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Book of the Month: History of the World in 50 Dogs
Most dog lovers know Fido and Laika, but how about Martha, Paul McCartney’s Old English Sheepdog? Or Peritas, Alexander the Great’s trusted canine companion? As long as there have been humans, those humans have had beloved companions—their dogs. From the ancient Egyptians mummifying their pups, to the Indian legend of the king who refused to enter the afterlife unless his dog was allowed there too, to the modern meme and popularity of terms like the corgi sploot, humans are undeniably obsessed with their dogs.
Told in short, illustrated essays that are interspersed with both historical and canine factoids, The History of the World in Fifty Dogs brings to life some of history’s most memorable moments through the stories of the dogs that saw them happen.For our first selection of Book Club 2026, we chose a short, happy nonfiction. It’s my seventh time reading it, I think, and it’s still a delight!
My friend was fascinated by the history that was erased in our classes. Not just those from marginalized POVs, but through our furry friends who have been with us forever.
Some had big impacts on human history like Sir Isaac Newton’s big pom, Diamond, who set the theory of gravity aflame, and Freud’s pet chow inspiring the use of therapeutic animals. Some had smaller impacts like Martha, the Beatles’ fifth member, or nonexistent impact like the Nazis attempt to make telepathic dog army (we theorize this was when Hitler was one of his mercury-induced ideas).
Set in her conversational tone, Lee’s style keeps you engaged and my friend especially loved her humorous chapter titles like My Bark Will Go On, We Want Brandy, and Game of Bones among others. Not that it’s all light, the anti-vivisection and animal experiment chapters were cruel and sad.
Yeah, there’s not much you can fault in a fun, informational book like this, setting history’s big events and their furry contexts. Or vice versa. My only quibble is that one or two chapters feel only dog-adjacent rather than dog-centered. Ie, the event could have happened with or without a dog’s presence, but that’s a minor nitpick when you have such underrated historical gems like Napoleon’s pug curse and the Order of the Pug.
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YA books
The Assignment by Liza Wiemer
SENIOR YEAR. When an assignment given by a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution, a euphemism used to describe the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people, Logan March and Cade Crawford are horrified. Their teacher cannot seriously expect anyone to complete an assignment that fuels intolerance and discrimination. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand.
As the school administration addressed the teens’ refusal to participate in the appalling debate, the student body, their parents, and the larger community are forced to face the issue as well. The situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail?At first I didn’t quite understand the problem Logan and Caleb had with the titular assignment. Yes, Nazi ideology is ugly, but it’s common enough to learn about the reasons and justifications of atrocities. That way, people will be aware when such propaganda rises up again and will be able to think critically. You know, make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
So I was on the side of the teacher, and Wiemer does an excellent job in illustrating why the teacher, who is well-meaning, and I were wrong. We see why Nazism is wrong, we assume that other students will come to the conclusion.
In reality, the assignment gives some students free reign to unleash their ugly antisemitic (and general asshole) side, and the quiet, unassuming town is turning its head to lots of things. That maybe it’s not a nice town as they thought, and that potentially history can happen again.
An excellent story with short chapters that compel readers to keep reading more. The story primarily focuses on Logan and Caleb’s POV, and also offers other POVs of supporting players, so readers can get a feel for the town and its inhabitants. It also nicely weaves into Caleb and Logan’s personal stories about whether they want to keep their head down to survive their final year or continue to stand up for those who are not able to speak.
Their romance while brief subplot, adds some wholesome levity to how heavy the book gets that those who are fans of friends to lovers will enjoy.
(more…)#angelinaboulley, #antisemitism, #asianamerican, #asianamericanhistory, #asianmcs, #delcourtpress, #harpercollins, #harperteen, #indigenousfiction, #indigenousmcs, #joannaho, #littlebrownbooksforyoungreaders, #lizawiemer, #marikoturj, #poppy, #rachelreads&reviews, #theassignment, #theothersideofperfect, #thesilencethatbindsus, #warriorgirlunearthed, #YA -
Happily Never After: Gaston Review
Gaston is a sick and frail young man, and with a family who often mock him for his supposed weaknesses, his life moves from one miserable moment to the next. One day, while out exploring, Gaston is attacked, only to be saved by a young witch called Agatha. Little by little, the pair fall in love, neither of them having felt before the happiness they do when they’re together. But with outside forces and their tempestuous natures to contend with, will their love be able to last?
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Plans for 2026
Last year I had said that I was going to dial back on reading. I really, really meant, yet ended up reading over 800 books. I blame the economy, with little employment opportunities, there is only one to spend your free time.
However, this time I really mean it. I’m gearing up for more job searches and applying to law school. Hopefully, my time will be taken up and I won’t have to read as a coping mechanism. It helps that there aren’t many new books I’m looking forward to reading.
In fact, there’s only two books I have my eyes on that are coming out this year. Felicia Grossman’s Dearest Beast and Alice Murphy’s A Modern Girls’ Guide to Divorce.
Otherwise, that’s it. There’s not much I even want to reread. Maybe I’ll reread Secrets of My Hollywood Life, see if I like Dark Ascension, Disney Princes, and Queen’s Council as much the second time around, and yeah that’s it. Oh, and The Awakening of Roku since I wasn’t able to get a copy before New Years. Plus book club picks, hopefully this year we’ll be able to get a little more than ten, but I’m really excited about our picks.
That means I’ll be posting a lot less here. That’s why I want to know whether if anyone wants to have me drop some mood boards and/or excerpts of my novel? Or perhaps, hear my thoughts on retro tv shows.
I know I don’t get many comments, but just one comment to let me know if this something you’d be interested in addition to the book reviews would be much appreciated.
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Reading Log 2025
I know, I know, I said earlier this year I’d cut back on the reading. I didn’t reach a thousand, but I clearly didn’t stick to my goal. I blame the economy for not giving me a job to fill my time. Currently stands at 839
Any who, reading is better than drugs and I indulged in several themes this year. The first major one was historical fiction where I read all the historical fiction books in my house, and then some. I think I feel very versed in US history as well as Canadian.
In romance, I finally finished the excellent Las Leonas trilogy by Adriana Herrera, and followed it up with other diverse romances.
In the middle grade section, it was a major nostalgia year where I reread old favorites from the early aughts like Beacon Street Girls, Zodiac Girls, Cinderella Cleaners and got into series that I was curious about but never read like Bedeviled, Goddesses, and Three Girls in the City. Some still held up more than others. This also gets me into sub-themes like fashion books (Allegra Biscotti, Nevertheless, She Wore It), travel (S.A.S.S., Ayesha Dean Mysteries, Karito Kids, Lights, Camera Cassidy) and High School AUs (Monster High, Ever After High, Equestria Girls).
Plus I got ten interviews on board and finished my own novel! YAY!
As usual, here’s a list of books I read this year divided by genre, and you can further read my thoughts by clicking the author/book title tags on bottom.
Happy New Year!
(more…)#29dates, #7animaltales, #aashnaavachat, #adelewhitby, #adifferentkindofpower, #adrianaherrera, #alicemurphy, #aliciathompson, #allegrabiscotti, #alyandaj, #amandadeibert, #americangirl, #americanquilt, #andshewas, #anjalibanerjee, #annaandthemysteryofthemountains, #anniebryant, #annm.martin, #annshen, #anthonyhorowitz, #arielandthecurseoftheseawitches, #aroguethorn, #asgardians, #ashesoftheacademy, #ashowgirl’srulesforfallinginlove, #atimeforhope, #avonromance, #awoman’splace, #ayeshadean, #beachbattleblowout, #beaconstreetgirls, #bedeviled, #behindtheseams, #bemused, #beprepared, #berkleyromance, #biancaturetsky, #boysofthebattlefield, #bradmeltzer, #bscintheUSA, #caféconlychee, #callahancousins, #candicejalili, #carleneo’connor, #cartoonchroniclesofamerica, #caseofthesurfingsecret, #catherineconner, #cathyeastdubowski, #cathyhapka, #catsebastian, #charitytahmaseb, #charlespelzer-pollack, #charlotteyears, #cheetahgirls, #chrisgrabenstein, #cinderellacleaners, #comeasyouare, #commercialbreaks, #contemporaryromance, #coolforthesummer, #courtneymilan, #courtneysheinmel, #cruelheart, #dahliadler, #dcsuperherogirls, #dearamerica, #dearcanada, #dearmanny, #deborahgregory, #deborahkent, #deborahwiley, #declanshelvey, #deepiahluwalia, #denenemillner, #dianegalbadon, #dianegallagher, #disneydescendants, #disneygirls, #disneyhyperion, #dollyparton, #dominiquemoceanu, #dr.ruthwestheimer, #drewmoss, #dynamitecomics, #dystopian, #elizabethdoylecarey, #elkonigsburg, #emerylee, #emilyofnewmoon, #emmabradford, #emmet, #equestriagirls, #erikatamar, #everafterhighstories, #eviewoods, #faithhopehicks, #familytree, #farrahrochon, #femininepursuits, #fiction, #fightforfreedom, #findingfamous, #findingmyway, #firsthingsfirst, #followyourarrow, #friendshipsrings, #ftlukens, #gabrielleandthegentleman, #gabriellecharbonnet, #georgeo'connor, #girlhoodjourneys, #girloftheyear, #girlsfrommanylands, #girlsoflighthouselane, #girlssurvive, #girlstothefront, #gittydeshavani, #gloriachao, #goddesses, #goforthegold, #goforthegoldgymnasts, #goulfriends, #gregweisman, #haileyalcaraz, #harpercollins, #hattiebigsky, #hattieeverafter, #hayleyneil, #hazahfaizel, #hbgilmour, #herberta.libby, #heroesformydaughter, #highschoolau, #historicalfiction, #historicalromance, #historymysteries, #historymystery, #homefieldadvantage, #howfarI’llgo, #hudaf.wantstoknow?, #hudafahmy, #IamCanada, #ifwisheswerehorses, #instructionsfordancing, #Isurvived, #jacindaardern, #janeigharo, #janfields, #jasminejones, #jblynn, #jeannebenecourt, #jencalonita, #jessicabrody, #jessicaverdi, #jillianbrooks, #johannakerby, #kacencallender, #karitokids, #katthetimetraveler, #kealakendall, #kikithorpe, #kirbylarson, #kjcharles, #lace, #lasleonas, #laurentarshis, #lauriecalkhoven, #lauriehalseanderson, #legendofkorra, #levacrosen, #leyendas, #lianadelarosa, #lightscameracassidy, #lilymeade, #lindagerber, #lisapapademetriou, #lisayee, #literaryfiction, #littlebrownbooksforyoungreaders, #littlehouseontheprarie, #littlepinkpup, #livelyst.lemons, #lizklienrock, #lizzielovesethan, #lmmontgomery, #loki, #lorielangdon, #loveatsecondsight, #lovecravescardamom, #lylalee, #magicatticclub, #magpiemurders, #malalayousafzai, #marthayears, #marykateandashleymysteries, #marywilcox, #mayagold, #megmedina, #melatilum, #melissadelacruz, #melissawiley, #memoir, #memoirs, #michaelpellowski, #middlegrade, #missyoumina, #monicamancillas, #monsterhigh, #monsterhighdiaries, #mulanandthepalaceofthesecrets, #murderatanirishchipper, #murderbycheesecake, #murdermystery, #mymostexcellentyear, #mynameisamerica, #mysisterisavampire, #mystery, #mysteryofpenquanisland, #nadirahsimmons, #nathanhale, #nathanhaleshazerdoustales, #nemontenenquimo, #nessimonstrata, #neverthelesssheworeit, #nicolayoon, #nicstone, #ninamata, #nonfiction, #oliviabennet, #oliviawaite, #oncemorewithchutzpah, #outlander, #pabloleon, #penguinrandomhouse, #perditafinn, #pgkain, #rachelelkstromcourage, #rachelreads&reviews, #rachelveil, #randireisfield, #rhondastapleton, #roadtorevolution, #rocknrollmysteries, #rosabyanyothername, #roselerner, #royaldiaries, #ruthelwinharris, #s.a.s.s., #samiraahmed, #sannamarin, #sarahmccoy, #sarahmylowski, #sarahraasch, #scholastic, #schoolofsecrets, #seaglasssummer, #secretsofthemanor, #seducingthesedgwicks, #seeingstars, #seeyousoonsamantha, #seventalesoftrinket, #shanipetroff, #shannonhale, #shelleythomas, #shenanigansofslimpickins, #shericoopersinykin, #shirleyconran, #sibylmiller, #siennamercer, #silencedvoices, #simon&schuster, #sincerely, #sistersofquantockhills, #sistersofthequantockhills, #sixtiestrilogy, #slimpickinsandladylobster, #songteller, #speak, #spyxfamily, #st.martinspublishing, #stanmack, #staroftheshow, #starpower, #starssaddlesandstripes, #stefferrari, #stevekluger, #stupidcupid, #sunriseonthereaping, #susanchaplin, #susankirby, #susankorman, #suzannecollins, #suzanneselfors, #swordinslumber, #talesfromriverdale, #tatsuendo, #thebabybookofwillybobthesquirrel, #thecuckoosister, #thecuffinggame, #thedoctorisin, #theeducationofanartist, #thegirlwhocouldsilencethewind, #thehitwomahuntsaghost, #thehitwomanandtheneuroticwitness, #thehollywoodsisters, #thelostbookshop, #theoutcastsof19schuylerplace, #theresareed, #thesingularlifeofariapatel, #thesummerIwasn’tme, #thewishlessones, #thinkofengland, #thisiskindofanepiclovestory, #thortonburgess, #threegirlsinthecity, #thundercats(2024), #thundercats:lost, #tianaandthemagicofharlem, #tigerthebutterflywhocouldn’tfly, #timetravellingfashionista, #tonyviehmann, #traceywest, #trishamcgraw, #twistedtales, #twitches, #upinflames, #vanessa, #vcandrews, #vivianalcock, #w.a.sorrell, #wedgefordtrials, #wellofmagic, #wewillbejaguars, #whalesarejustlikeyou, #whateverafter, #whateverhappenedtolorilovely, #wildflowers, #wildgirls, #wishyouwerehereliza, #withlovemissamericanah, #wondergirls, #woofthereitis, #xmarksthespot, #YA, #yj, #youngjustice, #zodiacgirls, $darcyvance -
Book Highlight: A Woman’s Place
While the phrase “go back to the kitchen” has a negative connotation, one can’t deny that women have been the heart of the hearth and home, feeding generations and bringing communities together. It’s invisible compared to the manly man world of professional cooking, and the three sections- Innovators who popularized or introduced dishes to continents making an intercultural exchange, Instigators, women who used food to help their communities through aid or through political fundraising, and Inventors, self-explanatory -Ahluwalia and Ferrari seek to bring recognition to women’s accomplishments in all sectors of the food industry.
Some notable entries include:
Leah Richard, an African-American woman who released her own cooking book, and catering company during a time of intense discrimination, she was the first woman to host a cooking show. A decade before the famous Julia Child.
Nitza Villapol-Possibly the Cuban counterpart to Richard, Villapol possibly propagandized communism living through her cooking show, highlighting how to make great meals through limited resoruces.
Esther Eng-an openly lesbian Chinese-American filmmaker, Eng sought to provide a bit of home and a haven for her fellow Chinese-American actors and ended up creating the hottest, priciest Chine restaurant in NY.
Eva Ekeblad-introduced the versatality of the potato to Sweden. Not only introducing a culinary staple but helping a starved population during famine.
Betty Crocker is fictional, but Marjorie Husted is the woman behind the popular brand, introducing her cookbooks, recipes, and even her voice on her radio show.
Ellen H. Richards was a chemist and home economist that researched schoolchildren can’t study while hungry and helped start free noontime meals in Boston, a model that would soon be adopted nationally.
Leah Chase aka the inspiration behind Princess Tiana, is better known as the Queen of Creole Cooking through her award-winning Dooky Chase Restaurant serving all the prominent civil rights leaders and two presidents.
Sarah Joseph Hale-Lincoln may have made Thanksgiving a national holiday, but Hale was the one who wrote articles, petitions, and sought audience with legislators arguing for the importance of a day of thanks and unity. She also wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
Avantika Jalan-Fourth generation tea producer she’s the founder and managerial director of the organic tea line, Mana Organics.
Nancy Johnson-Created the hand-cranked churn machine so anyone could make ice cream.
Melitta Bentz-Created the coffee filter, and a household empire.
Julia Davis Chandler-Her cookbook is the first recorded instance of PB&J sandwich recipe.
Teressa Bellissimo-Created buffalo wings and the blue cheese dressing plus celery sticks that are an American staple.
Emeline Jones-Separating fact from fiction, there’s evidence that former slave turn chef, Jones, created the potato chip. Even if she didn’t, she was a favorite of the DC elite with her terrapin stew.
Elizabeth Gregory-She created doughnuts for her sailor son. Very sweet, and we can’t thank her enough for the delicious treat. Her son was the one who added the hole.
Josephine Cochrane-Created the dishwasher.
As you can see, women created a lot of the dishes and some lifesaving inventions. They also included recipes that are put so simply, I feel confident enough to try my hand at making herb-roasted chicken and sage buttermilk biscuits or my own girl scout cookie.
The one flaw in the book is that in trying to include many women, they only get a page or two at most. The ones with women grouped together (Women of Tea, Women of Beer, Rumrunners, etc) only get a paragraph which makes me want to know more. Or worse, I don’t understand why they included because it is summed up as female rumrunner. Like did she do anything more notable compared to other female rumrunners? Did she struggle? Did she expand her husband’s business etc.?
Nonetheless, this is an informative, enlightening book that will whet your appetite and encourage readers to thank those (most likely the moms, let’s be honest) who nourish them.
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Happily Never After: Vanessa Review
Ursula is sick to death of mermaids.
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Ready to carve out a name for herself, she uses an ancient spell to become human for the first time. As the vivacious Vanessa ventures on land, she discovers an incredibly powerful curse has hexed an entire village. Determined to find the source of this dark magic and possess it, she gains the trust of the charming boy who unwittingly cast the spell. Together, they must confront the evil creature who created it, but the villain isn’t always clear. As Vanessa struggles with the new feelings of her warm-blooded human heart, she must decide what is more potent—ultimate power or true love. -
Nonfiction Books
In Star of the Show, the culminating book in Dolly Parton’s photographic trilogy—following Songteller (lyrics) and Behind the Seams (fashion)—the global superstar finally shares a definitive look at her career as one of the world’s most dazzling and beloved performers.
Featuring engaging stories and memories from Parton’s dynamic life behind the microphone, this book spotlights her signature performances and star-making moments, from singing in front of her family to premiering on the Grand Ole Opry stage and beyond. Her formative years performing with country legend Porter Wagoner are chronicled as she learns hard lessons from life on the road. Breaking out on her own at state fairs and critically acclaimed venues, she toured the world performing for millions of fans in arenas, stadiums, and at festivals. From making her onscreen debut in the blockbuster feature film 9 to 5 to playing the Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 Thanksgiving halftime show to 42 million viewers, this global superstar knows no limits. Along the way, Dolly shares the stage with Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and others, while offering insight on touring big, singing strong, and staying on top for seven decades.
Brimming with Parton’s trademark wit and heartfelt sincerity, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage is not only an homage to one of history’s most cherished artists, but also a must-have collector’s item for—and love letter to—any fan of the one and only Dolly Parton.The latest in Parton’s supersized autobiography trilogy, she showcases plenty of memorabilia and stories of her time on the road that any fan will enjoy. At first I was a bit disappointed as I was expected a look into the behind the scenes of a typical concert for her. The sets, the setlists, etc. But she writes that she has a simplistic set-up for her shows so there’s not much to view there. Rather it was a compendium of her road trips throughout the country and abroad, her tricked out tour buses, and her work ethic along the way. If you read her previous two books one right after the other like I did, there are some stories she did repeat which detracted some of the enjoyment. But there were others she went more into detail like her partnership with Kenny Rogers, and Porter Wagoner; the thrill and logistics of performing abroad in Ireland in the mud, and the boost she gets from fans even during her darkest days.
She acknowledges that she has the discipline and the imagination to do what she does, she wouldn’t be able to if she didn’t believe in herself, but she always, always gives credit to the team behind her, saying they’re as much part of her success as she is. She’s a national treasure, and I always enjoy reading about her.
(more…)#abramsbooks, #adifferentkindofpower, #atriabooks, #autobiography, #biography, #charlespollackpelzner, #crownbooks, #dollyparton, #findingmyway, #hopeinaction, #jacindaardern, #malalayousafzai, #memoir, #nemontenenquimo, #rachelreads&reviews, #sannamarin, #scribner, #simon&schuster, #staroftheshow, #tenspeedpress, #theeducationofanartist, #wewillbejaguars
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 