Rachel's Reviews

Yes, another plant book, but hear me out: This one’s worth snagging. A wonderful source of inspiration as well as a solid reference to make sure your plants live a long and healthy life. The book is very appealing, both aesthetically and in terms of the information it contains. (Visual examples of various types of sunlight conditions? Yes please!) Since we’re all at home a little bit more nowadays, why not use the time to propagate your favorite plant or add some new beauties to your current household?

Lulu Miller writes of chaos, of scientist David Starr Jordan, of the elegance that can come from putting everything in order (be it emotions, milestones in life, fish in jars). She intersperses her own story and personal reflections within history and true crime events, scientific discoveries and hidden horrors. I have raved about this book at multiple coworkers and added it to my small stack of “books I have hugged upon finishing.” It is dog-eared, something I never do (which I attribute to all the chaos in said book), and a book I’ll be recommending to as many folks as possible. 

When asked, my favorite genre will always be “nonfiction microhistory about weird stuff.” And when I find a book that fits into that wedge of my heart, I tell people to read it, even if it may seem a little odd at first. So please, read The Book of Eels. It’s that wonderful mix of memoir and science, nature writing and childhood experiences. There are rituals shared, passed down through generations of humans and eels, sometimes overlapping and always, it seems, tugging on opposite ends of the same line.

Reading this new Wayside School book is like stepping back into the classroom after a very long summer break: the awkward familiarity of a welcoming embrace. Full of recognizable faces and adventures, these stories will appeal to a wide variety of readers (who can’t relate to a lost umbrella or collecting toenails as homework?). It’s incredibly fun to read out loud as well, and I hope we don’t have to wait another 25 years for the next one!

This book bursts with strength and vibrancy, reminding us of our roles as stewards of the earth and its inhabitants. Poignant in even the best of times, the examples of community and tenacity are good reminders of how connected we all are in this seemingly large world. With appeal to artists, animal lovers, outdoorsy types, and more, this is a wonderful addition to any activist’s library, no matter what age.

Not only is the book gorgeous—the illustrations themselves as light and airy as a bee’s flight—the prose strikes that perfect balance between lyrical and educational. Follow along with a honeybee named Apis as she grows up and explores the world (not as saccharine as it sounds, I promise). Perfect for budding naturalists and entomologists* (*people who study insects!).

I don’t remember the last time I’ve hugged a book so much. A wonderful combination of history, trivia (like did you know how the gift card industry influenced aspects of the cover art?), social commentary, and art design, all tied together in over-the-top covers and seemingly ridiculous plots. Perfect for fans of horror and sci-fi, this book will make your wish list grow exponentially. - Rachel

Honestly, I started reading this for the promise of liquor, sex, and betrayal, and stayed for the delicious onion of a plot, the slow peeling of layers that kept me up far too late reading. Olguín deftly adds in characters, subplots, and themes, all while keeping everything concise and not overwhelming to the reader. My only regret is that I won’t be able to read it for the first time again. - Rachel

A creatively enhanced telling of their childhood together, Lost Causes manages to mix dark humor and an engaging friendship in a ridiculous, wonderful way. As Rex and Leif spend their summer making movies and fighting unknown terrors, their experiences mirrored mine growing up (for the most part). Full of heart, deftly written, and incredibly relatable in that early ’90s way, this is a book I’ll be returning to, Cheerwine in hand. - Rachel