Little Syllables: The Blog
Review - Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman
I received a free galley through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This nonfiction book follows the author on a solo bike tour following the monarch butterfly migration. She set out on this tour to help raise awareness about the problems the monarchs face. Dykman biked from the monarchs’ wintering grounds in Mexico to Canada and back. She gave presentations at schools and community centers along her route, teaching people how they can help the monarch butterflies.
I enjoyed this book. I was drawn to it because I enjoy cycling, but I can’t fathom such a long bike tour. I wanted to see what that would be like.
Dykman is obviously very passionate about conservation. I liked reading about how the book combines her passions with the practical matters of a long bike tour and scientific information. She does an excellent job presenting science and conservation information in an engaging way.
There are some points in the story where Dykman gets a little preachy about conservation, but it is one of her passions, so that could be excused. It’s not overwhelming, and I actually finished this book admiring her dedication to her cause.
This is a great book for teens and adults!
Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman is available April 13, 2021.
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Review - Modern Women by Kira Cochrane
I received a free e-galley of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Modern Women: 52 Pioneers who changed the World by Kira Cochrane is a collection of essays highlighting the lives and careers of 52 influential women. The chapters are brief, generally 3-4 pages, and focus on how each woman influenced the world through their contributions in the world of art, literature, science, film, sports, politics, etc.
I enjoyed learning about each of the women in this book—including several I had never heard of previously. Each of these women had to overcome their circumstances in some way in order to succeed, so each essay is inspiring. I also appreciated the international scope of this book. This book even inspired me to learn more about several of the women featured.
The only complaint I have with this book is its abrupt beginning and end. The author provides no introduction or summing up. The book begins with the first essay and ends with the last. I would have liked to read about the author’s methods of selecting the featured women. I would have liked to understand how the stories were selected.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about women’s history.
Modern Women: 52 Pioneers who changed the World by Kira Cochrane was first published in 2017.
This new edition is set for release on February 1, 2021.
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Reading about Reading, Writing, and Editing
I’m building up my collection of books about reading, writing, and editing. I would love recommendations for other books that fellow readers, writers, and editors!
These are the books I have so far. Give me recommendations in the comments.
Nonfiction November
Just as with fiction, I enjoy the variety found in nonfiction reading. I inherited a love of history from my father, so I often find myself reading historical accounts. I’m also intrigued by personality profiles. As an INFJ, I tend to be very introspective, so self-help books also lure me in. I love reading about people—their lives, their choices, their loves, their losses. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite nonfiction reads.
Historial Nonfiction
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
Memoir
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
Becoming by Michelle Obama
I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree: A Memoir of a Schindler's List Survivor by Laura Hillman
Self Improvement
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
I still have quite a few nonfiction picks on my to-read list, including:
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice & Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Hunger by Roxane Gay
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
What nonfiction books are on your favorites list?