The Nameless City
Faith Erin Hicks
colors by Jordie Bellaire
ISBN: 9781626721579
Original fantasy graphic novel, first of hopefully a long-running series.
Read June 28, 2016
The Nameless City has been conquered serially by outsiders for as long as history remembers. The invaders always pick a new name for it, but for people who live here, the city is nameless, and the need to name it is a sure mark of an outsider. The Dao are the current masters here, and Kaidu has been sent over by his mother to be a part of the new empire. He doesn't fit in with the war-mongering kids that he's training with, but he does find a friend - of sorts - in the city street smart Rat.
Love all the colors of people, and the close look at colonialism and oppression, and the limitations of people in power trying to keep power and perhaps do some good as well.
I'm really looking forward to the second book!
Showing posts with label social activism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social activism. Show all posts
Friday, July 22, 2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Nonfiction: Democratic by Design, Gabriel Metcalf
Democratic by Design
Gabriel Metcalf
ISBN: 9781137279675
Read January 31, 2016
Well-researched and passionately argued, but a bit too large-scale for my interests.
Metcalf presents a set of case-studies of communal, union, or partnership-owned organizations and initiatives in the hope of inspiring future people to use this avenue of social progressiveness to enact large-scale social change on a variety of issues. I was hoping there would be more information on smaller "commune-style" financial and economic arrangements, but this was more focused on larger businesses and in large-scale social institutions. Still interesting, but not the type of research and analysis that I was looking for.
Gabriel Metcalf
ISBN: 9781137279675
Read January 31, 2016
Well-researched and passionately argued, but a bit too large-scale for my interests.
Metcalf presents a set of case-studies of communal, union, or partnership-owned organizations and initiatives in the hope of inspiring future people to use this avenue of social progressiveness to enact large-scale social change on a variety of issues. I was hoping there would be more information on smaller "commune-style" financial and economic arrangements, but this was more focused on larger businesses and in large-scale social institutions. Still interesting, but not the type of research and analysis that I was looking for.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Nonfiction: How to Raise a Wild Child, by Scott D. Sampson
How to Raise a Wild Child
Scott D. Sampson
ISBN: 9780544279322
Read June, 2015
Discusses the importance of the natural world to child development and personal happiness.
I think I was expecting this to be a bit more about child development, and less of a personal journey, but I enjoyed the journey nonetheless, and Sampson's voice was clear and passionate all through the book. The science was a bit slim, but there were copious references to other books (some of which I'd actually already read) to handle that angle.
Basically this is one guy's love letter to nature, and why he feels like it has made him a better person, and why he feels like it will help to make every person better and happier. His enthusiasm and passion are hard to argue with, but he does make some assumptions about people being outdoors that I think are based on his own personal interests and aren't quite as universal as he would like to believe they are.
Still, the overall points are well-meant and much needed - even if you don't totally fall in love with bird-watching in your backyard, or don't end up taking camping trips to celebrate milestones with California hippies, it's important to have a deeper and more positive relationship with our world.
Scott D. Sampson
ISBN: 9780544279322
Read June, 2015
Discusses the importance of the natural world to child development and personal happiness.
I think I was expecting this to be a bit more about child development, and less of a personal journey, but I enjoyed the journey nonetheless, and Sampson's voice was clear and passionate all through the book. The science was a bit slim, but there were copious references to other books (some of which I'd actually already read) to handle that angle.
Basically this is one guy's love letter to nature, and why he feels like it has made him a better person, and why he feels like it will help to make every person better and happier. His enthusiasm and passion are hard to argue with, but he does make some assumptions about people being outdoors that I think are based on his own personal interests and aren't quite as universal as he would like to believe they are.
Still, the overall points are well-meant and much needed - even if you don't totally fall in love with bird-watching in your backyard, or don't end up taking camping trips to celebrate milestones with California hippies, it's important to have a deeper and more positive relationship with our world.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
New Arrivals: Juvenile Readers: Viole Mackerel #5 & #6, Anna Branford & Elanna Allen
More of the absolutely lovely Violet Mackerel series has come in, and both of these are delightful.
Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend
Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9781442494558
Read February 15, 2015
Violet Mackerel's Pocket Protest
Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9781442494589
Read February 15, 2015
Possible Friend: Fresh off of a wedding and a move to a new house (the previous books, reviewed here) Violet is a little concerned about her neighbors - they have a very nice and very neat house and yard, and a little girl just her age that MIGHT become a friend, if things work out well. The anticipation and nerves of making a new friend, and of worrying about whether your family and your home measures up, the one scene where the two mothers take it in turn to be stressed and nonplussed about their respective daughters' raptures over how the other family/home/mother is so amazing, everything is just pitch perfect! And by the end of it, Violet has a new friend, aptly named Rose.
Pocket Protest: Rose and Violet enjoy a park at the end of their street, and especially an old oak tree that is just perfect for sitting under and sharing time and secrets. They are horrified when a notice is put up, indicating the tree is getting cut down for a parking lot. A micro-protest is underway, with help from parents and elder siblings, and the tree is saved, and a small sweet mystery is solved along with it. Admittedly a bit sugar-coated and streamlined, but a very excellent introduction into social activism in a way smaller kids will appreciate and want to emulate. Bonus points for gratuitously adorable usage of acorn caps.
Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend
Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9781442494558
Read February 15, 2015
Violet Mackerel's Pocket Protest
Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9781442494589
Read February 15, 2015
Possible Friend: Fresh off of a wedding and a move to a new house (the previous books, reviewed here) Violet is a little concerned about her neighbors - they have a very nice and very neat house and yard, and a little girl just her age that MIGHT become a friend, if things work out well. The anticipation and nerves of making a new friend, and of worrying about whether your family and your home measures up, the one scene where the two mothers take it in turn to be stressed and nonplussed about their respective daughters' raptures over how the other family/home/mother is so amazing, everything is just pitch perfect! And by the end of it, Violet has a new friend, aptly named Rose.
Pocket Protest: Rose and Violet enjoy a park at the end of their street, and especially an old oak tree that is just perfect for sitting under and sharing time and secrets. They are horrified when a notice is put up, indicating the tree is getting cut down for a parking lot. A micro-protest is underway, with help from parents and elder siblings, and the tree is saved, and a small sweet mystery is solved along with it. Admittedly a bit sugar-coated and streamlined, but a very excellent introduction into social activism in a way smaller kids will appreciate and want to emulate. Bonus points for gratuitously adorable usage of acorn caps.
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