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Student Wellness

03/18/2024

Staff Pick Booklist, Books

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Kacey Whistler '24 created a book list to support student wellness. Check it out!

Staff Pick Booklist, Books

Celebrating International Women's Day

03/11/2024

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March 8th was International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day aims recognizes women’s impacts and achievements. The Hiram College Library is dedicated to shining light on stories of women who have impacted the world in monumental ways.

Here is a list of 10 books that have been written by women to share the stories and lives of other admirable women. In this list, you'll find books of political essays, information on women's health, and memoirs by inspiring women who are changing the world.

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

ISBN: 0895941422

Publication Date: 1984-06-01

Presenting the essential writings of black lesbian poet and feminist writer Audre Lorde, Sister outsider celebrates an influential voice in twentieth-century literature. In this charged collection of fifteen essays and speeches, Lorde takes on sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and class, and propounds social difference as a vehicle for action and change. Her prose is incisive, unflinching, and lyrical, reflecting struggle but ultimately offering messages of hope. This commemorative edition includes a new foreword by Lorde scholar and poet Cheryl Clarke, who celebrates the ways in which Lorde's philosophies resonate more than twenty years after they were first published. These landmark writings are, in Lorde's own words, a call to "never close our eyes to the terror, to the chaos which is Black which is creative which is female which is dark which is rejected which is messy which is."

Civil Rights Queen by Tomiko Brown-Nagin

ISBN: 1524747181

Publication Date: 2022-01-25

The first major biography of one of our most influential judges--an activist lawyer who became the first Black woman appointed to the federal judiciary--that provides an eye-opening account of the twin struggles for gender equality and civil rights in the 20th Century. * "Timely and essential."--The Washington Post "A must-read for anyone who dares to believe that equal justice under the law is possible and is in search of a model for how to make it a reality." --Anita Hill With the US Supreme Court confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, "it makes sense to revisit the life and work of another Black woman who profoundly shaped the law: Constance Baker Motley" (CNN). Born to an aspirational blue-collar family during the Great Depression, Constance Baker Motley was expected to find herself a good career as a hair dresser. Instead, she became the first black woman to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court, the first of ten she would eventually argue. The only black woman member in the legal team at the NAACP's Inc. Fund at the time, she defended Martin Luther King in Birmingham, helped to argue in Brown vs. The Board of Education and played a critical role in vanquishing Jim Crow laws throughout the South. She was the first black woman elected to the state Senate in New York, the first woman elected Manhattan Borough President, and the first black woman appointed to the federal judiciary. Civil Rights Queen captures the story of a remarkable American life, a figure who remade law and inspired the imaginations of African Americans across the country. Burnished with an extraordinary wealth of research, award-winning, esteemed Civil Rights and legal historian and dean of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Tomiko Brown-Nagin brings Motley to life in these pages. Brown-Nagin compels us to ponder some of our most timeless and urgent questions--how do the historically marginalized access the corridors of power? What is the price of the ticket? How does access to power shape individuals committed to social justice? In Civil Rights Queen, she dramatically fills out the picture of some of the most profound judicial and societal change made in twentieth-century America.

Unbowed by Wangari Maathai

ISBN: 9780307275202

Publication Date: 2007-09-04

A remarkable memoir of courage, faith, and the power of persistence about one woman's extraordinary journey from her childhood in rural Kenya to the world stage. "[Maathai's] story provides uplifting proof of the power of perseverance--and of the power of principled, passionate people to change their countries and inspire the world. --The Washington Post in Unbowed, Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai recounts her extraordinary life. When Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, she began a vital poor people's environmental movement, focused on the empowerment of women, that soon spread across Africa. Persevering through run-ins with the Kenyan government and personal losses, and jailed and beaten on numerous occasions, Maathai continued to fight tirelessly to save Kenya's forests and to restore democracy to her beloved country.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Otto M. Frank (Editor); Mirjam Pressler (Editor); Susan Massotty (Translator); Anne Frank

ISBN: 0553577123

Publication Date: 1997-02-03

Updated with enlightening new material, this is the complete, definitive edition of Anne Frank's diary, "the single most compelling personal account of the Holocaust" (The New York Times Book Review) Discovered in the attic where she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank's remarkable diary has become a world classic--a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit. In 1942, as Nazis occupied Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the secret upstairs rooms of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death. In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, Anne's account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short. Praise for The Diary of a Young Girl "One of the most moving personal documents to come out of World War II."--The Philadelphia Inquirer "There may be no better way to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II than to reread The Diary of a Young Girl, a testament to an indestructible nobility of spirit in the face of pure evil."--Chicago Tribune "The single most compelling personal account of the Holocaust . . . remains astonishing and excruciating."--The New York Times Book Review "How brilliantly Anne Frank captures the self-conscious alienation and naïve self-absorption of adolescence."--Newsday

Women, Culture and Politics by Angela Y. Davis

ISBN: 9780679724872

Publication Date: 1990-02-19

A collection of speeches and writings by political activist Angela Davis which address the political and social changes of the past decade as they are concerned with the struggle for racial, sexual, and economic equality.

The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver

ISBN: 9780593796252

Publication Date: 2024-04-30

Filling a gaping hole in menopause care, everything a woman needs to know to thrive during her hormonal transition and beyond, as well as the tools to help her take charge of her health at this pivotal life stage--by the bestselling author of The Galveston Diet. Menopause is inevitable, but suffering through it is not! This is the empowering approach to self-advocacy that pioneering women's health advocate Dr. Mary Claire Haver takes for women in the midst of hormonal change in The New Menopause. A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, it covers every woman's needs: From changes in your appearance and sleep patterns to neurological, musculoskeletal, psychological, and sexual issues, a comprehensive A to Z toolkit of science-backed options for coping with symptoms. What to do to mediate the risks associated with your body's natural drop in estrogen production, including for diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain. How to advocate and prepare for annual midlife wellness visits, including questions for your doctor and how to insist on whole life care. The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of hormone replacement therapy. Arming women with the power to secure vibrant health and well-being for the rest of their lives, The New Menopause is sure to become the bible of midlife wellness for present and future generations.

The Vagina Bible by Jen Gunter

ISBN: 9780806539317

Publication Date: 2019-08-27

Instant New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller! Boston Globe bestseller #1 Canadian Bestseller OB/GYN, writer for The New York Times, USA Today, and Self, and host of the show Jensplaining, Dr. Jen Gunter now delivers the definitive book on vaginal health, answering the questions you've always had but were afraid to ask--or couldn't find the right answers to. She has been called Twitter's resident gynecologist, the Internet's OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women's health...and she's here to give you the straight talk on the topics she knows best. Does eating sugar cause yeast infections? Does pubic hair have a function? Should you have a vulvovaginal care regimen? Will your vagina shrivel up if you go without sex? What's the truth about the HPV vaccine? So many important questions, so much convincing, confusing, contradictory misinformation! In this age of click bait, pseudoscience, and celebrity-endorsed products, it's easy to be overwhelmed--whether it's websites, advice from well-meaning friends, uneducated partners, and even healthcare providers. So how do you separate facts from fiction? OB-GYN Jen Gunter, an expert on women's health--and the internet's most popular go-to doc--comes to the rescue with a book that debunks the myths and educates and empowers women. From reproductive health to the impact of antibiotics and probiotics, and the latest trends, including vaginal steaming, vaginal marijuana products, and jade eggs, Gunter takes us on a factual, fun-filled journey. Discover the truth about: * The vaginal microbiome * Genital hygiene, lubricants, and hormone myths and fallacies * How diet impacts vaginal health * Stem cells and the vagina * Cosmetic vaginal surgery * What changes to expect during pregnancy and after childbirth * What changes to expect through menopause * How medicine fails women by dismissing symptoms Plus: * Thongs vs. lace: the best underwear for vaginal health * How to select a tampon * The full glory of the clitoris and the myth of the G Spot . . . And so much more. Whether you're a twenty-six-year-old worried that her labia are "uncool" or a sixty-six-year-old dealing with painful sex, this comprehensive guide is sure to become a lifelong trusted resource.

Like a Mother by Angela Garbes

ISBN: 9780062662941

Publication Date: 2018-05-29

A candid, feminist, and personal deep dive into the science and culture of pregnancy and motherhood Like most first-time mothers, Angela Garbes was filled with questions when she became pregnant. What exactly is a placenta and how does it function? How does a body go into labor? Why is breast best? Is wine totally off-limits? But as she soon discovered, it's not easy to find satisfying answers. Your obstetrician will cautiously quote statistics; online sources will scare you with conflicting and often inaccurate data; and even the most trusted books will offer information with a heavy dose of judgment. To educate herself, the food and culture writer embarked on an intensive journey of exploration, diving into the scientific mysteries and cultural attitudes that surround motherhood to find answers to questions that had only previously been given in the form of advice about what women ought to do--rather than allowing them the freedom to choose the right path for themselves. In Like a mother, Garbes offers a rigorously researched and compelling look at the physiology, biology, and psychology of pregnancy and motherhood, informed by in-depth reportage and personal experience. With the curiosity of a journalist, the perspective of a feminist, and the intimacy and urgency of a mother, she explores the emerging science behind the pressing questions women have about everything from miscarriage to complicated labors to postpartum changes. The result is a visceral, full-frontal look at what's really happening during those nine life-altering months, and why women deserve access to better care, support, and information. Infused with humor and born out of awe, appreciation, and understanding of the female body and its strength, Like a Mother debunks common myths and dated assumptions, offering guidance and camaraderie to women navigating one of the biggest and most profound changes in their lives.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai; Christina Lamb (As told to)

ISBN: 9780316322423

Publication Date: 2015-06-02

"I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday." When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize. I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons. I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou; Oprah Winfrey (Foreword by)

ISBN: 0375507892

Publication Date: 2002-03-05

Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou's debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local "powhitetrash." At eight years old and back at her mother's side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age--and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors ("I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare") will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned. Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity."--James Baldwin

Gender Studies [NOTE: includes women's studies and LGBTQ studies], Staff Pick Booklist

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week: Shining Light on Educational Resources at Hiram College

02/27/2024

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February 26th through March 3rd is Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

Health, Staff Pick Booklist

Student Workers' Favorites!

02/21/2023

Marc Freeman

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Recommendations from the library's student workers!

Staff Pick Booklist, Books

23 Books for Black History Month 2023!

02/09/2023

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23 Novels and Memoirs All Written by Black Authors!

African-American Studies, Staff Pick Booklist, Books

Intern Ian's Favorite Books!

02/07/2023

Ian Johnson

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Dog Songs by Mary Oliver

Call Number: 811.54 Oli 2013

ISBN: 9781594204784

Publication Date: 2013-10-08

I could’ve picked any collection of Mary Oliver’s poetry, but I chose this collection because it’s all about dogs!

Just like the rest of her work, this collection will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between—especially if you’re a dog owner like me.

If you’re new to reading poetry, Mary Oliver is the best place to start!

And if you like this collection, the library has multiple of her collections adding up to hundreds of poems!!

Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie

Call Number: F Sh176b

ISBN: 9780312551872

Publication Date: 2009-04-27

This novel follows Hiroko Tanaka, a Japanese woman who was in Nagasaki the day the bomb fell—she survives, but her German husband does not.

The novel then goes on a worldwide tour, as Hiroko looks for her late husband’s family in pre-partition India. While living there for a few years, she falls in love with someone new.

She and her new husband make a life in the newly formed Pakistan, and eventually have a child.

Even more years go by, and eventually her son leaves to join an extremist group, and her husband passes away not long after.

Alone again, a now elderly Hiroko moves to New York City to once again build a new life for herself, where she lives out the rest of her days.

This is my favorite novel of all time, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Call Number: JF R4792p v.1

ISBN: 0786282258

Publication Date: 2006-01-06

You may be wondering: “Intern Ian, why would I want to read a book written for middle schoolers?” My 20 year old sister asked me the same thing when I recommended them to her, and when she finally started the series she read all 5 in the span of a month!

The series has some of the best representation in the world, with characters of all orientations, races, and disabilities.

While Burnt Shadows is my ‘smarty pants English major’ favorite book, it’s Percy Jackson that really has my heart.

With the first new Percy Jackson book since 2009 releasing in just a few short months, you have just enough time to get addicted to the series! And the library has them all, so what are you waiting for?!

How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid

Call Number: Request Via OhioLINK

ISBN: 9781594487293

Publication Date: 2013-03-05

This is one of the most unique novels I’ve ever read, and one of the coolest too. The story follows the birth, life, and death of an unnamed main character in “Rising Asia.” The story is full of betrayal, lost love, and grief.

The twist? Everything is in the second person, telling you (the reader) what you should do to be successful—but really, it’s telling the specific life story of the main character. It sounds confusing, and for the first few chapters it is! (What do you mean I was born in a dirt hut in a tiny village in Pakistan? No I wasn’t!)

But once you get what the book is going for, it becomes one of the funniest, most clever, and most emotional books you’ll ever read.

If you’re looking to get out of your reading comfort zone, this is for you.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Call Number: F M1272r

ISBN: 9780307265432

Publication Date: 2006-09-26

https://cat.opal-libraries.org/record=b2607999~S31

If you’ve been watching The Last of Us on HBO, or you’re a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, this is a must read!

The story follows an unnamed father and son as they try to survive after the world ended.

This isn’t a book for the faint of heart. The father and son see a lot of…really, really messed up stuff on their journey, but the connection between the father and son adds a surprisingly heartwarming element to an otherwise very grim story.

If you’re looking for mystery, action, and suspense this is a great choice!

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Meet Our Interns: Ian

01/30/2023

Janet Vogel

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Meet Intern Ian, an English major who wants to be a writer.

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Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors Grant

12/16/2022

Janet Vogel

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Librarian Laura D’Aveta received a Library Services and Technology Act grant via the State Library of Ohio to support the “Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors” initiative.

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Welcome back! Textbooks at the Library

08/23/2022

Janet Vogel

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Welcome back, Terriers! Did you know that the library purchases many of your course textbooks and makes them available to you?

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National Poetry Month

04/13/2022

Janet Vogel

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The month of April is National Poetry Month. Take some time and read a poem or two, or a whole book! Below are some books that you can peruse to celebrate poetry month!

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Kanopy Platform Updates

03/31/2022

Janet Vogel

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In the next week or two, Kanopy will be updating its browser-based platform to include new navigation menus, a "continue watching" shelf, a live transcript tool, and more. Read an overview of the changes here.

This update does not include the Kanopy app for smartphones, tablets, or smart TVs, although those will be updated in the future.

If you have any questions, please contact us!

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