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Beautiful people : my thirteen truths about disability / by Blake, Melissa(Blogger),author.;
Includes bibliographical references."Well-known disability activist and social media influencer, Melissa Blake, offers a frank, illuminating memoir and a call to action for disabled people and allies. In the summer of 2019, journalist Melissa Blake penned an op-ed for CNN Opinion. A conservative pundit caught wind of it, mentioning Blake's work in a YouTube video. What happened next is equal parts a searing view into society, how we collectively view and treat disabled people, and the making of an advocate. After a troll said that Blake should be banned from posting pictures of herself, she took to Twitter and defiantly posted three smiling selfies, all taken during a lovely vacation in the Big Apple: "I wanted desperately to clap back at these vile trolls in a way that would make a statement, not only about how our society views disabilities, but also about the toxicity of our strict and unrealistic beauty standards. Of course I knew that posting those selfies wasn't going to erase the nasty names I'd been called and, the chances were, they would never even see my tweet, but that didn't matter. I wasn't doing it for them; I was doing it for me and every single disabled person who has been bullied before, online and in real life. When people mock how I look, they're not just insulting me. They're insulting all disabled people. We're constantly told that we're repulsive and ugly and not good enough to be seen. This was me pushing back against that toxic, ableist narrative. For the first time, I felt like I was doing something empowering, taking back my power and changing the story." Her tweet went viral, attracting worldwide media attention and interviews with the BBC, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, PEOPLE magazine, Good Morning America and E! News. Now, in her manifesto, Beautiful People, Blake shares her truths about disability, writing about (among other things): the language we use to describe disabled people, ableism, microaggressions, and their pernicious effects, what it's like to live in a society that not only isn't designed for you, but actively operates to render you invisible, her struggles with self image and self acceptance, the absence of disabled people in popular culture, why disabled people aren't tragic heroes. Blake also tells the stories of some of the heroes of the disability rights movement in America, in doing so rescuing their incredible achievements from near total obscurity. Highlighting other disabled activists and influencers, Blake's work is the calling card of a powerful voice -- one that has sparked new, different, better conversations about disability."--
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Blake, Melissa (Blogger); Civil rights.; Human rights workers; Human rights.; People with disabilities.; People with disabilities;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The last cold place : a field season studying penguins in antarctica / by De Gracia, Naira,author.;
Includes bibliographical references."Lab Girl meets Why Fish Don't Exist in this brilliant, fascinating memoir about a young scientist's experience studying penguins in Antarctica-a firsthand account of the beauty and brutality of this remote climate, the direct effects of climate change on animals, and the challenges of fieldwork. Naira de Gracia's The Last Cold Place offers a dramatic, captivating window into a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a season living and working in a remote outpost in Antarctica alongside seals, penguins, and a small crew of fellow field workers. In one of the most inhospitable environments in the world (for humans, anyway), Naira follows a generation of chinstrap penguins from their parents' return to shore to build nests from pebbles until the chicks themselves are old enough to head out to sea. In lively and entertaining anecdotes, Naira describes the life cycle of a funny, engaging colony of chinstrap penguins whose food source (krill, or small crustaceans) is powerfully affected by the changing ocean. Weaving together the history of Antarctic exploration with climate science, field observations, and her own personal journey of growth and reflection, The Last Cold Place illuminates the complex place that Antarctica holds in our cultural imagination-and offers a rare glimpse into life on this uninhabited continent"--
Subjects: Autobiographies.; Biographies.; Personal narratives.; De Gracia, Naira; Biologists; Biology; Climatic changes; Penguins; Scientific expeditions;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The gardener of Lashkar Gah : a true story of the Afghans who risked everything to fight the Taliban / by Brown, Larisa,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index.The powerful true story of the Afghans left behind as the Taliban conquered the country. The 20-year war fought by the US and its allies in Afghanistan is the longest war of the 21st century. It brought opportunity and tragedy for those who were forced to live through it. The abrupt withdrawal of British and American troops in 2021, in what may come to be regarded as one of the worst foreign policy failures of the past hundred years, precipitated the swift recapture of the country by the Taliban. With the withdrawal came upheaval and torment for Afghans who had loyally served alongside NATO forces and were left to fend for themselves at the gates of Kabul airport. This is the story of one such family. The Gardener of Lashkar Gah follows the extraordinary journey of Shaista Gul, a kind man who built a beautiful garden inside a British military base in Helmand Province that became famous as a calm oasis for soldiers with troubled minds. Other members of his family worked for the allies, including his son Jamal, who became an interpreter for the British Army when he was just a teenager. Following the chaotic withdrawal of allied troops, all members of the family suffered. Larisa Brown-Defence Editor for The Times, award-winning journalist and a campaigner for the interpreters of Afghanistan-has spent hundreds of hours talking to members of the Gul family and others in order to tell their remarkable story. In heart-warming and beautifully human prose, she unspools a tale of courage, hope and sacrifice-with the beauty of the garden and the hopes and dreams of the family counterpointed against the violence, anger and chaos raging in Afghanistan at the time. The scandalous betrayal of many of the interpreters and others who worked for the British and American armies is still being revealed. By telling one family's bittersweet experience-The Gardener of Lashkar Gah provides a unique and powerful insight into the devastating effects on ordinary Afghans of the end of the disastrous 'War on Terror'.
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Afghan War, 2001-2021.; Gardeners;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The great Western Canada bucket list : one-of-a-kind travel experiences / by Esrock, Robin,1974-author.;
"Travel personality Robin Esrock explores the most unique experiences in British Columbia and Alberta in this inspiring, expanded, and updated guide from the bestselling Bucket List series. Having reported from over 115 countries on 7 continents, Robin Esrock has spent decades chasing the extraordinary. Travelling across British Columbia and Alberta, he's discovered a wild variety of experiences that you simply cannot find anywhere else on the planet. With his renowned storytelling, trademark wit, curiosity, and eye-popping photos, Robin takes us on a personal journey to exceptional destinations and activities that are instantly memorable, absolutely fascinating, and waiting to be discovered. Get ready to: sail among whales in the Galapagos of the North; backcountry horse ride in the Rockies; heli-fish in streams roiling with salmon; drive the world's most beautiful stretch of road; houseboat under the stars; go medieval glamping in the prairies; alpine ski by torchlight on New Year's Eve; and much more ... "--
Subjects: Guidebooks.; Esrock, Robin, 1974-; Esrock, Robin, 1974-;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Light & breezy knitwear : 15 modern patterns for tanks, tees, skirts & other warm-weather garments / by Ho, Joan(Knitwear designer),author.;
"Enjoy creating and styling your hand-knit fashion through the spring and summer months with these 15 standout patterns by modern knitwear designer Joan Ho. Each piece is thoughtfully designed with lightweight yarns, soft and airy silhouettes and feminine touches that make a statement. Look effortlessly elegant on a dinner date with the lace detailed Sakura ruffled top and skirt set. Lounge around or head to pickleball practice in Joan's one-of-a-kind "knitleisure" designs featuring the Iris Racerback Tank and Poppy Pocket Shorts. Or, dress in breathable, sexy open lacework with the Ivy Mesh Bralette or Mariposa Top, perfect for relaxing by the pool or dancing at a music festival. Plus, with inclusive sizing and features like adjustable straps and drawstrings, these patterns ensure a stylish, personalized fit for each garment. You'll love soaking up the sun in beautiful, boutique-worthy pieces you made yourself"--Back cover.
Subjects: Patterns (Instructional works); Fancy work.; Knitting.; Knitting;
Available copies: 0 / Total copies: 1
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The Beautiful Dream A Memoir [electronic resource] : by Hutchinson, Atiba.aut; Robson, Dan.; cloudLibrary;
“A captivating read from one of our country’s greatest athletes.” ―Christine Sinclair, former captain of the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team and National Bestselling Author of Playing the Long Game Out of the Toronto suburb of Brampton comes an irresistible story of trials, perseverance, the limelight of international soccer, and—above all—heart. Despite debuting on Canada’s senior national soccer team 20 years ago, scarce is known of Atiba Hutchinson. We’ve watched him win Canadian Men’s Player of the Year six times; celebrated his club team championships; and mourned his injuries. We’ve lamented the state of Canadian soccer and cursed the lost potential—and years. Yet, we know little about Atiba’s personal life, or how he rose from suburban Brampton to becoming Canada’s most-capped national men’s team player, often described as the country’s greatest athlete you haven’t heard about. For the first time, Atiba is ready to share the extraordinary story of his ascent to the heights of professional soccer, nationally and internationally, and what he believes makes a true champion. The Beautiful Dream is an intimate account of Atiba’s awe-inspiring career, from his humble beginnings to playing across Europe; the crushing disappointment of failing national team competitions in the 2010s that nearly led to his resignation from the national program; all the way to his triumphant arrival in Qatar to face off against 31 other nations at the world’s most pre-eminent soccer competition. He has strived to better not only his own game but the landscape of Canadian soccer for over two decades, culminating in Canada’s first trip to the FIFA World Cup since 1986. Yet, as the reflective midfielder shows, this isn’t just his story: The Beautiful Dream is the story of countless Canadians, who strive and scrape for a seemingly unreachable dream—until their fingertips finally graze the surface. It’s a lesson about the unyielding belief required when taking the long road to success. Atiba's journey mirrors the progression of Canadian soccer, and the story of Canada itself: goals that may begin as outsized but as we work towards them, our world changes with us.  Atiba’s journey of hope, belief, and resilience connects the country’s modest soccer past to a bold, exciting future in the game. It’s a story that transcends the pitch, exploring what it means to be a kid who dares to dream of achieving the impossible, and the man who perseveres to get there.  
Subjects: Electronic books.; Personal Memoirs; Sports; Soccer;
© 2024., Penguin Canada,
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Mamaskatch : a Cree coming of age / by McLeod, Darrel,1957-author.;
"A powerful story of resilience-a must-read for all Canadians. Growing up in the tiny village of Smith, Alberta, Darrel J. McLeod was surrounded by his Cree family's history. In shifting and unpredictable stories, his mother, Bertha, shared narratives of their culture, their family and the cruelty that she and her sisters endured in residential school. Darrel was comforted by her presence and that of his many siblings and cousins, the smells of moose stew and wild peppermint tea, and his deep love of the landscape. Bertha taught him to be fiercely proud of his heritage and to listen to the birds that would return to watch over and guide him at key junctures of his life. However, in a spiral of events, Darrel's mother turned wild and unstable, and their home life became chaotic. Sweet and innocent by nature, Darrel struggled to maintain his grades and pursue an interest in music while changing homes many times, witnessing violence, caring for his younger siblings and suffering abuse at the hands of his surrogate father. Meanwhile, his older brother's gender transition provoked Darrel to deeply question his own sexual identity. The fractured narrative of Mamaskatch mirrors Bertha's attempts to reckon with the trauma and abuse she faced in her own life, and captures an intensely moving portrait of a family of strong personalities, deep ties and the shared history that both binds and haunts them. Beautifully written, honest, and thought-provoking, Mamaskatch-named for the Cree word used as a response to dreams shared-is ultimately an uplifting account of overcoming personal and societal obstacles. In spite of the traumas of Darrel's childhood, deep and mysterious forces handed down by his mother helped him survive and thrive: her love and strength stay with him to build the foundation of what would come to be a very fulfilling and adventurous life."--
Subjects: Autobiographies.; Biographies.; McLeod, Darrel, 1957-; McLeod, Darrel, 1957-; Cree Indians; Native men;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Never Too Late [electronic resource] : by Steel, Danielle.aut; Miller, Dan John.nrt; cloudLibrary;
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel comes a stirring novel about a woman striking out on her own after loss as her adult daughters try to find their own independent paths in life. Kezia Cooper Hobson, recently widowed, arrives in New York from San Francisco. Determined to make a fresh start, she has just completed the sale of her Pacific Heights home, not to mention her late husband’s venture capital firm, and in doing so is also freed from her responsibility as a board member of the company. Bringing with her only a few personal treasures, she is excited to move into the blank slate of a beautiful midtown penthouse in the city she has always loved. It is also where her two adult daughters now live. As Kezia settles into her new apartment, she meets her movie-star next-door neighbor, Sam Stewart, whose terrace borders hers. Just a couple of weeks after she arrives, however, a devastating crisis strikes New York City. Kezia and Sam find themselves connecting over their strong impulse to help those in need. As they share a life-changing experience of volunteering, a bond is sparked and a friendship is formed. Kezia’s daughters, Kate and Felicity, both more focused on their own love lives than hers, are taken aback by their mother’s new friendship. But Kezia is learning that the changes she’s making are just what she needs to open new horizons. In this powerful and moving new novel, Danielle Steel illuminates the importance of human connection and embracing brave change, proving it’s never too late for a brand-new start.
Subjects: Audiobooks.; Contemporary; Contemporary Women;
© 2024., Recorded Books,
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A marvellous light / by Marske, Freya,author.;
"Red White & Royal Blue meets Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in debut author Freya Marske's A Marvellous Light, featuring an Edwardian England full of magic, contracts, and conspiracies. Robin Blyth has more than enough bother in his life. He's struggling to be a good older brother, a responsible employer, and the harried baronet of a seat gutted by his late parents' excesses. When an administrative mistake sees him named the civil service liaison to a hidden magical society, he discovers what's been operating beneath the unextraordinary reality he's always known. Now Robin must contend with the beauty and danger of magic, an excruciating deadly curse, and the alarming visions of the future that come with it-not to mention Edwin Courcey, his cold and prickly counterpart in the magical bureaucracy, who clearly wishes Robin were anyone and anywhere else. Robin's predecessor has disappeared, and the mystery of what happened to him reveals unsettling truths about the very oldest stories they've been told about the land they live on and what binds it. Thrown together and facing unexpected dangers, Robin and Edwin discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles-and a secret that more than one person has already died to keep"--
Subjects: Fantasy fiction.; Gay fiction.; Historical fiction.; Gay men; Magic; Missing persons; Nobility; Secret societies;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The 10 : a memoir of family and the open road / by Hanks, E. A.,author.;
Includes bibliographical references."From Vanity Fair and The New York Times contributor comes a beautifully written, deeply felt memoir recounting the solo, cross-country journey she made along the Ten across the American southwest: a mission to uncover both what harrowing violence may or may not have happened to her late mother, but also, to look within and discover who she herself is--where her mother ends and she begins. In her trusted loaded-up minivan "Minnie," E.A. Hanks follows the same route as a long-ago road trip with her mother in an attempt to better understand the complicated woman who gave her life. Along the way, as she follows her mother's diaries and her own recollections of the route, she begins to uncover secrets--some unexpectedly wonderful, and others darker and more violent than she ever imagined--that bring more questions than answers. From the quiet expanses of White Sands National Park to the bustling streets of New Orleans, and the Texas-Mexico border to the swamps of the Florida panhandle, she interacts with the amazing breadth and diversity of the people that call these places home. Reckoning with the past, the present, her memories, and herself, Hanks brings us along a beautiful voyage towards understanding how the stories we tell about the places we're from ultimately become the stories we tell about the people we are"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Travel writing.; Personal narratives.; Hanks, E. A.; Automobile travel; Identity (Psychology); Mothers and daughters; Women journalists; Women journalists;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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