Reviews Posted Last Week
Loot by Sharon Waxman – Who owns ancient artifacts? Should they be returned to their country of origin?
The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore – Who knew that Wonder Woman was written by a psychologist who invented the lie detector and was designed to be a model feminist icon based on the work of Margaret Sanger?
Sewing Can Be Dangerous by S.R. Mallery – Short stories that all feature sewing in some way.
Listening to this week
It took me forever to find a new audiobook. I couldn’t find any of the books on my TBR list on Audible. I must have weird tastes in audiobooks. This one is good so far.
Trip of the Tongue: Cross-Country Travels in Search of America’s Languages by Elizabeth Little
“Though we’re known as a nation of English speakers, the linguistic map of the United States is hardly monochromatic. While much ado has been made about the role that Spanish may play in our national future, it would be a gross misrepresentation to label America a bilingual country. On the contrary, our languages are as varied as our origins. There is Basque in Nevada, Arabic in Detroit, Gullah in South Carolina. We speak European, Asian, and American Indian languages; we speak creoles, jargons, and pidgins. As a resident of Queens-among the most ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse places on the planet-Elizabeth Little first began to wonder how this host of tongues had shaped the American experience. It was only a matter of time before she decided to take her questions on the road.” from Goodreads
Reading this week
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
“All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.” from Goodreads
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer 8. Lee
“If you think McDonald’s is the most ubiquitous restaurant experience in America, consider that there are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. New York Times reporter and Chinese-American (or American-born Chinese). In her search, Jennifer 8 Lee traces the history of Chinese-American experience through the lens of the food.” from Goodreads
