This book is about the story of Bubba Wallace, a talented NASCAR driver who overcame challenges to succeed in a mostly white sport. It covers his early life, career and his efforts in promoting diversity in the racing world. It’s an inspiring and quick read that highlights Wallace’s determination and impact beyond racing. However, it doesn’t go deep into his personal struggles or racing details. A great choice for young sports fans, but experienced NASCAR followers might find it too basic.
American Predator describes Israel Keyes, a dangerous and sneaky serial killer, his capture and past. Maureen Callahan dives into Israel’s killings and unsolved murders. While reading American Predator, Maureen Callahan made it feel like you were living in the book. She did a fantastic job of highlighting Israel's life and the things he did. Callahan describes his murders as if you were hearing it from the news for the first time.
The Mona Lisa Vanishes is a nonfiction book about the theft of the most famous painting in the world. This book follows two different perspectives, one of the investigators searching for the Mona Lisa, and the other of Leonardo da Vinci before he even painted the Mona Lisa. There were several key points throughout this last part of the novel, and they all basically said the same thing: That true details were skipped over in pursuit of the shocking headline.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a honest memoir that follows Angelou’s own life and the challenges growing up as a black woman in a twisted society. She is attacked by a man, and it changes her perspective on society forever. All while battling trauma, racism and other dark events, Angelou goes on a journey of growing up and finding herself. I give this book 4 stars because it is a remarkable book, and I think everyone should read it in their lifetime.
Twice as Hard by Jasmine Brown is a nonfiction book detailing the black female physicians of past and present. The book details how female doctors were not allowed to practice medicine until nearly the 1900’s, and black women trying to enter medical school were very uncommon. The book is written by detailing specific women's lives, showing the diversity they faced not only because they were black, but because they were women.
Written in the Bone by Sue Black is a nonfiction book about forensic anthropology. Forensic anthropology is the study and practice of examining bones to determine how both people of the past and present lived/died. Sue Black writes the book by giving anatomical facts mixed with personal experiences of working as a forensic anthropologist.
Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is a memoir about growing up in Apartheid South Africa and his youth after Apartheid ended. Noah discusses his close relationship with his Xhosa mother and how his existence was essentially illegal. His mother being Xhosa/Black and his father being White/Swiss was a crime that was highly punishable. He grew up having to pretend his mother wasn't his mother and that his father wasn't his father, learning to be alone often.
Many may underestimate their importance in history, but it can be said that no other animal has contributed to the rise of human civilization as much as horses. From being a source of food to a power that could determine the victor of a battle, horses have long been prized possessions of common folk and emperors alike for millennia. David Chaffetz’s Raiders, Rulers, and Traders takes the reader on a journey to learn about many ancient civilizations and how power was exchanged through the importance of horses.
Hyperspace by Michio Kaku explores the concept of higher dimensions and how they could revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Kaku explains how string theory, which relies on multiple dimensions beyond the familiar three, might unify the laws of physics, including relativity and quantum mechanics. He discusses historical and modern theories about extra dimensions, their potential role in black holes, time travel and parallel universes, and how they could explain fundamental forces like gravity.
Ashley C. Ford writes a stunningly beautiful memoir about her childhood experiences, and, most importantly, her relationship with her parents. For as long as she can remember, her dad has always been in prison for a crime that she wasn’t allowed to know of, and her emotionally distant mother formed new relationships with other men. Ashley recounts her experiences with her absent father and her strained relationship with her mother, who is trying to recover from heartbreak and the stress of being the sole provider for Ashley.
