a basketbear's book bumblings

book log and random book thoughts | sometimes reviews, sometimes synopsis | random ratings based on basketbears

[maraschino-fairy-deactivated202]

palestine masterpost-masterpost

i've been trying my best to collect a bunch of links to other, more structured resources about the genocide in gaza, and what you, reading this, can do about it, that i'm going to compile here.

DON'T SCROLL PAST. LOOK THROUGH THE LINKS. REBLOG.

less and less people are talking about gaza every day, but it is still a very real crisis.

education, donations, speaking out, global links (masterpost)

links to contextual articles

for americans - state/congressional contacts

how you can help palestine - donations, petitions, campaigns, upcoming protests (masterpost)

non-politically motivated charity links

canary mission

petitions and congressional contact (masterpost)

education, current news, taking action, direct action and donations, current protests (masterpost)

small monetary actions

2700 ebooks on israel and palestine, available for free

thorough article by storiesfromgaza, dated 10/30/23

targeted boycott + bds

how to find state/congressional contacts, bds, email template, donation links

sudan and congo

egypt, us/uk/canada/europe congressional contacts

direct links to help palestine

educate yourself (twitter links)

translating gaza (instagram link)

bds/targeted boycott information

compilation of palestine info and how to support it (masterpost), dated 10/28/23

latest info as of 11/3/23 and large amounts of immediate action to take (masterpost)

history of palestine and israel - articles, books, films, social media (masterpost)

socials to follow

journalists in north gaza

btselem

families in gaza to donate to

[mythsmagicmelanin]

LOOK AT THEMMMMMMMMM

Art by @/mageofspace__ on IG!

[basketbear-books]

ALICE CHEN.

im dead. what a hot ass kicking nerd. queer icon.

[incorrect-legendborn-quotes]

Sel: Well, aren’t you sugar, spice, and everything nice.

William: Well, aren’t you rudeness, sarcasm, and everything… uh…

Sel: No, go on. You find something that rhymes with sarcasm and makes sense, and I’ll stop acting like an asshole.

Alice: Well aren’t you rudeness, sarcasm, and lacking enthusiasm.

[leifysprout]

The ‘I’m watching you’ scene from Korra

but with Alice and Sel!!! 😂

[liberaljane]

In the U.S., your right to reproductive freedom depends entirely on your zip code, and resources. Access has only become more limited since Roe fell last summer. Since then, 12 states have enacted near-total bans on care - with little to no exceptions and another 12 states have enacted strict gestational limits, or no longer have in-clinic providers to provide care.

Legal barriers aren’t the only obstacle in accessing care - logistical challenges such as cost, travel, and lodging leave behind those most vulnerable in our communities, including women of color, young people, trans and gnc people and disabled people.

Rights shouldn’t come with a price tag - everybody should be able to get the abortion care they want - when and how they want it.

Your human rights matter.

Created with @allaboveall

Digital illustration of two fems. On the left is a Latina woman wearing a green headband and matching green leggings. She is wearing a pink sports bra with the All Above All logo and is holding up a fist. On the right is a Black fem wearing black knee high socks, cloud-printed bike shorts and an oversized blue sweater with the text, ‘Abortion Access for All" and below is a text bubble that reads, 'No matter WHO you are or WHERE you are from.“

[basketbear-books]

Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Dan Brown; Illustrated by Dan Brown

Dan Brown brings the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the city and citizens of New Orleans to life with this graphic novel.  Going beyond the headlines, Brown illustrates the positives and negatives of Katina on a people level.  The heroic selfless acts of individuals to rescue and support those stranded and the systemic incompetence and racism that was revealed in the aftermath of Katrina impacting thousands. 

[basketbear-books]

Wild Berries Pikaci-Mĩnisa by Julie Flett; Illustrated by Julie Flett

Clarence and his grandma are going to pick wild berries pikaci-mĩnisa.  This quiet story takes readers into the woods and is perfectly illustrated by Julie Flett’s muted watercolors.  Flett utilizes the double-page spread to bring readers on their trip through the woods.  The sights and sounds of the journey are not only beautifully illustrated but also described textually in English and Swampy Cree.

Julie Flett books are amazing. Her writing and illustrations are always perfectly matched like a Tyus-BC lob.

[basketbear-books]

Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden; Illustrated by Tillie Walden

Bea and Lou’s chance encounter leads them off on an adventure as they learn to trust each other.  As they journey through Texas, they find Diamond the cat and decide to return her home.  Through shared stories of heartbreak and loss, Tillie Walden tells a beautiful story of human connection.  Her use of light and dark hues reflects the ebb and flow of Bea and Lou’s relationship throughout the book.

I'm a sucker for stories of humans finding other humans that understand them and feeling seen.

[basketbear-books]

The Perfect Gift by Paula Yoo; Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez

Mei is excited for baby brother Ming’s 100th day party, but she does not know what to get him.  After multiple attempts to find the perfect gift, the day arrives, and Mei has no gift.  Mei’s grandmother helps her by revealing the secret to finding the perfect gift for someone.

[basketbear-books]

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith; Illustrated by Lane Smith

Grandpa Green has had a very full life.  Lane Smith tells readers his story through the great-grandson’s voice.  Grandpa Green’s lush topiary creations tell readers his life story visually in an elegant yet playful medium.  This green book (literally!) culminates in one final foldout double-spread where readers learn what “the important stuff” is in Grandpa Green’s life.

The physical book is a must if you are reading Grandpa Green. The way the story quite literally unfolds is absolutely stunning. On par with a JJJ block. This cannot be fully appreciated and loved in ebook form. Get to your local library or bookstore and weave your way through the garden of Grandpa's life.

[basketbear-books]

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol; Illustrated by Vera Brosgol

Anya needed a friend.  Emily Reilly fits the bill, but Emily is a ghost.  Anya’s friendship with Emily forces her to reflect on her life.  Anya’s embarrassment about her body, her family; everything is thrown back in her face by Emily, and now she must confront it.  Vera Brosgol’s hilarious tale is illustrated perfectly.  Her purple and black palette are exactly what a century-old ghost would choose.

[basketbear-books]

Bloom by Kevin Panetta; Illustrated by Savanna Ganucheau

Summer love.  Cute kitchen scenes baking bread together.  Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau check all the boxes in this coming of age story.  Desperate to move to the big city, Ari must first learn to love himself, to ask for help and to accept the consequences of his choices this summer with Hector.  Ganucheau’s beautiful flowering illustrations perfectly pair the blossoming relationship between Ari and Hector.

[basketbear-books]

Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression by Teresa Wong; Illustrated by Teresa Wong

Mental health is rarely talked about in Asian communities.  Postpartum depression is rarely talked about in general.  Teresa Wong turns these two on their heads and chronicles her own journey with postpartum in a letter to her first-born daughter.  Wong’s illustrations display compassion to herself, her daughter and all her readers reminding everyone it is okay to feel sadness, pain and joy all at the same time. 

This book captivated me. It was the first time I saw (like physically saw with words and visuals) Asian mental health issues being addressed. It was the first of many, but this book captivated me. It laid out all the things I've never been able to articulate through an experience that was not mine. The cultural nuances and way Wong tells herself and us that it is okay to not be okay made me feel so seen.

I renewed this library book until I couldn't and still turned it in late and forgot to take a photo of it. Just go read it.

[basketbear-books]

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Samantha only wanted to pursue a career as a violinist in New York. Instead she finds herself on the run for murder of a white man with Annamae, a runaway slave. On the Oregon Trail, the two girls of color go undercover as boys searching for their pasts and avoiding capture. This story by Stacey Lee is a wonderfully woven tale of perseverance, love and found family set against the backdrop of the Oregon Trail.

[liberaljane]

Representation is more important than ever, especially for the kids who are most marginalized.

Digital illustration of an older Latina teacher wearing an apple print dress. She’s standing in front of a blackboard that says, ‘inclusive curriculums benefit all students.’ There’s a variety of items around the image, including a pride flag, Black lives matter sign, globe, and plant.

[byjessicaelena]

Cow!

[basketbear-books]

Over the Shop by JonArno Lawson; Illustrated by Qin Leng

JonArno Lawson and Qin Leng manage to tell the heartwarming story of a grumpy grandmother, cheerful granddaughter, new tenants and their transformation in a wordless picture book.  Leng’s use of panels allow readers to easily follow the events that unfold despite no text.  Lawson and Leng also create a beautifully diverse cast as the building and its inhabitants are literally transformed through love.