Blog / 2019 / The Calm before the Creative Storm

October 7, 2019

For more about the animal ABC book I am making, check out this video. (It’s from the project’s crowdfunding campaign, which just ended.)

As you may know, I just said goodbye to social media for a while, and I am already missing it. Specifically, I am sad that I no longer have a space in which to share about the books I love. So, with today’s post and with every one I do about the alphabet book, I’ve decided I will tell you about what I have been reading:

  • Puddin’ by Julie Murphy

    This is the second in a series of YA novels about growing up fat in a little town in Texas. I liked Dumplin’ (the first book), but I definitely prefer the second one. You don’t have to read Dumplin’ to understand Puddin’ but it may add to the experience. Either way, I would strongly recommend skipping the movie version of Dumplin’ as it’s a whitewashed version of the book.

  • Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

    I am pretty sure that this novel started with Kingsolver discovering Mary Treat, a little known American scientist who corresponded with Charles Darwin. And then my guess is that she learned the strange history of Vineland, New Jersey (where Treat lived for a while) and felt compelled to bring it to life. However the story came about it, it’s a fascinating exploration of how our society understands truth/reality and how that understanding impacts women.

  • The Library Book by Susan Orlean

    The author uses the 1986 burning of the LA central library as a starting point but then takes us on a journey of discovery of the sacred institution that is the Public Library. I am listening to the book and, though Orlean is clearly not a trained voice artist, her reading adds a delightful texture to the information she shares.

  • The Vagina Bible by Jen Gunter

    This book gives you all sorts of details about the care and use of vaginas. It’s not a page turner, but I’ve enjoyed reading a chapter here and there ever since it came out last summer. Information truly is power.

UPDATE

June 24, 2020

Baby Sees ABCs is out and available here! You can see all the illustrations from the book in this online gallery.


Maybe this post made you think of something you want to share with me? Or perhaps you have a question about my art? I’d love to hear from you!

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