BOTW: March 27

By Paige Waskow

Nature Anatomy

By Julia Rothman

What's it about?:

Basically a fun and beautiful field guide, Nature Anatomy takes you through the natural world in vivid watercolor drawings and descriptions. You can learn about the origins of the universe, classifications of trees, and the difference between a carpenter and bumble bee. The book gives you the environment in detailed and unique pages, fun crafts to try, and much more. You won't come away bored (even if you're not a nature nerd like me!)

 via GIPHY


Why did I choose it?:

I love nature! And I love books that explore the outdoors. This book is an easy read and always fun to come back to. If you are looking to read the whole thing, or open its pages randomly, this book offers a field guide experience: learn as much as you'd like, but there's not a plot to follow.

As mentioned above, this book has a beautiful art style of watercolor with bold but not limiting sketched outlines. Whether or not you even read the descriptions, the art is enough to boldly stand out and make the book a wonderful experience.

Where can you get it?:

Nature Anatomy is available at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. You can get a library card for free anytime they are open. Check out their website and request books here!

Is there anything else you should know?:

Julia Rothman has also written books about food (Food Anatomy) and farms (Farm Anatomy) which are in the same colorful, field guide style as Nature Anatomy. I highly recommend! If you are interested in learning more about the author and her works, check out here website here!

via GIPHY

References:

Rothman, Julia. Books - Nature Anatomy, https://www.juliarothman.com/books-2#/nature-anatomy/.

Rothman, Julia. Nature Anatomy. Storey Publishing, 2015.

Learning Commons Book Favorites!

By Paige Waskow

What do the writers of the Learning Commons Blog like to read?!

From social justice to sci-fi to romance, check out the list of unique books below!

Bridget Atkinson-Moore
Recommended book:  The Hand of the Devil by Dean Vincent Carter

Why it's one of my favorites: "One of my favorite books to read over and over again (I read it at least twice a year, once for Halloween and once sometime during the spring) is The Hand of the Devil by Dean Vincent Carter. It's such a great horror story set on a remote island with really great creepy imagery. It made me scared to encounter a mosquito for a while after I first read it!"

Jasmine Barlow
Recommended book:  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Why it's one of my favorites: "My favorite book is "The Hate U Give". It was the first book to make me cry (not just "feel sad", many tears fell in many different chapters) because I relate to Starr. I love reading and have read many fantastic books, but Starr was the first person I could truly understand. It hit home and I recommend everyone to broaden their horizons and learn how people of different backgrounds and cultures see the same world, through what they have to live through. I tend to be drawn towards books written by Black women, but I've never read a character so close to my age, from the same time period, from a big city. I'm still in awe."


Arabella Chamberlain
Recommended book:  Saturn Run by John Sandford

Why it's one of my favorites: "This book tells a story of drama, mystery, science, and a great race through space. It's such a page-turner and full of surprises. Sandford's voice is really enjoyable and makes the story come to life. With moments of drama and suspense to moments of hilarious absurdity, this sci-fi is one to pick up."

Taylor Nosekabel
Recommended book:  Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Why it's one of my favorites: "I love this book because the main character is very relatable and it deals with difficult family topics in a believable and understandable way. Also, the romance is fantastic."


Paige Waskow
Recommended book:  Artemis by Andy Weir

Why it's one of my favorites: "Artemis is a really unique book that is incredibly imaginative. It follows the life of Jazz Bashara on Artemis, the first city on the moon, and her accidental involvement in a very complicated space heist involving global powers. It is action packed, hilarious, and science-y. I enjoyed it so much that I read it in two days."

If you have any favorites, leave them below for others to see.

Happy Reading!

via GIPHY, Ana Caro

My thanks to the writing commons blog writers for their willingness to help make this post and interest in reading.

Image made with Canva

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