018: What would happen if women suddenly possessed a fierce new power?

Bookish News:

Awesome article on LitHub about inclusion in publishing. Dhonielle Clayton, COO of We Need Diverse Books (and former librarian!), said “I hate the term sensitivity reader. I prefer the term targeted beta reader because it’s more accurate. . . . I’m not being sensitive. I’m just an editor and it’s another level of editing.”  Click the link to read on!

Two Book Minimum:

• Health at Every Size by Linda Bacon (yes, that’s her name) = Social justice oriented body positivity
• Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
• The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
• The End We Start From by Megan Hunter

She Said / She Said: THE POWER by Naomi Alderman

What would happen if women suddenly possessed a fierce new power?

“In THE POWER, the world is a recognizable place: there’s a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool; a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature; an ambitious American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family. But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power–they can cause agonizing pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets.”

Obama loved this book and so did we. The holds list is a little ridic, so here’s a blog post that suggests things to read while you’re waiting! (Or, buy it at The Raven Bookstore!!)

What we’re up to // Library news:

Read Across Lawrence begins soon! Lizzie Velasquez talk at Lied Center on SUN 3/11 at 3:30pm. More info here – DON’T MISS THIS!

Twice a month, the librarians are in, with their favorite recommendations in Two Book Minimum, a toe-to-toe discussion on a book or topic, as well as news from the book world, updates from Lawrence Public Library, and beyond.

This episode was produced by Jim Barnes in the Sound & Vision studio. Our theme song is by Heidi Lynne Gluck. You can find the Book Squad Podcast on iTunes, opens a new window, Stitcher, opens a new window, or SoundCloud, opens a new window. Please subscribe and leave us comments – we’d love to know what you think, and your comments make it easier for other people to find our podcast. Happy reading and listening! xo, Polli & Kate