L’art de la Liste: Simplify, Organize, and Enrich Your Life by Dominique Loreau

Rating: ★★★1/2

Genre: Non-fiction, self help

Synopsis: Loreau finds simplicity and joy in creating lists.  Lists are the art of life, they help remind us of tasks we need to complete, of memories we’ve created, of the dreams we have.  There is an art to them, and they are a way of keeping track of our lives.

Review: Move over, diaries, lists are where it’s at!  L’art de la liste is a fresh take on organizing one’s life by organizing one’s thoughts.  Instead of organizing one’s house or one’s desk, Loreau offers the idea of organizing with the help of lists.  Movies one’s loved, memories one cherishes, places one wants to see.  By organizing lives in this way, Loreau suggests that lives can become more enriched, simpler.  It allows for a sense of calmness by having everything organized in a similar fashion.

This is a book that normally catches my attention, because I too, love lists.  I’m a sucker for these books.  And I think she does a great job at highlighting the different kinds of lists one can make with personal anecdotes and quotations–but as beautiful and as wonderfully this book is, I didn’t find myself super inspired to make many of the lists she suggests.  And she suggests a lot.  Of course, that could just be a personal thing–the fact that I have different types of lists that I enjoy making, and that of course there are other people who can really benefit from these lists.

Overall, this is well done and well crafted, though it didn’t inspire me to the fullest that I think Loreau wanted to inspire her readers.

Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics by Stephen Greenblatt

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Non-fiction, Shakespeare literature

Synopsis: Shakespeare was always political under his guises of histories, tragedies, and comedies.  From kings to generals to princes, he snuck in comments, if recognized, could have upended his career–or worse.

Review: YES.  This was a book where I underlined practically everything.  Was Greenblatt speaking about Shakespeare or today’s current climate?  And how is it possible that Shakespeare is so politically relatable today?  Perhaps, like McGinn might think, there’s a human nature within politicians.  But the more that Greenblatt spoke to the past political climate in Elizabethan England, the more it rang true and important.

Going over the teopics of multiple historical and tragedy plays such as the Henriad, Richard III, and Macbeth, Greenblatt makes the strong argument in the name of equivocation and how such strategies were necessary in a time when speaking against the crown could end with death.

And how did Shakespeare manage when the queen herself requested a play, and he had to perform said play in front of her?  Certainly, he was playing with fire.  And he had to.

So, Greenblatt asks us, what are we to do in the face of a tyrant?  We must survive, certainly, and use the tools we have in order to survive, but we must also leave an impression if we are able–of our disdain, dissent, disapproval.  We cannot let kings and presidents and prime ministers go unchecked.  Not when peoople are at risk

Overall, this was a compelling read.  Normally, when I read Shakespeare or think about the state of things today, it’s sometimes hard for me to comprehend politics–I’ll be honest.  So much goes on all the time that it’s difficult to catch up and understand what’s happening.  And by the time that understanding is there, politics has moved on to change something else.  Such is the state of the state.  I will say that this madde me understand the political aspect of Shakespeare much better, and I’m excited to read and reread the histories with my new understanding.  Certainly a must-read if you’re a Shakespeare scholar!

We Are All Greta: Be Inspired to Save the World by Valentina Giannella, illustrated by Manuela Marazzi

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Non-fiction, environmental justice

Synopsis: Using Greta’s logic, quotations, and pathos, Giannella and Marazzi create a compelling argument for political and individual change for the better of the climate.

Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  I was a little hesitant, because other books that focus on Greta really ONLY focus on Great and tokenize her and her mindset, arguably ignoring many other important climate change figures who are known but aren’t as, well, white.  But this book uses Greta as a symbol, utilizing her journey into becoming an activist, her personal changes, her quotations to bring us into her world and help us understand just the reasoning behind her feelings and logic.

Each chapter focuses on a different perspective, from the food on our plate to transportation to politics and policy change.  This book makes an argument for individual supply-demand change, as well as political change by using one’s voice, writing letters, showing up, and doing the work.

Accompanied by telling and well-coloerd illustrations, this book becomes a well-rounded, educational, and informative book that comes off as helpful, and not pushy.

Falstaff: Give Me Life by Harold Bloom

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Non-fiction, Shakespeare literature

Synopsis: Harold Bloom writes a portrayal of one of Shakespeare’s most loved characters–Falstaff.  Following the Henriad through The Merry Wives of Windsor, Bloom finds Falstaff as one of the strongest of Shakespeare’s characters.

Review: Told using quotations from the Henriad and The Merry Wives of Windsor, Bloom paints a portrait of Falstaff, one of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters.  Through quotations and academic sources, Bloom finds both tragedy and joy in this character.  Through Hal’s betrayal and Falstaff’s love of food and women, he makes for a jovial if not fool-hardy character.

I found Bloom’s writing here to be a lot more accessible–and fun–than his work on Cleopatra, and I appreciated the fact that Bloom looked at all sorts of sources for Falstaff–because they were available–when there was only one source material for Cleopatra.

Overall, I find that this is a respectable and accessible resource great for those studying Shakespeare and for those trying to understand the heart of this fantastic character.

Shakespeare’s Philosophy: Discovering the Meaning Behind the Plays by Colin McGinn

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Shakespeare nonfiction

Synopsis: McGinn looks at Shakespeare from a lens rarely used: philosophy.  Adding to the theatrical, literary, and historical studies, McGinn wonders about the thoughts behind Shakespeare’s written philosophy, how it can be interpreted, and perhaps who might have influenced him.

Review: You know how you’re supposed to highlight only important information, lest you have a page filled with bright yellow ink?  Well, oops.  My copy of this book has LOTS of yellow ink, because just about everything McGinn writes was both poignant, interesting, thought-provoking, and eye-opening.  Discussing six of Shakespeare’s plays including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and Othello, McGinn makes plenty of fantastic points.

Even after he discusses those six plays, he continues to discuss politics, gender, and romance.  Not only that, of course, the philosophy of skepticism, knowing oneself, and knowing each other.  He discusses Hume, Montaigne, Bloom.  Combining such concepts and authors together creates a fresh outlook on Shakespeare, his works, and the understanding of human beings as we know it.

In fact, many like to argue that Shakespeare alone changed the course of how we write and discuss human beings.  McGinn disagrees–certainly that understanding was present, but he was simply the first to do it.  And regardless, the characterization, plot twists, miscommunication or lack thereof, tragedies, comedies, histories have all changed thanks to Shakespeare.

Overall, this was a fantastic look at Shakespeare from a fresh perspective that puts into conversation many well-known authors, critics, and philosophers.  Certainly worth getting your hands on and reading!

What the Eagle Sees: Indigenous Stories of Rebellion and Renewal by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Teen nonfiction, Native American literature

Synopsis: Told through the lens of a metaphorical eagle–where we view a story as a whole, one long narrative, instead of individual events–Yellowhorn and Lowinger introduce a variety of topics such as the Trail of Tears, colonization, reform schools as well as rebellion, anthropology, and law.  Though the struggle and fight continues for indigenous folks, there are still many wins and successes that provide hope and empowerment across tribes and nations.

Review: This was an utterly fantastic book, and I’m so glad that I read it.  Summarizing historical events across not only countries but nations as well, What the Eagle Sees offers a hard, cold, but hopeful look at an ongoing genocide.  I know I’m pretty ignorant in a lot of aspects that were discussed int his book, but I knew at least a few things such as the #NODAPL events and reformation/assimilation schools.  But what this book does is not only summarize the events, but gives the actual numbers of those who fought and were assimilated, perished from disease, or were otherwise murdered.

And seeing those numbers made me pale.  And made me realize how little I actually knew or understood about their pain.

Filled with photographs, quotations from chiefs and warriors, explanations of eugenics, genocide, and experiments, lifted-with-privilege stories, and references, this title comprises the history of many nations.  I was glad to see information about nations now living in Mexico and the south-west United States, as well as nations who live in what is now Canada.  Being from the United States, I was only actively taught about nations that were around where our education was, and not necessarily history as a whole or across nations.

This is a hugely important book, and one written by Native American authors–which just goes to show that this book is probably one of the most honest and least biased out there.  Overall, I’m glad that I read this, and I hope to use this information wisely in the future as I continue learning more and more about the history and contemporary situations of native peoples.

Cleopatra: I Am Fire and Air by Harold Bloom

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Shakespeare literature, non-fiction

Synopsis: Cleopatra, one of literature’s most demure and impossible women, is a character unto herself and to those she interacts with.  Harold Bloom is here to help create a portrait of her, for scholars and actors to refer to.

Review: This was an interesting read, but it felt almost too obvious at certain points.  Large portions of Antony and Cleopatra were lifted and inserted here–for the benefit of context and explanation, I’m sure–but it was so much that I thought that I may as well just reread the play.  Though there were valuable pieces of nuggets, such as Bloom comparing and contrasting Cleopatra to Antony, and illuminating part of her role in history, I didn’t highlight nearly as much as I expected to.

I will say, however, that I’m glad that Bloom pulled quotations and passages from some of Shakespeare’s other plays–such as Hamlet–so that we could see just how different Cleopatra is from some of his other famous characters.  Though I do think a lot of it was more surface level (or maybe I’m just more familiar with Antony and Cleopatra than others), I also think that it is a useful text that answers a lot of questions many readers may have about Cleopatra and why she does the things she does.

How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare by Ken Ludwig

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Non-fiction, Shakespeare

Synopsis: Ken Ludwig has appreciated Shakespeare since he was a child, and wants to pass on that same love to his own children–and to yours!  How can you help your children memorize passages, understand Shakespeare’s language, and comprehend the themes of the play?  He’s created a foolproof lesson plan that’s sure to be loads of fun for you and your kids!

Review: So first thing’s first, when he says that he wants to teach your children Shakespeare, it’s primarily how to memorize passages.  Which isn’t a bad thing, though I did come into this expecting more of a multi-disciplinary look that taught Shakespeare from stage to film to philosophy.  However, Ludwig takes on a lot more than I expected, too!  He explains iambic pentameter, tricks on how to memorize passages (something that would have been helpful when I accidentally took an acting class…), and how to understand the true inherent quality and beauty in Shakespeare’s words.  He also offers a few history lessons so that we and our children can better understand the context from which he writes.

His selections of passages and plays were largely appropriate, though I was hoping for some more gruesome scenes for older children…but his children are quite young, so what can I say!  With him, we learn passages from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, the Henrys, and Much Ado About Nothing.  We have comedy, history, and tragedy in one book.  And with that comes a lot of explaining.

And he explains it all very well!  From his photographs to his font choices to the size of his typography, it’s all very clearly laid out, and is certainly a product of his research, experience, and dedication.  If I had children, I’d definitely use this book to help me teach them Shakespeare!

Noire n’est pas mon metier/Black is Not My Job edited by Aissa Maïga,

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Nonfiction, French lit

Synopsis: These 16 black actresses living in France have faced discrimination of all sorts, from casting calls to advertisements to pay to colleagues.  Here, they vent their frustrations with the industry they have chosen, and celebrate the successes they’ve had along the way.

Review: This was so incredibly interesting.  I know the average amount as any other American about our own entertainment industry, but so much less about any other country’s.  So to hear about the black female perspective in the French entertainment industry was certainly enlightening, especially given that only a fraction of the French films I’ve seen even have one black character.

Speaking from their experience moving from conservatories and upward into the acting industry, both film, television, and stage, these women make known their complaints.  Take, for instance, when one woman goes to an audition only to be turned away immediately: the character she was auditioning for was named Sandrine.  Which is, apparently, clearly a white person’s name.  Others have been asked to speak in an accent when they were clearly born and raised in France or other nearby French-speaking countries, and others had to bite their tongue and settle for questions about where they were from and how did they get their hair like that?

Even colleagues in the industry who were seemingly supportive ended up being the complete opposite.  They mention Viola Davis’ award-winning speech, and the fact that they have grown into women playing roles they would have never seen otherwise–despite the fact at how limited they are.

Overall, this was quite the interesting read that shed light on the racism and sexism in the entertainment industry.

Le féminisme by Anne-Charlotte Husson, illustrated by Thomas Mathieu

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Comic, feminist literature

Synopsis: Feminism can be a confusing topic if you’ve never set foot in the HQ section at the library.  Told in seven chapters with comics, feminism is explained from its conceptions to its current state of being.

Review: What a great read.  Spanning from history to the civil rights movement, to the current state of feminism, this is a great Feminism 101 read for those who are interested.  Of course, because this is French, we begin with French feminism and its beginnings with Olympe de Gouges, guillotines, and the right to vote.  We later go to France’s second wave, concerned with abortion (avortement) and Simone de Beauvoir.  But we also get glimpses of the United States’ version of feminism, as that is a kind of feminism that dominates the western world.

Certainly, as author and illustrator explain, there is no “one type” of feminism–shown to us by the many waves we have.  But this duo explain the differences between feminism and black feminism, illuminating Crenshaw’s coined term “intersectionality”.

This little book does a great job at condensing a really, really big topic in a concise way.  I think a lot of Feminism 101 books try to do too much or try to be too lighthearted.  This hit just the right balance.  By separating each section by a theme–French feminism, second wave, black feminism, etc.–they were able to narrow events and icons down to what was the most important at the time.  And the illustrations added to the levity!

A great intro text to feminism, and I’ll definitely be reading the other books in this series!