Jolabokaflod!

Newsletter, Dec 2nd 2022

Jolabokaflod - Christmas Book Flood - is an Icelandic Christmas tradition that I fell in love with since I heard about it a few years ago. It's cozying up in front of the fire with a newly gifted book and a favorite drink on Christmas eve - what's not to like! Before I offer book boxes to help you start your own tradition, I wanted to see whether there is interest and for what age group. If curious, please take this short 2 question survey. Will update you next week if I decide to do anything this year. Regardless, let the book flood begin!

It was so heartwarming to have so many of you present to wish The Spot a Happy Birthday. Thank You! It was also a great start to the holiday shopping season. We felt the love and hope you felt it right back. Here's to a few more weeks of excitement as we approach the holidays. We thank you for making us part of your holiday shopping and gift giving and shopping local.

Some Reminders:

FLASH SALE Alert - This week only (until Dec 8th) - I have ALL the Cubika toys on sale for 20% off! Grab them while they last. These are the Montessori style wooden toys from Ukraine.

• Special Order Cutoff - Thank you to all of you who have been sending special orders my way. As a reminder, I can order most any book, even if I don't normally carry it. Deadline to order for arrival before Christmas - Dec 10th.

• Bookshop.org - is another way to support us for any book that we don't carry and/or one that you'd like shipped around the nation.

• We have a display of Gift book recommendations up in store. Lake Minnetonka Magazine's Dec edition includes a few of our recommendations in their article on book gifting - pages 31-32.

Did you know we have The Thinking Spot T-shirts available for sale? Wear your favorite bookstore OR gift it to someone who loves the Spot. Only $16 and comes in beautifully soft heather colors of orange, purple and gray. We currently only have adult sizes.

• If you can't decide what to give, there's always gift cards - physical or online. Both kind work in-store.

Upcoming Events

• Sunday Dec 4th 2p - Conversation with Jessica Nordell on her book “End of Bias”. Promises to be a fascinating conversation. Seats are filling up, reserve your spot today!

• Friday Dec 9th 5p - Math Game Night with Ben Orlin! Take a break from holiday shopping and get some family time under the guidance of our favorite Math Author Ben Orlin. His game boxes will be available for signing. In addition, you can check out all the other board games we have for future game nights.

Book Clubs

• Non Fiction - Our next book club pick is “Forgetting”. First session for that book will be Jan 8th. Join our little gang of book lovers for an afternoon of fun and engaging conversations!

• Middle Grade Fiction - December book pick is “Animal Rescue Agency #1”. Meeting on Dec 11th 4p. January pick is “Always, Clementine”, meeting Jan 15th 4p.

Science News

• This week's news come courtesy of Arun Batchu - not surprising given his fascination with GPT-3. OpenAI, the company behind GPT-3 family of AI-powered tools for text and image generation, has now released a version that produces poetry and lyrics! A rhyming poem explaining the theory of relativity, anyone?

The year has literally been a DREAM COME TRUE for me and I couldn't have done it without all of YOU! THANK YOU for shopping at the store, attending our events, writing reviews, telling your friends and supporting our little dream! Here's to many more anniversaries to come!

Happy Reading,

Rima.

Trivia Answers and Winners. Thank you for playing along! Each winner got a $10 gift cert for the Spot and the grand prize winner (picked from all those who answered all 5 and attended the bday celebration) received a set of 10 unique note cards with AI generated art.

New Titles Recommended For You

Butts

By Heather Radke

November 29th 2022; Social Science / Women's Studies

“Winning, cheeky, and illuminating….What appears initially as a folly with a look-at-this cover and title becomes, thanks to Radke’s intelligence and curiosity, something much meatier, entertaining, and wise.” –The Washington Post “Lively and thorough, Butts is the best kind of nonfiction.” —Esquire, Best Books of 2022 So Far A “carefully researched and reported work of cultural history” (The New York Times) that explores how one body part has come to mean so much—now one of the most anticipated books of 2022. Whether we love them or hate them, think they’re sexy, think they’re strange, consider them too big, too small, or anywhere in between, humans have a complicated relationship with butts. It is a body part unique to humans, critical to our evolution and survival, and yet it has come to signify so much more: sex, desire, comedy, shame. A woman’s butt, in particular, is forever being assessed, criticized, and objectified, from anxious self-examinations trying on jeans in department store dressing rooms to enduring crass remarks while walking down a street or high school hallways. But why? In Butts: A Backstory, reporter, essayist, and RadioLab contributing editor Heather Radke is determined to find out. Spanning nearly two centuries, this “whip-smart” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) cultural history takes us from the performance halls of 19th-century London to the aerobics studios of the 1980s, the music video set of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and the mountains of Arizona, where every year humans and horses race in a feat of gluteal endurance. Along the way, she meets evolutionary biologists who study how butts first developed; models whose measurements have defined jean sizing for millions of women; and the fitness gurus who created fads like “Buns of Steel.” She also examines the central importance of race through figures like Sarah Bartmann, once known as the “Venus Hottentot,” Josephine Baker, Jennifer Lopez, and other women of color whose butts have been idolized, envied, and despised. Part deep dive reportage, part personal journey, part cabinet of curiosities, Butts is an entertaining, illuminating, and thoughtful examination of why certain silhouettes come in and out of fashion—and how larger ideas about race, control, liberation, and power affect our most private feelings about ourselves and others. Heather Radke is an essayist, journalist, and contributing editor and reporter at Radiolab, the Peabody Award­–winning program from WNYC. She has written for publications including The Believer, Longreads, and The Paris Review, and she teaches at Columbia University’s creative writing MFA Program. Before becoming a writer, Heather worked as a curator at the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum in Chicago.

Disability Pride

By Ben Mattlin

November 29th 2022; Social Science / People With Disabilities

A revealing portrait of the diverse disability community as it is today, and how disability attitudes, activism, and representation have evolved since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) In Disability Pride, disabled journalist Ben Mattlin weaves together interviews and reportage to introduce a cavalcade of individuals, ideas, and events in engaging, fast-paced prose. He traces the generation that came of age after the ADA reshaped America, and how it is influencing the future. He documents how autistic self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement upended views of those whose brains work differently. He lifts the veil on a thriving disability culture—from social media to high fashion, Hollywood to Broadway—showing how the politics of beauty for those with marginalized body types and facial features is sparking widespread change. He also explores the movement’s shortcomings, particularly the erasure of nonwhite and LGBTQIA+ people that helped give rise to Disability Justice. He delves into systemic ableism in health care, the right-to-die movement, institutionalization, and the scourge of subminimum-wage labor that some call legalized slavery. And he finds glimmers of hope in how disabled people never give up their fight for parity and fair play. Beautifully written, without anger or pity, Disability Pride is a revealing account of an often misunderstood movement and identity, an inclusive reexamination of society’s treatment of those it deems different.

Ben Mattlin is a journalist, essayist, and author. Born with spinal muscular atrophy, a congenital muscle weakness, he has been a lifelong wheelchair user. His books include Miracle Boy Grows Up and In Sickness and In Health. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and Vox, and on NPR. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Follow him on Twitter (@benmattlin).

My Family and the Galapagos

By Monty Halls

November 29th 2022; Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection

The Galapagos Islands have captured hearts and captivated imaginations for centuries. Such is their ecological importance that in 1978 the archipelago was declared the first ever World Heritage Site, a testament to our collective desire to preserve the magic and diversity that inspired Darwin. Monty Halls first visited the islands almost twenty years ago and his immediate fascination with their wild beauty would go on to shape the rest of his life. As an explorer, marine biologist, ex-Royal Marine and now President of the Galapagos Conservation Trust, Monty is a passionate advocate for those fighting to save the Galapagos. In 2017, he and his dedicated research team - his wife, Tam, and their two young daughters, Molly and Isla - moved to Santa Cruz to experience just what life is like in the world's most spectacular tourist destination. As weeks turned into months, the Halls family were in turn spellbound by the beauty of the islands and heartbroken by the devastation that humans are inflicting upon them. One stint there was never going to be enough, and just two years later they found themselves heading back, this time staying on one of the remotest and most challenging islands, diving into the culture of the Galapagos and the desperately needed conservation work taking place there. Written with warmth, humour, and authority, My Family and the Galapagos follows Monty and his family as they navigate life on the most important archipelago on the planet and strive to preserve it for generations to come.

Monty Halls is a writer, broadcaster, speaker, naturalist, former Royal Marine, marine biologist and the President of the Galapagos Conservation Trust. He worked for Nelson Mandela during the peace process in the early nineties, and then left the Marines to pursue a career in expeditions, travel journalism and biology. His experience covers two decades of leading teams in some of the most remote environments on earth and presenting numerous wildlife documentaries. He is the presenter of the Channel 4 documentary, My Family and the Galapagos, where he embarks on the mission to save the Galapagos alongside his wife, and two daughters.

Mycocultural Revolution

By Peter McCoy

November 29th 2022; Nature / Plants / Mushrooms

Practice radical mycology and learn mushroom loreDiscover the glorious world of mushrooms, lichens, and micro fungi, as described by Peter McCoy, one of today's foremost experts in the field. Covering the essential information and skills for identifying, cultivating, and celebrating the uniqueness of fungi, this book enables anyone to quickly and easily engage in the art and science of mycology-the study of fungi. Mycology offers vast opportunities to enhance our lives, support our communities, and heal the environment. This first-of-its-kind introductory text is accessible for anyone just getting started in mycology, as well as for those seeking a fresh perspective on this important science. Learn general mycological facts, essential information and skills for identifying common mushroom types, foraging tips, delicious recipes, a growing guide, mycoremediation (using fungi to treat contaminated areas in our environment), mushroom-based crafts, and so much more! With a foreword by Robert Rogers, author of The Fungal Pharmacy.

Peter McCoy is a world renowned applied mycology researcher and educator with over 20 years of experience. He is the author of Radical Mycology: A Treatise on Seeing and Working with Fungi (Chthaeus Press, 2016), the founder of the mycology advocacy organization Radical Mycology (radicalmycology.com), a co-founder of the Fungi Film Festival (fungifilmfest.com), and the founder and lead instructor at MYCOLOGOS, an applied mycology school and experimental fungi farm based in Portland, Oregon (mycologos.world). Alongside his work with fungi, Peter can be often found making art or music or wandering the forests of the Pacific Northwest.

Belittled Women

By Amanda Sellet

November 29th 2022; Young Adult Fiction / Coming Of Age; Ages 14 And Up, Grades 9 And Up

Sharp and subversive, this delightfully messy YA rom-com offers a sly wink to the classic Little Women, as teenage Jo Porter rebels against living in the shadow of her literary namesake.

Jo Porter has had it up to her eyeballs with Little Women. It would be bad enough if it had stopped with her Alcott-obsessed mother naming her three daughters Meg, Jo, and Bethamy (yes, that’s two March sisters in one). But ever since Jo’s mom, ahem Marmee, inherited a rambling, old house, they’ve been enlisted to play their namesakes in a living history attraction. It’s Jo’s mother’s dream, but for Jo, it’s a nightmare: Civil War–era fashions in the heat of summer, a constant stream of fanatic tourists, and perhaps worst of all, being a regular field trip destination for her classmates.

So when a famed photojournalist shows up to document Little Women Live! for her next article, Jo seizes on the glimpse of another life: artsy, worldly, and fast-paced. It doesn’t hurt that her teenage son, Hudson, is along for the ride, and he is a) cute, b) interested in Jo, and c) not at all interested in Little Women.

But perhaps Jo is a little too honest about her distaste for the famed novel and her role in the family biz—and not all that glitters is gold when it comes to the sophisticated, artsy city life. With a little help from Jo’s longtime best friend and cute neighbor, who is nothing like Book Laurie (please stop making that comparison!), Jo is forced to admit that maybe real life is much more complicated and messier than fiction.

Debut author Amanda Sellet had a previous career in journalism, during which she wrote book reviews for the Washington Post, personal essays for NPR, and music and movie coverage for VH1. These days she lives in Kansas with her archaeologist husband and their daughter.

Children's Encyclopedia of Sharks

By Claudia Martin

November 30th 2022; Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Fish; Ages 8-12

Dive into the extraordinary underwater domain of sharks with this comprehensive visual encyclopedia, packed with fascinating facts and eye-catching underwater photography. This definitive guide to the world's most ferocious underwater predators delves into every aspect of their lives-their wide-ranging habitats, fascinating behaviors, powerful senses, and interactions with other species. Based on the latest research by marine biologists, it's the ultimate book of facts and statistics about these amazing apex predators. Accessible, entertaining, and authoritative, this title supports school learning and is ideal for children aged 8+. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Children's Reference Library uses stunning photography, fabulous facts and useful diagrams to introduce a variety of subjects - from the animal kingdom to space. Great to dip into, these reference guides are a staple for any child's bookshelf.

Claudia Martin is a highly respected author of non-fiction for children and young adults, with an exceptional talent for making complex ideas accessible. She specializes in the subjects of geography, science, and the natural world. Her books have been translated into 14 languages and have sold over a quarter of a million copies. She lives in London

Nature's Wonderland

By DK

November 29th 2022; Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Nature; Ages 7 to 9, Grades 2 to 4

Discover the amazing natural landmarks and diverse wildlife of United States and Canada. There’s nowhere on Earth like North America. From scorching deserts to frozen tundra, dense rainforests to coral reefs—this continent has it all! In this captivating nature book, you’ll take a tour of the most amazing environments across United States and Canada, the two biggest countries in North America. Learn about incredible natural features like Niagara Falls—and find out which North American waterfalls are actually higher! Get to know the unique animals that live only on the islands of the Florida Keys. Find out which species can survive in Death Valley, the hottest place in the world. Full of colorful photographs and charming illustrations, this fascinating nature book is your ultimate guide to the amazing natural wonders, wildlife, and varied environments of the United States and Canada.

Libby Romero was a journalist and a teacher before becoming an author. Her books include the biography Ibn al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See, as well as teacher guides, interactive whiteboards, and a variety of other materials, including National Geographic's Explorer magazines and the Smithsonian Institution's TweenTribune. Libby is the author of DK Life Stories: Helen Keller (January 2019) and DK Life Stories: Jane Goodall (August 2019), and DK Life Stories: Amelia Earhart (February 2020).

Discover Dinosaurs

By Hannah Lippard

November 15th 2022; Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures; Ages 7 to 10, Grades 3 to 5

Discover different dinosaurs and learn about what they could do in this in-depth title featuring dinosaurs from the Mesozoic era. Readers will dive into the world of prehistoric animals to discover unique and interesting facts about dinosaurs with pointy spikes, strong armor, long tails, and so much more. Some of the featured dinosaurs included are:

• Eoraptor

• Allosaurus

• Stegosaurus

• Diplodocus

• Brachiosaurus

• Velociraptor

• Ankylosaurus

• Tyrannosaurus, and many more!

About the Do You Know About series: The Do You Know About series is a nonfiction educational series that covers a variety of disciplines including science, technology, history, and more. Each book uses informative text, bright photographs, and clear diagrams to discuss and explain the topic at hand. A special “Do You Know About…” feature is included throughout the text offering interesting facts and defining key words. Additional back matter includes a glossary of key terms and an index, resulting in a well-rounded reading experience that introduces young readers to the concept of research and encourages them to study and explore further.

Hannah Lippard is currently a student, but she is also a writer, editor, musician, and actor. She has authored a number of nonfiction titles and edited countless works in her career so far. Beyond her talents as a writer, she is an avid reader and enjoys reading comic books and stories that feature voices that are too often overlooked. Hannah hopes to continue writing engaging and educational nonfiction books for kids as she completes her advanced degree.

P Is for Purr

By Carole Gerber

November 29th 2022; Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Cats; Ages 4 to 6, Grades P to 1

Cat fun facts from A to Z!

A is for American—the shorthaired, friendly cats that crossed the sea on sailing ships and kept them free of rats. B is for each breed of cat. A breed defines the way a feline looks, the way it sounds, and how it likes to play. C is for the claws attached to each cat’s padded feet. Cats use their claws to dig and climb and capture mice to eat. Furry felines fill the pages of this ABC picture book, introducing different species, behaviors, and eccentricities of cats. Packed with everything you should know about your cat, from how fast they run to why they like to purr, P Is for Purr is the perfect book for kids and cat lovers alike. Whether they are learning to read or they just like cats, this book will have something for everyone!

Poet and author Carole Gerber has written sixteen picture books, three chapter books, and more than one hundred elementary science and reading texts for major publishers. Her most picture recent book, A Band of Babies, was named a 2017 Best Book for Children by Amazon editors. She holds a BS in English education and an MA in journalism from Ohio State, and has taught middle school and high school English as well as college newswriting and factual writing at OSU. Learn more at www.carolegerber.com.

Pop-Up Peekaboo! Shark

By DK

November 29th 2022; Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Marine Life; Ages 0 to 3, Grades P And Under

Take your toddler on an ocean adventure in this lift-the-flap pop-up book. Join Sally the Shark as she swims around her ocean home to find her four best friends. Babies and toddlers can lift big flaps and see five peekaboo surprises pop up from the pages: a humpback whale blowing bubbles, a sea turtle in the colorful coral reef, a clever octopus hiding on the sand, a playful dolphin splashing on the surface, and Sally Shark playing hide and seek with her friends. The lively, read-aloud rhymes encourage literacy and early learning, while the surprise pop-up scenes will delight curious preschoolers. With the help of parents and caregivers, toddlers will have fun turning the sturdy board book pages, guessing what’s hiding under each flap, and then lifting the flaps to reveal the adorable sea animals and play peekaboo! Ideal for interactive preschool play, Pop-up Peekaboo! Shark will appeal to both parents and children and is certain to keep little ones entertained time and time again!

We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in. From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books.