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Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Read With Pride!

 




On June 18th Dixon will be having a Pride Event (https://www.facebook.com/dixonpridefestival) and with a growing list of sponsors, our community is teeming with support.
This event will feature entertainment, food, and vendors. Along with a message of love, unity, and civil rights, this pride event and the entire month of June, is about commemorating the impact people in the LGBTQ+ community have had throughout history and the continued quest for equal rights.



A part of that quest for equal rights comes in taking a stand against the censorship of LGBTQ+ voices and one way to do that is by taking note of and reading banned books. The rise of book bans across the country has been significant and the majority of the books being banned are about Black and LGBTQ people. The Washington Post's article, Opinion Banning books about Black and LGBTQ people isn’t protecting America’s youths reminds us that: "Librarian and editor Mary Jo Godwin once said that a truly great library contains something to offend everyone. But the reverse is also true: Great libraries have materials on their shelves (or in their e-circulation platforms) to support everyone trying to educate themselves, from home-schooling Christians to LGBTQ youths."

TOP BANNED/CHALLENGED LBGTQ BOOKS OF 2021:



"In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with strangers knowing about em. Now, Gender Queer is here. Maia's intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears. Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer is more than a personal story: it is a useful and touching guide on gender identity--what it means and how to think about it--for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere."--Amazon.



“When you say my story has no merit, you’re really saying the lives of queer youth have no merit. When you say my book shouldn’t be accessible to teens, you’re saying that teens who are non-heterosexual should keep their truth quiet and removed from societal structures. But I’m glad we can see who these people are—it’s much easier to fight the devil you can see than the one who historically has worked behind the scenes to do this type of damage. When publishers see certain books being banned, they should be even more eager to make ten more books on the subject available—give more deals to Black authors, queer authors, and other groups who rarely get the opportunity to tell stories that are diverse and intersectional.”

All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by Johnson, George M.


In a series of personal essays, a prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.



Lesbian. Bisexual. Queer. Transgender. Straight. Curious. This book is for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference. This book is for anyone who's ever dared to wonder. This book is for YOU.
There's a long-running joke that, after "coming out," a lesbian, gay guy, bisexual, or trans person should receive a membership card and instruction manual. THIS IS THAT INSTRUCTION MANUAL. You're welcome.
Inside you'll find the answers to all the questions you ever wanted to ask: from sex to politics, hooking up to stereotypes, coming out, and more. This candid, funny, and uncensored exploration of sexuality and what it's like to grow up LGBT also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations.
You will be entertained. You will be informed. But most importantly, you will know that however, you identify (or don't) and whomever you love, you are exceptional. You matter. And so does this book.




"Author and photographer Susan Kuklin met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults and used her considerable skills to represent them thoughtfully and respectfully before, during, and after their personal acknowledgment of gender preference. Portraits, family photographs, and candid images grace the pages, augmenting the emotional and physical journey each youth has taken. Each honest discussion and disclosure, whether joyful or heartbreaking, is completely different from the other because of family dynamics, living situations, gender, and the transition these teens make in recognition of their true selves."--Amazon.com, viewed February 12, 2014.



Other LGBTQ+ Books to Look For Include:



The first openly trans person elected to a U.S. state legislature discusses her lonely and closeted childhood and how she re-wrote her own future by deciding to run for office.



Teen life is hard enough, but for teens who are LGBTQ, it can be even harder.

When do you decide to come out? Will your friends accept you? And how do you meet people to date? Queer is a humorous, engaging, and honest guide that helps LGBTQ teens come out to friends and family, navigate their social life, figure out if a crush is also queer, and challenge bigotry and homophobia. Personal stories from the authors and sidebars on queer history provide relatable context. This completely revised and updated edition is a must-read for any teen who thinks they might be queer or knows someone who is.



#Pride: Championing LGBTQ Rights by Felix, Rebecca

Introduces readers to the pride movement, from its beginnings at the Stonewall Riots to the LGBTQ rights movement, the first pride parade, the creation of the rainbow flag, and legislation such as the Matthew Shephard Act and the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage.



A wonderful collection of essays written by today's queer heroes, featuring contributions from Elton John, Tan France, Gus Kenworthy, Paris Lees, Russell Tovey, Munroe Bergdorf, and many others. In 2016, model and queer activist Jack Guinness decided that the LGBTQ+ community desperately needed to be reminded of its long and glorious history of stardom, and he was spurred to action. The following year, QueerBible.com was born, an online community devoted to celebrating queer heroes, both past and present.


The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate by Gainsburg, Jeannie

"The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate is an enjoyable, humorous, encouraging, easy to understand guidebook for being an ally to the LGBTQ+ communities. It is chock full of practical and useful tools for LGBTQ+ advocacy, including: Current and relevant information on identities and LGBTQ+ language, tips for what to say and what not to say when someone comes out to you, LGBTQ+ etiquette, and techniques for respectful conversations, common bloopers to avoid, tools for effectively navigating difficult conversations, suggestions for addressing common questions and concerns, actions for creating more LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces, Recommendations for self-care and sustainable allyship. This book will be useful for teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, medical technicians, and college professors, as well as parents who want to be supportive of their LGBTQ+ child but don't know-how. This is not a book about why to be an ally. This is a book about how to be an ally. The goal of The Savvy Ally is to create more confident, active allies who are effective advocates for change. This informative, entertaining, and supportive guidebook will surely jump-start even the most tentative ally." -- Provided by publisher.





Growing up in rural Washington as the only out gay kid means Jay is constantly bombarded with reminders that everyone around him can hook up and have relationships, but his list of love-related to-do's -- his own gay agenda -- is indefinitely, frustratingly, on hold. His parents suddenly move the family to Seattle right before his senior year, however, and the thriving LGBTQ+ community means he can finally begin checking things off his list! Will he be able to bring himself to choose between his head and his hormones when it finally counts?



"From the New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue comes a new romantic comedy that will stop readers in their tracks... "Dreamy, other worldly, smart, swoony, thoughtful, hilarious - all in all, exactly what you'd expect from Casey McQuiston!" - Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of The Proposal and Party for Two Cynical twenty-three-year old August doesn't believe in much. She doesn't believe in psychics, or easily forged friendships, or finding the kind of love they make movies about. And she certainly doesn't believe her ragtag band of new roommates, her night shifts at a 24-hour pancake diner, or her daily subway commute full of electrical outages are going to change that. But then, there's Jane. Beautiful, impossible Jane. All hard edges with a soft smile and swoopy hair and saving August's day when she needed it most. The person August looks forward to seeing on the train every day. The one who makes her forget about the cities she lived in that never seemed to fit, and her fear of what happens when she finally graduates, and even her cold-case obsessed mother who won't quite let her go. And when August realizes her subway crush is impossible in more ways than one-namely, displaced in time from the 1970s-she thinks maybe it's time to start believing. Casey McQuiston's One Last Stop is a sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time"--. Provided by publisher.


Under the Whispering Door by Klune, TJ

"A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in Under the Whispering Door, a delightful queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea. When a reaper comes to collect Wallace from his own funeral, Wallace begins to suspect he might be dead. And when Hugo, the owner of a peculiar tea shop, promises to help him cross over, Wallace decides he's definitely dead. But even in death he's not ready to abandon the life he barely lived, so when Wallace is given one week to cross over, he sets about living a lifetime in seven days. Hilarious, haunting, and kind, Under the Whispering Door is an uplifting story about a life spent at the office and a death spent building a home"--. Provided by publisher.




"Thirteen-year-old Eli likes baggy clothes, baseball caps, and one girl in particular. Her seventeen-year-old sister Anna is more traditionally feminine; she loves boys and staying out late. They are sisters ... Their dad has long been out of the picture, and their mom lives at the mercy of her next drink. When their mom lands herself in enforced rehab, Anna and Eli are left to fend for themselves. Eli and Anna have each gotten used to telling lies as a means of survival, but as they navigate a world without their mother, they must learn how to accept help and let other people in"--. Provided by publisher.



"In this young adult novel by award-winning author Anna-Marie McLemore, two non-binary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake - but can they keep their worlds above water intact? Everyone who lives near the lake knows the stories about the world underneath it, an ethereal landscape rumored to be half-air, half-water. But Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia are the only ones who've been there. Bastián grew up both above the lake and in the otherworldly space beneath it. Lore's only seen the world under the lake once, but that one encounter changed their life and their fate. Then the lines between air and water begin to blur. The world under the lake drifts above the surface. If Bastián and Lore don't want it bringing their secrets to the surface with it, they have to stop it, and to do that, they have to work together. There's just one problem: Bastián and Lore haven't spoken in seven years, and working together means trusting each other with the very things they're trying to hide." --. Publisher marketing.




https://lesbrary.com/

Monday, May 23, 2022

Read It and See It

 

The rule. is simple:  you read the book and then you watch the movie.  Of course, I don't know anyone who actually sticks to the rules all of the time.   I not only watched Life of Pi before reading the book, I actually prefer the movie.  However, when it came to Harry Potter, I always read the books first, just so I could complain about everything not put in the movies (Peeves, the Weasleys bursting through the walled-up fireplace at the Dursley's, Charlie Weasley, a Kreacher-led army of house elves fighting Death Eaters, Harry's sass...).  Whichever route you prefer, here is of list in which you can  either "read it then see it" or "see it and read it"


 


When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country's most eligible bachelor.

On Nick's arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

 


After witnessing her friend's death at the hands of a police officer, Starr Carter's life is complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her in an effort to learn what happened the night Kahlil died.

Starr Carter navigates the perilous waters between her poor, black neighborhood and her prestigious, mainly white private school. This all changes when she finds herself in the middle of racial activism after her best friend is shot by police officers, and she's forced to make a decision. Allow the media to skewer her friend to protect the status quo, or stand up and tell the truth in memory of Khalil?

 


A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage.A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive.

 


"In the year 2044 and reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis. Wade devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape" -- Cover verso.

When the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS dies, he releases a video in which he challenges all OASIS users to find a digital Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune.

 

Sixteen-year-old Hazel, a stage IV thyroid cancer patient, has accepted her terminal diagnosis until a chance meeting with a boy at a cancer support group forces her to reexamine her perspective on love, loss, and life. Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

The inspiration for Blade Runner. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was published in 1968. Grim and foreboding, even today it is a masterpiece ahead of its time. By 2021, the World War had killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remained coveted any living creature, and for people who couldn't afford one, companies built incredibly realistic simulacrae: horses, birds, cats, sheep. . . They even built humans. Emigrees to Mars received androids so sophisticated it was impossible to tell them from true men or women. Fearful of the havoc these artificial humans could wreak, the government banned them from Earth. But when androids didn't want to be identified, they just blended in. Rick Deckard was an officially sanctioned bounty hunter whose job was to find rogue androids and retire them. But cornered, androids tended to fight back, with deadly results.





An American bioengineering research firm erects a theme park on a Caribbean island, complete with living dinosaurs, and invites a group of scientists to be its first terrified guests.


 

A criminal feigns insanity and is admitted to a mental hospital where he challenges the autocratic authority of the head nurse.

 


Follows the adventures of Paul Atreides, the son of a betrayed duke given up for dead on a treacherous desert planet and adopted by its fierce, nomadic people, who help him unravel his most unexpected destiny.


  


Anyone who lived through the 1980s may find it impossible--inconceivable, even--to equate The Princess Bride with anything other than the sweet, celluloid romance of Westley and Buttercup, but the film is only a fraction of the ingenious storytelling you'll find in these pages. Rich in character and satire, the novel is set in 1941 and framed cleverly as an "abridged" retelling of a centuries-old tale set in the fabled country of Florin that's home to "Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passions."

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Feasts of Fiction

 

One of the many ways books and movies can inspire people is through food.  Cozy mysteries for instance, quite often involve gastronomical delights within the stories and include different recipes at the end.  It's so much a part of cozies that it's led to the publication of Cozy Cookbooks.





I'll admit that some things don't automatically inspire thoughts about epicurean delights.  For instance, when I think of the movie "Mean Girls" I personally, have never considered how food or drinks could relate to it.  Fortunately, Jonathan Bennett, has.  Thus leading to a cookbook that's "totally fetch!" 


Even though cooking is not my strong point, I do enjoy perusing cookbooks.  The Feast of Fiction Kitchen: Recipes Inspired by TV, Movies, Games & Books by Wong, Jimmy though, got me excited to test a recipe.  The "Home Alone" inspired "Pizza Mac and Cheese" got raving reviews from all my kids.



  • "Recipes from Feast of Fiction, the innovative YouTube show featuring fantastical and fictional recipes inspired by books, movies, comics, video games, and more Fans of Feast of Fiction have been clamoring for a cookbook since the channel debuted in 2011. Now it's here! Just as they do on the small screen, hosts Jimmy Wong and Ashley Adams whip up their real-life interpretation of fictional dishes to pay homage in a genuine, geeky, and lively way. Jimmy brings a wealth of gamer and nerd cred to the table, and baker extraordinaire Ashley provides the culinary wisdom. The quirky duo offer an array of creative and simple recipes, featuring dishes inspired by favorites such as Star Trek and Adventure Time, as well as Butterbeer (Harry Potter), A Hobbit's Second Breakfast, Mini "Dehydrated" Pizzas (Back to the Future), Sansa's Lemon Cakes (Game of Thrones), and dishes from the niches of gaming, comics, and animation such as Fire Flakes (Avatar), Poke Puffs (Pokemon), and Heart Potions (The Legend of Zelda). With 55 unique and awesome dishes, this long-awaited cookbook will help inspire a pop culture dinner party, a fun night at home with family and friends, or an evening on the couch thinking about what you could be cooking!"--. Provided by publisher.



"Prepare to eat like a Marvel Super Hero with Marvel Eat the Universe: The Official Cookbook. Chef Justin Warner invites you to pull up a chair and explore the Marvel Universe through these creative dishes inspired by Marvel's heroes" --Amazon.


The Little Women Cookbook: Novel Takes on Classic Recipes from Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and friends by Bergstrom, Jenne

Readers can step back in time and imagine themselves at the March family table. In addition to recipes, there are timeless illustrations, favorite passages, and historical trivia.






"Delight in 43 tasty recipes inspired by the Harry Potter films! From Pumpkin Patch Pies to Owl Muffins, Luna's Spectrespecs Cookies to Hogwarts Gingerbread, The Official Harry Potter Baking Cookbook is packed with mouthwatering recipes that will dare we say, ... ensnare the senses."--Amazon.com.




"Binge-watching your favorite season of Dexter, Breaking Bad, or The Walking Dead? Planning a Pokémon Go gaming party or a Harry Potter viewing party? Need sustenance to fuel your attempt to achieve the impossible and watch all six Star Wars movies in a row? Enter The Geek Cookbook, your guide to cooking all sorts of treats and goodies to nourish your inner (or outer) geek. Send your taste buds to another world with over thirty recipes from your favorite series, TV shows, and video games. Experience the supreme taste of the Matrix Burger or the Sauron Tarts, succumb to the Dagobah Marsh in Herb Crust or the Karadoc Crunch. Top it all off with some Minecraft Cookies or Meringue Pokéball, and you've got yourself a meal fit for Geek royalty. Also featured inside are recipes inspired by Game of Thrones, Zelda, The Big Bang Theory, Batman, Final Fantasy, and many more!"--Provided by publisher.

The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Classic Stories by Walker, Barbara M.    

Recipes based on the pioneer food written about in the "Little House" books of Laura Ingalls Wilder, along with quotes from the books and descriptions of the food and cooking of pioneer times.








This cookbook will put a spell on you-- just like the movie Hocus Pocus! Whether you're planning a quiet evening at home while watching the movie, or looking for themed recipes for a Halloween party, Thoreson helps you conjure up spellbinding treats and brews inspired by the film. Anyone who tastes these appetizing recipes will be enchanted! -- adapted from back cover.



Food is a huge part of the Friends universe, and Yee has provided the ultimate guide to all of the iconic dishes from the show. The group's sharing of meals encapsulates how food is one of the unifying things that build a community. So whether you're a seasoned chef like Monica, just starting a catering business like Phoebe or a regular old food enthusiast like Joey, the book offers a variety of recipes for any occasion-- including binging on your favorite tv show! -- adapted from the back cover, Introduction, and perusal of the book.






On the animated series Bob's Burgers, burgers are Bob's business, and the burger of the day usually involves a pun. But some of the puns were too good not to become reality. All the recipes in this book come from the fan-created blog "The Bob's Burger Experiment." Try a "Romaines of the day burger" or a " 50 ways to leave your guava burger". Or maybe just discover how to cook the best basic burger and flawless fries. These burgers are no joke!










"Oy with the poodles already! The first official collection of recipes inspired by the world of the fast-talking Gilmore Girls. Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook features dishes from every corner of Stars Hollow and beyond, including the Dragonfly Inn, Weston’s Bakery, Al’s Pancake World, Luke’s Diner, and Emily and Richard’s dinner table. Fans will delight in recreating iconic dishes from the beloved series, such as Sookie’s Risotto, Mrs. Kim’s Flaxseed Muffins, Luke’s Cheeseburger and Fries, and, of course, the perfect cup of coffee! This official cookbook also includes clever cooking tips from Sookie, hosting tips from Michel, etiquette tips from Emily Gilmore, and the wisdom from Lorelai and Rory for cooking fast and talking faster. MORE THAN 50 RECIPES: Dozens of recipes for Stars Hollow favorites from Sookie’s Risotto to Luke’s Cheeseburger. TIPS FROM SOOKIE: Recreate iconic dishes from Gilmore Girls with tips from Chef Sookie! Where easy-to-follow step-by-step directions lead, you can follow. RECIPES FOR EVERY OCCASION: Whip up delicious dishes for everything from a mother-daughter brunch to a family dinner to a celebration for the whole town! FILLED WITH PHOTOS: Includes gorgeous full-color photos of recipes to help ensure success, as well as beloved moments from the series. THE FIRST OFFICIAL GILMORE GIRLS COOKBOOK: The only cookbook with official recipes direct from the set of Gilmore Girls."--Publisher's website.
Just In: 

Cheesecake Anyone??? New to our shelves, I look forward to being able to scour this one to see just how many types of Cheesecake they included.



"Filled with innovative recipes by renowned chef Christopher Styler, and beautiful photos by NYT food photographer Andrew Scrivani, plus fun quotes, info, and photos from the show. There will be Italian meals like Clams Fra Diavlo in Sophia's chapter, and Southern food like honey-bourbon glazed carrots in Blanche's, and of course some amazing cheesecakes. And what Golden Girls cookbook would be complete without Rose's favorite Scandinavian dishes, like St. Olaf Friendship cake, a simple, buttery treat. From drinks and appetizers to salads and mains, there is something to delight every fan in this witty and approachable cookbook" --. Amazon.com.

As for  The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook : from Krusty burgers to Marge's pretzels, famous recipes from your favorite cartoon family by Randolph, Laurel, I'm really tempted to try the Little Meatloaf Men, and the Krusty Burgers, and maybe I'm just really hungry... 



"Everyone knows and loves The Simpsons. Now you can make the food you've seen in the show for thirty-one seasons right in the comfort of your own home faster than you can say, "Mmm...Donuts." Over the years, Simpsons episodes have featured and sometimes revolved, around countless food items. Thanks to Homer Simpson's unending appetite and a writers' room full of food lovers, the show has a long list of truly iconic dishes. From Chief Wiggum's Chili to the Flaming Moe (a.k.a. Flaming Homer) to Super Squishees to Krusty Burgers, you'll find all those recipes and more in The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook. Featuring 70 recipes that include many of the most classic Simpsons dishes, this cookbook includes easy-to-follow instructions for chefs of all ages and levels. Finally, you can make all your favorite meals straight from Marge's kitchen in no time!"--. Provided by publisher.

"Witch" Book Will Put A Spell On You

  A book can cast a spell on you. They can enrapture, enrage, or enchant. Books can transport you to faraway lands, let you travel through ...