News Flash!
2024 Reading Challenge
June 2024: Cultural Heritage
June's prompt was to read a book celebrating cultural heritage or traditions, either fiction or non-fiction. I read the memoir: Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Lee. When choosing a book for this month I wanted to find something from a prospective that we maybe don't hear about as often, and while many are familiar with Asian American stereotypes, and perhaps the Japanese Internment Camps in the United State during World War II, I was unsure how this book would be approached. I found it enlightening to hear about the plight of Asian immigrant families and the struggles their children face.
July's prompt is Adventure in NH: Choose an adventure book set in or inspired by NH -- I think this prompt should be fun!
May 2024: Non-Fiction Discovery
May's Reading Challenge prompt was a non-fiction book about a topic unrelated to your professional field. I read 50/50: Secrets I learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days--and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! by Dean Karnazes. I picked this book because I enjoy running and learning more about the sport from elite athletes. I ended up taking quite a few notes while reading for tips and tricks to incorporate in my own running. The tips he had to offer were applicable for any runner, not just those covering ultramarathon distances, so don't think this book has absolutely nothing for you if that's not what you aim for. It was a quick, fun read, and it definately made me want to head outside enjoying time under blue skies and green trees!
June's prompt is: Cultural Heritage: a book celebrating cultural heritage, either fiction, or non fiction. I've chosen to read: Biting the Hand: Growing up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Lee. Please reach out if you'd like assistance in finding a book to read!
April 2024: Graphic Novel or Comic Books
April's Book Challenge topic was a Graphic Novel that tackles a social issue or represents a unique storytelling format. I chose to read Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi. Persepolis is a memoir depicting Satrapi's childhood growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Her stories range from when she was age 6 to 14 in this volume that ends with her parents sending her to study in Vienna.
Her story is told in black-and-white comic strip images. The art style helps remind readers that this is from a child's point of view, even though the subject matter is heavy.
What did you read this month? How did it make you feel? If you want to read a graphic novel, but don't know how to find one, let us know! We have graphic novels for all ages and can help find something you're interested in.
Here's a sampling of what we have!
May's prompt is to read a non-fiction title that is unrelated to your professional field. Happy reading!
March 2024: Genre Exploration
March told us to explore new genres while choosing our reading material. I tend to read a mishmash of books so I asked what do I normally not read? While I do read non-fiction and have read about historical views of wars, I tend to read older material. So I decided to read George Crile's Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Cover Operation. The book is a wild, eye-opening ride for someone who doesn't know the politics of the time. If you'd like to read the book, or watch the star-casted film, The Sandown Public Library has both for you to enjoy and learn about the operation. If you'd like to check out some more information I recommend you get started at the Wikipedia page.
For those of you following along, April's prompt is: Graphic novels or comic books: Read a graphic novel or comic book that tackles a social issue or represents a unique storytelling format.
February 2024: Diversity in Literature
February’s prompt in our reading challenge was Diversity in Literature. This meant we chose to read a book written by an author from an underrepresented or marginalized group; exploring diverse perspectives and amplifying diverse voices in literature. I selected the book Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot written by Mikki Kendall.
Hood Feminism is a thought-provoking book that highlights the importance of including issues of race, class, and other forms of inequality in feminist discourse. One of the main critiques of mainstream feminism in this book is that it focuses on issues primarily affecting white, middle-class women, and neglects the concerns of women of color, low-income women, and other marginalized groups. By having such a narrow focus, we’re perpetuating systemic inequalities and aren’t addressing the needs of all women. Kendall explores a wide range of topics including access to healthcare, education, food security, and safety, while looking closer at how these issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
As a middle-class white woman, I found the book insightful to educate myself about ways of life that I have had the privilege to not experience. Hood Feminism is a compelling call to action for a more inclusive feminist movement that strives for justice and equality for all women and left me wanting to learn more and do better in supporting others.
March’s prompt is Genre Exploration: a book from a genre you don’t typically read or work with in the library. Expand genre knowledge and cater to a broader range of reader interests.
January 2024: New Beginnings
The prompt for January was to select a book about personal growth or self-improvement. For this prompt I selected the book The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown.
Brown is an expert on courage, empathy, and shame. In this book, Brown introduces the concept of embracing imperfection and living wholeheartedly to her readers. She defines wholehearted living as engaging with the world from a place of worthiness, embracing vulnerability, and letting go of the fear of not being “enough.”
Throughout the book, readers are presented with Brown’s ten guideposts for wholehearted living, each offering valuable insights and strategies for cultivating a more fulfilling life. From cultivating self-compassion and setting boundaries to embracing creativity and growing meaningful connections, these guideposts lead us on our journey toward self-discovery and acceptance.
While every guidepost did not land with the same weight of meaning for me, the book did serve me as a reminder that embracing my authentic self is not just a factor in my personal life, but also professionally. The book helped me identify aspects of what wholehearted leadership means to me.
If you’re interested in reading this book a print copy is available in our shared Southern New Hampshire Library Coop (SNHLC). There are also ebook and eaudio versions available which all can be found at the link at the beginning of this reflection post.
If you’d like to continue on this reading journey with me, February’s prompt is: Diversity in Literature. Choose a book written by an author from an underrepresented or marginalized group.