Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

4 stars A powerful exploration of what it is to be a Black man in modern America. Through a letter to his son, Coates lays out the different worlds Black men inhabit and the never-ending assessment of risk as they navigate those worlds daily. Through an examination of history and reflections on his own personal…

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An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo

4 stars Fantastically written, this collection explores history and the human connection to the land. Through stunning verse, Harjo shares stories and imagery of her tribe’s forced removal from their ancestorial home, her return to her family’s land, stories of her family’s legacy, her own personal experiences, and creative new tales featuring well-known characters from…

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Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books

by Hwang Bo-reum Translated by Shanna Tan Narrated by Rosa Escoda 3 stars A delightfully cozy collection of essays about the joys and comfort of books and reading. Bo-reum shares different ways to read more and connect more deeply with the books you read. Nicely written with an interesting blend of literature, memoir, and moments…

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Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson

Illustrated by David Shannon 4 stars From death, destruction, and war to unity and peace, this book tells the story of Hiawatha and the Peacemaker, whose work to unite the Six Nations of the Iroquois people with the Great Law of Peace set a blueprint for democracy in America. Hiawatha is angry and devastated after…

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The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq

by Jeanette Winter 4 stars The powerful story of Alia Muhammad Baker, the brave librarian who save 70% of her library collection during the Iraq War. The book focuses on Baker’s efforts to move the books to safe locations as the war nears Basra. It ends with a message of hope amid the chaos. The…

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The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, 3rd Edition

by Susan Veness 3 stars Uncover hidden magic in this interesting guidebook that dives in to all things Disney World. I really enjoyed reading about some of the hidden magic to look for around Disney World. Veness provides a variety of different details, some of which are obvious while others are a bit more cryptic…

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What Do We Know About Zombies? by Meg Belviso

4 stars An interesting introduction into the history of zombies and how they went from the obedient undead to the ravenous creatures we know today. The book covers various information related to zombies including the origin of zombies in Vodou, their evolution through mass media, real-world parasites and diseases, children’s pop culture, and survival tips….

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The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

2 stars An examination of happiness that had some interesting moments but was otherwise repetitive and not very applicable to most people’s lives. Rubin sets out to dedicate one year to increasing her happiness, taking one month to focus on a different aspect of her life such as work, leisure, energy, marriage, and parenthood. Each…

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