Cat Shaming

Even the title of Cat Shaming, the hilarious follow-up to the popular Dog Shaming, is an oxymoron. Experts and those who live with cats will all tell you that you cannot shame a cat. These adorable little purr machines do as they please-without even the tiniest shread of shame. 

No, you cannot shame a cat.

However, the industrious contributors to this book sure do try their best at this task! Here, you'll find nearly 200 and kittens cats posed (rather proudly, it seems) next to notes detailing their diabolical deeds, which range from petty theft and destruction of property to murder (of small animals, that is). There are creative Kitties who prefer to...shall we say, think "Outside The Box." There are meanies who are just bullies (other cats, the dog, the vet...). There are biters, scratchers, and just general troublemakers.

Good thing they're so cute.

Cat Shaming is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud (literally) read, whether you live with cats or not. It's currently found in our New Book section. Pick it up and browse at random or read it cover-to-cover. However you decide to experience Cat Shaming, one thing's for sure: You'll ROTFL ^..^

--AJB

We Shoudl All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I first became interested in this little book when I heard the story about every 16 year old in Sweden receiving a copy of it.  Naturally, if every 16 year old in Sweden has it, our teen department needs it!

This little book is a personal essay based on the TED Talk by the same name.  Adichie is a Nigerian author and Happy African Feminist Who Does Not Hate Men And Who Likes To Wear Lip Gloss.  She uses her essay to discuss what it means to be a feminist and why it is not a nasty word even though it is often treated as one.  She gives a glimpse into the world of a Nigerian woman, who may not be allowed to enter certain establishments alone and is taught that life is meaningless without a husband.  While the culture is different from our own, she ties it easily into our familiar territory and provides examples of American women she knows.

I know that around here we are usually reviewing exciting books with mystical foxes or talking lawn gnomes (Both very, very important things!) but if you are looking for something quick (48 pages) and thought provoking or if you want to be more Swedish, give this little book a shot. -RYQ

Debunk It! by John Grant

"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine," or so says the R.E.M. tune (1987).

The cool, quirky cover disguises a dry, dull
load of boring. So don't judge by what you see.

In his book Debunk It! How to Stay Sane in a World of Misinformation, author John Grant tackles popular myth and misconception on everything from Evolution to alternative medicine, from climate change to apocalypse predictions, and more. In exceptionally long-winded expositions, filled with puff and fluff and fancy words, Grant explains the full and complete "truth" behind these myths: Where they came from, why they came about, how they became twisted, and whether we really have anything to worry about. For such widespread misinformation, he points fingers at popular media, social networks, celebrities, and second-and-third (and beyond) hand gossip, indirectly implying anyone who puts any stock in information from such sources is an idiot...and then sets himself above it all. Rather pompously, I thought. In his explanations, Grant sprinkles in opinions from both sides, and then throws in his two cents (for what they're worth). 

I picked the book up because, as a fan of the TV show Mythbusters, I thought it sounded interesting. And, ok, the cover looked quirky and fun. And I love quirky and fun. I was very, very disappointed! 

Despite its thin appearance (a paperback of less than 300 pages), Debunk It is deceptively heavy. In weight as well as content. Its pages are packed with small-type text, are devoid of pictures and color, and, as previously stated, are filled with dry, long-winded manifestos about what the author believes is true and what he thinks is full of total B.S. (or not). Half the time it reads like the rantings of a lunatic and the other half like a textbook...and a very dry, dull textbook at that.

And that leads me to wonder: Who the heck is this John Grant guy anyway? He has no titles attached to his name, and nowhere in the book is there an "about the author" section. Nothing at all to tell the reader why this guy should be an authority on any of these subjects. Why should I, the reader, put any stock in anything he says. He could be just another Average Joe who decided to whip up a book in his spare time between updating his Facebook status and cooking dinner. Who's to say he's not trying to mislead readers with his book? I'm just saying...

Overall, Debunk It is a snooze-fest! No teen I know is going to read this thing cover to cover much less give it 5 minutes of their time. I could barely get through the parts I read.

My Conclusion: SKIP IT!

I'd much rather spend my time watching Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage blow stuff up in the name of science. And you probably would too! --AJB

The Fashion Book

Looking to update your wardrobe for the new year, but not sure what direction to go stylistically? Look no further than The Fashion Book, dewey # T746.92B in the non-fiction section. 

This colorful and fun book is divided into short chapters which details fashion trends by decade and talks about the famous people who helped popularize them (everyone from Cleopatra to Marie Antoinette to Madonna and beyond). Following each chapter are tips on how to modernize these trends for today's world, because wearing a ginormous hoop skirt or 10-inch platforms are just not practical or comfortable (obviously)--unless, of course, it's Halloween. Either way, you'll find some awesome ideas in this book!

Other topics covered are fashion trends around the world, a day in the life of a runway model, and what's next for fashion. Would YOU wear a color-changing mood shirt, a skirt where you could change the pattern with only a few clicks of your Smart Phone, or accessories (or even entire outfits) printed on a 3-D printer? 

According to The Fashion Book, anything goes (and anything is possible) when it comes to crafting a signature look! Just have fun with it!

As for me? I'm totally going to hit up the thrift stores and vintage boutiques to hunt for some 60s & 70s-era styles! --AJB

Where's Mom Now That I Need Her? Surviving Away from Home, by Kent P. Frandsen & Betty Rae Frandsen

So you've arrived at college and you're finally--FINALLY--out on your own and away from having to live under your parents' roof. (Yes!) You're feeling pretty good about yourself, pretty grown-up. Like you can conquer the world and nothing can stop you. You are THE MAN! (or woman)

Then, the inevitable: You need to do laundry... Or go grocery shopping for something besides ramen noodles... Or you get sick... Or have to sew a button on your favorite flannel... Or do any number of little things you previously took for granted because you never had to do them before. Suddenly, you're assaulted by one singular thought: "I Want My Mommy!" (Don't go denying it. Anyone who ever moved away from home has felt this at least once--I don't care how old or independent or tough you are)

What to do?

Enter Where's Mom Now That I Need Her? Surviving Away from Home, by Kent and Betty Rae Frandsen. 

Where's Mom? is a handy little book that contains everything you'll need to know about living on your own for the first time: Nutrition info and how to cook basic meals, doing laundry--the right way, basic first aid & when to see a doctor, safety tips, and more. Chances are you'll find the answer to your dilemma in here. This book is awesome and one of the best "on your own" books I've ever found.

And if not? Well, remember that Mom is always only a phone call (or Skype visit) away.

Where's Mom Now That I Need Her? can currently be found on our college display along with a ton of other helpful books about how to survive and thrive after graduation. --AJB

The Naked Roommate, by Harlan Cohen

Going away to college can mean one's first time living away from home for any extended period of time, and, for many, it can be a real eye-opener. But it doesn't have to be a horrifying experience...IF you're properly prepared, that is. 

Harlan Cohen's The Naked Roommate offers a humorous and completely uncensored look into what you can expect from the college experience: Adjusting to life on campus, roommate drama, friend drama, dining, dating, parties, Greek life, sex, drugs, alcohol, laundry, jobs, extracurriculars, how not to fail your classes, and basically everything they don't tell you in those shiny college brochures. Cohen takes real questions from real teens and offers advice on how to handle pretty much everything related to college. 

So forget every single college-themed movie you've ever seen (cause those won't help you here), forget those posed pictures and stiff writing in your university handbook (that won't help you either), and check out The Naked Roommate. You'll be glad you did when you're faced with having to share a bathroom with 40 other people or a roommate who insists on watching Glee in nothing but their undies (while sitting on your couch).

The Naked Roommate is currently living on our College display (on top of the curved fiction shelf). The display is a tie-in for our annual Dollars For College program, which is happening Thursday December 4 @ 6:30 p.m. (register here)

Heads Up Psychology

How well do you remember things you experienced...and how reliable is are those memories? Do guys' brains work differently than girls' brains? Do you follow the crowd (be honest here) and why (or why not)? Heads Up Psychology is a fascinating book that attempts to explain these questions and more! 

Heads Up Psychology gives a brief overview of dozens of psychological theories about the inner workings of the human mind and how we respond to the world around us. The book also introduces the reader to several famous psychologists and their theories. Plus, there's the scoop on some pretty famous (and freaky) experiments and cases. Basically, Heads Up Psychology is a fascinating book to browse and makes for a great introduction to the subject as a whole.

Have you ever wondered why people do the things they do? If yes, this is the book for you!

What If, by Randall Munroe

What If: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, by Randall Munroe, is pretty much the most awesome book I've ever encountered.

Know this about me: Mythbusters is my favorite show, which, I suppose, makes me a nerd/geek/dork of the highest degree...but a sort of hip nerd/geek/dork, since the Mythbusters show still has a certain amount of cool associated with it (but for how long since Kari, Grant, and Tory are no longer going to be a part of the show?). This book is Mythbusters--and then some. In fact, What If attempts to use science (hypothetical, of course) to answer all the questions and quandaries the Mythbusters crew couldn't tackle because nearly all actual experiences would result in global annihilation...or, at the very least, certain and painful death.

So... what would happen if you sealed a running hair dryer up in an airtight box?

Or created an actual periodic table where each block was actually made out of the element it represented?

Or placed a nuclear bomb into the heart of a volcano in attempt to stop it from erupting? 

Or strapped C4 (see any Mythbusters episode) to a boomerang?

Or attempted to change the color of the moon's surface with 5 billion of the most powerful lasers in existence?

Of course these are just a select few of the things to ponder in this nearly 300 page book. There are, of course, silly questions as well. My favorite having to do with the actual energy output of Yoda's Force (I told you I was a nerd). And ones that would have far less devastating results (but still, you probably shouldn't try this at home).

Enhancing most Q & As are stick figure illustrations. Simplistic, but funny...and just graphic/accurate enough to drive the point home. 

So if you've ever wondered what will happen to your Facebook account after you die...or if it's possible to create a tornado by swinging a heavy object in a circle really fast (think the Thor movie)... or what would happen if all your DNA suddenly disappeared...

If you've ever wondered any of that, this book is for you.

Or if you've ever pondered the mysteries of the universe, this book is for you.

Heck, this book is probably for you anyway. Just check it out. --AJB

I Work At A Public Library, by Gina Sheridan

Usually this blog sticks to featuring books that can be found in the Teen Department, what with this being a Teen Book Blog. But occasionally we stumble upon a book from another department that's just too good not to call attention to. And we make an exception.

That said, I have made an executive decision to spotlight Gina Sheridan's I Work In A Public Library, which can be found on the New Book shelf in the Adult Department. This slim (only 150 pages) little gem was brought to my attention while browsing the shelves for something interesting, but not too time-consuming, to read while taking lunch. I thought, "This is something I can relate to!" ('cause I DO work at a public library and have for almost 8 years now). And am I happy I discovered it!

Gina Sheridan, a librarian in St. Louis, has had her fair share of bizarre questions, strange encounters, and unusual discoveries--and she's listed some of the best ones in this book. There are photos of strange "found" objects, questions about things like the proper length of eyebrow hair, requests for autobiographies of mythical creatures, those seeking unusual (and sometimes unorthodox) advice, and more. And, of course, there's Cuckoo Carol, a colorful character (and repeat offender) who has been given her own chapter. Definitely a funny book that had me, quite literally, LOL-ing. 

Want more? Check out the author's website.

10 Minute Makeup

In today's busy world, what girl has hours to spend getting ready? Boris Entrup, makeup artist from America's Top Model, understands the busy schedules of today's girls and has gives us 10-Minute Makeup: 50 Step-by-Step Looks From Fresh & Natural to Catwalk Chic. 

The Review:

The first section of the book is devoted to proper skincare, explaining the right tools (brushes & sponges & such) for the right job, and which products you'll need to achieve the desired looks. One thing I noticed and liked about this section is the author does not try to promote any particular brands--so it doesn't matter if you buy expensive department store brands or the cheapest stuff you can find. Apparently it all works.

The second section is devoted to "how to's" for various looks, from barely-there natural to freaky-weird stuff you wouldn't likely see outside of a Halloween party (page 121 is particularly zombified!), and how to make them happen. Special attention is given to techniques for applying concealer, blush, mascara, and lipstick.  There are also tips and tricks for maintaining eyebrow shapes and how to successfully pull off the "smoky eye" look without appearing as if you lost a fight with this year's heavyweight champ. 

The book then discusses how to carry your makeup looks into your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond.

Lastly, a special S.O.S. section gives attention to common beauty problems (dark circles, blemishes, etc) and beauty blunders (smudged mascara).

The Verdict:

I can see how parts of this book will be helpful for women of all ages. The health and beauty tips, for example. And some of the styles listed early in the book. I'm just not sure how practical some of the other looks are--unless, of course, you're Lady Gaga. There are the clownish (pgs. 127, 128, 133), the scary (pgs. 119, 121, 122, 125), the soon-to-be outdated, and the styles that make the poor models look like department store mannequins (and not in a good way).  

Of particular note, most of the models in this book were skinny white girls. There were a couple people of color, but they were, sadly, few and far between.

My advice, as a reader, is: Check out the book, experiment, have fun, but ultimately do what you think looks best for you. --AJB

1339 Quite Interesting Facts to Make Your Jaw Drop

Did you know....

Edgar Allan Poe's iconic poem, "The Raven" was originally going to be about a talking parrot. (changes things, doesn't it?)

Or... The artificial sweetener Splenda was originally going to be marketed as an insecticide, but became a sweetener when an assistant misheard an order to "test" the product and tasted it instead. (good thing it wasn't poisonous)

Or... Elvis really did wear Blue Suede Shoes--to his senior prom. (Ah, irony)

Or... The first ever hot-air balloon passengers were a sheep, a rooster, and a duck. (There's a bad joke in there somewhere)

Or... There exists a type of horsefly that is named after Beyonce. (That fly must be pretty fly)

Or... An Olympic gold medal is 92.5% silver. (makes you wonder what silver medals are made of, doesn't it?)

Impress your friends and your teachers with weird, wild, wacky and, in some cases, totally freaky facts from John Lloyd's 1339 Quite Interesting Facts to Make Your Jaw Drop (dewey# T031.02L). From the creators of the BBC quiz show QI and the sequel to 1227 Quite Interesting Facts to Blow Your Socks Off, 1339 Quite Interesting Facts to Make Your Jaw Drop is positively addicting! Read it cover to cover or open it open it at random. Either way, you're sure to learn something new that will change the way you view the world! I know I'll never look at the Jurassic Park movie the same way again! Or Walt Disney, for that matter... I now know which curious tourist attractions to visit if I ever find myself in South Korea with a few hours to kill (I just won't use the Korean version of "lol" when I'm texting my American friends about it, 'cause that could be very awkward!)... I know that Winston (or any of our aquarium fish friends) should never, under any circumstances, be given Prozac... AND I know who first used "u" as an abbreviation for "you" (and it wasn't the texting generation).

Each fact in this fun book has been researched and proven true to the best of the authors' abilities. 

For more, visit the website.

p.s. In case you're wondering: Despite what Mythbusters say, you CAN fold a piece of paper in half more than 7 times (you can fold it 13 times, to be exact).

Fearless Fashion, by Alison Bell

Hey Ladies (guys too): It's never too early to start planning your Back to School wardrobe--especially with all the stores having huge blowout sales (if they haven't started yet, they will soon). 

This in mind, a fun book to check out is What's Your Style: Fearless Fashion, by Alison Bell, which can be found in our nonfiction section under Dewey call # T391B. Take a quiz to determine your overall style, and learn about some of the various fashion trends out there and how to identify them in your friends and yourself (for example, I discovered that I'm sort of Hipster/Boho). There's even a chapter about health and beauty (hair & makeup). Plus, there's a ton of great ideas for enhancing your individual style or cultivating an entirely new look.

Overall, What's Your Style: Fearless Fashion is tons of fun. Another great book to check out is Popular: Vintage Wisdom from a Modern Geek, by Maya Van Wagenen. Pair it with it's companion book, Betty Cornell's Teen-Age Popularity Guide for the full experience. --AJB

Teen Review: Wizardology

Ciaran Grabowski, 11, read and loved Wizardology, a part of the 'Ology' series that is, you guessed it, all about magic, spells, and, of course, Wizards. In this entertaining volume, readers are invited to become apprentices to the Great Merlin himself. They learn how to make a wand, tell the future with a pack of cards, identify magical creatures, and much more. 

Ciaran thought this book was great!

"The book Wizardology is good for people who are interested in wizards and magic. It explains things about Merlin and his secrets." --Ciaran Grabowski.

Wizardology is recommended for teens age 14 and younger. Other books in the Ology series include Dragonology, Egyptology, and Pirateology. 

What It Is, by Lynda Berry

"Do You Wish To Write?" Cartoonist and writer Lynda Berry poses this question in her visually stunning how-to guide that's almost impossible to put down or fit into any genre or category. Part collage/scrapbook, part autobiography, part graphic novel, What It Is uses memories, imagination, dreams, hopes, fears, past experiences, future maybes, and the mundane-ness of day-to-day life to stimulate the mind inspire writing ideas. Read it cover to cover or open it at random. Either way, you're sure to find that cure for writer's block.

If nothing else, What It Is makes for a very entertaining read.

Recentering the Universe

Did you know that, hundreds of years ago, people not only thought the Earth was flat, but believed it was the center of the universe (obviously a very small universe), around which rotated the sun, moon, and stars. They also thought the moon produced its own light. Some even went so far as to believe that rain and snow poured through openings in the sky, which randomly opened and closed (much like windows or doors). According to Recentering the Universe, by Ron Miller, this was the case.

Laugh it up (I did). But this doesn't mean people were dumber back then. They were just ill-informed. And, what's more, they didn't have the means to educate themselves on the scientific awesomeness that was (and still is) the reality of life, the universe, and everything. Okay, just the Universe. Remember, Google didn't exist back then. These views had worked for thousands of years, and people didn't realize how broken they were... so they didn't try to fix them. As for any new ideas and views... Well, that pretty much freaked people out. Not only that, questioning the old ways was pretty much illegal.

Enter Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton. The original Mythbusters. Using charts, math, telescopic lenses, and other cool gadgets, these guys totally "Busted" those ancient ideas about flat worlds and an Earth-centered universe. Of course these early astronomers weren't as popular as Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. In fact, most people hated them. The church even went so far as to head-up a "witch hunt" or two. This was NOT a good time to be a Mythbuster. 

But then something cool happened.

People started to listen.

They looked at the evidence and said, "Hey, this actually seems legit." 

Old ideas were retired (by some, very reluctantly), but no one could deny the scientific proof that there was something to these new universal theories.

Today, with our space explorations, Mars rovers, and far-reaching telescopes, the ideas early astronomers worked so hard to prove are common knowledge and the whole flat Earth theory is something to joke about (OMG! Did people really think that way? LOL!). Check out Recentering the Universe for a detailed account on how the views of the universe changed over time. Even better, everything's presented in a way that's NOT textbook-like. So you don't feel like you're doing homework by reading it. 

What's next? Aliens? Life on other planets? Maybe...

Overall, an awesome book!--AJB

(Fun) Advice for the College Bound

Headed off to college in the fall (or already there)? Then you absolutely MUST check out Halley Bondy's 77 Things You Absolutely Have to Do Before You Finish College. 

Trust us, there's more to the college experience than the stereotypes of cramming, classes, and parties. College is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, meet new people, and just otherwise have the experiences you never could have before. Whether you just try one or two of these tips or all 77 of them, this book will help you to make the most of this truly unique time in your life. So go ahead, Try #9...or #27...or even #46. Have fun.

Betty Cornell's Teen-Age Popularity Guide

On Monday this blog featured Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek, a memoir penned by Maya Van Wagenen about her year following the beauty and lifestyle advice written about in Betty Cornell's Teen-Age Popularity Guide.  This book changed Maya's life, helping her to become healthier, more confident, and, yes, popular.

The Miss Cornell's Guide, originally published in the early 1950s, has been re-issued in 2014 with a special forward by Maya. Betty Cornell's Teen-Age Popularity Guide has chapters on everything from beauty (hair, skin, figure, makeup), wardrobe, health (diet and exercise), attitude and personality, dating, and getting a first job (and how to keep it). Some of the advice is pretty dated. Like, would you really wear a girdle? Do you even know what a girdle is? And, lets face it: The only girl who really brushes her hair 100 strokes every night is Marcia Brady. But other tips, like taking care of your health and mastering the art of writing thank you notes (not texts), is timeless. It's easy to see how this book could've helped a girl like Maya. Or any girl, for that matter--whether she was a teen in 1951 or a teen today.

Did you enjoy Maya's book and now want to see what all the fuss over Betty Cornell's guide is about? Now's your chance to see for yourself...and see if any of Betty's advice works for you too! --AJB

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

Can a "How To Be Popular" guide written in the 1950s help an awkward teen from 2012 to build confidence and fit in?

Surprisingly, the answer is "yes"!

When it came to popularity, Maya Van Wagenen often described herself as being "pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren't paid to be here". Then she discovered Betty Cornell's Teenage Popularity Guide, published in 1951. Her dad had bought it as a joke, but when it came into Maya's hands, she saw it as something as more than just a novelty prop. Before beginning 8th grade, Maya decided to try something: She'd follow the advice in the book and see where it took her, applying Betty Cornell's advice to her life in the 21st century. The results were amazing. Not only did Maya build her own confidence, but she actually gained a certain level of popularity.

Maya's own memoir, Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek, is funny, heartwarming, and, at times, positively cringe-worthy. And it proves that, while trends come and go, some advice is timeless! A definite must-read!

p.s. Want to check out Betty Cornell's book for yourself? We own that too! --AJB

This Star Won't Go Out

Picking up a biography/autobiography about a teen battling cancer is, in a way, like picking up a novel that prominently features a lovable animal character (see: Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, A Mango-Shaped Space, Marley, Dewey the Library Cat, etc.). Even before you begin reading, you know how it's going to end. And you know the ending will make you cry buckets. But even that is too simple a comparison for this incredible book.

However, This Star Won't Go Out, the story of Esther Earl (whose story became the inspiration for John Green's The Fault in Our Stars), is surprisingly upbeat for a memoir about a teen with terminal cancer. Yes, it's still extremely sad, but it's not all gloom and doom. Not at all. No way. Through letters, journal entries, photos, sketches, poems, and stories, you really get to know Esther. She was a very friendly, generous, and upbeat girl. She was involved with her friends, family, and community. She loved Harry Potter, her cats, and pizza. As much as possible, she lived life to the fullest. And even at the darkest moments of her cancer, she never lost hope. In short, Esther Earl was a very cool person.

This Star Won't Go Out is currently on our New Book Shelf. And it's very much worth reading. But be warned: Keep a box or two of tissues handy. You'll need them! --AJB

Sacred Stiff!

Everyone's afraid of something! There are the usual suspects like fear of heights (Acrophobia), clowns (Coulrophobia), thunderstorms (Astraphobia), the dark (Nyctophobia), or insects (Entomophobia). There are some truly unusual fears, like fear of buttons (Koumpounophobia) or of left-handed people (Sinistrophobia). There are even fears that only cropped up recently, like Nomophobia (fear of going anywhere without your cell phone).

Curious? Check out Scared Stiff: Everything You Need to Know About 50 Famous Phobias. Inside this insightful and interesting volume you'll find a list of common and not-so-common phobias, an explanation of each (and the history behind them), and famous phobic moments in history (and the famous people behind them). There's even a special section on how to treat the various phobias. 

Whether you're looking for information about your own phobia or are just curious, you'll definitely want to check this one out! Unless, of course, you're a Bibliophobe! --AJB