quality to the drumbeats with some Cree language interspersed in a generational story celebrating Indigenous culture through music. ...more
I knew nothing about Laura Wheeler Waring but this picture book biography about a girl's aspirations to be a portrait artist and find the perfect shadI knew nothing about Laura Wheeler Waring but this picture book biography about a girl's aspirations to be a portrait artist and find the perfect shades of brown for her Black people is the absolutely epitome of a beautiful children's book. The illustrator, Felicia Marshall pulled out all of the stops on vividly showcasing Waring's rise from drawing portraits of her siblings (bribing them with peppermints to stay still) to when she was able to paint the strength of singer Marian Anderson.
The gallery scenes are my favorite. How inspiring. Getting herself into an arts academy in the United States and then getting a scholarship to Paris to learn from masters abroad, she had her sights trained on nothing but the very best and that's what she achieved. ...more
This was an unbelievable memoir and how-to manual that Ito shares with the world. As the premier horror mangaka, Ito explains his upbringing and life This was an unbelievable memoir and how-to manual that Ito shares with the world. As the premier horror mangaka, Ito explains his upbringing and life and then contextualizes how he approaches creating his art and the stories from character, motivation, fear, etc. It's a peak inside his world and one that every amazing creator must do in their career to pull back the curtain.
It's a beautiful work of art in itself- I just wish that in the earlier chapters when he shares his art and other impactful works that it was bigger. While I recognize I'm reading a digital version, I don't know if it's that much bigger if I had the print version. Thank you, Ito for sharing your genius for all of the lovers of your horror manga. ...more
The quiet descriptions of a whale feeding but meeting her end before falling to the ocean's floor where she becomes whalefall to be feasted upon and bThe quiet descriptions of a whale feeding but meeting her end before falling to the ocean's floor where she becomes whalefall to be feasted upon and become sea snow is moving. Wholly focused on the scientific side of the ecosystem of a dead whale, it's chock full of information from start to finish.
Including- what I didn't know- that we can tell how old a whale is by their earwax. "Every six months a new layer of wax lines her ear canal. In summer, when there is much to eat, the layer is light colored; and in winter, when there is less food, the color is darker. Like rings in a tree trunk, these layers tell her age... The rings can tell so much more. Chemical stories that whisper about the history of the oceans, the temperatures of the water, or the pollution in the sea. They can show how many times she was pregnant, whether or not the feeding was good in a certain summer, or if the travel each spring or fall was hard or not. They are rings that measure a lifetime." ...more
Lai can do no wrong-- especially when it's the experiences that are shared with plenty of other people. In this case, it's about a big family with lotLai can do no wrong-- especially when it's the experiences that are shared with plenty of other people. In this case, it's about a big family with lots of siblings and she being the biggest/oldest sister. AND it's about getting chickenpox and having to hang out together in the house, not being able to go to school but also going mad spending all the together time with her siblings that drive her batty.
It is sweet and hilarious at every turn. It also talks about the stages of chickenpox and sibling relationships. Then snuck in there among the family drama is Remy's friendships as a fourth grader which include a friend "accusing" her of liking a boy and then saying the wrong things that are misinterpreted including birthday plans and unnecessary but oh-so-relatable drama. It's as realistic as it could be and that's why the book is to be adored. Who wouldn't fall in love with it? And shares bits and pieces of Indonesia life along the way....more
Framed in a way that makes it accessible for any reader, Brooks lays out examples and understanding about connecting with a person in order to know thFramed in a way that makes it accessible for any reader, Brooks lays out examples and understanding about connecting with a person in order to know them. Like the fact that we regrettably underestimate the power of a conversation, thinking that the person we wish to have a conversation with doesn't actually want to talk to us, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Similarly, telling life stories provides an opportunity to have someone think about their life from the questions being asked of them and is a conversation most WANT to have with other people.
It's also how to sit with a person experiencing grief or depression. Not every moment requires commentary or suggestions, but simply being there. It could be a note when needed though too.
It's no-nonsense and common sense which is why it's a valuable book to read. Of course, I bookmark passages in the audiobook and return it before I remember that I bookmarked passages. Alas, the takeaways are still working their way around my brain. ...more
What does it say about the state of relationships and the medical/political establishment that so many bodies go unclaimed yearly in the United StatesWhat does it say about the state of relationships and the medical/political establishment that so many bodies go unclaimed yearly in the United States? Zooming in right in the first chapter, Prickett shares the work of two men who yearly deposit thousands of boxes of cremains into a hole in the cemetery-- they are the unclaimed of a years worth of dead bodies from three years prior (because their practice is keeping them for three years). Those boxes will begin to be filled up immediately with the newly cremated remains of other unclaimed.
An investigation began with the two authors from a previous project where they asked themselves about the unclaimed. They rewound the clock on four lives, two men and two women, one a military veteran who appeared on America's Got Talent, another of Mexican descent who might have had upwards of fifteen actual siblings, but that's unclear. They dug into their backgrounds but also about the system that creates this cycle of abandonment in Los Angeles that can be really any place in the United States-- questioning both our societal relationships to one another but also the systems that have gotten us to this point.
It's a 2024 book so it references events like COVID19 and other epidemics like drugs to arrive at conclusions about how we've gotten here and what things have and haven't changed.
Quote at the beginning of part one by Antonio Porchia in Voces "One lives in the hope of becoming a memory."
Quote in another section by John O'Donohue "On Passing a Graveyard" - "May perpetual light shin upon / The face of all who rest here. / May the lives they lived / Unfold further in spirit. / May all their past travails / Find ease in the kindness of clay."
It's not so much a novel as a few interconnected vignettes about important structures/innovations from ancient Egypt including papyrus and the lighthoIt's not so much a novel as a few interconnected vignettes about important structures/innovations from ancient Egypt including papyrus and the lighthouse of Alexandria (which I didn't know anything about).
There's a humor to the brief stories which are unfinished and finished based on the illustration style. It provides a levity (or the funny) in the funny events from history that weirdly isn't and doesn't need to be funny but I get adjusting things for the intended audience.
It provides a quick, solid foundation for the topic without going into too much detail and that isn't as much true nonfiction as truth told in story. ...more
Phone-based childhood versus play-based childhood has rewired how kids are growing up and having teens in For educators and parents, a necessary read.
Phone-based childhood versus play-based childhood has rewired how kids are growing up and having teens in this generation (and teaching them as well) makes me stop and think many times over. Haidt shares plenty of data and graphs and explains how this phenomena isn't only an American shift, but a shift of other countries too when specific data is analyzed making it a stark understanding of how a phone connected to the internet and apps is shifting away from a realized community and into the virtual community where are relationships are disposable and tenuous. And it isn't reserved for thinking about how we need to shift parenting and teaching to help save this, but also my personal, adult use of social media and my phone. I, as Haidt explains as well, would go back and change the amount of attention I gave screens while my kids were growing up but it's a far cry from what I see now where every kid travels with a tablet glued to their face and sees little of the awe of nature, enjoys few authentic face-to-face conversations, and can't regulate emotions.
The argument is laid out and the only frustration was the constant recentering of what he was doing and how he was doing it in the book- to the point of distraction. Though I get why he presented it step by step this way. ...more
I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I listened to the audiobook version because it is an intricately woven tale of Anderson's depression anI probably would have enjoyed the book more if I listened to the audiobook version because it is an intricately woven tale of Anderson's depression and his nod to nature at every turn for healing, understanding, love, and thoughtfulness. It's a mix of natural wonder, which I adore, with chapters on flowers and plants, animals like squirrels and herons and crows, and fungi like morels.
In particular, when Anderson talked about the walks in his neighborhood cemetery and the trees and animals and quiet solitude, I had to pause because it's so true. His observations were entrancing but his paragraphs and pages of mental health challenges paled in comparison to his nod to nature. ...more
Using his adventurous spirit to fight the internal life that he battled from an early age, Richards details his climbing, the harrowing experiences anUsing his adventurous spirit to fight the internal life that he battled from an early age, Richards details his climbing, the harrowing experiences and near death trials that kept him getting back up again.
He had mental health crises from a teen through adulthood and used climbing as a tool. He details both in a way that was introspective and kind to all who have similar experiences.
Not coming from a perspective and understanding of either, it was an empathetic approach and his personal experience that he wanted to lay bare. ...more
It's a true crime novel that isn't your typical true crime as the underbelly of the story is about gang life and urban poverty in California with manyIt's a true crime novel that isn't your typical true crime as the underbelly of the story is about gang life and urban poverty in California with many Mexican immigrants who are building a life for themselves on the streets by selling/reselling wares, drugs, and other items. Katz focuses in on a particular set of individuals whose lives intersect where Los Angeles is just as pivotal a character as the real-life people profiled.
Making choices, survival, and murder including a few that aren't for the faint of heart. Trials. Justice. Wiping the slate clean. Prison. Teenage parenthood. Family history. It's all interwoven into a heartbreaking story of the streets. ...more
Kawash goes deep into the world of candy but not from the angle I thought it would be approached- instead it's more about the industrialization of fooKawash goes deep into the world of candy but not from the angle I thought it would be approached- instead it's more about the industrialization of food production and how candy fits in though ultimately asking the question of whether candy is food and how it should be looked at, talked about, and treated when we talk about things like apples, steaks, and such.
Because the descriptions were super detailed in candy production and the mysteries surrounding early candy production (and how they tasted, what they were made of, etc.) I was less intensely focused because it's an arm of the world that I don't need that much information on in the way that it was explained. I needed a more perfunctory focus of that and more about the pop culture aspects of candy or the deceitful elements of producing something like a Snickers (specifically the sentence describing how all of the elements of the candy bar work in your mouth to create the addictive qualities).
So it wasn't what I was looking for in a book about candy but applaud her research and hard work in getting a book out about the topic. ...more
Loading...
