Book Review - Finding Normal: Sex, Love, and Taboo in Our Hyperconnected World by Alexa Tsoulis-Reay

 

Finding Normal: Sex, Love, and Taboo in Our Hyperconnected World by Alexa Tsoulis-Reay is a journalist’s exploration on how different people use the internet to find their community. Alexa finds people who identify in a variety of ways that are different from sexual norms. The book is based on a collection of candid interview series conducted for a popular magazine.

The book was interesting because each chapter was based on a different identity. The chapters were interesting to read even though I couldn’t relate to any of the people. I like that the author allowed each person to tell their story and then shared her assessment. I at first felt disgusted by some of the behavior but then I try to reign in my emotions and realize that sometimes, the people sharing their story do not want to be that way or I should be more empathetic and more open minded towards them. 

The book is split into two sections. The first section has mild taboo behaviors like asexuality, multiple partners, and age difference while the second half of the book might not be for everyone as it has more “extreme” ones.  I thought the book was well researched and written. I would be open to reading more articles or books by the author.

Book Review - Unearthing: A Story of Tangled Love and Family Secrets by Kyo Maclear

 

 

Unearthing: A Story of Tangled Love and Family Secrets by Kyo Maclear is about a woman who finds out the man who raised her was not her biological dad. In December 2018, three months after her father’s death, Kyo receives DNA results that shows that someone else is her biological dad. Kyo feels completely unmoored by the discovery and feels her life is unraveling. She starts to question her entire identity. 

Kyo decides to try and figure out who her father is. She tries to get her mother to open up and tell her the truth. However, Kyo finds that her mother is not forthcoming even though her mother is dying of cancer.

I was excited to read the book but my interest started to wane at many points of the story. I found it confusing when the author would jump back and forth in the book. It was hard to keep track of the events and felt the book was all over the place. I also found the book to be overly wordy and boring. It would be too descriptive on certain events and it was exhausting to read after a while. The author would repeat some of the same ideas several times. I thought the book would reveal a bunch of family secrets and have many twists but the main secret was her biological father was kept a secret from her.

I was more than 90% finished with the book before I decided that it was too boring to continue. I didn’t understand the connection that the author was trying to make with her relationships with her love for plants to her relationship with her family. I am sure a general connection could be said of any relationship. Overall, I am very disappointed in the book.

 

Book Review - Who's Your Founding Father?: One Man’s Epic Quest to Uncover the First, True Declaration of Independence by David Fleming

 

Who's Your Founding Father?: One Man’s Epic Quest to Uncover the First, True Declaration of Independence by David Fleming is about the author’s journey to unravel the true story behind the Declaration of Independence.  In 1819 John Adams comes across a story that can knock his political frenemy Thomas Jefferson down a peg or two. Adams came across an article that claims that Independence was declared fourteen months prior to Jefferson penning the Declaration of Independence. 

The story goes that before Jefferson wrote his document, a band of  fervent Scot-Irish patriots, whiskey loving Princeton scholars, and a well revered fanatical frontier preacher had gathered together in a remote corner of North Carolina to craft their own declaration of Independence. After being bombarded with unreasonable sanctions, tariffs, and laws  from England, they decided to formally declare themselves “free  and independent” from England.

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence as it was called came about after an all night session between a few noteworthy prominent citizens of North Carolina. The document was signed on May 20, 1775, a date that is on the state flag. Then the document faded into oblivion and its authenticity has been questioned by politicians and historians alike. The author, David Fleming, decided that he would take up the mantle from Adams and dig into the history of the document and see if The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence really did come into existence before Jefferson’s Independence document. 

I thought the title of the book was funny but I was a bit hesitant to read the book. I thought it was going to be one of those dull history books. I was actually pleasantly surprised on how much I found the book to be enjoyable. It was fun to read and very entertaining.

The topic wasn’t something I am very familiar with. I have read a few articles about the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence but, it was mostly the authors disproving the existence of the document. I learned a lot of interesting facts about the document from this book but also American history while reading this book. I felt that the book was well researched and goes into elaborate details. However, there were times when the story moved a bit slowly or had a lot of unrelated facts included. While I did enjoy the writing style of the author, some might find it too graphic or off putting and the author does give commentary for certain things. I would be open to reading more books by the author and learning other great things about history!

Book Review - The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology by Nita A. Farahany

 

The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology by Nita Farahany is a plea for countries to update their laws to protect people against the advancement of neurotechnologies. Imagine a world where someone can determine what you are thinking by your brain waves or figure out your political beliefs by analyzing your thought patterns. Or your thoughts being used as evidence for a crime you didn’t commit but thought about. In the near future, your own thoughts and feelings might be used against you.

On the flip side, a person suffering from epilepsy can receive an alert before a seizure. Students can consume drugs that can help them perform and remember better on exams. A person who is experiencing a traumatizing event can take a pill to help them navigate their circumstances better. Doctors can help people fight their addictions and live a better and fulfilling life. 

Neuroscience has made a lot of these things possible already. Neurotechnology will pave the way for humans to greatly benefit from our interactions with technology.  While it can be beneficial, it can also threaten our personal freedom if safeguards are not put in place. 

The book is a dense and informative read. The author spends time giving a brief description of current technology and how it is being currently used. She then explains why we would need to have safeguards in place for each particular tech. I like that the author also illustrates the impact of not having any laws in place for that tech and how it could adversely impact our lives.

I found the book to be an educational read. I learned a lot about the different tech and the advancements that companies and scientists were making in the field. I thought the author brought up a lot of good points and she made a strong case on why laws protecting our brain activity/thoughts are important. I agree with the majority of her points that these technologies would help advance us but can be detrimental if there is no limit on how the information is used— especially if a person’s information is used against them.

Book Review - How to American: An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents by Jimmy O. Yang

 

How to American: An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents by Jimmy O. Yang is a memoir from a stand up comic and actor about his journey into show business. Jimmy and his family emigrated from Hong Kong to Los Angeles when he was 13. He didn’t know nor understand American culture. He learned English by watching BET and trying to emulate others around him.

His parents wanted him to pursue a prestigious career such as a doctor, lawyer, or working in finance.  Instead, Jimmy went against his parents’ wishes and decided to pursue a career in stand up comedy. He realized that it was better to disappoint his family than spend his entire life in regret for not choosing a career that he loved.

Jimmy narrates his journey from leaving a career path that his parents wanted to his dream job. The path wasn’t as straightforward and prosperous as he hoped. Even though he had a few standup gigs, he still wasn’t able to afford rent. Jimmy even took a job as a strip club DJ in hopes of making rent.

I am familiar with Jimmy O. Yang and saw a few episodes of the HBO series “Silicon Valley” in which he appeared. He was funny in the show and his humor shines through in his memoir, including the photos with funny captions. It was interesting to learn about his journey and family but there were a few things that I was surprised to learn, like him working as a strip club DJ.

While the book was a funny read, it was light on some details. He mentions that he had a brother and his mother went back to Hong Kong to pursue her own dreams but they rarely made an appearance meanwhile he did get repetitive with a few of stories. I was surprised that when he goes into detail about some of his life, he didn’t provide any insights or introspect.  It was surprising that Jimmy expected to hit it big without having prior acting experience or training. I don’t have any experience in the field but it seems like a cutthroat business and not surprising when he wasn’t booking anything if he didn’t have the experience/training.

I felt that the ending was disappointing, it was basically how he started the book. I wish there was something more to explain about his future plans or goals. I am a little confused by the title, was this supposed to be a self-help book or a guide for immigrant kids or immigrant parents? Or perhaps, was it a tale to prove that sometimes going against your parents’ wishes, one can still end up successful? If you are a fan of Jimmy, then you might enjoy the book as it’s filled with his adventures and it’s a quick read.

Book Rview - Falling Upwards: Living the Dream, One Panic Attack at a Time by Jeremy Fall

 

Falling Upwards: Living the Dream, One Panic Attack at a Time by Jeremy Fall is about the author’s journey to manage a successful career while juggling his mental health issues. Jeremy Fall was raised by a single mom who managed a restaurant. Jeremy grew up blocks away from LA's infamous Skid Row and he and his mother struggled financially.

Skid Row is known for being an area where people who are down on their luck or addicted to drugs hang out. The majority of people who reside at Skid Row live on the streets. Society expects people who come from this area or surrounding area to stay there and not excel in life. 

At night, Jeremy would go into the kitchen in the restaurant and prepare snacks that would help calm his anxious, OCD mind. He creates things without following a recipe but to his own taste. Following his dad, Jeremy was drawn to the nightlife and wanted to create something that was low key but still fun and noteworthy. He created a few successful ventures in the nightlife and food space. He became known as “The Food Guy”. Many of his ideas were widely successful, creative, and out of the box. He used this idea of “paper clipping” two unrelated ideas to make a successful new idea.

As Jeremy continues to rack up accolades and achievements, he still couldn’t quiet the voices in his head that told him that he wasn’t good enough. He struggled with crippling anxiety that would leave him coughing and unable to focus on the situation at hand. Jeremy was hesitant to see a therapist or take drugs to help manage his condition until one day he decided he needed to stand up and take charge of his health.

I thought the book was an interesting read. I am not familiar with Jeremy Fall so reading about his work and accomplishments was new for me. I enjoyed reading to see how Jeremy tries to use his anxiety to his advantage until the day he realizes he needs help. It was a big step for him and anyone else who realizes when they need help and tries to get it. It was refreshing to read about his experiences with his therapist and finding the right treatment plan for him.

I liked reading about his different career paths and accomplishments. I did hear about the boozy cereal milk idea but had no idea the author was behind its creation. It was interesting to see his thought process in creating new ideas. His idea of “paperclipping” seemed cool and I am not sure if it can be applied to other areas but it was an interesting technique to learn about.

It was entertaining to read about his childhood and how his childhood experiences shaped him. He got his love for food from his mother and his love for nightlife from his dad and he paperclipped those two loves into a successful career. It was inspiring because he grew up with modest means and tried to be successful so he would never have to feel poor again. As someone who grew up in a similar financial situation, I can understand and connect with him on that level. 

I also tend to have a lot of anxiety and it was educational seeing someone else describe their anxiety. He had a similar experience and even our need to people please over our own wellbeing. We both tend to stress and overthink situations that are beyond our control. The author also shared a helpful tip on using a stop light when we find ourselves spiraling. We should stop to think about why we are thinking about it and then understand why we feel the need to continuously ruminate on it. Then we decide if it is something in our control or if we can do anything to change the situation. If not, we should let it go and move on. I found this helpful when I found myself stressing over something and was using a similar technique when I was trying to manage my anxiety. If you are a fan of Jeremy Fall, I think you would enjoy this book.

 

Book Review - A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind by Ann Burgess

 

A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind by Ann Burgess is about a trauma nurse’s journey to create a process to help identify serial killers and stop them before they hurt someone else. During the 1970s and 1980s, progressive activism and sex positivity was prevalent and underneath this forward movement for change was a dark undertone brewing. As cases of sexual assault and homicide began to rise, the FBI responded to the need by creating a specialized team known as the “Mindhunters” or also known as the Behavioral Science Unit in the FBI.

Typically the FBI agents previously used their gut instincts to find and catch serial killers. They needed someone to help create a process that can be used by others to help narrow down suspect pools. The team decided to tap Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess to help them because of her role and research with interviewing rape victims.

In the book, Ann details how her research on sexual assault and trauma garnered the attention of the FBI and how she ended up working with the team. Over the course of two decades, she and the FBI agents in the BSU help create and build a specialized team that focuses on identifying, interviewing, and capturing over a dozen of infamous violent offenders.

Ann illustrates and gives a detailed, behind the scenes look of the creation of the team. She describes their triumphs and roadblocks. She gives a graphic description of the murders and explains how the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit played a role in the capture of each offender.

As a person who loves reading true crime, I found the book to be an enjoyable read. The book covered a few cases that I wasn’t familiar with. I liked reading how Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess contributed to creating a team within the FBI that was dedicated to capturing these violent criminals. I feel that women’s contributions in certain fields are not as widely known or celebrated as their male counterparts. I like reading books that showcase the talents of women in their fields as it’s inspiring to read. 

The author gave enough details about each crime to understand it and then explained how the BSU helped capture the criminal. I also like that she went into details about the methodologies they used and explained industry key terms. Her narration style was easy to understand and wasn't overly technical. It was interesting to learn about the different tools investigators can use. For example, I learned about the “check attention” type polygraph and its purpose. The book included a few photos of past crime scene evidence and photos of the team. If you loved the Netflix show, “Mindhunters”,  you will love the behind the scenes narrative in this book.

Book Review - Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson

 

 

 

Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspective on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson is an examination of different topics based on facts and observations along with personal commentary. Tyson examines hot button topics that could unite and divide us as a country. He states each side of a topic and then dismantles both sides by stating empirical scientific evidence to provide why that stance is incorrect based on evidence. Tyson tackles a variety of topics including race, space exploration, political parties and many more. Tyson states that there is a difference between believing in something because it’s what you think is correct and what is actually true based on irrefutable scientific evidence.

While Tyson investigates the different topics he provides witty commentary and facts. I found this enjoyable to read and chuckle every so often. I found some of Tyson’s points to be profound and thought provoking and caused me to reevaluate a few of my own thought patterns. While Tyson does have his own biases and at times and also pokes fun at his own mistakes, he points out the logical reasoning behind different ideas. For example, he examines a few of his tweets that he based on facts when he wrote it.  The tweets emotionally caused a big commotion because of how someone felt about the topic regardless of whether the facts prove that they are wrong.

There were some topics that I felt didn’t need a whole entire chapter dedicated to. More specifically, the chapters dedicated to race, being a vegetarian, and what constitutes a disability. I felt like while they were important topics to be discussed, it seemed like Tyson was missing the point or the grander scheme of things. For example, while the merits of being a vegetarian/vegans are praiseworthy, Tyson pointed out that vegans are still killing plants and that plants are living things. While I understand what he is trying to say, no matter what type of eater you are, you are still killing something to survive. However, I feel like Tyson glossed over the fact that a lot of people become vegetarians/vegans to help combat global warming because of the toll animal husbandry has taken on our planet. I feel like some of the topics Tyson provided one or two main thoughts but failed to go into greater detail as to why it’s important.

I did enjoy the book but I wasn’t entirely sure what the purpose of the book was. Is it a call to action to help fight climate change? Was it a plea to spend more money on space exploration? Or is it a thought piece to unite people? Perhaps it was an appeal to remind readers that you can still base your decision on emotion even after you analyzed all the facts and statistics and that’s okay too.

 

Book Review - One Day at Disney by Bruce Steele and Bob Iger + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

The book showcases over 80 Disney cast members who speak about their day to day jobs. The jobs are diverse as the people who are employed by Disney. Readers get to take a sneak peek behind the "Cast Members Only" door to learn more about the people and their jobs.

The photographs were beautifully done. The book had a stronger focus on shows than the parks though. While they did a good job showing various jobs, one might notice a lack of less glamorous minimum wage jobs shown. Overall, it's a nice coffee table book for any Disney fans.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

Title: ONE DAY AT DISNEY

Author: Bruce Steele, Bob Iger (Introduction)

Pub. Date: December 3, 2019

Publisher: Disney Editions Deluxe

Formats: Hardcover

Pages: 224

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD, Target, DisneyStore

Disney+Subscribers can watch the original documentary on December 3rd!

Discover what it's like to report to work every day for The Walt Disney Company. Step behind the scenes to immerse yourself in one "ordinary" day at Disney. In addition to the book, the Disney+ team was on hand to capture stories along the way. A full-length documentary and 52 short-form episodes expand the profiles and delve deeper into the essence of what it's like to be a Disney cast member.

On a Thursday in 2019, a small army of photographers and videographers scattered across the globe to capture what goes on beyond those tantalizing "Cast Members Only" doors - whether eavesdropping on historic endeavors or typical tasks. All the photos in this book were taken on that single Thursday, beginning early in Tokyo and following the sun around the world through Shanghai, Hong Kong, Paris, Madrid, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and dozens of places throughout the United States. More than 40 hours after it began, the day ended as the sun set on the Aulani resort in Hawaii.

On that day, some 80 Cast Members agreed to open up their workshops, dressing rooms, kitchens, cubicles, TV studios, labs, locomotive engines - and some even more surprising and diverse work spaces. They also shared their stories: childhood dreams and chapters, career pivots and triumphs, workaday hurdles and joys. It was just a day in the life, as extraordinary as any other day at Disney. As any Cast Member can tell you, a Disney job is less a destination than a limitless journey. And for just One Day at Disney, we can all tag along for the ride.

Book & Documentary Trailer:

  

Link:

https://youtu.be/c3dukvXxtsc

About Bruce:

Bruce C. Steele is a journalist and Disney fan with a long career of profiling the famous and the unheralded, from the pastry chefs at the Biltmore Estate to the stars of Disney's Mary Poppins Returns. A Pennsylvania native and University of Alabama graduate, he started his career at a daily newspaper in Louisiana and most recently worked at the paper in his current home of Asheville, North Carolina. In between he was the executive editor of Out magazine and the editor in chief of The Advocate newsmagazine and also took time to get an MFA in film studies from Columbia University. He has lived in New York City and Los Angeles, where his husband was a Disney animator. He's now a freelance writer and regular contributor to Disney's twenty-three magazine. Apart from this book, some of his favorite past interviews have been Emma Watson, Sir Ian McKellen, Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson and crawfish farmers in the Louisiana bayou.

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About Bob:

Robert A. Iger Chairman and Chief Executive Officer The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Iger is the steward of one of the world’s largest media companies and some of the most respected and beloved brands around the globe. His strategic vision for The Walt Disney Company focuses on three fundamental pillars: generating the best creative content possible; fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology; and expanding into new markets around the world.

Mr. Iger has built on Disney’s rich history of unforgettable storytelling with the acquisitions of Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), Lucasfilm (2012) and 21st Century Fox (2019), as well as the landmark 2016 opening of Disney’s first theme park and resort in Mainland China, Shanghai Disney Resort. Always one to embrace new technology, Mr. Iger has made Disney an industry leader through its creative content offerings across new and multiple platforms, most recently leveraging cutting-edge direct-to-consumer technology to successfully launch the Disney+ streaming service on November 12, 2019 and ESPN+ in 2018.

Disney’s exceptional entertainment experiences, widely diverse content, and unique skill in managing businesses in an integrated manner have led to strong results. During Mr. Iger’s tenure, The Walt Disney Company has been recognized as one of the “Most Reputable Companies” in both America and the world by Forbes magazine (2006-2019); one of the “Best Employers” in both America and the world by Forbes magazine (2019 and 2018, respectively); one of the “World's Most Admired Companies” by Fortune magazine (2009-2019); one of the “World's Most Respected Companies" by Barron’s (2009-2017); one of the “Best Places to Launch a Career” by BusinessWeek magazine (2006-2010); and as “Company of the Year” by Yahoo Finance (2013).

Prior to his current role, Mr. Iger served as President and Chief Executive Officer beginning October 2005 and President and Chief Operating Officer from 2000-2005. Mr. Iger officially joined the Disney senior management team in 1996 as Chairman of the Disney-owned ABC Group and in 1999 was given the additional responsibility of President, Walt Disney International. In that role, Mr. Iger expanded and coordinated Disney’s presence outside of the United States, establishing the blueprint for the Company’s international growth today. As Chairman of the ABC Group, Mr. Iger oversaw the broadcast television network and station group, cable television properties, and radio and publishing businesses and also guided the complex merger between Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. and The Walt Disney Company. During Mr. Iger’s years with ABC, he obtained hands-on experience in every aspect of the television business—including news, sports, and entertainment—as well as in program acquisition, rights negotiations, and business affairs. He began his career at ABC in 1974.

Mr. Iger has been named one of the “World’s Most Powerful People” by Forbes magazine (2018); one of Fortune magazine's “25 Most Powerful People in Business” (2006, 2007); one of the “Top Gun CEOs” by Forbes magazine (2009); one of the “Best CEOs” by Institutional Investor magazine (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011); MarketWatch CEO of the Year (2006); and “CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive (2014). Mr. Iger serves on the boards of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Bloomberg Philanthropies. In 2012, Mr. Iger became a member of the Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies, which recognizes some of the world’s most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, and civic, corporate, and philanthropic leaders.

Mr. Iger is a graduate of Ithaca College.

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Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of ONE DAY AT DISNEY, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21022/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/18/2019	For the Love of KidLit	Review/Feature
11/19/2019	Pooled Ink	Review/Feature
11/20/2019	HBB Reviews	Review/Feature
11/21/2019	onemused	Review/Feature
11/22/2019	Fictitiouswonderland	Review/Feature

Week Two:

11/25/2019	Devourbookswithdana	Review/Feature
11/26/2019	Eli to the nth	Review/Feature
11/27/2019	BookHounds	Review/Interview
11/28/2019	What A Nerd Girl Says	Review/Feature
11/29/2019	Not In Jersey	Review/Feature

Week Three:

12/2/2019	BookishRealmReviews	Review/Feature
12/3/2019	Savings in Seconds	Review/Feature
12/4/2019	Life Within The Pages	Review/Feature
12/5/2019	Popthebutterfly	Review/Feature
12/6/2019	YA Book Nerd	Review/Feature

Week Four:

12/9/2019	Novel Novice	Review/Feature
12/10/2019	She Dreams in Fiction	Review/Feature
12/11/2019	She Just Loves Books	Review/Interview
12/12/2019	Nerdophiles	Review/Feature
12/13/2019	Paper Reader	Review/Feature

Week Five:

12/16/2019	Here's to Happy Endings	Review/Feature
12/17/2019	fictitious.fox	Review/Feature
12/18/2019	The Reading Corner for All	Review/Feature
12/19/2019	Wonder Struck	Review/Feature
12/20/2019	Simply Daniel Radcliffe	Review/Feature

Week Six:

12/23/2019	Odd and Bookish	Review/Feature
12/24/2019	Southern Girl Bookaholic	Review/Feature
12/25/2019	Two Chicks on Books	Review/Feature
12/26/2019	Thepagesinbetween	Review/Feature
12/27/2019	Two points of interest	Review/Feature

Book Review - Who Named Their Pony Macaroni? by Marilyn Singer + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

The White House has been home to a menagerie of animals. Some of the animals are well-known pets, while other pets were a bit "different".  The book employed mixed-media illustrations as a companion to the humor infused poems. However, I can't say I was a complete fan of all of the poems. Mostly because I don't really "understand" poems and I didn't know some of the facts in the poems. Thankfully, the author did include a blurb for each president but, I probably should have read it before reading the poems.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

About the Book:

Title: WHO NAMED THEIR PONY MACARONI?

Author: Marilyn Singer, Ryan McAmis (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: October 1, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 48

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

A family of mice. A runaway goat.

A mischievous snake.

A shocking parrot.

A pardoned turkey.

A pampered raccoon.

A ghostbusting dog.

A celebrity cow.

The White House housed more than presidents and First Families--who could forget the furry, scaly, feathered friends who impressed the press, guarded their charges, and kept them company through all the ups and downs of their respective terms?

Marilyn Singer's compelling poems will delight readers with stories of the creatures who sat beside our country's leaders, as she draws intriguing connections between the animals and the administrations they accompanied. Mixed-media illustrations by Ryan McAmis lend humor and vivacity, and detailed back matter explores each president's pet history in more depth.

About Marilyn:

Marilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.

In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.

Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.

Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.

Website | Twitter |  Goodreads | Facebook

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of WHO NAMED THEIR PONY MACARONI?, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21019/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/11/2019	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
11/12/2019	She Just Loves Books	Excerpt
11/13/2019	@fictitious.fox	Review
11/14/2019	Southern Girl Bookaholic	Review
11/15/2019	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt

Week Two:

11/18/2019	Wonder Struck	Review
11/19/2019	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
11/20/2019	Savings in Seconds	Review
11/21/2019	Nerdophiles	Review
11/22/2019	Two points of interest	Review