Viking

Margeson, Susan. Viking. 1994. 72p. ISBN 978-0-75566-1095-1. Available at 948 MAR on the library shelves.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire and the barbarian invasions from the East, Europe fragmented in a multitude of kingdoms and petty chiefdoms. Starting in the late 700s, however, a new wave of invaders swept through the continent, reaching as far south as Jerusalem and what is now Algeria, as far east as the Ural mountains, as far west as Newfoundland, and as far north as Iceland and Greenland. The Vikings, mighty seafarers, boarded their shallow bottom ships from Scandinavia and sailed across seas and up rivers in search of glory, plunder, and slaves. For three hundred years, Vikings ventured where they liked, spreading culture establishing trade routes, founding cities and finding new territories to colonize.

Scandinavia was rich in iron ore and timber, but poor in other resources, and the Vikings traded these for gold, silver, and other riches, but often attacked and looted towns and cities. Their religious views held that it was better to die in the glory of battle than to die an old man, and the Vikings took that to heart. Viking women ran the household and their farms while their husbands were away for war, keeping the local economy going. Eventually, Christianity spread to Scandinavia, and local myths and legends were adapted. Viking kings ruled all of Scandinavia, England, parts of France and Ireland.

Adept jewelers and artisans, the Vikings left a lasting impression on the world and passed into legend as a warlike people who contributed to the development of Europe.

Black Cat, Vol 15

Yakubi, Kentaro. Black Cat, Vol 15. 2008. 200p. ISBN 978-1-4215-1606-6. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The assault on the island lair of the Apostles of the Sun ended in disaster as the Alliance's boat was destroyed miles from the shore. Train ends up alone on a section of the island, while the rest of the sweepers wash ashore at various points. Train, Sven, and River end up fighting opponents in all out battles.

At the same time, Eve finds herself isolated, and she is immediately confronted by Leon, a members of the Apostles who controls the winds. Though Leon is strong, Eve is stronger, but confronting the threat he poses means the battle is about to turn deadly!

The story continues in Black Cat, Vol. 16.

We Are Totally Normal

Kanakia, Rahul. We Are Totally Normal. 2020. 288p. 426 mins. ISBN 9780062994851. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.

Nandan is not one of the popular kids, but he hangs out often with the 99, the roughly hundred students who make up those kids everyone want to hang out with at school. With his junior year starting, Nandan is looking forward to making this the perfect year, by finding himself back in the good graces of his former girlfriend, Evone. And this plan will require turning bow-tie Dave into one of the popular kids.

His plan goes awry, however, when Nandan finds himself hooking up with Dave and discovering that sex with guys is actually kind of fun, and suddenly new doors open up for Nandan that were closed before. His friendship with Evone and the other girls becomes closer. His friend Pothan is jealous. His other friend Henry is glad that there is another gay guy at school. And now Nandan is the talk of the town. As he and Dave continue to see each other, Nandan pursues his initial plan of connecting Dave and Mari together, so that through them Nandan can solidify his foothold in the popular circle.

Unfortunately for Nandan, the more Dave feels confident about their relationship, the less Nandan enjoys it. Is he really gay? Why does he think of girls every time he has sex with Dave? Is being popular worth the heartache he's getting from being with Dave? What does it mean to be normal?

Filled with parties and fairly descriptive sex scenes, We Are Totally Normal explores concepts of identity and what it means to be in a relationship, regardless of the gender or the identity of the persons involved. The characters often feel flat, but the underlying message is one that will resonate with fans of realistic fiction.

The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking).

Mack, Katie. The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking). 2020. 240p. ISBN 9781982103545. Available at 523.1 MAC on the library shelves.

The Big Bang is the famous beginning of the Universe, and the science of physics has been attempting to explain what happened for decades. As interesting as the beginning is, however, it pales in comparison to how the universe will end. In this cleverly written book, Dr. Mack describes the five possible deaths of the universe. 

In the Big Crunch scenario, the billions of galaxy that have been expanding away from each other reverse course and head toward each other, causing massive star collapse and destruction, the merging of galaxies, and possibly leading to another Big Bang as the universe once again reaches unimaginable pressure and gravity.

In the Heat Death scenario, the universe continues to expand, and galaxies soon find themselves the only thing floating in their range of vision, and themselves stretching out until all that remain are dead stars. Under this scenario, the universe literally dies and becomes absolutely cold. 

In the Big Rip scenario, the universe unravels like a tapestry or water evaporating in a boiling pot. Galaxies simply disappear away from our vision field, drifting further away and being torn apart as atomic bonds break down, releasing components into the void of space.

In the Bounce scenario, our universe is connected to other universes on other planes, and they periodically collide, creating a collapse and a new big bang. Of all the scenarios, this one involves strange physics and remains to be proven as a possibility.

Finally, in the Vacuum Decay scenario, the universe is torn apart similar to water draining out of a bath tub. The matter and energy that populate the universe drains away, filling the vacuum and bringing it to equilibrium, but in the process destroying everything that existed prior to the vacuum. Of all of the scenarios presented, this one is the most unlikely to happen, but, also unlike the other ones, it could happen at any time.

Fans of science will appreciate the humor and attention to details in this book. And not to worry, it is not filled with equations that will hurt your head, but rather vivid description and an engaging discussion of how the universe will eventually end. For a companion read, take a look at Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.

The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets

Springer, Nancy. The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets. Book 3 of the Enola Holmes series. 2008. 170p. ISBN 9780399245183. Available at FIC SPR on the library shelves.

After successfully escaping her brother Sherlock Holmes in The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, Enola returns to her home to recuperate and consider her next move. When Dr. Watson goes missing, however, Enola knows she cannot remain hidden and must help find the good doctor, especially since even her own brother is despairing of finding a solution. Weary it is a trap to lure her out in the open so Sherlock can capture her and make a proper lady out of her, she approaches Dr. Watson's wife only to discover that Dr. Watson is indeed missing and hasn't been seen for days. One of the bouquets of flowers left by well-wishers attracts her attention. Why would there be flowering aspargus?

Armed with this smallest of puzzle piece, Enola sets forth on a dangerous path to discover what might have happened to the good doctor, who might have done it, and, more importantly, whether or not he is still alive. This time, Enola will have to effect the most radical disguise of all, and turn herself into a beauty the world cannot ignore. With dangers lurking, time is of the essence to resolve this mystery!

Fans of the style of mysteries popularized by Sherlock Holmes will appreciate this take on his younger sister, who is both more motivated and more interesting!

The story continues in The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan.

Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights

Bausum, Ann. Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights. 2015. 122p. ISBN 978-0-698-14375-3. Available as an ebook on Overdrive.

Society constantly evolves and changes. Often, it is for the better as years of oppression and violence are replaced by fundamental realignment of values and acceptance of what was once forbidden. For most of the 20th century it was a crime to be a LGBTQ+ individual. Not only was society actively opposed to LGBTQ+ rights, but it was actively repressing people who called themselves homosexuals. 

The power of civil disobedience that African-Americans used to effect changes throughout the United States was also harnessed by LGBTQ+ groups that sought to legalize their status and leave in peace, without fear of retaliation or being considered to have a mental illness. In 1969, in New York City's Greewich Village, a bar called the Stonewall became the flare that light up demands for LGBTQ+ rights. 

The epicenter for a movement that grew from marginalization to being a part of society, Stonewall was a Mafia-run bar that allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to congregate, enjoy dancing, music, and each other's company. when New York City police raided the place a second time in the same week, what was thought to be a routine police operation degenerated as LGBTQ+ people and their supporters fought against the police and demanded an end to their persecution. Within days, Stonewall became the face of what was wrong with the way the city selectively enforced the law. Steps were taken to promote equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals through Pride parades. AIDS set the movement back in the 1980s, but by the 1990s most laws criminalizing homosexual behavior had been removed. By the 2000s, social attitudes had changed further, and in June 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was legal.

The fight for LGBTQ+ rights is not over, however, and we must continue to ensure that every citizen is protected under the United States Constitution to seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Black Butler, Vol. 23

Toboso, Yana. Black Butler, Vol. 23. 2016. 176p. ISBN 978-0-316-50277-1. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

A new story arc starts in Black Butler 23. London is crazy about the Sphere Music Hall, a place where people of all social classes can mingle and enjoy free refreshments and music. Queen Victoria is worried that behind this seemingly innocent activity, however, evil motives lurk. Concerned with how her citizens seem to be mesmerized by the antics happening, she requests that Ciel Phantomhive visit the place and conduct a thorough investigation. Ciel becomes concerned when on the same day Edward, the brother of Elizabeth, Ciel's fiancée, reports that Lizzie has run away to the Sphere Music Hall and has chosen not to return home.

Accompanied by Sebastian, Ciel visits the Music Hall. Sebastian is immediately identified as not being human by Blavat, the Music Hall' fortune teller that seems to run the entire operation, and the butler is removed from the premises. Ciel, however, has his fortune told and is linked to the star Sirius, and he is given a pure silver bracelet and an exclusive meeting time the following week where only those blessed by Sirius can attend.

At the appointed time, Ciel reports to the Music Hall, only to be welcomed with open arms and fed. Drugged, he passes out, only to awaken and notice that nothing was stolen from him. Feeling sick, Sebastian takes Ciel to visit Sullivan, who, upon seeing the mark on Ciel's arm, reports that blood was drained from his body. But for what purpose?

The story continues in Black Butler, Vol. 24.