Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves

Twilley, Nicola. Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves. 2024. 400p. ISBN 9780735223288.

Refrigeration is considered by many to be one of the most important modern inventions. Refrigeration allowed us to slow down the decay of food, and greatly reduced food-borne illnesses. However, refrigeration also standardized the foods we eat, reduced biodiversity, and transformed our concept of fresh food. Frosbite explores the profound and often overlooked impact of artificial refrigeration on our food systems, tracing its evolution from a source of novelty and fear to an indispensable element of modern life. 

Just a century ago, refrigerated food was a luxury, but today, it underpins the vast majority of what we eat, enabling the global availability of previously seasonal and geographically limited foods. The book highlights how this technology has fundamentally reshaped human nutrition, overcoming spoilage and revolutionizing our diets.

However, Frostbite also delves into the hidden costs of our reliance on refrigeration, revealing its significant contribution to climate change and its role in distancing consumers from the origins of their food. Through a journey across various sites within the cold chain, the reader examines the environmental and economic implications of this pervasive technology. Ultimately, it poses critical questions about our dependence on refrigeration and suggests a need to re-evaluate our relationship with the fridge for a more sustainable future.

Stargazing

Wang, Jen. Stargazing. 2019. 213p. ISBN 9781250183880. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

When Moon moves in her family's accessory dwelling, Christine meets a girl that is her polar opposite. Moon is bold, spontaneous and artistic, which is a stark contrast to Christine's own personality, despite their shared Chinese-American upbringing in the same suburb. An unexpected friendship blossoms between the two, which quickly evolves into a deep bond where they share intimate moments and dreams, including plans for the school talent show. Moon even confides in Christine about her visions of celestial beings who suggest her true home lies beyond Earth.

However, their seemingly idyllic friendship faces a sudden and unforeseen crisis. Christine, who has grown reliant on Moon's vibrant and supportive presence, is suddenly faced with the challenge of being the steadfast friend Moon now desperately needs when she is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Will Christine step up and provide the necessary support and strength for Moon during this difficult time?

Beautifully illustrated, Stargazing explores the true depth and resilience of a connection between friends. Both Christine and Moon are realistic characters who face growing pains and whose friendship evolves. 

Throwback

Goo, Maurene. Throwback. 2023. 368p. ISBN 9781638930204. Available as an ebook from Overdrive. 

Samantha Kang, a first-generation Korean American, has always struggled to connect with her mother, Priscilla, particularly over Priscilla's nightmare high school expectations. Following a significant argument, Sam is unexpectedly sent back in time, landing squarely in her mother's 1990s high school experience, with the reluctant mission of helping her teenage mom win Homecoming Queen.

For this Gen Z girl, adapting to an analog world proves baffling, despite her mastery of fashion. She grapples with unfamiliar concepts like microfiche and the prevalent casual racism and misogyny of the era. Surprisingly, Sam begins to see a different side of her young mother, even considering her a potential friend. This unexpected journey into the past forces Sam to re-evaluate her perceptions of her mom and herself, navigate a budding romance in the wrong time, and confront profound questions about the inheritances and losses within the immigrant experience, all while trying to figure out how to return to her own time. Sam discovers why her mother has such expectations for her.

Fans of the movie Freay Friday or of time travel will appreciate this light read about growning up and having the opportunity to better understand one's parents.

Naruto, Vol. 30: Puppet Masters

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 30: Puppet Masters. 2011. 190. ISBN 9781421519425. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Naruto and his friends have to split up again following their discovery of a hidden cave where Gaara was taken in Naruto, Vol. 29. Naruto tempestuously rushes in battle but soon finds himself imperiled. Sakura steps forward to take on the formidable Sasori, a master puppeteer from the Akatsuki. Accompanied by the experienced Granny Chiyo, Sakura faces the challenge of battling Sasori's undead golems, which he manipulates with deadly precision. The fight becomes a tense display of puppet mastery, as both Sasori and Granny Chiyo utilize their skills to control their respective creations.

However, the battle takes on an added layer of complexity as Granny Chiyo, despite being Sakura's ally, also possesses the ability to control puppets, raising the possibility that she might use Sakura as her own puppet. This creates a precarious situation where Sakura must not only fight against Sasori's relentless attacks but also remain wary of her supposed ally, adding a layer of suspense and uncertainty to the already intense confrontation as both Naruto and Gaara lay injured in the room ...

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 31.

The Song of Orphan's Garden

Hewitt, Nicole. The Song of Orphan's Garden. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9781250906045.

In a perpetually freezing arctic world, Lyriana desperately seeks the mythical Orphan's Garden, a sanctuary rumored to be free from the oppressive Winter Spirits and the tyrannical Giant king. This garden, with its healing trees and promise of warmth, represents her only chance to save herself and her younger brother, Zave, from the harsh, unforgiving climate. Their survival hinges on finding this elusive haven before the relentless cold claims them.

Meanwhile, Brob, a Giant boy, also seeks refuge in the Orphan's Garden after his family is banished to the deadly Winter Blight. Believing the garden to be his, as he accidentally created it with ancient magic, Brob is determined to keep it from humans, whom he sees as a threat to its delicate balance. However, when the garden faces imminent destruction, Lyriana and Brob are forced to confront their long-standing animosity. They must overcome the deep-seated conflict between their races and forge an unlikely alliance to save the only place that offers them hope for survival.

Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters

Franklin-Wallis, Oliver. Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters. 2023. 392p. ISBN 9781398505452.

What happens when we discard our belongings? Where does all of the waste go? Wasteland delves into the often-unseen reality of our disposal of all of the waste we produce. The reader is taken to the frontlines of the waste industry, from overflowing landfills in New Delhi and sewers in Britain to the environmental devastation of mining towns in the USA and the chaotic second-hand markets of Ghana. Through these vivid locales and encounter the individuals most affected by our consumption habits, the reader encounters both those exploited by the waste system and those striving for change.

Wasteland uncovers the surprising origins of the recycling movement, revealing instances of corporate greenwashing, and exposes the darker side of our charitable donations of used goods. It also confronts the long-term implications of our waste, including the staggering 100,000-year legacy of nuclear byproducts. Ultimately,, this book serves as an eye-opening exploration of the environmental and human costs associated with our throwaway culture, urging readers to reconsider the true meaning of "away."

In Limbo

Lee, Deb JJ. In Limbo. 2023. 348p. ISBN 9781250252654. Available as a graphic novel on the library shelves.

Deborah, or Jung-Jin as she was originally named, has always felt like an outsider since her family's move from South Korea to the United States when she was a toddler. From struggling with English and having her name mispronounced to feeling different because of her appearance, Deb experiences a constant sense of Otherness and micro-aggressions from her peers and strangers. As the challenges of high school intensify, her friendships shift and dissolve, and even her home becomes a source of conflict due to escalating arguments with her mother. Caught in a difficult in-between space, Deb's mental well-being declines.

Despite these hardships, Deb demonstrates resilience by finding solace and a path to recovery through art and self-care practices. Returning to visit family in South Korea, Deborah gains a new understanding of her family, her cultural heritage, and ultimately, herself. This journey of self-discovery allows her to reframe her experiences and begin to reconcile her dual identity, finding a stronger sense of self and belonging.