This novel asks what we owe to the living, the dead, to the reader, and to the book. A small independent bookstore in Minneapolis is haunted from November 2019 to November 2020 by the store's most annoying customer. Flora dies on All Souls' Day, but she simply won't leave the store. Tookie, who has landed the job selling books after years of incarceration that she survived by reading "with murderous attention," must solve the mystery of this haunting while at the same time trying to understand all that occurs in Minneapolis during a year of grief, astonishment, isolation, and furious reckoning. The story begins on All Souls' Day 2019 and ends on All Souls' Day 2020.
Elizabeth Blackwell believed from an early age that she was destined for a mission beyond the scope of "ordinary" womanhood. Though the world at first recoiled at the notion of a woman studying medicine, her intelligence and intensity ultimately won her the acceptance of the male medical establishment. In 1849, she became the first woman in America to receive an M.D. She was soon joined in her iconic achievement by her younger sister, Emily, who was actually the more brilliant physician. Together, the Blackwells founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, the first hospital that was staffed entirely by women. Elizabeth Blackwell herself predicted that "a hundred years hence, women will not be what they are now."
Why do galaxies spin the way they do? What’s the best kind of house for a Komodo dragon? Can you cure malaria with medicine made from a plant? The scientists and the mathematicians in Born Curious sought answers to these and many other fascinating questions. Without their vision, insight, and hard work, the world would be a sicker, dirtier, and more dangerous place. The twenty groundbreaking women came from all kinds of backgrounds and had all kinds of life experiences. Some grew up rich. Some grew up poor. Some were always the smartest kid in class. Some struggled to do well in school. But all had one thing in common: They were all born curious. Are you curious, too? Then read this book!
The St. Louis Jewish Light posted this announcement: "Crown Center for Senior Living has received a $1 million donation from philanthropists Michael and Carol Staenberg to benefit Crown’s capital campaign to construct affordable housing for older adults, and a state-of-the-art community center to be named 'Staenberg Commons.' Crown is planning to build new, high-quality, apartments for older adults on its site in University City, replacing the original 1960s era high rise. Construction on the Staenberg Commons is slated to begin in early 2022." The photo is from the article. The only person I can identify in the photo is my friend Miriam, third from the left. They were standing in front of a memorial wall in the Circle@Crown Café downstairs.
Good Thing #1
Women physicians, like my cardiologist and general practitioner.
Good Thing #2
The new building going up next year at the Crown Center.
Good Thing #3
Friendships, like with Miriam (above) and other neighbors at Crown.
Sunday Salon, a place for us
to link up and share what we
have been reading and doing
during the week.
3 comments:
That donation is wonderful news! How great that they are going to add in housing for seniors with less income/money. It's so important.
Ooh, I want to read both The Sentence and The Doctors Blackwell. Will look forward to your thoughts!
I've heard a lot of good things about the new Louise Erdrich book. Born Curious and the Doctors Blackwell both sound like books I'd enjoy.
What exciting news about a new center!
Have a great week, Bonnie.
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