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Nonfiction

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland

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The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland  By Jim Defede
Format:  Audiobook
Who It’s For:  Adults

Everyone remembers where they were on 9/11.  It was a catastrophic day.  Seldom though, do we think about what happened to the rest of the planes in the sky after planes crashed into the World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, PA.  At 9:42 am, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all civilian aircraft within the continental U.S., and civilian aircraft already in flight were told to land immediately.  All international civilian aircraft were either turned back or redirected to airports in Canada or Mexico, and were banned from landing on United States Territory for three days.

When the United States shut down its airspace, tiny Gander International Airport in Newfoundland opened its runways, taking in 38 wide-body planes on transatlantic routes.   A town of about 10,000 people, with one hotel, took in nearly 7,000 passengers from more than 100 countries.  They made sure that the people, dogs, cats, and apes that were on board the planes forced to land in Gander, had food, prescriptions, bedding, clothing, toothbrushes, shower facilities and a place to sleep for several days.

Through interviews and research, Jim Defede shares with us the true story of the incredible acts of bravery, kindness, compassion and comfort that the people of Gander shared with those stranded passengers.  A day that was filled with so much terror and grief can also be looked upon as a day that humans were at their best in a small town in Newfoundland.

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The Happy Vegan: A Guide to Living a Long, Healthy, and Successful Life

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If you’ve ever considered adopting a plant based diet, this book is for you. Simmons takes readers on a journey that begins with his personal introduction to a vegan lifestyle and travels chapter by chapter through the reasons why others should consider this lifestyle as well. He appeals to all fronts by exploring the health benefits of veganism, the environmental impact, animal suffering, and the subconscious, emotional impacts of veganism. And, he does all of this with a very direct, no nonsense approach. He does not sugar coat the truth out of fear of upsetting the reader. This is particularly true in the section about animal abuse that contains graphic descriptions of the conditions inside concentrated animal feeding operations (also known as factory farms) and rendering plants. Although difficult to read at times, the graphic descriptions serve as a catalyst for action and force the reader to at least acknowledge, if not fully accept, the truth about where their meat comes from.

But, despite this direct approach, Simmons does allow that a plant based lifestyle will look different for everyone. Some may choose to be strict vegans. Some will make exceptions and eat this, but not that. For example, Simmons concedes that he’ll eat something cooked in fish stock, but not beef stock. Simmons encourages readers to find a space on the spectrum that works for them and to do their best at doing the least amount of harm possible. The book ends with tips on beginning a plant based diet, and it includes an appendix that takes readers through the practice of meditation. Highly recommended for adults. Find it in the catalog.

Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter

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Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Ben Goldfarb is that rare breed of science writer who could probably turn a dishwasher manual into a page-turner…but let him loose with an already-intriguing topic like the beaver, and he’ll deliver a book that’s an absolute pleasure to read. In Eager, Goldfarb unveils beavers’ profound influence on the landscape of North America.

Our waterways behaved very differently when the beaver, fluvial geomorphologist extraordinaire, had the run of the continent. Beavers nearly disappeared from the land by the mid-1800s, largely due to trapping for their pelts. The sudden dearth of beavers was a calamity for biodiversity and water availability, particularly in the arid West. Eager reveals this unexpected history while showcasing the efforts of a diverse (and entertaining) army of “Beaver Believers” who work to restore our continent’s largest rodent.

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Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World

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Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World by Vashti Harrison
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Little Dreamers is a collection of true stories about the women creators, inventors, scientists, artists, and thinkers who changed the world with their ideas. From computer programmer Ada Lovelace to activist Wangari Maathai, this book tells the inspirational tales of those women whom perhaps were previously left out of history’s spotlight. The contributions of these women had profound influence in their respective cultures and ultimately helped to shape our world as we know it today.

The recognition given to each of these women’s accomplishments is presented by Vashti Harrison in a format that is both informative and succinct which would appeal well to the younger, targeted age group. However, I do believe that this could be an enjoyable book for readers of all ages. Harrison’s stories paired with her charming illustrations create a visually appealing timeline; one can flip through the book noting the distinct changes to the illustrations for each woman. While each woman is artistically rendered to represent her unique self, there is a standard stylistic format the author uses for her illustrations which implies that these women are of a strong and singular power. I found this book important because it reminds young audiences us that even the visionary, trail-blazing women of history were all once little dreamers, who dared to dream big.

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How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals

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The cover of this book caught my eye, so I decided to give it a try. And, I was pleasantly surprised. It is memoir that is interwoven with lessons learned from the animals in the author’s life. The author, Sy Montgomery, has been an animal lover since early childhood, and she developed deep connections with the animals that crossed her path. A writer by trade, Montgomery has traveled the world to conduct research for her writing. Thus, the animals she encounters range from family dogs and backyard hens to emus and octopuses.

Personally, I am not an animal person, but I still found Montgomery’s stories intriguing. In particular, I enjoyed learning about all of the exotic animals that she came across, including the Matschie’s tree-kangaroo and the Goliath birdeater. This was a quick, easy read. But, it may not be suitable for everyone, as it does contain a very frank discussion about depression and mental illness.

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The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure

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The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
Format: Book, eBook
Who it’s for: Adults, Teens

The Coddling of the American Mind addresses the question of why partisan rancor and over-the-top protests have mushroomed in recent years on college campuses. The authors argue that belief in three “Great Untruths” [(1) what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker; (2) always trust your feelings; and (3) life is a battle between good and evil people] has become widespread, especially among the generation that entered college in the last few years. They grant the capital-U “Untruths” designation to beliefs that both contradict psychological research on well-being and cause harm to the people who hold those beliefs.

Through the lenses of freedom-of-speech principles and cognitive behavioral therapy, Lukianoff and Haidt examine recent upheavals on college campuses and how they relate to the untruths. They explore several reasons why the untruths have become more common, including helicopter parenting, changes in our notions of justice, and adults (including college administrators) who encourage the notion that mere words can make someone “unsafe”. The book wraps up with recommendations for reducing the power of these ideas, from expanding recess to revising campus policies and practices that affect freedom of speech.

Despite the possible impression created by the title of the book, the authors are not engaging in a partisan rant about “liberal kids these days”. As they state themselves, “Most students are not fragile, they are not ‘snowflakes’, and they are not afraid of ideas”. What they do offer is an invitation to think more deeply about an issue that affects the heart of American democracy: who is allowed to speak, and what we are allowed to say.

Find it in the catalog.