Tag: nonfiction

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A More Perfect Party

written by Juanita Tolliver, Review 2 of 2025

This book provides an interesting analysis of the impact of Shirley Chisholm’s 1972 presidential campaign told through the lens of the attendees at a fundraiser hosted by actress Diahann Carroll. Contrasting 1970s and present day campaign finance, media coverage, and activism, this book provides useful historical context for understanding our present day struggles. Tolliver’s voice, both written and as narrator of the audiobook, made it clear the passion she has for the topics covered. It would be interesting to know how the book may have been different if it had been written and published even later this year. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this audiobook for review purposes.

Categories: Non-fiction, History

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The Anti-Ableism Manifesto

by Tiffany Yu, Review 20 of 2024

This is a truly wonderful introduction to anti-ableism. Each chapter includes practical everyday skills to develop and actions to take to make the world a more inclusive place. This book is informative while still being easy to listen to and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the topic. This is also read by the author and she does a great job presenting both technical information and personal anecdotes. Would make a great DEI book club resource as well! 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this audiobook for review purposes.

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We Will be Jaguars

by Nemonte Nenquimo, review 19 of 2024

This is a must read. Nemonte Nenquimo’s story is inspiring, challenging, and deeply human. Nenquimo’s message isn’t just about climate activism, though that’s a significant part, it’s also a moving example of how people and the environment can and do coexist in our time. This book made me uncomfortable in the way that leaves a mark for the better. I would strongly recommend listening to the audiobook as the narration of this book was exceptional. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this audiobook for review purposes.

Content warning: Sexual Assault, Physical abuse, Religious trauma

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How to Piss Off Men

by Kyle Prue, Review 17 of 2024

This is a short instructional manual for how to piss off men. Personally, I don’t tend to need instructions for this but I did really enjoy the audiobook and commentary around the jokes. Would recommend it to men who have a sense of humor, and women/femmes who need a laugh (which is all of us).

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this audiobook for review purposes.

Content warning: This may piss off men

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Survival Is a Promise

The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde

by Alexis Pauline Gumbs Review 15 of 2024

Part biography, part poetry recitation, part history lecture, with a dash of pop science, this book defies easy categorization. The life of Audre Lorde is described in relation to the world around her by the talented author and narrator Alexis Pauline Gumbs. I’ve been fascinated by the complex and purposeful life of Audre Lorde for years but I am hesitant to pick up longer nonfiction on any subject. I shouldn’t have hesitated. Though you may want to be in an open and engaged state of mind to listen to this, it’s well worth the time. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this audiobook for review purposes.

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Antiracism as Daily Practice

Refuse Shame, Change White Communities, and Help Create a Just World

by Jennifer Harvey, Review 9 of 2024

Important note: This book is a great addition to the library of any aspiring white antiracist but is not the best pick for someone just beginning to learn about DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). Some of my recommendations for that would; How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo, or Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. After you’ve read some of the great books on race written by black folks, consider revisiting this title. 

If you’ve already been exploring the history of white supremacy, how it shows up, and your role in it, this book has some great examples of how you can implement and enact your values in day to day life. Harvey doesn’t shy away from sharing examples of places she’s failed to be the best co-conspirator for change and for her candor I was extremely grateful. She covers how shame, perfectionism, and trust impact white people’s ability to do antiracist work in our own communities. This could be a hard book for some to read but the message is so very important.

Would recommend it to any white person who has read a lot of DEI but still isn’t sure what their place is in creating a more just future for all of us.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this audiobook for review purposes.

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Blood

The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation by Jen Gunter

Review 2 of 2024

Experienced OB/GYN, Dr. Jen Gunter provides a comprehensive exploration of all things related to menstruation in Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation. This book is not just a great reference for a variety of health information; it’s also an eye-opening exploration of the medical history of female anatomy. At over 17 hours of audio, this isn’t a casual listen; instead it provides insight into a wide array of topics including hormones, contraception, and medical conditions. Dr. Gunter does an especially good job explaining how treatments, supplements, hormones, and other interventions affect menstruation and how menstruation impacts other bodily functions. I would recommend this to anyone who menstruates and/or would like to understand more about what, how, and why the body does what it does. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories: Nonfiction, Science, Medical

Content Warning: Infertility, Sexism, Blood, Medical trauma, Chronic illness, Racism

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King: A Life

by Jonathan Eig, Review 10 of 2023

This comprehensive biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and death, complete with references to recently released FBI investigation reports, is a must read for biography enthusiasts and worth the effort even for those who are not. It was a heavy lift at over 20 hours of audio, but Dion Graham, an expert narrator, made it easy to listen to. 

It’s tempting to simply idolize and ignore the complexity of figures such as King. This type of thinking comes at the expense of recognizing that we all have a role to play in changing the world and the country for the better. It has been 55 years since Dr. MLK Jr. was killed, and in many ways the U.S. is still inching toward the vision King proclaimed. This is a timely examination of a life lived with conviction.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ALC!

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Radical Inclusion

by David Moinina Sengeh, Review 8 of 2023

This book explores inclusion, the “I” in the increasingly popular acronym, DEI. In David Moinina Sengeh’s personal and professional anecdotes we can see the possibility for true inclusion in organizations and communities. His coalition’s struggle for pregnant students’ education in Sierra Leone is evidence that progress toward inclusion is possible today. I enjoyed this book and I’d recommend it for anyone interested in social inclusion and/or shifting cultural beliefs.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ALC!

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The Viral Underclass

by Steven W. Thrasher, book 52 of 2022

Book Cover, tan colored background with black text reading The Viral Underclass. Center has a red virus symbol with a black silhouette of a human inside. Subtext says The human toll when inequality and disease collide.

Dr. Thrasher provides some extremely timely and insightful criticisms of how our society fails to protect the most vulnerable and suffers for it. He mixes personal stories with his analysis to discuss the factors that contribute to the sickness and death of the “viral underclass”, the people our society discriminates against, incarcerates, or otherwise neglects. This is an extremely relevant look into the modern concerns of public health policymakers and I’m eager to discuss it with other public health professionals. That being said, I’d recommend it to anyone interested in broadening their understanding of viruses and the social factors around health, the info shared here is relevant for all of us.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: Death (COVID/HIV), Drug use, Police Violence/Murder, Racism, Mental Health/HIV/LGBTQ Discrimination and Stigma, Suicide, Ableism, Ageism, etc.