Knitting/Crochet

The World Wide Knit in Public Day started back in 2005. The original purpose was to bring knitters together in an open forum to form connections with each other.  What began with only 25 events worldwide, had blossomed into 800 events in 2008.  In 2017 there were 1125 events in 54 countries. What started as a knitting event has branched out to include other forms of fiber artistry.  This year it coincides with International Yarn Bombing Day, an event I have yet to actually see in person.  Yarn Bombing involves covering public objects or structures in a colorful array of knitted and crocheted fibrous glory. 

I have to say that I have done a lot of knitting in public, loom knitting that is, but I don't think I've ever actually managed to do so on WWKIPD, or in any type of group.  I not only, have a general resistance to going outdoors on a hot day but also, groups scare me a little...  

http://www.wwkipday.com/

Knitstrips: The World's First Comic-Strip Knitting Book by Beltran, Alice Ormsbee

Knitstrips presents 22 original patterns, boundless humor, and seriously appealing knitting instruction. Inspired, original, and laugh-out-loud funny, knitstrips are patterns and knitting instruction mixed with advice and humorous commentary--and presented in illustrated comic book panels. Launched in 2016 on the mega-popular knitting site Modern Daily Knitting, the strips gained instant popularity and have attracted thousands of avid fans. The book includes 22 brand-new patterns and is designed to mimic a bound collection of comic books in a series: each issue with its own cover and wry theme--from yarn stashes to binge knitting--that is close to the heart of knitters. Issues offer four to six knitting patterns each, plus designer highlights and a variety of stories and technical discussions. The result is a fresh, lively knitting adventure that is like nothing the fiber world has seen before.

Contemplative Knitting by Cicora, Julie

"Learn how the meditative practice of knitting can evolve into a spiritual discipline. One-third (53 million) of American women know how to knit, and knitting is becoming increasingly popular with men as well. Many of these knitters belong to social knitting circles, charity knitting groups, or knit with others in churches, cafes-and even in bars! This book shows how knitting creates connections and communities and ties the repetition of knitting to the consistent recitation of prayer. It also compares the act of knitting to the spiritual journey, from starting something new to how we handle mistakes. Many people would like to incorporate a spiritual practice into their frenetic lives only to become discouraged and give up when they try. Those who knit are able to experience its calming effects and dedicate time to their craft each day"--. Provided by publisher.

Knitting For Good: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social & Political Change, Stitch by Stitch by Greer, Betsy

Every time we knit, we have the opportunity to create positive change in ourselves, our community, and in the world. That’s Betsy Greer’s fervent belief, and in this book, she shows us how. Betsy explores the ways we can use knitting to slow down in a fast-paced culture while using the craft to benefit charities in our communities, advocate for worthwhile causes, and support individuals and communities across the globe. Filled with insights from knitters and crafters on how they use craft to benefit others, Knitting for Good! will get you thinking about knitting in a whole new way.

Knitted Gifts for All Seasons: Easy Projects to Make and Share by Bernard, Wendy

"An exciting book from Wendy Bernard, Knitted Gifts for All Seasons is packed with 30 new garments and accessories. Projects are organized by season and range from cozy slippers, mittens, and a pom-pom wreath to Fair Isle yoke-neck sweaters for the whole family. Embracing the full calendar year and a wide spectrum of reasons to gift knits, each project captures the season’s essence through color scheme and project type, resulting in a well-rounded and unique book."--Amazon.

Pocket Pets by Ishii, Sachiyo

20 patterns for gorgeous, quick and easy, cute pocket pets in fleecy yarn

Make your own collection of irresistibly cute knitted animals in beautifully soft, fleecy yarn. This gorgeous knitting book for knitters of all abilities by Sachiyo Ishii contains 20 lovely projects including a baby penguin, a koala bear, a guinea pig, and a squirrel. All the projects are accompanied by clear, easy-to-follow patterns and fun photography. There is a useful page of basic techniques at the start of the book, including making up, stuffing, and simple, decorative surface stitching.

These lovely mini knits are all bursting with character and feel extra soft and snuggly, due to the fleecy yarn used.

All the projects are beautifully made and exquisitely designed, and very easy to make. They make perfect gifts and will delight young and old alike.

Sock-Yarn Shawls II: 16 Patterns for Lace Knitting by Lucas, Jen

Best-selling author Jen Lucas presents an all-new selection of striking patterns for luscious sock yarns, following the overwhelming success of" Sock-Yarn Shawls." Discover more designs for everyone from confident beginners to advanced knitters. Patterns range from small shawlettes to large circular shawls, and many are made from a single skein. Pretty new patterns for single-colored and multicolored shawls--enjoy lots of options! Shawl constructions include top-down, bottom-up, crescent, short row, and circularBegin with the basics and move on to create designs with attach-as-you-go lace borders

Loom Knitting: Scarves, Hats, Bags & More: 41 Simple and Snuggly No-Needle Designs For All Loom Knitters by Phelps, Isela

If you have struggled to knit with needles, loom knitting is an easy craft to master. Looms are easy and fun to use, even without any knitting experience. In just a few hours you can create fabulous accessories in every color, texture, and style imaginable! From beautiful scarves for the whole family to stylish cell phone holders, this book can help you knit unique accessory designs for all occasions.

A Modern Guide to Granny Squares: Awesome Color Combinations and Designs for Fun and Fabulous Crochet Blocks by Semaan, Celine

Not your usual granny squares! Celine Semaan has designed more than contemporary and colorful 6" x 6" blocks to get your creativity flowing. Blocks are the best way to try out new stitches and color combinations, and they can then be used to make four projects, including a blanket, pillow, and wall hanging. There is a basic overview of color theory, and more than forty granny square patterns, each with written instructions, a chart, and detailed photos, showing stitch detail.

The Tunisian Crochet Handbook: A Beginner's Guide by Lipsey, Toni

"From designer Toni Lipsley of TL Yarn Crafts, an introduction to Tunisian crochet, featuring stitches, techniques, and twenty new and exclusive patterns for you and your home."--Page 4 of cover.

Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques by Callahan, Gail

Provides photo-illustrated, step-by-step instructions to dye yarns to customize colors, create self-striping and multicolored yarns, or update outdated yarns with new colors.

Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life by Foster, Sutton

In these intimate stories and reflections about how crafting has kept her sane while navigating the highs and lows of family, love, and show business, Tony Award-winner and the star of TV's Younger Sutton Foster shares memoriable moments - including her fraught relationship with her agoraphobic mother; a painful divorce splashed on the pages of the tabloids; her struggles with fertility; the thrills she found on the stage; her breakout TV role in Younger; and the joy of adopting her daughter, Emily. Accompanying the stories, Sutton has included crochet patterns, recipes, and so much more

Yarn: Remembering the Way Home by Mori, Kyoko

A memoir of crossing cultures, losing love, and finding home by a New York Times notable author. As steadily and quietly as her marriage falls apart, so Kyoko Mori's understanding of knitting deepens. From flawed school mittens to beautiful unmatched patterns of cardigans, hats and shawls, Kyoko draws the connection between knitting and the new life she tried to establish in the U.S. Interspersed with the story of knitting throughout, the narrative contemplates the nature of love, loss, and what holds a marriage together.

80's 90's Nostalgia

 

I forget what exactly it was that my kids said that prompted me to say "Talk to the Hand because the Face don't Understand" (Martin Lawrence, Martin, 1992-1997) but, out it flew like it was 199-6(?), 5(?), 7(?)... definitely one of those years.

I have a tendency to throw those things at the kids. They've learned that you can't say "Oh my God" within earshot of mom because it will 100% be followed up with "It's a mirage, I'm telling y'all it's sabotage!" (Beastie Boys, "Sabotage",1994) I told my son, who will be entering senior year in the fall, that if his class doesn't adopt "Nobody likes you when you (Class of) 23 and you still act like you're in freshman year" (Blink 182, "What's My Age Again, 1999) a motto it would be a crime. I get blanks stares when I ask the kids if they are "all that and a bag of chips" (Will Smith, Fresh Prince, 1990-1996). I couldn't even begin to guess at the number of times some reiteration of "chill pill" was said.

Every spring I have a moment where the chant of "Donna Martin Graduates!" runs through my mind, (Beverly Hills 90210, season 3 episode 28, cast). "Nanu Nanu" will hit me out of nowhere. (Robin Williams, Mork and Mindy 1978-1982), as well as a plethora of catchphrases from "Watcha Talkin' Bout, Willis" (Gary Coleman, Different Strokes 1978-1985) to "If you're edged 'cause I'm weazin all your grindage, just chill." (Pauly Shore, Encino Man, 1992) and pretty much the entire scripts of "Clueless" (1995), "Empire Records"(1995) and "Mallrats" (1995) - Note: in 1995 I was 15, my life was music and movies and I had a group of friends who were a year or two older with jobs at a movie theater.  

I loved this year's Superbowl lineup.  I know some people were unhappy, others unbothered, and some people may have been puzzled as to why so many people were overly excited. That line-up represented an epoch for certain generations, one that was for me, a representation of when I came of age.  I may have cried when I saw 50 Cent.  "In da Club"  was number one for my 23rd birthday, a year that I tend to categorize as the beginning of the end of an era.   

I am the end of Gen X and the beginning of Millenial, a Xennial,

I am latch-key, I am "Y-me?" 

I am Oregon Trail, I am Carmen Sandiego,

I am In Living Color, I am SNICK,

I am AOL, Prodigy, Myspace, and Facebook

I am Heathers, I am Clueless,

I am Beta, I am Laserdisk, I am VHS, I am DVD,

I am Vinyl, Cassette, CD, and back to Vinyl,

I am Atari, Coleco, Nintendo, and Sega,

I am Blockbuster VS. Hollywood Video,

I am Fear Street, Christopher Pike, and hiding books with Fabio on the Cover from my Mother,

and going back a little farther, I am The Baby-Sitters Club.

I am a 1980 baby.

We are the Baby-Sitters Club: essays and artwork from grown-up readers

"Ann M. Martin's Baby-Sitters Club series featured a complex cast of characters and touched on an impressive range of issues that were underrepresented at the time: divorce, adoption, childhood illness, class division, and racism. In We Are the Baby-Sitters Club, writers and a few visual artists from the original BSC generation will reflect on the enduring legacy of Ann M. Martin's beloved series, thirty-five years later-celebrating the BSC's profound cultural influence"--. Provided by publisher.

Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of '80s and '90s Teen Fiction by Moss, Gabrielle

"Every twenty- or thirty-something woman knows these books. The pink covers, the flimsy paper, the zillion volumes in the series that kept you reading for your entire adolescence. Spurred by the commercial success of Sweet Valley High and The Babysitters Club, these were not the serious-issue YA novels of the 1970s, nor were they the blockbuster books of the Harry Potter and Twilight ilk. They were cheap, short, and utterly beloved. Paperback crush dives in deep to this golden age with affection, history, and a little bit of snark"-- Publisher's description.

Larger than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS by Sherman, Maria

Larger Than Life begins with a brief history of male vocal groups, spotlighting The Beatles, the Jackson 5, and Menudo before diving into the building blocks of these beloved acts in "Boy Bands 101." She also focuses on artists like New Edition, New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, One Direction, and BTS before ending with an interrogation into the future of boy bands. Included throughout are Tiger Beat-inspired illustrations, capsule histories of the swoon-iest groups, in-depth investigations into one-hit wonders, and sidebars dedicated to conspiracy theories, dating, in-fighting, haters, fan fiction, fashion (Justin and Britney in denim, of course), and so much more.

As if!: The Oral History of Clueless as Told by Amy Heckerling, The Cast, and The Crew by Chaney, Jen

"Will we ever get tired of watching Cher navigate Beverly Hills high school and discover true love in the movie Clueless? As if! Written by Amy Heckerling and starring Alicia Silverstone, Clueless is an enduring comedy classic that remains one of the most streamed movies on Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes even twenty years after its release. Inspired by Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless is an everlasting pop culture staple. In the first book of its kind, Jen Chaney has compiled an oral history of the making of this iconic film using recollections and insights collected from key cast and crew members involved in the making of this endlessly quotable, ahead-of-its-time production. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Emma influenced Heckerling to write the script, how the stars were cast into each of their roles, what was involved in creating the costumes, sets, and soundtrack, and much more"-- provided by publisher.

Ghostbusters: The Inside Story: Stories from the Cast and Crew of the Beloved Films by McAllister, Matt

Exploring everything from the pioneering special effects to set design and the unforgettable soundtrack, this authorized book tells the exhaustive behind-the-scenes story of how Dan Akroyd's original concept evolved into a cinematic sensation. Packed with fascinating production photos, concept art, and behind-the-scenes images, this book details how Slimer, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and the many ghosts and ghouls in the films came to the screen. Featuring new interviews with Dan Akroyd, Ivan Reitman, Ernie Hudson, Richard Edlund, and many others, the book reveals how the cast and crew overcame momentous challenges to create one of the best-loved movie franchises of the 1980s. --from back cover.

The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokémon and Beyond: The Story Behind the Craze That Touched Our Lives and Changed the World by Kent, Steve L.

Traces the history and development of video games, providing information on the first games, influential developers, how the games have changed over the years, and the most popular games.

Console Wars : Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation by Harris, Blake J.

"A mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes business thriller that chronicles how Sega, a small, scrappy gaming company led by an unlikely visionary and a team of rebels, took on the juggernaut Nintendo and revolutionized the videogame industry--in development as a feature film from Sony PicturesIn 1990, Nintendo had a virtual monopoly on the videogame industry. Sega, on the other hand, was just a faltering arcade company with big aspirations and even bigger personalities. But all that would change with the arrival of Tom Kalinske, a former Mattel executive who knew nothing about videogames and everything about fighting uphill battles. His unconventional tactics, combined with the blood, sweat, and bold ideas of his renegade employees, completely transformed Sega and led to a ruthless, David-and-Goliath showdown with Nintendo. Little did he realize that Sega's success would create many new enemies and, most important, make Nintendo stronger than ever. The battle was vicious, relentless, and highly profitable, eventually sparking a global corporate war that would be fought on several fronts: from living rooms and school yards to boardrooms and Congress. It was a once-in-a-lifetime, no-holds-barred conflict that pitted brother against brother, kid against adult, Sonic against Mario, and the United States against Japan. Based on more than two hundred interviews with former Sega and Nintendo employees, Console Wars is the tale of how Tom Kalinske miraculously turned an industry punch line into a market leader. Blake J. Harris brings into focus the warriors, the strategies, and the battles and explores how they transformed popular culture forever. Ultimately, Console Wars is the story of how a humble family man, with an extraordinary imagination and a gift for turning problems into competitive advantages, inspired a team of underdogs to slay a giant and, as a result, give birth to a sixty-billion-dollar industry"-- Provided by publisher.

The Nineties: a book by Klosterman, Chuck

• "Essays about 1990s popular culture, politics, sports, literature, music"--. Provided by publisher.

The 1980's by Tames, Richard

• Text and pictures highlight the main events of the 1980s.

Brat : an '80s story by McCarthy, Andrew

"Most people know Andrew McCarthy from his movie roles in Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, Weekend at Bernie's, and Less than Zero, and as a charter member of Hollywood's Brat Pack. That iconic group of ingenues and heartthrobs included Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and Demi Moore, and has come to represent both a genre of film and an era of pop culture. In his memoir Brat: An '80s Story, McCarthy focuses his gaze on that singular moment in time. The result is a revealing look at coming of age in a maelstrom, reckoning with conflicted ambition, innocence, addiction, and masculinity. New York City of the 1980s is brought to vivid life in these pages -- scoring loose joints in Washington Square Park and skipping school in favor of the dark revival houses of the Village where he fell in love with the movies that would change his life. Filled with personal revelations of innocence lost to heady days in Hollywood with John Hughes and an iconic cast of characters, Brat is a surprising and intimate story of an outsider caught up in a most unwitting success"--. Provided by publisher.

Let's Get Physical : How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World by Friedman, Danielle

A captivating blend of reportage and personal narrative that explores the untold history of women's exercise culture--from jogging and Jazzercise to Jane Fonda--and how women have parlayed physical strength into other forms of power"--. Provided by publisher.

Men's Health Month

 

June is Men's Health Month, nationaltoday.com bills it as a time to encourage the men in your life to take care of their health, which includes getting them into a doctor's office for a check-up.  I can already hear the excuses my husband will make and the giant sigh of reluctance from my dad.  However, it's not just about going in to see a doctor, it's about creating healthy habits, such as diet and exercise.  The goal to keep in mind should be to optimize one's health in an attempt to avoid the five biggest killers of men: heart disease, stroke, suicide, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.       -WebMD

https://www.menshealthresourcecenter.com/

When it comes to books about health, best to read with a critical eye. Aside from keeping tabs on what other people are saying online in reviews, the best move would be to take notes on anything you find interesting or questionable and bring those questions to one of your health professionals for clarification.

Heart 411: The Only Guide to Heart Health You'll Ever Need

The definitive guide to heart health from two of America's most respected doctors at Cleveland Clinic, the #1 hospital for heart health in America. Are you one of the eighty-two million Americans currently diagnosed with cardiovascular disease--or one of the millions more who think they are healthy but are at risk? Whether your goal is to get the best treatment or stay out of the cardiologist's office, your heart's health depends upon accurate information and correct answers to key questions. In Heart 411, two renowned experts, heart surgeon Marc Gillinov and cardiologist Steven Nissen, tackle the questions their patients have raised over their decades of practice: Can the stress of my job really lead to a heart attack? How does exercise help my heart, and what is the right amount and type of exercise? What are the most important tests for my heart, and when do I need them? How do symptoms and treatments differ among men, women, and children? Backed by decades of clinical experience and up-to-the-minute research, yet written in the accessible, down-to-earth tone of your trusted family doctor, Heart 411 cuts through the confusion to give you the knowledge and tools you need to live a long and heart-healthy life.

You Can Prevent a Stroke by Yamamoto, Joshua S.

"Did you know we have 100,000 heartbeats a day? That's a lot of wear and tear over the years as we age. Natural aging leads to artery plaque, high blood pressure, and slower and irregular heartbeats. You can do everything right, and time will still pass. You will still age. While you can influence some aspects of aging on your own, some you cannot--at least not without your doctor's help. Fortunately, the biology of aging is no longer mysterious. Heart and blood vessel health is knowable, measurable, and manageable. In You Can Prevent a Stroke, Dr. Joshua Yamamoto and Dr. Kristin Thomas help us understand what we can do, and what we can ask of our doctors, to manage the effects of aging on our circulation so that we do not have a stroke. For years, they have approached patients with the fundamentals learned at The Johns Hopkins Hospital: "Take responsibility for your patient's health, go in-depth, have an unswerving commitment to solving problems, be thorough, thoughtful, and have attention to detail." There is no one-size-fits-all solution or magical cure for anything. But there are principles that can serve as useful guides for everyone and provide an approach to managing the natural processes that affect us all. Some preventative steps include: Establishing a relationship with a physician Knowing the health of your heart Knowing the health of your arteries Knowing the regularity of your heartbeat Knowing if it's time to take a medicine to prevent plaque in your arteries, and whether you need a pill to prevent a blood clot Strokes are usually said to be tragic and random. They are certainly tragic, but they are not random. Strokes can be avoided, and You Can Prevent a Stroke will explain how"-- Provided by publisher.

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

One Friday in April: A story of Suicide and Survival by Antrim, Donald

"A searing and brave memoir that offers a new understanding of suicide as a distinct mental illness. As the sun lowered in the sky one Friday afternoon in April 2006, acclaimed author Donald Antrim found himself on the roof of his Brooklyn apartment building, afraid for his life. In this moving memoir, Antrim vividly recounts what led him to the roof and what happened after he came back down: two hospitalizations, weeks of fruitless clinical trials, the terror of submitting to ECT-and the saving call from David Foster Wallace that convinced him to try it-as well as years of fitful recovery and setback. One Friday in April reframes suicide-whether in thought or action-as an illness in its own right, a unique consequence of trauma and personal isolation, rather than the choice of a depressed person. A necessary companion to William Styron's classic Darkness Visible, this profound, insightful work sheds light on the tragedy and mystery of suicide, offering solace that may save lives"--. Provided by publisher.

Dr. Peter Scardino's Prostate Book: The Complete Guide to Overcoming Prostate Cancer, Prostatitis, and BPH by Scardino, Peter T.

Although most men know little about their prostate glands, an overwhelming majority will be affected by prostate problems at some time in their lives. In this groundbreaking book, now updated to include the latest medical breakthroughs, world-renowned urology expert Dr.Peter Scardino arms men with the information they need to battle prostate cancer, prostatitis, and benign prostate enlargement (BPH). This updated edition includes new information on the role genetics may play, hormone replacement therapy, new treatments for prostatitis, and more.

When Breath Becomes Air by Kalanithi, Paul

At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a naïve medical student "possessed," as he wrote, "by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life" into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.

What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your goals in life, flattens out into a perpetual present? What does it mean to have a child, to nurture a new life as another fades away? These are some of the questions Kalanithi wrestles with in this profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir.

Paul Kalanithi died in March 2015, while working on this book, yet his words live on as a guide and a gift to us all. "I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed nothing and everything," he wrote. "Seven words from Samuel Beckett began to repeat in my head: 'I can't go on. I'll go on.'" When Breath Becomes Air is an unforgettable, life-affirming reflection on the challenge of facing death and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a brilliant writer who became both.

The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook

A comprehensive medical reference that provides overviews of medical issues people might encounter at every stage of life, including information on each illness and condition's symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Fit Men Cook: 100+ Meal Prep Recipes for Men and Women: Always #HealthyAF, Never Boring by Curry, Kevin

No one enjoys cookie-cutter meal plans or bland recipes. Curry wants readers to be free to create flavorful meals, but in a more calorie-conscious way; indulge occasionally while being mindful of portions, and achieve wellness goals without breaking the bank. Sharing his personal story of overcoming depression and weight gain to start a successful business and fitness movement, Curry also shares easy and flavorful recipes that allow you to eat something new and nutritious each day. -- adapted from info provided.

According to The National Diabetes Statistics Report of 2020, in 2017 diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, with A higher percentage of men (37.4%) than women (29.2%) having prediabetes from 2013 to 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf

Diabetes & Keeping Fit by Colberg, Sheri

The fitness guide no person with diabetes should be without Nearly one in 11 people in the United States are affected by diabetes, a staggering number with both personal and social costs. If you're one of these millions of people with diabetes or prediabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends two types of physical activity as primary components of your self-care: aerobic exercise and strength training. Featuring everything from a starter walking plan to strength and resistance training plans, Diabetes & Keeping Fit For Dummies offers all the guidance and step-by-step instruction you need to make exercise a priority in your diabetes management. Exercise improves fitness, increases insulin sensitivity, maintains bone health, helps in weight management, and improves sleep patterns. Who can't benefit from those things? This informative, down-to-earth guide shows you how to incorporate exercise into your routine, even if you haven't been in a gym since high school." Ease your way into more physical activity " Set realistic goals and chart and evaluate your progress " Modify your diet to manage diabetes more efficiently If you're affected by diabetes, there's no time like the present to get moving!

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:

Gender Queer by Kobabe, Maia

"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.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/books/maia-kobabe-gender-queer-book-ban.html

“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.”

-George M. Johnson

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.

This Book is Gay by Dawson, James

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.

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Kuklin, Susan

"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.

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/5-challenged-lgbtq-books-2021-rcna23068

Other LGBTQ+ Books to Look For Include:

Burn the Page: A True Story of Torching Doubts, Blazing Trails, and Igniting Change by Roem,

 Danica

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.

Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens by Belge, Kathy

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.

The Queer Bible : essays

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.

Jay's Gay Agenda by June, Jason

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?

One Last Stop by McQuiston, Casey

"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.

Middletown: a novel by Moon, Sarah

"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.

Lakelore by McLemore, Anna-Marie

"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://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/05/03/teens-books-ban-clubs-protest/

https://www.advocate.com/books/2022/2/03/18-lgbtq-books-are-banned-schools-2022#media-gallery-media-1

https://lesbrary.com/