The topic of traditional masculinity has become a prominent issue of discussion in today’s social climate. Man Enough , written by director, activist, and Jane the Virgin star Justin Baldoni, seeks to tackle the sometimes uncomfortable topic of what it means to be a man, and attempts to redefine the idea of the male role for a generation that is all too familiar with the idea of toxic masculinity. A book for everyone (not just men), Baldoni encourages us to be confident enough to be vulnerable,

This book is for the newcomers! Many learn new skills at a young age, but what about those who strive to learn something new later in life? What about the adult beginners? Tom Vanderbilt, in recounting his varied experiences as an adult beginner, from surfing and singing, to chess and drawing, focuses on the psychology of taking up a new skill after one’s youth, the mindset of not immediately succeeding at something, and the joy of starting from square one. No matter your age, everyone can

Filled with intrigue, mystery, and thrilling discoveries, The Scapegoat follows a nameless protagonist through his torment regarding his father’s recent death, and his journey to uncover the truth. With the contrast between the strict order of everyday routines and the disruption and chaos brought on by the narrator’s investigation, author Sara Davis effectively blurs the line between the monotony of life and the insanity within it. If you are looking for a story loaded with unease, suspense,

In a life of constant transitions, belonging can prove a difficult feat. That’s just one of the many topics Jonny Sun tackles in Goodbye, Again . Through a collection of short essays, poems, stories, and illustrations, Sun dives into his own life through themes of productivity, anxiety, and humor, and invites readers to explore their own life within these themes as well. For an honest and introspective journey through life and its many transitions, look no further than Sun’s witty and unique

With the Tokyo Olympics just on the horizon, global sports fans will come together to cheer on their nation in familiar, and unfamiliar, athletic events. Based on a true story and coming off the success of the 2020 documentary of the same name (narrated by Grammy-winning artist Common), A Most Beautiful Thing explores the somewhat unfamiliar sport of rowing, and the determination of a group of Chicago-based high school students who emerge as the first all Black high school rowing team in the

Our favorite words may not be the ones we can always say, but they have certainly become a big part of our vocabulary. Nine Nasty Words takes a deep dive into nine of the most taboo words in the English language, showing us where these words came from, and where they got all that power. Did your favorite expletive make the list? West Lafayette Public Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

With the rising costs of tuition and the changing job market, university graduate degrees have garnered more and more scrutiny. The New PhD proposes a way to rectify some of the problems it lays out with graduate degrees. Not only does it talk about the new practices that should be put in place, but it also discusses the practical methods in how changes can be made. Does this book hold up for people outside of the academic field? West Lafayette Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

When one thinks of the historic individuals who had the largest impact on the world, often we may think of a man. The History of the World in 21 Women is a book that aims to show how the world has largely been impacted by historic women. Do you know these 21 historic women and their impact? Does the book do them justice? Tune in as West Lafayette Public Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

Anthony Bourdain was arugably one of the best food writers/critics/TV personalities ever. World Travel: An Irreverent Guide gives Bourdain's honest take on some of the most interesting places in the world. The book also includes writings from friends, collegues, and family members about the wonderful world we live in and the wonderful man Bourdain. West Lafayette Public Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

Space: the final frontier. Space travel and space life has become a commonplace marvel among earthlings. If you happen to be one of those earthlings you might be interested in reading The Sirens of Mars. This book focuses on the search for life on Mars while also touching on the life story of the earthling author. West Lafayette Public Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.