Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Not Reading Could Undermine Democracy!!

 

I watched this YouTube video earlier this week from BBC Politics and BBC News. I found the topic interesting on why reading is important to democracy. Not only does reading books (both fiction and nonfiction) help with empathy, but many other things like critical thinking. 

Watch the above video to learn more from the panel of speakers.

Selling Used Books For Profit?!

 

This short video almost makes me want to start selling used books at various locations as a side hustle!

The Woman in the Garden by Jill Johnson

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Woman in the Garden by Jill Johnson, which is well narrated by Rachel Capell.

Jill Johnson is a new to me author. I'm always on the look out for new to me authors. I was drawn to the plot summary for The Woman in the Garden as this novel contains "a Professor of Botanical Toxicology with only her extensive collection of poisonous plants for company" and also a mystery is involved.

First off, I found the protagonist, Eustacia Rose, annoying!! She's very smart, but very odd, quirky and eccentric... These can be good things, but I found her to be simply annoying for the most part throughout much of this novel... However, by the end of the novel, Eustacia Rose had grown on me.

Overall, I liked this mystery novel featuring a woman sleuth. There was a lot of twists and turns throughout The Woman in the Garden. By the end of the novel, I was glad it was over with though. The Woman in the Garden is the first novel in Eustacia Rose mystery series. I think I'll be passing on reading the rest of the series.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Woman in the Garden by Jill Johnson, which I found on Goodreads:

Every garden has its secrets…

Eustacia Rose is a Professor of Botanical Toxicology with only her extensive collection of poisonous plants for company. Her life is quiet, her schedule is unchanging, and her closest friends are the specimens she tends to. But she does have one other watching her neighbors through her telescope, taking extensive notes on their lives for research.

When Eustacia hears a scream one evening, the temptation to investigate proves irresistible. Through her telescope, she catches a glimpse of her extraordinarily beautiful new neighbor, Simone, and soon becomes obsessed with her and her life. But who are these four men that orbit Simone? And why does Eustacia get the feeling she needs to protect her from them?

One day, Eustacia comes home to find her precious garden destroyed and learns that someone close to Simone has been murdered with a rare poisonous plant. As she is drawn deep into the crime, Eustacia's closed-off life begins to crumble, forcing her to break free from the walls of her secret garden and take matters into her own hands. Soon, she's forced to realize that the world is filled with people who are just as toxic as her plants....

I am giving The Woman in the Garden by Jill Johnson a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Tope Ten Tuesday - Book Titles With Ordinal Numbers

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 ordinal numbers in their title. These books sound like good reads to add to my reading wishlist.

1. The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

2. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

3. The Third Life of Grange Copeland by Alice Walker

4. First Boy by Gary D Schmidt

5. The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult 

6. Second Nature by Alice Hoffman

7. The Fifth Agreement by Miguel Ruiz

8. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

9. Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli

10. First Crossing by Donald R. Gallo

Have you read any of the above books? 

Book Recommendations For International Women's Day!

 I discovered an article on Bookbub's website titled, Celebrate International Women's Day with These Books. I have not read any of the books mentioned in the article. Most of them sound really good. I will be adding On Morrison by Namwali Serpell, The Sea Captain's Wife by Tilar J. Mazzeo, It Girl by Allison Pataki and The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw to my ever growing reading wishlist.

Happy International Women's Day!!

 

I hope all of the women of the world have an amazing day celebrating the amazing women they are!

Today, I wanted to highlight ten women writers I've discovered in recent years! I enjoyed reading and reviewing the following ten books by ten different women writers. I chose these women writers at random.

1. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

2. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

3. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

4. The Seas by Samantha Hunt

5. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

6. City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson

7. Quintessentially: The One by Aleatha Romig

8. Brass by Xhenet Aliu

9. Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue

10. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy

Have you read any of these books I've listed in my post today? Or enjoyed reading other books written by these women writers?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary: A Graphic Novel by Don Brown

 

I am an English language volunteer/tutor for someone living in Ukraine via ENGin. I just started as an English language volunteer/tutor in January of this year and am currently working with a single person online at this time.

I accidentally stumbled across 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary: A Graphic Novel by Don Brown by performing an online search through our public library for comics/graphic novels. 

Because I am working with an individual living in Ukraine, who wants to learn to speak English better, I thought it would be a great idea to read this work of nonfiction written in the graphic novel format. So, I checked this ebook out from our public library via Hoopla.

83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary: A Graphic Novel by Don Brown is geared towards young adults. I found this book to be a quick overview about the conflict/war between Ukraine and Russia as it happened in Mariupol, Ukraine in 2022. 

I wanted to read a book where I could slowly ease myself into learning more about Ukraine. Especially with regards to learning about the history of Ukraine and the conflict/war between Ukraine and Russia. There's a lot of history between both countries and I'm sure there's a lot to learn. But I wanted an easy book to read and understand in order to learn more about Ukraine. 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary was a good place to start for me.

I enjoyed the artwork, writing, and overview of the war between Russia and Ukraine as it pertains to Mariupol, Ukraine. The events took place in 2022 and the events were horrific! According to what I read in this book, 90% of Mariupol was destroyed and is still occupied by Russia today.

Below is the publisher's summary for 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary: A Graphic Novel by Don Brown from the Goodreads website:

A young adult graphic novel that captures the complexities of the war in Ukraine, focusing on the siege of Mariupol (Feb ’22 – May ’22) and the brave people who stayed to defend their city against Russian forces as well as the resulting effects on global politics.

A city ruined. In once quiet residential streets, two armies battle, driving people into cellars and basements with little food or water. No lights or heat. Dwindling medical supplies. Shells and bullets deliver cruel, random death to the young and old, men, women, and children.

This is Mariupol, a Ukrainian city and early target of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bordering Russian-occupied territory, the coastal city seemed doomed to a defeat that would come within days, if not hours. Could Mariupol, and Ukraine, survive? As Russian rockets threatened the city, Ukrainians resisted, and with a heroic combination of sacrifice and bravery, the besieged city endured . . . for months. But it all came at a steep cost.

With compassion and his keen journalist’s eye, Sibert Honor creator Don Brown illuminates the horrors of Mariupol and the depredations of its people not seen in the city since World War II. He also shows that outside of Mariupol, the city’s agonies were mirrored by similar events occurring in towns and cities across Ukraine.

83 Days in Mariupol reminds us that the bloody defiance shown at the Alamo, Dunkirk, Leningrad, and Thermopylae isn’t confined to the past but has a violent, modern presence. It is the story of senseless destruction, patriotism, and grit against long odds—a brutal battle whose consequences still reverberate across Ukraine and continue to reshape the global political landscape.

I am giving 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary: A Graphic Novel by Don Brown a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading to all!

American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by Nico Lang

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by Nico Lang and narrated by the author via Hoopla.

American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by Nico Lang is a work of nonfiction and is the March 2026 Online Rainbow Book Club selection.

I liked this work of nonfiction, but didn't love it. The best part of American Teenager for me was that the author focused on the lives of "eight trans and nonbinary teenagers across the country, following their daily triumphs, struggles, and all that encompasses growing up trans in America today." Each teenager came from different backgrounds and each teenager lived in different states. I feel it is important to learn about the lives of other people in order to become more empathic and also to learn about the lives of others to avoid making assumptions about what we think their lives are like.

A couple of the topics that were discussed in American Teenager included gender affirming care and puberty suppressing hormones. I understand the need/importance for individuals to have a body that matches their gender identity and how this mismatch can lead to depression, suicide, etc.... BUT, personally, I am concerned about the long term, negative effects of using puberty suppressing hormones. Especially on prepubescent children. Is it really healthy to suppress puberty through drug therapy? 

I did a quick search on Google and learned that studies on puberty suppressing hormones show that "some studies suggest potential risks to neurodevelopment, such as changes in memory, stress response, and reduced IQ, evidence is not conclusive." (Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender) and "reduced bone mineral density, hot flashes, fatigue, mood fluctuations, headaches, and potential long-term impacts on fertility and growth velocity." (PubMed Central) In other words, more studies need to be done to show the risks and benefits for puberty suppressing hormones. 

Below is the publisher's summary for American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by Nico Lang from Chirp's website:

From an award-winning journalist comes a vivid and moving portrait of eight trans and nonbinary teenagers across the country, following their daily triumphs, struggles, and all that encompasses growing up trans in America today.

Media coverage tends to sensationalize the fight over how trans kids should be allowed to live, but what is incredibly rare are the voices of the people at the heart of this debate: transgender and gender nonconforming kids themselves. 

For their groundbreaking new book, journalist Nico Lang spent a year traveling the country to document the lives of transgender, nonbinary, and genderfluid teens and their families. From the tip of Florida’s conservative panhandle to vibrant queer communities in California, and from Texas churches to mosques in Illinois, American Teenager gives readers a window into the lives of Wyatt, Rhydian, Mykah, Clint, Ruby, Augie, Jack, and Kylie, eight teens who, despite what some lawmakers might want us to believe, are truly just kids looking for a brighter future.

Drawing on hundreds of hours of on-the-ground interviews with them and the people in their communities, American Teenager paints a vivid portrait of what it’s actually like to grow up trans today.

I am giving American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by Nico Lang a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!