Our Wildwood, Summer 2018, Volume 43

BOOK SHELF by Michelle Simon, Head Librarian Middle and Upper School

THE SMELL OF A NEW BOOK OR EVEN THE MOLDY, MUSTY SMELL OF AN OLD TOME IS UNMISTAKABLE. As readers turn to the portability and speediness of electronic devices, it seems they are also yearning for the aromas they miss when choosing instantaneous ease. That’s why today you can find candles, room sprays, and even aerosol sprays offering both new and classic book scents. In a March 2018 report in Library Journal, college students reported that while they prefer conducting research using e-books, they prefer print for leisure reading. For now, the soy candle with the classic book scent can accompany the research process, and the new (or old) book smell will live on. There is indeed room for both!

BORN A CRIME: STORIES FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDHOOD by Trevor Noah

THE DESIGN OF EVERYDAY THINGS by Don Norman Reviewed by Nick Smith Wildwood Instructional Technology Coach

ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Reviewed by Randy Thomas Wildwood Parent

Reviewed by Raphaela Kleiman ’13 Wildwood Alumna

This autobiographical novel by Trevor Noah is an incredibly interesting, entertaining, funny, and, at times, heart-rending journey through his experiences growing up as a mixed-race child in apartheid

Have you ever embarrassingly misevaluated a door by attempting to pull when it only pushes open? You have been a victim of poor design! The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman is a quintessential book about design that transcends all professions, creative or not. We know that design thinking skills bring value now more than ever, so this book (and any other

This book is tender and shockingly

intimate, written in a style so

South Africa. The union of his mother (a black Xhosa) and his father (a white Swiss expat) was a crime under South African law

close-up that you know how the narrator, Aristotle,

feels about everything far before you learn basic visual details like colors and style. It sets you down right inside his mind and allows you to interpret what you will from his thoughts, often before he has come to the right conclusion. It’s the coming-of-age story of two young Mexican-American men dealing with sexuality, family, and falling in love, written by a gay Mexican-American man. Not only is it hilarious and interesting to read, but it also strikes to the core of important truths about love, friendship, and life, through a lens that leaves you eager for more.

book about harnessing

and leveraging creativity) has a permanent place on my

(hence the title of the book). Noah, living proof of his parents’ “crime,” survived this crazy, turbulent, and dangerous childhood through sheer wit, a keen sense of humor, and his mother’s fierce love. Its exploration of race and identity is intensely personal and enlightening. I highly recommend purchasing the CD rather than the hard-copy book. Noah narrates it, and his various accents (he speaks at least five languages fluently) make the story come alive. Great for a family road trip!

book shelf. Every one of the 300-

plus pages is full of rich content as Norman’s psychological approach challenges designers to consider function over aesthetic without compromise while providing practical methods for addressing flaws before and after they happen. This book reads like a textbook, but the insightful case studies and inevitable “aha” moments make it an enjoyable read.

9

OWW SUMMER 2018