Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescues by Laurie Zeleski

This lovely memoir combines the thoughtful examination of ‘s life with her mother after she escaped her abusive husband with her kids to create an animal rescue with stories of the animal residents that occupy her farm.

I enjoy the narrative she weaves around her parents, the complexities of having a mother providing such an independent and compassionate role model while also having some pretty big lapses when it comes to the men in her life. Same with her father who continues to be an erractic presence in her life. She also tackles the highs and lows of caring for an elderly parent as well taking over and expanding the farm, providing reason for why we should treat humans and animals with compassion.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

This collection of essays is part memoir, part awkward girl guide and it’s a riot. While I’ve heard of Rae’s shows, I haven’t watched them but I do enjoy her essays so this did not disappoint. They’re frank and honest as she recounts her somewhat complicated relationship with her Dad who holds his feelings close to his chest. They’re sensible as she discusses the problem of diversity and reflection of self on TV. And they’re just plain endearing as she discusses her attempt at dancing in public, in which she admits she doesn’t fit the stereotype as well as her early forays in sexting in AOL (old age internet) as a twelve year old ccatfishing teens and adults alike. Plus there are very heartwarming moments too as she shares the reply from director, Gina Prince-Bythewood that inspired her to keep screen-writing, her feelings on small signs of PDA and learning to love her hair.

I can’t say much else but I admire how Issa seems to present herself exactly who she is which is rare in the PR driven machine in Hollywood, and she is as funny as the hype says but then again humor is subjuctive. I enjoyed her work enough anyway and I learned a little bit about the different types of blacks, and the hair heirarchy, and the “curse” of her Sengalese family that has affected her dating life.

Enough Already by Valerie Bertenelli

I recently got into Bertenelli’s work on Hot in Cleveland so of course I was going to read her latest memoir. Relatable and reflective, Bertenelli discusses her continuing journey regarding body size and food, acknowledging that some may be tired of the topic but it’s a big part of her life and how she’s been processing its effects on her insecurities and self esteem.

She also dives into the beginning of parenthood and her relationship with Eddie Van Halen, including his recent death. A sad blow accompained by her parent’s passing as well as the general isolation of the COVID pandemic. I admire her clear communication, looking at all sides of the situation while being self-aware of her own biases without getting too maudlin.

Plus it has recipes accompanying each chapter and their memories behind them.

Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 to 1985 edited by Andrew Nette and Ian McIntyre

I had thought this would be a history of the sci-fi paperback industry much in the vein of Hendrix’s Paperbacks from Hell. I was wrong, it’s a collection of essays from prominant sci-fi historian/writer/contributers such as Scott Andlerberg, Nick Mamatas, Kelly Roberts and the like.

So while it’s not a chronological reaccounting, it does cover the extensive history and themes of sci-fi in the U.S. and the U.K. Not only does it cover movements such as the sixities’ revolutions that released new works responding and theorizing on sextrapolation, apoloclyptic futures, drugs, technology and anti-authoritarianism but it also covers different groups and prominant authors like Flying Saucers and Black Power: Joseph Denis Jackson’s 1967 Insurrectionist Novel The Black Commandoes, Performative Gender and SF: The Strange But True Case of Alice Sheldon and James Tiptree Jr.

The book also discusses the fidfferences and evolution between the Old Guard of science fiction that would be the typical white male spaceman crashing onto planets like John Carters of Mars and the speculative fiction (and their publishing houses like Essex House) that tried to push boundaries (and sometimes taste) to discuss where humanity was going and make statements on what it was currently doing.

In addition to the essays, it has hundreds of amazingly inventive and colorful covers that are lovely to look at as they reflect the new techniques and tastes that were within the texts.

When the Lights Are Bright Again by various

As my Mom says this is like a time capsule for the COVID era. Only it’s for musical fans. Broadway stars, tech, costume designers, makeup artists, directors, cheorographers, ensamble, everyone who works onstage and off to bring theatre magic contribute to this tome highlighting their feelings and hopes for when things will come back to normal in midst of a worldwide lockdown.

It can be a touchy-feely book but I think it is also raw in that sense as the contributers can relate to the insecurity everyone was feeling wondering about their jobs, their loved ones and the future in a heightened political climate. There is also moments of grief and regret as some lost their big breaks or simply got laid in the sudden lockdown which I think many could relate.

Not only do they have heart-tugging reflections but the photography is gorgeous too!

Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of 80s and 90s Paperback by Gabrielle Moss

Much like Paperbacks frfom hell, this book from focuses on the paperback boom of the 80s-90s. With Moss’ humorous and conversational style honed from her work on internet editorials like Buzzfeed, she explores the trends and changing values of society particularly as it is aimed towards girls. While sometimes the plots may be shallow and the resolutions problematic by modern standards, they were revolutionary as it was aimed for girls and focused on what girls wanted to read and know, it cared about what girls cared about, it made their worlds important.

The chapters are split up in sections such as Jobs, Romance, School etc. that allows her to plumb and poke fun of the glossy cover art and the ridiculous plots of some authors trying to appeal to the 90210 generation. However, she also spotlights on meaningful books that really tried to change the conversation for teens like Annie, By Your Side in which a lesbian couple is allowed to live by the end of the story (after copious amounts of trauma and abuse but its better than the usual Bury Your Gays trope that was made up predessecors) as well as sections focusing on the African American publishing houses for teens such as .

The only issue I have is that Moss wraps up the book with no conclusion or insight to the work she researched rather it has the chapter all about YA horror and then ends. A little insight or just conclusion would have been nice.
Still it’s a great book for such nostalgia, trivia on your childhood favorites and lovely cover art.

Year of the Rabbit by Tian Veasna

This harrowing graphic memoir follows the story of family during Cambodia’s overthrow, dictatorship and communist takeover. The era is characterized with violence, paranoia, starvation and uncertainty but ‘s family is the one thing that remains consistant as they do their best to survive. Readers get to know not only ‘s parents, but his uncles, aunts and other relatives’ interweaving stories of life in a war-torn country.

I can’t say much more because I don’t want to spoil it and also it’s just something you have to read for yourself to fully understand the pain and emotionality of the era but while does a good job in balancing such a large cast, I sometimes was confused visually as to who was who.

Who Did It First?: 50 Scientists, Artists, and Mathmaticians Who Revolutionized the World by Julie Leung

This is a nice lower school book to give to any kid who wants to learn about fascinating people. Honestly, I don’t have much to say about it as many of the people I have heard or read about in other more extensive biographical books like Nikola Tesla, Mindy Kaling etc. Each person is one page long with nice illustrations by Caitlin Kuhwald (who even writes about how her composition and style of illustration comes to life). It’s just enough to whet a kid’s appetite but I also felt it was a one and done book that doesn’t differentiate itself from other nonfiction books with similar topics.