Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death by Caitlin Doughty

 

I listened to Caitlin Doughty's nonfiction book titled, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory back in 2023. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory as Caitlin Doughty recounts her journey as a mortician. I also enjoyed the fact that Caitlin Doughty narrated her book as well.

With that said, I wanted to read, or rather listen to in this case, another work of nonfiction written by Caitlin Doughty. So, I couldn't resist listening to Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death, which is also narrated by the author.

I don't know how Caitlin Doughty does it, but she makes learning unique facts about death fun! I learned a lot of new things about death that I didn't know before by listening to Caitlin Doughty answer 35 questions posed to her by youngsters. Each of the questions were for the most part unique and so were the answers given.

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death by Caitlin Doughty is a quick read, which was right up my alley. I liked the bite sized chunks of information that were presented by the author. It made learning about death feel less morbid if that's possible.

Below is the publisher's summary for Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death by Caitlin Doughty from the Goodreads website:

Every day, funeral director Caitlin Doughty receives dozens of questions about death. What would happen to an astronaut’s body if it were pushed out of a space shuttle? Do people poop when they die? Can Grandma have a Viking funeral?

In the tradition of Randall Munroe’s What If ?, Doughty’s new book, Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?, blends her scientific understanding of the body and the intriguing history behind common misconceptions about corpses to offer factual, hilarious, and candid answers to thirty-five urgent questions posed by her youngest fans. Readers will learn what happens if you die on an airplane, the best soil for mummifying your dog, and whether or not you can preserve your friend’s skull as a keepsake.

I am giving Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death by Caitlin Doughty a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Atlanta "Library Dads" Build Community to Help Their Kids Fall In Love With Reading!

 

I loved watching this short, YouTube video about dads building a community to support each other in building strong readers and literacy in their children.

I come from a generation where the only time men helped with anything educational was when it came to math and science. Otherwise, it was always left up to the women to do these things.

I'm glad to see a shift in participation when it comes to men helping their children learn to read. 

Woodworking by Emily St. James

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Woodworking by Emily St. James and is very well narrated by several narrators.

Woodworking by Emily St. James is the April book selection for the Online Rainbow Book Club hosted by my public library. 

Woodworking by Emily St. James is an excellent novel and is my favorite book club selection for the Online Rainbow Book Club to date. 

Woodworking is a novel set in South Dakota in the year 2016. This novel touches upon so much - trans identity, friendship, politics, finding oneself, and coming of age are just a few of the topics that all come together in this novel. Also, as a back drop for Woodworking, the 2016 election is looming and we read how potential policies being proposed in this novel could effect the lives of trans people. Woodworking isn't really a political novel at all, but the topic of politics does come up in the novel as part of the storyline.

The primary focus of Woodworking is on the lives of three different trans women at different stages in their transition journey. All three women are at different stages in their journey and are different ages.

I really enjoyed all of the characters in Woodworking, especially Abigail Hawkes, a trans teen with a wicked sense of humor. The writing for Woodworking is excellent. There are so many layers to this novel that it is difficult to describe all of the nuances to give readers a sense of how wonderful written this novel really is. 

Plus, I don't want to give away too many details about the storyline/plot to spoil it for those whom want to read Woodworking. Suffice it to say, I truly enjoyed reading Woodworking!

At the end of the audiobook, Emily St. James mentions the website, Assigned Media, as a resource for transgender news. Click on the link to learn more about the latest transgender news.

Below is the publisher's summary for Woodworking by Emily St. James, which I discovered through the Goodreads website:

An unforgettable and heartwarming debut following a trans high school teacher from a small town in South Dakota who befriends the only other trans woman she knows: one of her students.

Erica Skyberg is thirty-five years old, recently divorced—and trans. Not that she's told anyone yet. Mitchell, South Dakota, isn't exactly bursting with other trans women. Instead, she keeps to herself, teaching by day and directing community theater by night. That is, until Abigail Hawkes enters her orbit.

Abigail is seventeen, Mitchell High’s resident political dissident and Only Trans Girl. It’s a role she plays faultlessly, albeit a little reluctantly. She's also annoyed by the idea of spending her senior year secretly guiding her English teacher through her transition. But Abigail remembers the uncertainty—and loneliness—that comes with it. Besides, Erica isn’t the only one struggling to shed the weight of others’ expectations.

As their unlikely friendship evolves under the increasing scrutiny of their community, both women—and those closest to them—will come to realize that sometimes there is nothing more radical than letting the world see who you really are.

Detransition Baby meets Fleishman is in Trouble in this remarkable debut novel from an incisive contemporary voice. A story about the awkwardness of growing up and the greatest love story of all, that between us and our friends, Woodworking is a tonic for the moment and a celebration of womanhood in all its multifaceted joy.

I am giving Woodworking by Emily St. James a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

How Sacramento Public Library Is Handling Current Needs

 

I enjoy hearing about pretty much all library news. I found it interesting to watch the above, short video via YouTube on how the Sacramento Public Library System is meeting the needs of its patrons. 

I think it is cool that one can check out guitars and leaf blowers from the Sacramento Public Library System.

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Really Liked, but Can’t Remember Anything/Much About - FREEBIE

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Below is a random list of books I've read and reviewed here on my blog over the years

1. Where the Lost Girls Go by R. J. Noonan

2. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

3. Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

5. I Am Livia by Phyllis T. Smith

6. Flight by Sherman Alexie

7. The Good Traitor by Ryan Quinn

8. Deadly Readings by Laura Bradford

9. May Day by Jess Lourey

10. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

Have you read any of the above books?

Iowa's State Capitol Law Library Is So Beautiful!

As a college graduate from the University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa), I must admit that Iowa has a special place in my heart. 

I have not visited Iowa's State Capitol Law Library in Des Moines, Iowa, but after watching the above 2 minute video on YouTube, I would love to visit Iowa's State Capitol Law Library some day.

Iowa's State Capitol Law Library is even open to the public!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Happy Independent Bookstore Day!!

 

Would You Want to Run a Bookstore on Vacation?

Let's just say I'm ready to visit Wigtown, Scotland for a week and run a bookstore while on vacation! Sure, I've worked at three different bookstores during my life, so I have an idea of what to expect while working at a bookstore. BUT calling the shots for the week, would be pretty cool and fun.

Wigtown, Scotland has an annual ten day book festival. Wigtown also has approximately 14-17 bookstores and a population of 850 to 900 people. Wow, that's a lot of bookstores for a town with so few people!

Checkout the above video on YouTube about three sisters from Ohio who spend a week running The Open Book in Wigtown for a week and why they chose to do so.

The Beautiful No by Sheri Salata

 

During the height of the pandemic, there were a lot of online/virtual events. The University of Iowa hosted a virtual event titled, Virtual Book Club with Sheri Salata, in November of 2020. I am an alumna of the University of Iowa and also an avid read (of course), so I attended this 45-minute virtual event and enjoyed watching it immensely at the time.

Sheri Salata is a University of Iowa alumna (80BBA) and she also worked as an executive producer for the Oprah Winfrey Show for a number of years. Before attending the Virtual Book Club with Sheri Salata, I'd never heard of Sheri Salata, but after the event I knew I wanted to read her nonfiction book, The Beautiful No.

Despite having The Beautiful No by Sheri Salata on my reading wishlist for almost 6 years, it wasn't until this year that I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Beautiful No, which is nicely narrated by the author. In fact, I finished listening to this book yesterday.

The Beautiful No by Sheri Salata is a work of nonfiction... In fact, it's a memoir. I remember being excited to read The Beautiful No after watching the Virtual Book Club with Sheri Salata. It seemed like Salata's book was the right combination of memoir and also inspirational and self-help book. Yes, The Beautiful No is a memoir. Each chapter is a vignette pertaining to an aspect of Sheri Salata's life, which is well done. 

Yes, Sheri Salata's life story is inspirational, especially her transformation after the Oprah Winfrey Show ended and how she went about transforming her life. BUT, I wouldn't classify The Beautiful No as both a self-help book and memoir like I had envisioned it would be. There are many gems that Sheri Salata shares throughout her book one could use as a guidepost in transforming one's own life. BUT again this books isn't a self-help book, only a memoir. It is an inspirational book though and also gives food for thought on how to improve one's life.

Below is a 45 second book trailer for The Beautiful No by Sheri Salata, which I discovered on YouTube. I'm sharing the book trailer instead of quoting the publisher's written summary of this book.

I am giving The Beautiful No by Sheri Salata a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!

Book Humor!!

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Books With Specific Flowers in the Title

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Below are ten books with a specific flower in the title. The books are listed in no particular order of importance.

1. Sky of Red Poppies by Zohreh Ghahremani

2. Briar Rose by Robert Coover
3. Black Dahlia & White Rose by Joyce Carol Oates

4. The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

5. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
6. White Rose, Black Forest by Eoin Dempsey

7. The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean
8. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Moggach

9. The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

10. 17 Carnations by Andrew Morton

Have you read any of the above books? Which book do you think I should I read first?

Life As An Independent Bookstore Owner!!

 

I really enjoyed watching this video on YouTube featuring a couple who purchased an independent bookstore in Washington state. It's sort of behind the scenes look at their lives as business owners and their personal lives.

New to Me Little Free Libraries in Vallejo, California!

 

Yesterday, my husband and I visited Mare Island in Vallejo, California for the afternoon. During our visit to Vallejo, we found two new to us Little Free Libraries towards the end of the afternoon as we began making our way home.

I left a total of five books at two different Little Free Libraries in Vallejo, but only brought one book home with me.

Both Little Free Libraries are cute!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Penguin Random House Audio Publishing - Maker's Magic - Enter to Win A Prize Pack of Your Choice!

Yesterday, I was on Facebook checking out my Facebook memories and also my Facebook feed. 

During my time spent scrolling on my Facebook feed, I discovered that Penguin Random House Audio Publishing was offering a very cool giveaway called, Maker's Magic!

According to the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing website, Maker's Magic is:

Crafting and audiobooks go together like a needle and thread. Enter to win a crafting kit of your choice (knit, crochet, or embroider), complete with wireless headphones and a romantic audiobook from Penguin Random House Audio.

No purchase necessary to enter this giveaway. It is open to US residents, 18+ and runs through April 22, 2026.

And, yes, for inquiring minds, I did sign up for this giveaway! I'm a knitter (and crochet newbie too!!). I love to knit simple projects while listening to audiobooks. I am hoping to win the knitting giveaway. 

Good luck to you if you decide to enter one of this giveaway.

Click on link above to learn more about Maker's Magic and also to enter the giveaway.

The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King

 

I listened to The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King, which is well narrated by Mare Winningham. This book has been on my reading wishlist for a number of years and I am glad to have finally read it at last!!

I haven't read many books written by Stephen King. I think The Gingerbread Girl may be the 4th thing I've read by Stephen King and I'd say The Gingerbread Girl is my favorite work written by Stephen King to date. 

The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King has a good storyline and is very engaging! Stephen King writes very well and draws the reader in and doesn't let go. I couldn't wait to discover how the story ended. The suspense was killing me as to what would happen... 

Essentially, Em, the main character, is staying at her father's old conch shack in Vermillion Key, Florida as she decides on the next step in her life after the tragic loss of her baby and the fallout of her marriage with her husband after the loss of their baby. Em turns to running after the loss of their baby, which her husband doesn't understand. So, Em decides to separate from her husband and reflect on the next step to take while in Vermillion Key. 

Em learns about a man named, Pickering, from the guard while staying in Varmillion Key. The guard warns Em to stay away from Pickering as he is a man with very sketchy behavior. Unfortunately, Em has a run in with Pickering and this is where the suspense begins. 

It's touch and go as to whether Em will escape from Pickering or not! Stephen King plays a good game of cat and mouse with the reader.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King , which I discovered on Goodreads:

In the emotional aftermath of her baby's sudden death, Em starts running. Soon she runs from her husband, to the airport, down to the Florida Gulf, and out to the loneliest stretch of Vermillion Key, where her father has offered the use of a conch shack he has kept there for years. Em keeps up her running - barefoot on the beach, sneakers on the road - and sees virtually no one.

This is doing her all kinds of good, until one day she makes the mistake of looking into the driveway of a man named Pickering. Pickering also enjoys the privacy of Vermillion Key, but the young women he brings there suffer the consequences. Will Em be next?

I am giving The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Snotgirl: Green Hair Don't Care by Bryan Lee O’Malley

 

I read the ebook edition of Snotgirl: Green Hair Don't Care by Bryan Lee O’Malley. I don't remember where I first learned about this graphic novel, but it's been on my reading wishlist for a while. 

Snotgirl: Green Hair Don't Care by Bryan Lee O’Malley is a fun, easy breezy read! The artwork is wonderful. I liked the storyline and main character. Lottie Person is a fashion blogger living in LA. She and friends are shallow and mean. This book seems to poke fun of the shallowness of fashion influencers/bloggers.

As a side story, Lottie has out of control allergies and she may or may not have killed someone accidentally while taking her allergy meds combined with alcohol.

Lottie's long-term boyfriend dumped her for her former intern, who is now stalking Lottie!! 

Additionally, Lottie's new bestie seems perfect at the start of the book. But, by the end of the book, the new bestie seems suspicious to say the least.

Below is the publisher's summary for Snotgirl: Green Hair Don't Care by Bryan Lee O’Malley from Goodreads:

From bestselling BRYAN LEE O’MALLEY (Scott Pilgrim) and superstar newcomer LESLIE HUNG! Lottie Person is a glamorous fashion blogger living her best life—at least that’s what she wants you to think. The truth is, her friends are terrible people, her boyfriend traded her up for someone younger, her allergies are out of control, and she may or may not have killed somebody! SNOTGIRL VOL. 1 is the perfect introduction to one of 2016’s most buzzed-about titles! Collects SNOTGIRL #1-5.

I am giving Snotgirl: Green Hair Don't Care by Bryan Lee O’Malley a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Books About/Set In Places on My Bucket List

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Below are ten works of fiction I would like to read that are set in places on my travel bucket list. The books are not listed in any order of importance.

1. Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd (England)
2. Manila Noir by Jessica Hagedorn, et al (Philippines)
3. The Source by James A. Michener (the Holy Land)
4. The Man from St. Petersburg by Ken Follett (Russia)
5. The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton (Key West, Florida)
6. Santa Fe Mourning by Amanda Allen (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
7. When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton (Cuba)
8. Alaska by James A. Michener
9. The Last Letter from Sicily by Lindsay Marie Morris (Sicily, Italy)
10. Russka by Edward Rutherfurd (Russia)

Have you read any of the above novels? Which novel should I read first?

Book Humor!

 

Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj

I am addicted to playing chess! I joined Duolingo last year and I have started learning better chess strategies through Duolingo. I also enjoy playing chess games with other people around the world via the Duolingo app.

Because of my (relatively new) found love of playing chess, I couldn't pass up reading Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj. 

Prior to reading Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj, I'd heard about Bobby Fischer. But honestly, I didn't know much about his life other than he was a US chess protege and chess grand master.

Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer is a rather quick read as it is a graphic novel/work of nonfiction. I liked the artwork for this book and I definitely learned a lot about Bobby Fischer. It was definitely sad to learn that he fell victim to mental illness and that he also fell for conspiracy theories. This is such a tragedy as Bobby Fischer was such a talented chess player.

I am giving Black & White: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer by Julian Voloj a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli

 

I've been a big fan of Jerry Spinelli's novels since 2010 when a former college professor of mine had given me a copy of Stargirl written by Jerry Spinelli. After reading Stargirl, I fell in love with Spinelli's writing and have continued reading his novels ever since 2010.

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli, which is decently narrated by Matt Weisgerber. This is a short listen at 3 hours, 41 minutes.

Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli is his memoir/autobiography, but a different kind of memoir than I'm use to reading. It's told through a series of vignettes (some more interesting than others) about Spinelli's childhood growing up. 

This book falls into the children's genre. I am assuming Jerry Spinelli intentionally wrote his memoir/autobiography for children as the novels he writes are geared for this audience. This way, Knots in My Yo-Yo String is catered to the young fans of his works. I like that this book is written for children that are fans of Spinelli's novels.

I read Knots in My Yo-Yo String solely because I am a fan of Jerry Spinelli's works and wanted to know more about his life. Although, I enjoyed Knots in My Yo-Yo String and learning more about Spinelli's childhood. I also wanted to learn more about his adult life too.

I am giving Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. I think it is a great read for children who are fans of his books. Not so much for adult readers though.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Trumps' Presidential Library Video Rendering

 

Look, I understand that President Trump was a real estate developer in his former life before becoming POTUS. It also seems plausible that he wants something unique when it comes to his own presidential library that will reflect his past as a real estate developer.

But, I am wondering if any one else sees the similarities between Trump Tower in NYC and the video rendering of the proposed Trump Presidential Library slated to dominate the Miami skyline?

NPR did a write up about the Trump Presidential Library video rendering in an article titled, What to know about Trump's future presidential library, which he says may be a hotel by Rachel Treisman, should you care to learn/read more. So, does this suggest the Trump Presidential Library will be more of a hotel vs. an actual library? Only time will tell, I guess.

Another New Milestone For My Blog!!

 

I feel blessed! I've received over 2 million page views here on my book blog since I started blogging on January 1, 2012!

I never thought I'd be blogging this long, let alone write and publish posts on a regular basis.

Thank you to all of my blog followers and all the other readers who've helped me grow my book blog.