Growing Up Gay/Growing Up Lesbian: A Literary Anthology

 Growing Up Gay/Growing Up Lesbian: A Literary Anthology Edited Bennett L. Singer
1994
Weight: 15 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

This was one of very few lgbt books I was able to find when I was growing up, and I cherished it.  I remember trying to get my father to read it and offering to make a book cover for it so that he could read it on the plane when he was flying for business trips.  No one would have to know.

I did not realize that I was being introduced to some amazing writers I would later study in college, like Gloria E. Anzaldua, Audre Lord, Jeanette Winterson, and Dorothy Allison.  I would end up reading all of Annie on My Mind, The Well of Loneliness, Zami, Oranges are Not the Only Fruit, and Rubyfruit Jungle.  Dad should have taken me up on my offer.  

Lilies and Cannonballs

 Lillies and Cannonballs Review: Volume 1, Number 1: Spring/Summer 2004
Weight: 12 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

This literary review brought me back to a different time.  A time of Bush, Rumsfeld,  Cheney, War, the Patriot Act, WMDs (or the lack thereof).  It was a dark time, but we had no idea then just how dark it could get.  

Secrets of Tallulah

 Secrets of Tallulah: Histories, Mysteries, and Colorful Tales from Georgia's Nineteenth Century Mountain Resort by Brian A. Boyd
2003
Weight: 7.2 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

I have been to Tallulah Gorge several times now but, after reading this book, I would like to go back with new eyes.  It is hard to imagine photographers in the 1800's dragging all that equipment with them to take photos of people hanging out in the treacherous landscape.  I am glad they did though.  It is fun to see the old photos of when Tallulah Gorge was a big vacation destination.  

I have always loved exploring Georgia.  Day trips are easy to pack into the weekends and the dogs can go.  During the pandemic, it has been a particular blessing to be surrounded by so many trails, waterfalls, mountains, and outdoor activities.

Tallulah is brutal with all if its steps, but it is a great place to take someone from out of town, even though just looking at the suspension bridge gives me the shakes.  I am proud to say that, despite my fear of heights, I have crossed it several times.  I also feel that I should never have to do it again.

Mau Mau and Kenya

 Mau Mau and Kenya: An Analysis of a Peasant Revolt by Wunyabari O. Maloba
1998
Weight: 1.47 lbs
Method of Disposal: Donating

In college, I took a Women, War, and Militarism in Africa course.  It was hard, valuable, and a lot packed in.  How to cover all of Africa in one semester?  Our teacher tried to help us scratch the surface and inspire us to look further and regularly.  I remember her telling us that it is important to read news from other countries' media outlets and not just those in the United States.  At the time, my French Professor was encouraging the same.  It seems like obvious advice, though it definitely is not something a lot of people I know do.

This book was much like that course.  A detailed description of the Mau Mau but trying to pack a lot into one book.  It was valuable and insightful, and it made you want to look further.  It brings to light the strength of people standing up against colonialism and also the terrible things that they suffered and endured at the hands of the British.  It shows the complexity and problems with trying to define and easily contain people within one label.  It paints the Mau Mau in a very different light than what others had previously said about the them, something that was needed.

It has been a long time since that class, but it was a memorable one.

Cootie Shots

 Cootie Shots: Theatrical Inoculations Against Bigotry for Kids, Parents, and Teachers: Plays, Poems, and Songs Edited by Norma Bowles with Mark E. Rosenthal
2000
Weight: 1.9 lbs
Method of Disposal: Donating

I am not an educator, and I do not work with children.  I am confident that I would not be the best person to review this book.  What I do like, is having helpful conversations with kids about race, ability, sexuality, gender, consent, age, and culture instead of acting like every person is the same and that you need to see no differences.  This way of thinking hinders children, as they exist in a world where racism, sexism, ableism, etc DOES exist and then they do not have the words or comfort level to further explore and understand this.  If we do not have the language, we cannot learn and progress.

This book offers playful ways to get children talking and learning about diversity.  You know it is going to be good when one reviewer claims it will cause gender confusion in children and encourage cross-dressing!  Mostly this book receives 5 star reviews, and it looks like that particular reviewer was never inoculated.  Do you see what can happen?