A Wise, Wise Woman

In this culture so quick to cancel (and all the permutations that come before that) author Loretta Ross takes us down another road--one of "calling in". A real grown up, Loretta doesn't hide behind a screen screed, take potshots at the Thanksgiving table or whisper behind her hand to a sympathetic listener. She constructively confronts, and creates a dialogue in order to (hopefully) build a bridge, or perhaps just create a moment of thoughtfulness. She has had a life full of challenges, and has come out a beacon of inspiration. I hope someday I can have a fraction of her mature hutzpah and set a good example for my granddaughters. So far, though, nope.

Tongue-In-Cheek Advice

I enjoyed this lighthearted, if slightly flip overview of democracy, what one may do to preserve it, as well as what will not work. The writing style was enjoyable but the overall message was still there--we're in trouble.

Lots of Facts, Lots of Sad Stuff

Very knowledgeable author Brandon Keim sets out to inform the reader about the fauna that surround us. No longer will you think of any creature as mere vermin (or I don't think you will) as he peppers the book with interesting tidbits that one would never know (for example, raccoons adopting orphaned kits--how sweet is that?). However, there is so much heaviness about our dismal history with animal treatment, even when people are trying to do the right thing. I had to meter my intake of information as it really dragged me down, although arguably not as much as it drags down the actual animals, so I should probably stop complaining. I do recommend it, but have another, more uplifting book to read alongside it, and then go and join a conservation organization.