Linny and Nancy look back at 2023 and share some of their favorite books, moments, surprises, and behind-the-scenes mix-ups. Looking forward to 2024, they announce the first three book selections for 2024.
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It's children's book month, and our 2023 is a gem: Marshmallow Clouds, written by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek and illustrated by Richard Jones. The book features 30 poems that celebrate finding wonder through imagination and are loosely categorized by the four classical elements: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. These are poems to be savored and enjoyed over and over.
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James Ker-Lindsay introduces us to the beautiful and complex island of Cyprus, the setting of Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees. Ker-Lindsay is a scholar whose research focuses on conflict, and peace and security in South East Europe. He tells us about the history of the Cyprus conflict and describes barriers to reunification. We also hear about his personal connection to Cyprus and his experience as a historical consultant for Elif Shafak as she wrote The Island of Missing Trees.
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In The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, young lovers Defne and Kostas are torn apart by the Cyprus war in the 1970s. When they meet again, 25 years later, Defne has become part of a team dedicated to finding graves of war victims and Kostas has become a scholar who focuses on trees. Their career paths mirror the emotional journeys they have taken since they were separated. Defne has buried the secrets from her past. Kostas has not healed from his memories of times with Defne at the local tavern, The Happy Fig. We discuss the book, what we remember about the war in Cyprus, sentient trees, #CanYouHearMeNow, and much more.
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Was sexism in the STEM workplace really as bad as that faced by Elizabeth Zott in Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry? Cultural historian Julie Des Jardins leads us through the experiences of women in the workforce in the 20th-century. Let’s just say, most women scientists faced a lot of barriers! We also learn about Julie’s current work to increase diversity in STEM fields at the Center for Quantum Networks at the University of Arizona. She outlines for us the 21st century challenges for women in science as well as the strategies she is using to create cultural change in STEM fields.
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