I consider myself a fairly well-read human being. I mean, working at the library, it’s kind of a job hazard. But every now and then I come across something that really opens up new topics that I haven’t studied before. These books all blew my mind in some way. And while I feel like perhaps these are things I should have already known, at least I know them now. Better late than never, right?

I want to start by saying that I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this. I haven’t jumped on the AI bandwagon, but this one got good recommendations online, so I thought maybe this could be where I start with AI. Whew. First - this was a great read. The author was very thorough in his historical research, but he still made it readable and not too dry. Secondly, he covers everything related to information networks. I will admit that I did not agree with 100% of what he said, but I also think that’s what made it so interesting. I think everyone should read this book even though it’s not an easy read. It’s also not the best bedtime reading. It will definitely make your brain work. If you are curious about AI and info networks, I’m sure this one will give you some answers.
 

I used to be a bigger shopper than I am. I enjoyed going to a mall (remember those?) and wandering in and out of stores that caught my eye. Now most items I buy either come from the grocery store or I get them online. I just get so tired of fighting traffic that it’s not worth it to me to drive to a store when online retailers will deliver it right to my house. So when I saw this book was about shopping less, I was intrigued. First I should say that this book is not what I expected. The author goes deep into exploring what less consumerism looks like. He considered what the effect would be on the economy, which people it would be hardest on. He even took into consideration climate change and saving the whales. There was a lot of info here and I found it fascinating. I never considered linking some of the things he brings up. If you’ve ever considered how to live more with less, don’t miss this one. (The library - helping us consume less since forever!)

I grew up with Johnson and Johnson. I think we all did. I don’t know that I gave them the most thought - they were just there. Making products that I/we can’t live without. Apparently, those products also threatened our ability to live in general. I went to business school, so of course we studied the Tylenol poisoning in the 80s. But it’s interesting how J&J was so lauded for their behavior then, but they still covered up the fact that their baby powder contained asbestos for almost 60 years. This book is very well-written and well-researched. I had heard the news about baby powder being bad a few years ago, but didn’t really understand everything. This book definitely cleared up my questions. It reminded me of the Bad Blood book about Elizabeth Holmes. It also mentioned the Sackler family of Purdue Pharmacy, and if these types of reads are your jam, definitely check out the You May Also Like section for links to those.

I let this one sit for a minute because I am not the super biggest fan of reality TV. I watch competition cooking shows and things like Project Runway, but I have never kept up with any Kardashians, nor have I been Survived by The Bachelor. Nope. Pass. That said, I do enjoy pop culture, so I finally gave this one a change. What the heck - I watched The Real World, right? Whew. This is a good book. This is probably the most well-written book I’ve read in a while. I can see why the author won The Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2016 “for television reviews written with an affection that never blunts the shrewdness of her analysis or the easy authority of her writing” ("Here are the winners of the 2016 Pulitzer Prizes". Poynter Institute. April 18, 2016). This is exactly that. It is well-written and just as well-researched. You can also tell that Nussbaum is a fan of the genre. I liked this one so much, I’m gonna go back and read her first book, I Like to Watch: Arguing My Way Through the TV Revolution. Maybe I’ll even have to go back and start watching some of these shows.

Ok friends. These are all heavy, but great reads. They will take some work, but will be very worth it in the end. Trust me. You don’t want to miss out. In my opinion, one of the best aspects of the library is that there is always something new to discover. Even if you don’t know something you think you should, you always have the option to find an intriguing book at your local library and dig in.

Happy Learning…
:) Amanda