Summer Reading 2021 has begun! To celebrate this year’s theme, Tails and Tales, we’ve put together a book display/reading list of all things aquatic. Click on any of the titles below to put them on hold!
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“Take a deep breath and dive into the mysteries of the ocean.
Our understanding of ocean life has changed dramatically in the last decade, with new species, new behaviours, and new habitats being discovered at a rapid rate. Blue Planet II, which accompanies an epic 7-part series on BBC1, is a ground-breaking new look at the richness and variety of underwater life across our planet.
From ambush hunters such as the carnivorous bobbit worm to cuttlefish mesmerising their prey with a pulsating light display, Blue Planet II reveals the never-before-seen secrets of the ocean. With over 200 breath-taking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural History Unit’s spectacular footage, each chapter of Blue Planet II brings to life a different habitat of the oceanic world. Voyages of migration show how each of the oceans on our planet are connected; coral reefs and arctic ice communities are revealed as thriving underwater cities; while shorelines throw up continual challenges to those living there or passing through. A final chapter explores the science and technology of the Ocean enterprise – not only how they were able to capture these amazing stories on film, but what the future holds for marine life based on these discoveries.” -Goodreads.com
“See (The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane) once again explores how culture survives and morphs in this story of a real-life Korean female diving collective. Young-Sook and Mi-Ja meet as young girls in 1939 in Hado, a village on the island of Jeju, where traditionally the women earn a living while their husbands care for the children and home. The two girls begin training as haenyeo, divers who harvest oysters, sea slugs, and octopi from the sea. But after WWII when American occupation of southern Korea begins, the two grow apart. While Young-Sook struggles to make ends meet for her family, Mi-Ja’s husband’s role in the government spares her the economic suffering endured by most of the country. But after Mi-Ja’s family betrays Young-Sook, Young-Sook struggles for decades to reconcile her anger with fond memories of her friend, even after their families cross paths again. Jumping between the WWII era and 2008, See perceptively depicts challenges faced by Koreans over the course of the 20th century, particularly homing in on the ways the haenyeo have struggled to maintain their way of life. Exposing the depths of human cruelty and resilience, See’s lush tale is a wonderful ode to a truly singular group of women.” (Mar.) –Staff (Reviewed 02/25/2019) (Publishers Weekly, vol 266, issue 8, p)
“With a title that borrows from a quote by writer Annie Dillard, this latest work from paleontologist Pyenson (Smithsonian: Curator of Fossil Marine Mammals) explores the rich discoveries and remaining questions about whales. From the coast of Panama to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Pyenson brings together the work of ecologists, geologists, and physicists. He examines evidence for the evolution of species from land mammals to the sea creatures we are familiar with today. The author studies migration patterns and pod behavior and anatomy to help advance current understandings of whale adaptation and socialization. He also looks to the future in order to predict how climate change, pollution, and human activity will impact how whales live, breed, and die. VERDICT Popular science readers (both adult and teens) will enjoy the way in which Pyenson sheds light on the mystery of life below the seas without dimming its majesty.” –Catherine Lantz (Reviewed 05/15/2018) (Library Journal, vol 143, issue 9, p73)
“With lyrical and descriptive writing, Tsui (American Chinatown) shares different stories about our relationship with water, beginning with her own experiences swimming in the Bay Area. The book is similar to a collection of essays, wherein Tsui shares stories about others and intertwines her own voice, including recollections about going to the beach while growing up in New York. The author writes about a wide range of topics, including the history of humans swimming, from early times to the success of marathon open-water swimmer Kimberley Chambers and even a Baghdad swim club that uses Saddam Hussein’s palace pool. Throughout, Tsui references literature, history, and science without overwhelming readers, who will walk away from the book learning an incredible amount of information, yet in an easy-to-digest way. VERDICT Tsui’s beautifully written book will appeal to a wider audience beyond sports fans. Readers who are also interested in science and nature will appreciate this highly recommended narrative work about a therapeutic sport.” –Pamela Calfo (Reviewed 04/01/2020) (Library Journal, vol 145, issue 4, p99)
If you have any questions about putting these books on hold, please leave a comment below, call the Reference Desk at 732-873-8700 ext. 111, or send us a message on our chat service.
Thanks for reading,
-George, FTPL
