Amber's next event

Amber just sent me this event promotion picture last night. I am so excited and proud of my daughter!!! She is showing how much of a professional writer and an approachable human being she is. I love seeing her doing a reading or answering questions. With her second book dropping this summer, some really awesome events on the horizon, and her book being ordered by more libraries and book stores I truly believe her star is rising. 

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Hello Beautiful (adult realistic fiction)

     Ann Napolitano's Hello Beautiful is a book that under ordinary circumstances I never would have picked up. Adult fiction that isn't a chiller or issue centered--the everyday life of grown ups--is a genre that I tend to pass over. But I'd run out of inter library loans. My emergency stash of thrift shop/yard sale books was really low. 

     This past summer I'd been one of the winners of the Orono Public Library summer reading challenge. Hello Beautiful was one of my prizes. I thought "Might as well."

     Obviously I'm glad I did . I have no qualms whatsoever about ditching books I just can't get into. I read it through to the end. Even though one of my favorite characters gets a terminal cancer diagnosis. 

      A tribute to Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Hello Beautiful centers on nearly five decades in the life of a family with four daughters: Julia the planner, book loving Sophie, and the twins--artistic Cecelia and nurturing Emeline. The girls are extremely close knit, relying almost exclusively on each other. The parents seem for the most part disillusioned with marriage and life. The mother (Rose) is quite strict and judgmental. When 17-year-old Cecelia gets pregnant and insists on keeping the baby Rose kicks her out and Emeline goes with her.

      "For the first six days of William Waters's life, he was not an only child. He had a three-year-old sister, a redhead named Caroline."

     Unfortunately for William, Caroline's death had a devastating effect on his parents who parented him by what can best be described as benign neglected. Finally when he was ten he was recognized as a basketball player. Entering high school he started for the varsity team, gaining not only an identity, but a tribe. 

     When Julia and William wed it's anything but a marriage made in heaven. Julia is intent on pushing him to become a published writer college professor. Not gonna happen. When their union comes to a very messy end, not only do Julia and baby Alice leave William, but relationships in the larger family unit become strained in new and dangerous ways. 

     What I like best about Hello Beautiful is that it's told by multiple narrators and focuses on their perceptions and feelings in a way that does not create heroes and villains, but flawed and relatable human beings. I think it would be a wonderful read and discuss for open, honest, and trusting book clubs. 

On a purrrsonal note, I'm staying home (which is quite a privilege, one I won't have when I land a job) due to the predicted extreme windchill. The rest of the week will be super exciting. Tuesday and Wednesday I'll run the canteen for the Red Cross Blood Drive. Wednesday before that I'll make the rounds of the big campus career fair. Thursday I will be tabling for Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund. And Friday I'll be paparazzi for and participate in a Valentines goodie bag making event. I should be getting more pictures of the Valentines groups are creating for Operation Valentine. And I'm sure people will be talking about it. It should be a super rewarding week even if the weather outside is frightful. 

A great big shout out goes out to all who will be involved in the events. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Special gift

Today I have something special to share with you. This was Katie's Christmas gift to me about 20 years ago. The cup is one of my favorites. When the ornaments (angel and snowman) aren't on a Christmas tree they have a prominent place in my studio where I can see them every day. They remind me of Eugene and me. I use the box to hold stuff like erasers and pencil sharpeners. I think that we hold on to and treasure says a lot about us. So from now on now and then I'll share pictures of my treasured possessions. What objects do you treasure? What do they mean to you?

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The Bitter End (YA chiller)

     Are you ready for a winter immersive reading experience? Have I got a book for you. Alexa Donne's The Bitter End is a purrrfect read for a blizzard night with the wind howling like a banshee, snow ❄️ piling up, and maybe a power outage. 

     "Ms. Silva squirms under our hot gazes. It's seven against one.

     'I went out this morning to inspect the storm damage. We're completely snowed in. The drifts are five, six feet? Roads completely blocked.' She wrings her hands. 'Not that it matters. We can't call out, so there's no one to reach even if they could get here by car.'"

     The where is an isolated big old house on top of a mountain. The road up the mountain is sketchy even under the best of conditions. Under five or six feet of snow ❄️ it would be extremely hazardous even if they had a car or truck. Which they don't.  

      "So what is this? A digital-detox wellness weekend with noted hard-ass guidance counselor Ms. Silva. She's literally reported seniors to colleges for lying on their applications, and she got one kid's acceptance rescinded a few years ago, rumor has it. Somewhere there's a dartboard with her face on it, riddled with holes."

     The eight students (before they get distracted by weightier matters like staying alive) would gladly put some more holes in it. They all had signed up for more glamorous, exciting Senior Excursion options, only to be bumped to this nightmare at the last minute. They are not happy campers...

     ...nor are they a group you'd want together under the best of circumstances...

     ...never mind in a scene straight out of a survivalist nightmare. Whole lotta bad blood between these kids ever since an eventful party three years earlier. 

       At their first supper one of the students, Eden, drugs the chaperone so they can party. Do they ever! The next morning one of the boys is dead...

     ...And there's no way to call for help...

     ...And another blizzard is intensifying.

     If you're a real chiller affecianado you won't want to miss out on The Bitter End or on Donne's two previous cliffhangers: The Ivies and Pretty Dead Queens. 

On a purrrsonal note, here in Central Maine the temperatures are dropping. We're in for 2 days of really dangerous windchill, possibly accompanied by more snow. But aside from that I am living my best life. I had an amazing day yesterday. The morning was First Friday Bagels. I had my favorite: sweet cinnamon. In the afternoon I was paparazzi for a SWell event on planners where I got some seriously good stuff including 4 adorable squishies for little little land. Catherine complimented me on my running. More people asked for poster board for Operation Valentine. And so many people are so excited about it. It's like real world viral.

And the few with whom I've shared my next project idea are excited for it. 

A great big shout out goes out to all the groups who are participating in Operation Valentine. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Part 2

This is the book wrapped up and the valentines card I made for Eugene. 

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Good stuff

The earrings are the ones Amber gave me Saturday. Aren't they absolutely gorgeous? And the book has an interesting story. Yesterday on campus there was a blind date with a book event. There was a table full of beautifully wrapped books. Each had a description. They were free. I found one I thought would be awesome. When I unwrapped it I discovered it was on my to read list. I'm really looking forward to reading and reviewing it. There were also Valentine card making materials and I made cards for Eugene and my friend Bailey. 

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Why Facists Fear Teachers (adult nonfiction)

     Remember we recently looked at a book that described all the ways oligarchies put almost all of us in serious peril? Why Facists Hate Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy looks at the crisis from another angle, offering a ray of hope in the form of public schools and teachers. Author Randi Weingarten, former teacher and elected president of the 1.8 million member American Federation of Teachers, speaking from history and the personal experience of herself and colleagues, makes a cogent case why we all have a stake in public education. 

     As I think you're aware, public schools and teachers are under attack on many different fronts. There are book banners gunning for unprecedented numbers of volumes, especially those having to do with LGBTQ+ issues and the lived experience of people of color, and historical revisionists diligently whitewashing curricula. There is the taking away of needed resources as in the dismantling of the Department of Education. There are the voucher and charter schools trying to dismantle and replace public schools. 

     It's nothing new. Facist regimes have always early on targeted schools and teachers. Weingarten starts the book off with a description of the courageous resistance of teachers and students to the Nazi occupation of Norway in 1940. So why do they do this? She goes into great detail on four reasons:

*Teachers teach critical thinking, a skill abhored by authoritarians and dictators;

*Teachers create safe, affirming, and welcoming communities for all children and provide the resources that will enable all to thrive;

*Teachers provide opportunities for all which is anathema to those who want to perpetuate a very unequal status quo.

*Teachers build strong unions. Unions are a very strong force against facism.

     In her conclusion Weingarten gives readers a path forward and reasons for optimism but not complacency. I see Why Facists Fear Teachers as a must read for all who care about the future of public education and participatory democracy. 

On a purrrsonal note, I think it's so important to show up for our beleaguered teachers and school librarians. Talk to them. Find out what they need whether it's supplies or advocacy. Let them know you're there for them. Attend school committee meetings and town council budget meetings and don't be afraid to speak up. And if you have the time and inclination run for school committee/board. All too often conservatives try to pack committees with banners, censorers, and other similar minded people. From my eleven years on the Veazie School Committee I can tell you that you do have power and can make a real difference.  

A great big shout out goes out to public school teachers and librarians and their allies. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Me and Eugene...

...at his birthday lunch. He was having a great time. But he does not like having his picture taken. I'm the opposite as you can see. It was a wonderful lunch. The food was divine. I really enjoyed the conversation. Truly a day to remember!

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All Is Calmish (adult nonfiction)

     I almost didn't request Niro Feliciano's All is Calmish: How To Feel Less Frantic And More Festive During The Holidays. I've skimmed enough of these how to books to anticipate bullet points and dogmatism. And under usual circumstances I feel festive rather than frantic. But almost everyone I know falls into the other camp. So I'm always looking for the exception...

     ...and in All Is Calmish I've finally found it. Feliciano starts by asking readers what we actually remember about the last holiday season. She admits that she generally has to look at the pictures stored on her smartphone to recapture any memories with "a warm holiday glow". 

     She says that few people escape holiday stress. One of the things I like best about the book is that she takes into account the intersectionality of the stress. It doesn't take place in a vacuum. Rather it compounds the stresses that may already be going on such as divorce, financial challenges, or a family member's precarious health. 

     "What if this holiday could be different? What if this year we didn't get sucked into the vortex of overdoing and decorating, overspending and stressing? What if we gifted ourselves a meaningful holiday full of memorable moments of joy--ones that we could easily call to mind, year after year?...And what if we held on to a perspective on what really matters every day for the next month--and try to let go of what doesn't?"

     Feliciano's season transforming advice takes the form of thirty-one conversational reflections. The topics they're centered around are ones most of us can relate to: the numerous holiday great expectations;  the unexpected interruptions that can come at the worst times; the dramas that can spoil extended family togetherness; ramped up anxiety; and really disappointing gifts. For each one she not only gives good advice, but personalizes the reflection with questions. On the one about holiday conflict she asks:

"*What is one boundary you need to set this holiday to preserve your peace or the peace of those around you?

*Who can help you hold this boundary or remind you of it?

*What conflict is not worth addressing this year?"

     My favorite reflection is the one in which she reminds readers of the total messiness of the event we celebrate: the unmarried young teen traveling 90 miles on a donkey only to give birth in a messy, smelly, far from sanitary stable. Nothing about it screams Martha Stewart Live.

     I would highly recommend All is Calmish to just about everyone. I know I found it very thought provoking. I just suggest reading it well before December. OK, I know Febuary is probably a bit much. But how about October? That way it's good advice has more time to sink in. 

On a purrrsonal note, growing up in Beverly, Massachusetts, I really loved Christmas and the events leading up to it: decorating the tree, baking and decorating cookies, going to Boston by train to see decorated stores, visiting Santa... But I noticed that it didn't seem as joyous to my mother who seemed to be obsessed with fulfilling obligations: writing Christmas cards to seemingly everyone she'd ever met who hadn't died, making an elaborate meal for just our nuclear family... So when I became a mom I had a toss the obligations and make the most of the subtle and spontaneous mindset that serves me well today. Then in 2023 a Christmas that had the potential to be anything but was joyous. It was the Christmas exactly 3 months after my stroke. I was confined to home like we were during the pandemic spending most of the time working on basic skills so I could be back in school spring semester. I had no presents to give even my nearest and dearest. But surprises kept breaking in. The librarians kept me supplied with books 📚. Amber gave me kids' ornament kits and an Advent calendar with dear little figures of popular toys. Eugene took me on an enchanting decorated trail and drove around to look at Christmas lights. My best friend, Lisa Morin, took me to a special end of semester event at UMaine where people were overjoyed to see me. On Christmas I finally able to ditch velcro footwear for a really awesome pair of high tops I could finally tie before going to the family Christmas party. And my big seasonal epiphany: I gave my family and friends the best possible gift by being alive and getting better. I did tweak my holiday practices. Now I do my shopping at thrift shops and yard sales and start in January. By Thanksgiving they are ready to wrap and deliver. It makes December so much easier. 

A great big shout out goes out to Feliciano for creating this fine book and getting it published. 

Jules Hathaway 

On a purrrsonal note, I had a truly amazing weekend. Saturday was the family birthday lunch for Eugene which was held at Amber and Brian's. Katie, Jacob, Adam, and Brian's mother also attended. Brian made delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, corn chowder, and low sugar carrot cake. We had a delightful leisurely lunch enjoying each other's company. Amber gave me a beautiful pair of cat earrings. 

Then Sunday was the Orono Community Potluck dinner where Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund was involved. We helped with set up and sold tickets to our Valentines basket raffle. At first people were making Valentines. Then there was the dinner which was delicious. I let myself have one miniature chocolate eclaire which was heavenly. As the official paparazzi I went around taking pictures and getting really good ones. It was definitely an evening to remember. 

A great big shout out goes out to all who participated in both events. 

Jules Hathaway 

     

     

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Operation Valentine

This picture shows what's at the ❤️ of Operation Valentine. A group (in this case commuter students) creates a huge Valentines Day card for a group they value/admire/appreciate (in this case the bus drivers), collects signatures, and delivers the card. Last year started as a pilot project with 2 groups. This year I think there are over 50!!! I never imagined it would grow so fast. I think it can become a UMaine tradition and people agree. For the next two weeks this has to be my major focus. 

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Fight Oligarchy (adult nonfiction)

"...Today, one man--Elon Musk--now owns more wealth than the bottom 52 percent of American households. The top 1 percent own more than the bottom 93 percent. And the CEOs of large corporations make 350 times more than their average employee."

     In other words, because people have enough money to spend obscenely huge amounts on what strikes their fancy--for example $3.88 million on a Star Wars poster--millions struggle to acquire or die for the lack of the absolute basics--food, shelter, medical care... And,  according to Bernie Sanders, the evils of oligarchy go much deeper than the wealth gap. In Fight Oligarchy, a volume the size of my hand and the thickness of my fingernail, he explains the very bad direction in which America is going including:

*what oligarchy is and the evils it spawns;

*Trump's rise to power;

* and oligarchies around the globe. 

     One paragraph in that chapter really was an eye opener for me. 

     "All over the world, hundreds of millions of desperate people are unable to access food, clean drinking water, adequate health care, decent housing, or education. Children by the millions die of easily preventable diseases. Meanwhile, the world's top 1 percent have become $33.9 trillion richer since 2015. That, by the way, is enough to eliminate world poverty twenty-two times over."

     But Bernie wants us to rise up, not give up. 

     "The most powerful tool the ruling class has to protect their interests is to make ordinary people feel powerless. Their message: You are alone and there is nothing you, or anyone else, can do to stop us. We have the wealth. We have the power. We will prevail. Just shut up and get out of the way."

     Bernie reminds readers of times in America's history when injustices were overthrown and gives us a blueprint for what we must do to turn things around. If you're anything like me--extremely anxious about the direction this nation and the world are going in--be sure to put Fight Oligarchy on your reading list.

On a purrrsonal note, Bernie would really approve of Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund which I'm deeply engaged in. It's this wonderful manifestation of community, interdependence, and solidarity that is a needed antidote to the ruthless sink or swim individualism that prevails in America. We raise money for students, faculty, and staff encountering financial crises, build solidarity on and off campus, and do volunteering like our weekly cook and clean at a homeless shelter. Tonight we're part of the community potluck at the Keith Anderson Community Center in downtown Orono (where almost 37 years ago Eugene and I had our wedding reception and where for years I participated in plays and open mics). I'm so looking forward to this. The food will be delish. And because of the friendships I've made during decades of volunteering there will be people taking my dietary restrictions into account. And the lines between town and gown will be erased as people freely mix and mingle. It will be a night to remember. 

A great big shout out goes out to my BBMAF crew and everyone who will participate tonight. 

Jules Hathaway 

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On Guard (juvenile graphic novel)

     Recently divorced parents behaving badly,  having to travel between two different homes, starting seventh grade alone because your former bestie has traded you for a cooler chum--there's a lot for younger readers to relate to in Cassidy Wasserman's On Guard.

     Grace's parents have divorced over the summer. The split is anything but amicable. Grace lives with her father with whom she's comfortable. But she has to spend a lot of nights with her mother who essentially ignores her. And mommy dearest is setting a room up for Grace in her condo so she can spend whole weeks there.

     Meanwhile school is torture. Before their split Grace and Ava had signed up for all the same classes. Now Grace has to watch Ava be all chummy with her replacement, Lana, all day. And she doesn't have anyone else. Her acquaintances are all Ava's friends. 

     Having nobody to sit with in the cafeteria, Grace takes her lunch to the gym. She's in for a big surprise. The school's Fencing Club practices there. It looks like fun. And they're in need of new members.

     With an engaging plot, lively illustrations, and relatable characters, On Guard is a good read, especially for kids facing similar challenges.

On a purrrsonal note, yesterday started out less than optimal but turned out memorable in the best possible way. Tobago woke me up at 2:15 when it was all black outside. Just before 7:00 my ride canceled because of an emergency. Under ordinary circumstances I might very well have decided not to go to campus. But it was the day of the student organizational fair--my best chance to recruit student organizations for operation Valentine. So I trudged my way through knee high ❄️ on the uncleared woods path and tried my best to lose feeling in my fingers waiting for the bus. But it was abundantly worthwhile. I got five pages of organizations. Blew way past my goal of thirty. And people were so thrilled and touched--I could see the enthusiasm on their faces. By mid afternoon when the fair ended I was floating on air. If I play my cards right this could become a UMaine tradition.

A great big shout out goes out to all the wonderful UMaine organizations who have signed on.

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Operation Valentine

Well today was the spring semester student organizational fair at UMaine. There was an amazing number and variety of groups. Good to know there is this level of engagement in Black Bear Nation!!! I just spent the past hours making the rounds and signing groups up for Operation Valentine. OMG!!! I have 5 PAGES of contact information!!! Originally I was shooting for 20 groups. I've way blown by that. And people are so enthusiastic. This could become a UMaine tradition. This is what I wore. Pretty appropriate I'd say.

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How Girls Are Made (YA chiller)

     Mindy McGinnis's How Girls Are Made is a stone cold chiller without a Freddy Krueger, a Jason, a Pennywise, or any other antagonist acting with malice and forethought. No malignant entity lurking in basement, abandoned house, or deep thorny woods. The suspense builds as three teenager girls make choices and decisions in a world more complexly perilous than the one I grew up in or even the one my kids grew up in.

     "...It's not the first time I've had a smashed nose, not the first time I've heard my own bones break, and certainly not the first time my blood has escaped my veins, flowing down my skin. I've been hit a hundred times by just as many people, taking my licks and delivering my own.  

     But I've never been punched by my boyfriend."

     Shelby is a fighter on top of her game. She has a private coach, an agent, and a publicist. She's at least locally well known. When her boyfriend assaults her at school, breaking her nose, she's mandated to attend therapy for victims of domestic violence. She thinks that's bullshit. She's too strong to be traumatized. She's already over Jayden...

     ...but how she experiences and acts in her next relationship really makes this premise dubious.

     "My eyebrows are higher, my cheekbones more pronounced. My ears are smaller and my jawline is a straight, slicing plane. My lips are full and pouty, my nose perfectly shaped and positioned, my forehead no longer a broad eye-drawing mesa. Everything about me heartbreakingly gorgeous."

     Jobie lives on social media, addicted to the rush provided by likes and and comments. The problem is that she doesn't get enough. She has only 2,461 followers, 3,00 of whom are probably bots. She considers herself boring, bland, and basic and resents being cute instead of hot. A computer generated picture shows her the difference a whole lot of plastic surgery could make...

     ...It would cost $75,000. Seems like she'll do just about anything to get her hands on that money.

     "I look at my sister, whose face still holds a little bit of baby fat, thirteen years of life not melting it away yet. I'd seen her getting curious about shirtless boys at the public swimming pool this past summer, and if her official "talk" with mom and dad is anything like mine, it'll consist of them handing off an old romance novel and telling Farrah to let them know if she has any questions."

     Fallon also doesn't have much faith that what passes for sex education in the local  schools to do much good. With good reason. She doesn't want Farrah and her peers to be confronted with risky situations they have no clue how to handle. So she, Shelby, and Jobie create spaces for candid discussions off and online with the best of intentions...

     ...only to quickly find that they're way over their heads. They might find themselves headed to prison instead of college...

     ...or dead.

With it's truly engaging plot and tackling of very relevant issues I'd recommend How Girls Are Made to its target demographic and way beyond--like parents, high school teachers, and guidance counselors.

On a purrrsonal note, today is one of my favorite days of the year. It's my son Adam's birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊. He is such a good man. His dad and I are so proud of him. I'll celebrate by trying sugar free pecan delights.

I'm so looking forward to tomorrow. It's the student organizational fair. I want to get more groups to sign up for Operation 💝. We currently have 20. And I'm super looking forward to Saturday when we'll finally have Eugene's twice postponed birthday lunch and I'll get to see all my kids. 

A great big shout out goes out to Adam, the most wonderful son a mother could have. 

Jules Hathaway 

     

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Joy journal

Eugene had to work again last night. No, it wasn't snowing. He and his coworkers had to load the accumulated ❄️ into dump trucks so they can move it somewhere to make room for the next storm's snow. The snow mountains on campus are taller than me. True 4'9 1/2" is not all that impressive. But next time I'm on campus and have a few minutes I'll get a picture to share. (Today I'm getting work done at home, much to Tobago's delight.) Anyway in lieu of a semi inspiring snow picture here's another couple of pages from my joy journal. 

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What Kind of Girl (YA chiller)

     Former Nancy Drew fans moving on up to more sophisticated mysteries will really enjoy Natalie C. Anderson's That Kind of Girl. The very suspenseful, twisty narrative has it all: murder, intrigue, missing people and objects, a long standing family feud, and a truly bizarre treasure hunt. But mostly it's the story of two very different girls told in their alternating voices. 

     Roxie spent her childhood in a truly toxic environment. Her mother did her best to shield her from her abusive and domineering fundamentalist minister and cult leader father. A tragic incident left her orphaned and in foster care. 

     Now at 16 she's been adopted by her restaurant owner uncle. She's a student at Saint Madeline Prep. She doesn't really socialize with her classmates. But they come to her whenever they need something found or erased from social media. One day she gets a new client and goes to her mansion to discuss details...

     ...only to discover Kirsten dead, lying in a pool of her own blood. With no evidence of anyone else on the premises Roxie, now a person of interest, has to clear her name somehow. 

     Inez, a little older, still lives in her childhood trailer. She'd lived with her mother until the older woman's recent death. Now she has a job with a cleaning agency doing everything from college dorms to private residences. Because she can't earn enough through that income stream she supplements it with free lance sex work.

     One party she provided her services at went horribly wrong. She keeps finding blood on her garments. Sure that she's killed someone, she's wondering when the police will find the body and start investigating cause of death. 

     Although Roxie and Inez live in different worlds, they're gonna need each other's help to survive the challenges life has thrown at them...

     ...hopefully they'll figure that out before it's too late.

     Readers who like solving mysteries before the last chapter will find That Kind of Girl to be a delightful challenge. 

On a purrrsonal note, when Eugene came back from plowing all night I made him breakfast and asked him for a ride to campus. Was I ever glad that I did. I found another student group to engage in Operation Valentine. I attended an e event that had wraps I could eat onthe diet from hell. I also got a huge boxed salad to take home there. I got a lot of free tomato/feta/spinach/egg whites wraps to take home in the free food fridge. A friend gave me a bag of sugar free pecan delights. I scored 3 inter library loans and 5 in house books from Orono Public Library. I now have two hours to read before bed. So I had a very wonderful day. 

A great big shout out to my good friend Gwyn who will be celebrating 🍾 her birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 tomorrow. If I could think of the word that describes her best it would be compassionate. She works in student wellness where lots of people come to her for advice and encouragement. UMaine is lucky to have her. Happy birthday, Gwyn! Hope your day is as special as you are!

Jules Hathaway 

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Snow day

UMaine had one today. I imagine a lot of schools around here did. The white stuff started falling yesterday evening and hasn't completely stopped yet. Eugene was called out to plow before midnight. He got home in time to eat supper and grab a little sleep before he goes out again. Tobago thought she wanted to go out. She would have been buried in all the snow or blown away by the wind. So she dozed intermittently in her cat bed. Way to stay warm and irresistible. 

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The Amazing Generation (juvenile Nonfiction)

     I became intrigued by the premise of Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World. Haidt is a social psychologist who has extensively studied the adverse effects of social media on teen health. Price is a science journalist and former middle school teacher whose goal is to help people "scroll less and live more". Their collaboration on a topic that has traditionally been addressed to adults was something I had to get my hands on...

     ...Fortunately I did not have to wait for it to arrive by inter library loan. Orono Public Library had just acquired it and happily let me be the first to take it out, hoping to get my opinion. I give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up. And in this review I will give you all the reasons. 

     First I love that it's addressed to the kids. Traditional books on this topic tell the parents how to protect their kids from internet evils. I believe also addressing tweens is developmentally appropriate. Preteens are at an age where they're rapidly changing, gaining increased responsibilities, and yearning for more autonomy. Unfortunately companies who market products directly to kids push the image of parents as clueless buzzkills, encouraging insurrection. 

     I'm not, however encouraging parents to take a take a hands off approach. You need to know how your kids use social media. There are situations you have to take decisive action. But in lieu of alarming evidence, maybe collaborate rather than dictate. 

     The authors operate on the radical concept of giving kids the truth about social media companies: that they're not kid friendly, that their executives won't let their own kids use their products, that they see consumers as cash cows and resist all attempts to make their products more safe for kids. They empower youngsters by providing the inside scoop on topics like how the companies make apps addictive, how they gain personal information and make big bucks off of it, and the effect overuse of smartphones and apps can have on one's physical, cognitive, emotional, and social health. And they give ways tweens can enlist adults as allies. 

     They're not all smartphones are evil; social media is Satan. They're more about getting a better online/offline balance and avoiding the dangerous sites and apps. They give tweens lots of ideas for offline fun and strategies for lessening the time they spend online. 

     They have plenty of advice from teens and people in their early twenties who tweens will be most likely to look up to and relate to.

     There is a good amount of illustrations including a graphic story woven through the text that follows a group of friends dealing with social media issues. 

     If I was a parent or teacher of preteens I'd run right and buy a copy of The Amazing Generation. It's a most excellent acquisition for public, school, and family libraries. 

On a purrrsonal note, it's the frigid calm before the storm here in Central Maine. The flakes are supposed to start falling about 6:00 which means Eugene will probably be plowing all night. The meteorologists are constantly changing their minds about how much to expect. Right now they're predicting 8-12 inches. I am so over winter and ready for spring. 

A great big shout goes out to you, my readers. If you live in that wide swath of America predicted to be in the blizzard's path don't go out unless you have to (you'll have the heartfelt appreciation of the professional snowplowers) and if you have to go out dress and drive defensively. If you have any medically fragile friends or neighbors or family members try to check in to see how they're doing. 

BTW with this review I'll be just 39 books short of 3,000 I've reviewed in this blog. Any ideas on how I should celebrate when I achieve this milestone?

Jules Hathaway 

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New clothes

This is my haul from yesterday's clothes swap. Pretty impressive I think. Also it was much more fun than solo clothes shopping. For years I've noticed that people talk to others, even total strangers at theseevents. Complimenting each other on finds, sharing the enthusiasm. Way back when she was in high school Katie, my younger daughter, needed a prom dress. She didn't want her dad to spend a lot of money on it. The ones in the stores were so expensive. I took Katie to a free prom dress event. There was an amazing variety of colors and styles. Katie quickly found not only a dramatic black and white number that fit her perfectly, but matching shoes. Girls and their moms were urging her to try it on and when she modeled it they were exclaiming how beautiful she looked and how happy they were for her. 

Temps in central Maine are dropping rapidly with a blizzard predicted for Sunday night. The kids have postponed Eugene's birthday lunch again. Eugene and I went to Governors for breakfast. But I plan to spend the rest of the weekend inside with precious Tobago. 

If you live in the wide swath of America that will be hit by nasty weather PLEASE dress defensively when you have to go outside. 

Jules Hathaway 

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The Academy (adult fiction)

     If you like narratives set in boarding prep schools where what goes on behind ivy covered walls is not always in accordance with the rule book do I have a book for you!!! The Academy covers an eventful academic year at Tiffin Academy in New England. What I really like about it is the complexity it conveys. It's not just the underdog student(s) against the bullying, evil, and/or demon possessed peers (and sometimes colluding adults). Not that those can't be super engaging. There is a lot more nuance. And rather than focusing on just the students or just the adults the characters who come alive as individuals are students, faculty members, and administrators. (You'll be grateful for the lists at the front if you're anything like me.)

     On Tiffin move in day Head of School, Audre Robinson, is greeted with very unexpected news. America Today's ratings for boarding schools have dropped. Tiffin has been ranked second best in the nation. It's a seventeen spot leap from the year before when they were elated to be in the top twenty-five. 

     "Being ranked number two consumes our group chats and private stories, not because anyone actually cares (notable exceptions: our parents, who feel like their tuition dollars have increased in value, and sixth former (senior) Annabelle Tuckerman, who believes this is somehow gonna help her get into Princeton) but because it feels as if the dark cloud that has been hanging over camp since Cinnamon Peters died just let in a stream of sunlight."

     Late in last year's spring semester a fourth form (sophomore) girl had been found dead in her room. Suicide. She was a very much loved member of a very small student body. There was a lot of grief, of why didn't I see/do/say something. People are still grieving, especially her football star boyfriend and her bestie. The only new junior, Charley, has been admitted to replace her and given her old room. 

     The ratings bump does help Tiffin in many ways, especially in attracting a larger prospective student pool to choose from. But it does have a downside. A number of other boarding schools in the coalition have launched an investigation into whether it's all legit. It's a real stressor for Robinson who has no clue what happened or guarantee that it was all legit and above board.

     Added to that Zip Zap, an administrative nightmare come to life, appears on campus. The anonymous person or persons behind it dig up and broadcasts scandalous revelations on students and adults--all true--while totally deluding unmasking.

     There's a student trying to turn an old bomb shelter located under the dorms into a posh speakeasy where the liquor will flow to underage teens. 

     Then there are the relationship problems involving students, faculty, and administrators. Some are pretty sketchy. One involves crossing a line that should never be crossed being crossed. 

     I hope I've piqued your curiosity. The Academy is a wonderful engaging read, perfect for long, dark, cold winter nights. 

On a purrrsonal note, I am having a purrrfectly fabulous day. Tobago snuggled with me being all affectionate while I read my online newsletters and did my online crossword puzzle. Bailey gave me a ride to campus. So many people were so glad to see me. They loved the light up Hello Kitty and Friends shirt Eugene gave me. When I got there the career center people were having a career fair centered around the helping professions. They urged me to make the rounds. As always it was like trick or treat. The organizations had all kinds of merch to attract people: pens, highlighters, notebooks, postit pads, Frisbees, flashlights etc. for me and balls for Tobago to chase. Commuter Lounge was having a clothes swap. I got 2 pairs of shoes, Hot Topic jeans, a really warm sweater, a white Victoria's Secret Pink hoodie with gold sequin lettering, and a UMaine hoodie for free. Then I went to a prize spin table and got a top prize (a UMaine 👕.) I found a super picture for a cat tattoo. Gwyn will give me and all my stuff a ride home. I have supper all ready to heat and eat. And I have a good book to read. Who could ask for more?

A great big shout out goes out to all the people I encountered and, of course, precious Tobago. 

Jules Hathaway 

     

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Snow ❄️

Central Maine got hit with snow yet again. Eugene got called out to plow at midnight and was blizzard battling about 10 hours.

That gorgeous Squishmallow cat 🐈 😻 and Hello Kitty shirt are the ones Eugene surprised me with yesterday. The shirt actually lights up. Now can you see why I was so blissed out?

Bailey and Cam dropped off two garbage bags full of bottles and cans this morning. I am very grateful for their contributions to precious Tobago's health savings account. Yesterday Diane gave me a ride to cash in $45.05 worth of returnables. 

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What To Eat Now (adult nonfiction)

     I've been struggling with how to eat a healthy diet to keep my blood pressure down and prevent a second stroke while consuming enough to not lose too much weight for over two years now. My primary care provider said "Exercise Moderation." I needed actionable steps, not pithy slogans. My neurologist said "Eat meat" which even I knew was a bad idea. So I turned to books which ranged from the didactic to the confusing. I was eating stuff I didn't like--dreading breakfast so much I didn't want to get out of bed--and every time I ate supper with my husband it felt like playing Russian roulette. I stopped looking at the scales when they dipped below 90. If someone invented pills that gave me all the nutrients I needed to take the place of food it would have felt like a dream come true. 

     Then last year, hunting for more blog worthy books 📚 to order by inter library loan, I saw a ray of hope on the horizon: Marion Nestle's just dropped What To Eat Now. I put in a request for it speedy quick. 

     I've read some of Nestle's previous books on all aspects of foods. She has academic cred and institution affiliations. She's won prestigious awards. But she writes so people without advanced degrees in nutrition can understand it. And she writes with passion and anger on our behalf when corporations are behaving badly. She asks the inconvenient questions. If I was marketing highly processed food to kids she'd be someone I wouldn't want to encounter. She has no qualms about pissing her colleagues off. She's certainly earned my trust. 

     Actually What To Eat Now is a revision of her What To Eat (2006) which she wrote as a response to the questions many people were asking her. Addressing not only the questions themselves, but the the very real anxiety behind them she began researching grocery stores, talking to industry people, and doing a lot of reading. When the pandemic hit, giving her the space to revisit the book, she realized that so much had changed a whole new book was needed.

     Nestle uses a very user-friendly format. Almost all of us have pushed carts through supermarkets. She tackles different food types that we'd consume or feed our children or fur babies in the order in which they'd appear. She addresses questions like nutrition, safety, and affordability. Some sections have subchapters on relevant issues. At the fish counter she weighs the risks (toxic chemicals) versus benefits (omega-3 fats) of fish consumption. 

     To my surprise and delight she answered two of my personal questions. The plain kind of Cheerios (which I switched to when I could no longer make myself eat Raisin Bran) is a perfectly good cereal choice. And feeding cats only wet food is the best. Now I can tell Eugene that not only does it keep cats from becoming obese (especially indoor cats who don't get the hunting/fleeing from predators exercise of the outdoor felines), but it prevents kidney problems and is safer because of the way it's manufactured. 

     Nestle wants us to think beyond our personal food choices to their impact on the larger world. What impact will they have on the environment? Will the workers from farmers to grocery store workers be paid adequately and treated with dignity? Will the animals that are raised for food suffer unnecessarily? She threads these issues throughout the book. This social justice aspect is one of the most exciting aspects of the book for me. She ends with this truly inspiring paragraph:

     "You eat. Willingly or not you participate in the environment of food choice. The choices you make about food are as much about the kind of world you want to live in as they are about what to have for lunch. Food choices are about your future and that of your children. They are about democracy in action. I am thoroughly convinced one person can make a difference. Food is an excellent place to make that difference. Yes, you should take personal responsibility--informed personal responsibility--to make food choices you believe in. But do more. Advocate for your beliefs...Exercise your first amendment rights. Speak out. And enjoy your dinner, knowing you are creating a better world for yourself and others, now and in the future."

     AMEN TO THAT!!!

     I'm feeling guardedly optimistic about food for the first time since the stroke. Like I can understand it, like maybe in the future eating can be something I like rather than a dreaded chore. I will keep reading. I'll bring questions to nutritionists on campus. And when it gets warmer out I'll explore the four supermarkets that are accessible by bus and take extensive notes. 

On a purrrsonal note, I'd left Eugene a grocery list. Being the only driver he's the logical shopper. He not only bought the items and more, but also picked up a Hello Kitty and Friends shirt and a beautiful big orange Squishmallow cat. Those dear unexpected gifts really lifted my spirits on a bitterly cold 🥶 winter short Maine day.

A great big shout out goes out to Marion Nestle for making nutrition understandable, defending us from the profit obsessed big food companies, and championing a social justice focus. Also to my Eugene for being such a wonderful, thoughtful 💕 ❤️ 💖 husband. 

Jules Hathaway 

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FW: Joy journal

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-------- Original message --------

From: "julia.hathaway" <julia.hathaway@maine.edu>

Date: 1/20/26 10:10 AM (GMT-05:00)

To: Julia Hathaway <beaniebabylover@gmail.com>, Mazie Hough <hough@maine.edu>, Catherine Segada <catherine.segada@maine.edu>, Bailey Lewis <bailey.lewis@maine.edu>, Amber Hathaway <hathaway.amber@gmail.com>, Katie Hathaway <khathaway93@gmail.com>, Cam McDonnell <cam.mcdonnell1@maine.edu>, library@orono.org, Emma Smith <emma.h.smith@maine.edu>

Subject: Joy journal

Well here's another two pages from my joy journal. It's another cruel windchill day in Penobscot County, Maine. The little scientist in me is reminding me that to cut down on the proliferation of pathogen packing parasites and global climate change it has to stay a whole lot colder a whole lot longer. The me that will have to bus commute on the regs all too soon is la la la not listening. If I could drive life would be so much easier, especially in winter. Or if only I could live in Portland where there's better bus service and a more lively, diverse population and more to do. At least I can look forward to Eugene's postponed birthday family lunch on Saturday. And at least the tree is still up.

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FW: Joy journal

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-------- Original message --------

From: "julia.hathaway" <julia.hathaway@maine.edu>

Date: 1/20/26 10:10 AM (GMT-05:00)

To: Julia Hathaway <beaniebabylover@gmail.com>, Mazie Hough <hough@maine.edu>, Catherine Segada <catherine.segada@maine.edu>, Bailey Lewis <bailey.lewis@maine.edu>, Amber Hathaway <hathaway.amber@gmail.com>, Katie Hathaway <khathaway93@gmail.com>, Cam McDonnell <cam.mcdonnell1@maine.edu>, library@orono.org, Emma Smith <emma.h.smith@maine.edu>

Subject: Joy journal

Well here's another two pages from my joy journal. It's another cruel windchill day in Penobscot County, Maine. The little scientist in me is reminding me that to cut down on the proliferation of pathogen packing parasites and global climate change it has to stay a whole lot colder a whole lot longer. The me that will have to bus commute on the regs all too soon is la la la not listening. If I could drive life would be so much easier, especially in winter. Or if only I could live in Portland where there's better bus service and a more lively, diverse population and more to do. At least I can look forward to Eugene's postponed birthday family lunch on Saturday. And at least the tree is still up.

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Raising Hare (Adult Memoir)

     "Since that first day when I found her it has felt as if a spell was cast over this corner of the earth, and me within it. I have stepped out of my usual life and had the privilege of an experience out of the ordinary. Had it not been for the unique circumstances of the pandemic, I would never have come across the hare, and my life would have continued along its familiar 

Grooves." 

     Chloe Dalton's Raising Hare is a book I never would have put on my reading list. Memoirs are not a genre I enjoy. In fact I would have passed it over in a heartbeat except for one thing...

     ...my son, Adam, gave it to me for Christmas. When Adam gives or recommends a book it's one I wouldn't think to pick up. But it becomes one I wouldn't want to have missed out on. Raising Hare is no exception. 

     Dalton was a political adviser to public figures, putting her career above all else. She worked on weekends and holidays. She avoided making fixed plans that would render her unable to grab a bag and travel to deal with a crisis on a few hour's notice.

     Then, like so many of us, she found her life derailed by the pandemic, forced to move from London to a secluded home in the English countryside. One day she found a leveret, a baby hare, lying alone and was faced with a dilemma. If she left it where it was it would probably be devoured by a predator. But if she tried to care for it it would probably die.  As you can probably guess she took it home and tried to raise it as a wild creature destined to return to the wilderness rather than as a pet. There are four strands to her narrative. 

     The first is her observations which are perceptive, detailed, and often quite beautiful. The leveret doesn't die and matures and gives birth to leveret litters of her own. Although Dalton doesn't try to domesticate them to the point of not giving them names, they inhabit her home and garden as well as the wild spaces beyond. 

     The second is the knowledge she gains from her wide ranging research on hares. In fact each chapter begins with a colorful quote she gleaned from her readings. 

     The third is her candid observations on how the experience changed her profoundly. She came to see that the constantly on call, low commitment lifestyle she'd formerly considered freedom was actually exhausting. 

     "Whereas I had been impervious to the well-intentioned advice from friends [about the danger of burnout], the leveret worked upon my character soundlessly and wordlessly, easing some of the nervous tension and impatience that I had been living with as a result of a life constantly on the move and on call for others."

      Finally there are her epiphanies about the impacts of humans on the natural world and animals.

     Winter can be a good time for slowing down and reflecting. If this is appealing to you Raising Hare is a good addition to your to read list. 

On a purrrsonal note, we in central Maine have been buried under yet another snow storm. Eugene got called out to plow in the middle of the night. He just got back and is eating the breakfast I cooked for him. I've set a goals for myself for this last day before spring semester starts: reading all of Marion Nestle's What To Eat Now. I sent for it by inter library loan two months ago. It's a hefty book the size of a grad school science textbook--as thick as my thumb is long--584 pages not counting appendices. So the chances of reading it in one day--slim to nonexistent. But it's something I have to do. 

A great big shout out goes out to Eugene and the other blizzard battlers. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Christmas tree

Sadly I've had to take the ornaments off. But it's still pretty with the lights. Eugene had sort of a lemon of a birthday. Blame it on the ❄️. It postponed his party 🥳 🎉. And he had to plow the mess from yesterday afternoon till sometime this morning. 

Speaking of ❄️, he's finally decided to share the shoveling. He left me the paths to the oil tank and the shed to clear. YES!!! Outdoor exercise and fresh air. Nagging can pay off big time. 

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After We Burned (YA chiller)

     "She deserved more than what Fenix, Colorado could offer.  She deserved a loving home. A future. But all she gets now is a hypocritical memorial service and a place in the cold, dark ground. She's stuck here forever, and so am I."

    In the wee hours of the morning in a town dominated by the powerful Lewis Industries a school burns. A girl dies jumping from a second story window. As we learn at her funeral her death is considered a suicide...

     ...Or was it? Marieke Nijkamp's After We Burn is narrated in alternating voices by teens:

*Eden, the deceased, shares the story of that fateful night when she broke into the school to get out of the rain and sees muddy footprints where there shouldn't be any;

*Peyton, a close friend who knew that Eden was trying for a better life, not death. They were attempting to run away together. Now with Eden dead she feels trapped. Eden had been her safe space, the only person in Fenix she had been able to trust. 

*Kelsey, a student who had been molested by a popular chemistry teacher--a member of the all powerful Lewis family--and then called a liar by school administration when she tried to report him. She and her friends had been in the school spray painting accusations in Mr. Lewis's room the night of the fire. 

*Theo, a neighbor and close friend of Eden who is convinced that Eden would not have killed herself. Sneaking into the school nine days after the fire he finds alarming evidence. An aspiring journalist with a reporter mother, he wants to uncover and expose the truth. 

     Unfortunately there are very powerful people who are equally motivated to hide revelations that could threaten the status quo.

     After We Burned is a suspenseful novel with relatable characters and a complex and well crafted plot. It deals with an issue many schools try hard to not deal with. I highly recommend it for more mature YA readers. But I'd be remiss if I didn't give trigger warnings for molestation of students and domestic violence. 

On a purrrsonal note, well Mother Nature is not playing nice. According to the meteorologist we're about to be slammed by another big old storm. Which means that Eugene will probably have to plow on his birthday. And we've postponed the family birthday lunch until next Saturday. 

A great big shout out goes out to the one and only Eugene.

Jules Hathaway 

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Eugene's birthday 🎂

Tomorrow is my beloved husband's birthday. He's the opposite of me when it comes to birthdays. I celebrate mine at least a week and love parties. He considers his just another day and probably would be happy for everyone to forget. SO NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!! The family will get together for a birthday lunch tomorrow at Amber and Brian's. And I've baked a molasses cake (his favorite) for supper dessert. And as a gift to you I'm sharing Eugene's mom's recipes for molasses cake and baked macaroni and cheese--a cold weather comfort food. 

Molasses Cake 

1/2 cup shortening 

2 cups flour 

1 cup molasses

1 cup hot water

A little ginger 

1 tsp baking soda

Mix ingredients together. Bake 1/2 hour at 350. Top slices with generous portions of whipped cream or Cool Whip.😋

Macaroni and cheese 

Chop up a block of your favorite cheese. Cook a box of elbow Macaroni to desired tenderness. Add cheese and 3/4 cup margarine or butter. Mix together. Add milk til it reaches the top of the ingredients. Bake an hour at 375. Top should be golden brown. 

I'm taking the ornaments off the tree. Such a sorrowful task. 

Hope you have a good weekend. 

Jules Hathaway 

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The Lost Women of Science (juvenile Nonfiction)

     Recently, scanning the new book section of the Orono Public Library, I found a volume that Amber who has a PhD in physics would insist that I review. In her younger years she really enjoyed reading about women scientists--especially those who didn't get to enjoy the acclaim they deserved. As an adult she really wants today's girls to be able to learn about and be inspired by them.

     Melina Gerosa Bellows and Katie Hafner, authors of The Lost Women of Science, learned about Dr. Dorothy Anderson in 2021. Barred from becoming a surgeon because of being a woman, she became the pathologist who identified and described cystic fibrosis, enabling other scientists to develop treatments to prolong the lives of young patients. Sadly after her death she faded into obscurity. They were many brilliant female scientists who had suffered a similar fate.

     "So our team at Lost Women of Science set out to research the lives and work of as many women as we could find--women who made huge contributions to science but for reasons of time and place and the lack of a Y chromosome didn't get the recognition they deserved during their lifetime."

     In this first volume of the series young readers learn about Anderson and nine other forgotten pioneers including:

*Eunice Newton Foote who discovered the science behind the greenhouse effect in the nineteenth century;

*Dr. Cecelia Payne Gaposchkin who discovered what stars are made of;

*Elezebeth Smith Friedman who was America's first female cryptanalyst;

and *Yvonne Y. Clark who achieved greatly as a Black female mechanical engineer. 

     The forward to the book concludes with this paragraph:

     "We hope that in learning more about each and every one of them, your curiosity will be piqued and you'll be inspired to carry out some remarkable work of your own. These once lost, now found women of science officially pass the baton of exploration and discovery to you, the next generation of mavericks."

     Girls who have scientific curiosity will find The Lost Women of Science truly engaging. I'm sure that Amber will agree that this most excellent volume belongs in all school and public libraries. 

On a purrrsonal note, I'm enjoying the last days of having our beautiful Christmas tree adorning our living room. Today and tomorrow I'll be mostly reading near it. Eugene will turn 66 Saturday. Amber and Brian are throwing him a birthday lunch. I'll bake him a molasses cake 🎂 for his supper dessert. Tobago and I will give him a card and money. I'd give him a gift card to his favorite sporting goods store but it's not on the bus line. 

A great big shout out goes out to Eugene. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Joy journal

Here's a page from last year. Actually I have quite a few I haven't yet shared. I make exercise biking less boring by reading my regular journals. That gives me a great deal of joy. When the kids were little Eugene was always telling me it was a waste of time. I'm glad I chose to ignore him. I'm reaping quite a return on that time investment. 

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The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze (juvenile fiction)

     Derrick Barnes's The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze is a brilliant blend of three genres that most us wouldn't think of combining. My reading experience was like dividing into the Maine ocean at this time of year, adjusting to the water temperature, and then returning to fluffy blankets and whipped cream and sprinkles topped sea salt caramel hot chocolate. It was like tasting a mixture of foods you think won't work together but taste divine. 

     The first genre is social justice. Henson is an eighth grader so talented in football he's been bumped up to the starting lineup of his small town's high school team. Actually for his school and town he's like a promised messiah who will lift the team from mediocrity to championship greatness. People he's close to, though, warn him that all the display of love will end the day he no longer gives them what they want...

     ...Henson has a young friend, Menkah, who is like a little brother to love unreservedly and protect. When Menkah doesn't show up for a football game Henson starts worrying. At halftime he learns that Menkah was beaten badly by cops and is in the hospital seriously injured. He knows he belongs at his brother's side...

     ...but the crowd thinks differently. They see him as owing them the victory. They see 10-year-old Menkah as a little thug who got what he deserved. They start chanting "START THE GAME! NO ONE CARES!"

     The second genre is coming of age. 

     "Henson couldn't believe his ears. These were the same people who all week had shown how proud they were of him. How excited they were to see the Marauders play. How happy they were at just the mere sight of him. Yes, these were the same townsfolk who were so nice and loving to him and treated him like he was family."

     Henson's world is shattered when he learns, during a time of crisis, that his majority white town cares only about his athletic performance and sees a child he loves as a little thug who is getting what he deserves. Now he has a really difficult decision to make: does he really want to rejoin the team after all he's learned?

     The third strand, interwoven like fairy lights through the narrative, is made up of myth, legend, magic, tales passed on from generation to generation. 

     If you're, like me, lucky enough to find The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze at your local library or bookstore (hopefully an independent) give it a try. I think you'll like it. 

On a purrrsonal note, even though it's supposed get up to the 30s I'm not going further than my mailbox. Mostly I plan to read near the tree and work on my studio and gallery. Eugene should be happy when he gets home. I'm making his mother's baked Mac & cheese from scratch. It's very much a cold weather comfort food. Way back when Eugene's mom asked what I wanted for a wedding gift I asked for recipes for food he ate growing up. Best gift possible. 

A great big shout out goes out to my mother-in-law who gave birth to and raised my wonderful Eugene. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Precious Tobago

I can't think of anything more beautiful to post than a picture of my fur baby. Such a loving companion. It's cold out, but nothing falling from the sky. I plan to spend the day reading and reviewing near the beautiful Christmas 🎄 and spring cleaning. I'm treasuring the peace and 

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Dear Dad (juvenile graphic memoir)

     America is number one in a way that shouldn't make any us proud. With only 4% of the world's population we house 20% of the world's incarcerated population behind bars. Over 2.7 million American kids have an imprisoned parent. That's an awful lot of kids.

     I learned those grim statistics from reading Jay Jay Patton's Dear Dad. It's a graphic novel based on her experiences of having an imprisoned father and having to make huge life adjustments when he was released...

     ...like having to move from her home and friends to a "place filled with just strangers".

     With its vivid illustrations and authentic narrative Dear Dad will be an excellent read for the many kids with incarcerated parents and their friends and classmates.

On a purrrsonal note, Brian, Amber's husband, just had a birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊. It was a reminder of how grateful I am that he's my beloved older daughter's life partner. He makes her happy and supports her in her writing career. They've been together nearly 16 years now. Honestly he feels more like a son than a son-in-law. A birthday of a friend or family member can be a timely reminder of all they mean to you.

A great big shout out goes out to Brian along with heartfelt wishes for a healthy and prosperous year. 

Jules Hathaway 

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The tree

Yesterday Eugene told me I should take the ornaments off the tree. I held out for one more week. One more week to cherish the magic and enchantment. I do this every year. We got snow last night, but only a dusting. My spring cleaning is slow but steady. The gallery I'm turning the hall into is really coming to life.

I hope that 2026 is starting out well for you and your friends and family and companion animals. 

Jules Hathaway 

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2nd Etsy shirt

I think you'll agree that they're both on brand for me. 

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First Etsy shirt

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Watch Us Rise (YA fiction)

     Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan's Watch Us Rise is a super read for teenage activists. It carries a profound message. Sometimes the institutions that pride themselves on being on the cutting edge of diversity and inclusion...

     ...actually aren't. And, as co narrators and long time besties, Jasmine and Chelsea discover, they can be especially resistant to change.

     The girls are part of a tight knit artist group. At their progressive school each student is required to join an after school club. Only the clubs they join turn out to be not so good fits.

     "'Oh, please,' Jacob says, interrupting me for the second time. 'The classics are the classics for a reason, okay?'" he says, reaching out his hands and holding onto my shoulders like he's trying to school me. 

     "'Yeah, a racist reason. And by the way, stop talking over me,' I say, staring directly at Jacob and pulling my arms away."

     Poet Chelsea wants to read current poetry and see how it can influence needed change. Her classmates and faculty advisor are stuck on the classics. When Jacob suggests that she doesn't belong in the club Chelsea walks out. 

     "'This is the August Wilson Acting Ensemble,' I say. 'Everything we do is about race. And it's not just about race for me--I am not going to be the fat black girl playing the angry, sassy woman--'"

     When the faculty advisor for the drama club keeps insisting she play totally stereotyped roles, ignoring all her ideas, Jasmine doesn't need anyone to suggest that she leave; she's outta there.

     Only one problem. They're required to be in a club. Rather than let someone place them in another club where they don't belong they decide to start their own: a writing club focused on women's issues. They enlist a faculty advisor and start a blog that resonates with people...

     ...seemingly all good...

     ...until a small controversy arises and the administration begins to micromanage the club and try to shut it down. This in itself would be challenging enough. But the girls are simultaneously dealing with a situation most adults struggle with. The first two paragraphs of the book:

"I'm [Jasmine] a month away from starting my junior year of high school, and I just found out my father only has four months to live. 

     I don't really hear all of what Mom and Dad are. Just the important words like 'cancer' and 'out of remission' and 'stage four.'"

     This is where I add a trigger warning. For especially sensitive teens his decline and death might be too much. I was in tears several times. And I'm a grown ass adult. 

     Aside from that that one caveat Watch Us Rise is a really excellent read--truly engaging and thought provoking. 

On a purrrsonal note, my second Etsy shirt arrived yesterday. It's a very soft pink sweatshirt that shows a cat napping on a pile of books and says "easily distracted by cats and books". Quite fittingly my one errand was going to the library to pick up inter library loans and I'd started the day off snuggling with precious Tobago. 

A great big shout out goes out to 🐈 😻 s and librarians. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Winter break

Well today temps are predicted to get into the 30s. Heat wave!!! Think I'll at least get to the library to swap books. Break is really flying by. Other than keeping this blog up, putting more time into cooking, and the deep clean/organizing of the house which is still a work in progress I haven't been terribly ambitious. Since I'll start job hunting when spring semester starts it'll probably be my last winter break. What I've been enjoying the most about it is the time I'm spending reading near the tree with precious Tobago snuggling up as in the picture. 

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Under The Neon Lights

     I have such fond memories of roller skating rinks. I was never one of the stars but I managed to stay on my feet at a decent speed. As a child and teen I loved gliding around in a crowd to music and chowing down on food my mother wouldn't approve of. As a college undergrad I got an unexpected chance to experience the magical ambiance. My major had regular visits to the local rink. It was a bonding experience and a major part of our identity. I even got to skate during the couples skates because the wife of the professor I became a TA for couldn't skate and keep an eye on her kids at the same time. 

     Skating rink affecianados and social justice warriors will find Arriel Vinson's Under The Neon Lights to be deeply engaging and often enraging. Novels in verse affecianados will be overjoyed to see such a masterpiece of this genre. 

     Jae lives for her Saturday nights at WestSide Roll.

"The skating rink is our place 

every Saturday night. 

Me, my bestie Noelle, every skater here

whip around the wood, fast and furious 

like we're racing for our lives. 

We shake our sorrows loose,

shed them like snakeskin."

     Jae has some pretty big uncertainties in her life. Bestie Noelle seems to be slipping away.

"She tries new things, flirts with a crush,

attempts to drag me to unfamiliar places 

and almost always,

I tell her

I'd rather stay in

with my soothing R & B."

     Then there's her estranged father. He seems to be trying to get back into her life. But he has hurt her badly so many times before. Can she take the risk of trusting him?

     More uncertainty comes in the form of Trey, a cutie who literally bowls her over in their first encounter at WestSide Roll. At first she's not really interested in him. But he's quite persistent and may be winning her over.

     Then the unimaginable happens. Mr. Mike, the long time owner announces that WestSide Roll will be closing in five weeks. There's no chance of saving it. 

"It's like someone 

snatched the breath

out of my body 

I don't see anything 

only hear aw man's

or what the fuck's

I am motionless 

wondering how

something so special 

to me

to us

could disappear"

     The how has to do with a theme that's popping up with alarming frequency in YA literature because it's happening with alarming frequency in the dystopia we call real life. The evil of gentrification. Not only is she losing her refuge, but the landlords who rent out the apartments where she and the people she cares about live are jacking the rents by an exorbitant amount and no longer accepting rental assistance programs. 

     The gentrifiers see the value of properties in how their fiscal worth can be beefed up by getting rid of the current residents and luring in the filthy rich. 

"But I learned it's valuable because of what it is, 

not what it can become. 

Because all of us here hold each other down, 

buy each other's lemonade, 

watch each other's packages, 

offer each other food, 

trust each other to babysit."

     Vinson's choice of verse for her narrative is brilliant. It carries so much nuance and feeling that prose couldn't from the joy and freedom of skating in community to beloved music to the shock of learning that paradise soon will be lost. Notice that in that quote she's dropped all punctuation, accentuating the feelings of unbearable grief and loss.

     Under The Neon Lights is lit. But you don't have to take my word for it. Both Elizabeth Acevedo and Leah Johnson have contributed back cover accolades. 

     After such a brilliant debut I can't wait to see what Vinson comes up with next.

On a purrrsonal note, here in Central Maine we've been hit with--surprise, surprise 😮 🫢--more snow. I've just come in from shoveling. At least Eugene was not called out in the wee hours so he could get a full night's sleep. I plan to spend the day on my early spring cleaning. I mean with happy meal Squishmallows as an incentive. With reading breaks near the tree. Soon as my responsibilities increase I won't have as much time for reading, meaning less frequent posts. (At least one review a week though.) I really--after 14 1/2 years providing content for this blog and the years reviewing children's for the Bangor Daily News--find real joy in writing my reviews and picture posts. It never gets old. And I know it improves my writing abilities. With due diligence and maybe a bit of luck I believe I can follow in Amber's footsteps by having my first book 📖 published. 

A great big shout out goes out to all who read this blog, especially those who give me feedback. 

Jules Hathaway 

     

     

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