Non-fiction book review - A Taste for Poison

 A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury

Like many people, I have some fascination with true crime. It is the non-fiction sub-genre that I find consistently compelling rather than dry and dull. And that interest extends to books like this one, less about individual killers than about poisons and their historical use. I expected this to be a deep dive into the 11 historical cases with a brief overview of the poison involved. Not so, friends! Bradbury dives deep into the effects of poisons on the body, the science of neurotransmitters and how poisons both kill and cure. For a more clinical exploration it did a solid job of keeping me engaged even though I am not especially science minded. And I have a couple of friends interested in bio-chemistry who will likely enjoy it even more.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

 

Hello again

 Hi friends. I know I disappeared for a while there. I had it in my head that I could keep up a regular blogging schedule while moving house. And it turns out I very much cannot. 

But, I've finished moving and hope to be back to my normal blogging schedule soon. Thanks for sticking with me.

Non-fiction book review - Birds of Prey

 

Science Comics: Birds of Prey by Joe Flood

 I'm a big fan of birds in general and raptors in particular so this book was right up my alley. And it is packed with information. We learn about every aspect of the behavior and biology of birds of prey. Unlike some of the books in the Science Comics series, Flood doesn't force the information into an awkward plot. There is a loose framework of a narrator explaining these birds to a squirrel. Essentially, the science is allowed to stand on it's own. It can be a bit dense in information but the illustrations and mild humor keep the reader engaged. It's a volume you could read several times and gain new insights each time.

More information: Birds of Prey releases May 17 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel Spotlight - Tin Man

 

Tin Man by Justin Madson

The Wizard of Oz is a story that lends itself surprisingly well to retellings as authors make different characters central or create different settings for the tale. Madson's take is a far cry from the original. There are certainly parallels in the characters but the main thrust of the story is vastly different. Tin Man presents us with a far more meandering, introspective story. It's a reflection on what it means to be alive, what drives us forward even after loss or when barriers seem insurmountable. It really tells it's own story, though, and could be appreciated even if you weren't familiar with the original story.  

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight - Agents of SLAM

 

Agents of S.L.A.M. by Dave Scheidt

Of all the sports, wrestling is probably the most suited to the graphic novel format. It's already more action than planning and strategizing. And Scheidt doesn't rely only on wrestling action. He's taken a wrestling team and made it a team of international secret agents. So there is travel, exotic locales, and political intrigue. The plot keeps moving constantly but leaves room for reflection and emotional depth. It's solidly entertaining and empowers the young protagonist to become a vital part of the novel's resolution. It will entertain young readers and hold up to repeat reading. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
 

Flamingo update

 You can find these lawn flamingos at Dollar Tree. They're pretty solid on their own but they are also perfect for customization. 

I've repainted flamingos before and had some colorshift paint on hand that I planned to use. Something about this particular bird, though, begged for something different. I decided to give it a base coat of black and spatter paint it with some neon paint.

Book review - Does My Body Offend You?

 

Title: Does My Body Offend You?

Author: Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

                     Go With the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann

Rating:

 

a good amount of complexity

Summary (provided by publisher): Malena Rosario is starting to believe that catastrophes come in threes. First, Hurricane María destroyed her home, taking her unbreakable spirit with it. Second, she and her mother are now stuck in Florida, which is nothing like her beloved Puerto Rico. And third, when she goes to school bra-less after a bad sunburn and is humiliated by the school administration into covering up, she feels like she has no choice but to comply.
Ruby McAllister has a reputation as her school's outspoken feminist rebel. But back in Seattle, she lived under her sister’s shadow. Now her sister is teaching in underprivileged communities, and she’s in a Florida high school, unsure of what to do with her future, or if she’s even capable making a difference in the world. So when Ruby notices the new girl is being forced to cover up her chest, she is not willing to keep quiet about it.
Neither Malena nor Ruby expected to be the leaders of the school's dress code rebellion. But the girls will have to face their own insecurities, biases, and privileges, and the ups and downs in their newfound friendship, if they want to stand up for their ideals and––ultimately––for themselves.

My opinion: Even if this were just a story of girls going up against their school's dress code, this would be a solid read. Dress codes have become the symbol for teens making measurable change in their worlds and the ways that systems can be inherently biased. If it were a straightforward dress code protest it would be ultimately forgettable. Cuevas and Marquardt have really elevated this story, though. In taking us through the growth of a grassroots movement we explore many kinds of bias, how we have a hard time seeing issues that don't directly affect us. Even more than that, they take on white saviorism,the importance of letting an affected population drive their own change. While the ultimate conclusions are predictable, the nuance in the journey makes this worth reading.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley