By Jarrett Seto

Nose, Heart, Eyes

On first glance, none of these books appear to have much in common. At all. However, I noticed a theme of sorts. They all deal with our senses and intuitions. Ok, so our heart and/or soul isn’t a sense per say, but there’s still a feeling you get from it. Each of these books varies in theme, but there’s smell, sight (through dry observation), and heart. Think of these three books as those See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no Evil monkeys but altered. So monkey number one has their hands pointed towards their nose, number twos hands are away from their eyes, and three has their hands over their hearts. I name them the three monkeys of proverbial emotions. Or for a band name, the Olfactory Cortex Heart Club Band.

The Scent Keeper By Erica Bauermeister (2020)

Memory and family relationships are masterfully explored in The Scent Keeper. The novel follows Emmeline, a person who can read the history and journey of an item simply by its scent. Her father teaches her about the natural world using her senses as she grows up on a remote island off British Columbia. She discovers mysterious scents closed in little bottles that line the walls of her home. There comes a time where she must leave the island, and with it comes growing up, friendship, love, grief, and family. The Scent Keeper goes great with a reading nook and a cup of peppermint tea. Do you remember the first time you smelled peppermint tea?

My Year of Rest and Relaxation By Ottessa Moshfegh (2019)

A young, talented, and beautiful Columbia graduate has endless possibilities. She’s got an easy job and has lots of inheritance. She should be having the time of her life. But something doesn’t feel quite right. Could it be personal loss, an unhealthy relationship, or perhaps another issue? Ottessa Moshfegh’s second novel is, if anything, bold. It doesn’t shy away from any of life’s unpleasantries. You’ll find out that Moshfegh certainly has a way with words in this darkly humorous story of a woman who is trying to sleep for an entire year with prescription medications. The wry observational wit will cause you to chuckle, even when you know that you shouldn’t.

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg By Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik (2015)

Lawyer. Jurist. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Feminist Icon. There are many roles one thinks of when RBG is mentioned. Her mark on history is undeniable, and her support for gender equality and human rights inspires people across generations. It’s well known that she was a role model for millions of people across the globe and that she possessed noble convictions. Notorious RBG gives you a look into her life’s work, her struggles, and victories.

by Erica Huntley

Go a little deeper with your reading and check out these philosophical titles to expand your mind.

On Time: A history of western timekeeping by Ken Mondschein, 2020

With so much of our daily lives in modern western society being dictated by the clock, not many of us may have time to consider the social, cultural and historical aspects of timekeeping.  If you do make the time to explore this interesting topic, you could do worse than to pick up this highly readable book. From ancient astronomical ways of timekeeping, to modern clocks, On Time: A history of western timekeeping provides well-researched, accessible writing, suitable for the layperson or undergraduate. The book includes references and a convenient glossary.

Transcendence: How humans evolved through fire, language, beauty and time by Gaia Vince, 2020

Readers who enjoyed Guns, Germs and Steel, or Sapiens, are sure to enjoy this Royal Society Prize winner for science books. This scientific discourse on human evolutionary development using the most recent scholarship and draws examples from Ice Age humans, ancient Greeks and Romans, and contemporary hunter-gatherer societies as well as modern urban dwellers. While Vince explores some of the major problems of the Anthropocene, this book takes an overall optimistic tone, arguing that examples of great social improvements have been known to happen in a very short time.

Art of Logic in an Illogical World by Eugenia Cheng, 2018

British mathematician, Eugenia Cheng offers an antidote to divisive discourse and misinformation in this 2018 book. While there have been many books written on how to use logic, this book takes on a fresh perspective, and will be a natural companion to any more straightforward guide to critical thinking. The Art of Logic in an Illogical World looks at both the uses and limits of logic, asserting that for today’s most pivotal debates, a sense of compassion along with a strong sense of logic is most necessary.

by Erica Huntley

Entering the workforce? Looking to increase your competitive edge? Check out these new titles available at the BCIT Library.

Designing Your Work Life: How to thrive and change and find happiness at work by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans (Knopf, NY 2020)

From the creators of the very successful, Design Your Life book, Burnett and Evans are back to show us how apply concepts from the design world to improve our work life. The book offers growth-oriented techniques for making the most of our current employment and for moving into new roles.

HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Public Speaking and Presenting by Harvard Business Review, 2020

If you’re not already familiar with The HBR’s 10 Must Reads series, now is the time to check out this book. This collection of specially curated essays from top notch public speakers offers insightful knowledge on this highly valued skill. HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Public Speaking and Presenting is highly accessible, easy-to-read and an all-round valuable tool for improving your presentations.

Keep Sharp: Build a better brain at any age by Sanjay Gupta, MD, 2021

Debunking some of the common myths about the health of your brain, neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers a highly readable account of what really works to keep our minds sharp. Highly recommended for readers interested in neuroscience, but with little background in the topic.

One Decision: The first step to a better life by Mike Bayer, 2020

This self-help book explores the nature of motivation and self-improvement through the lens of personal authenticity. Life coach, Mike Bayer guides readers through the process of uncovering personal authenticity and using this as the basis for all of life’s complex and difficult decisions.

by Jarrett Seto

A Study Of Crime Or Marple Mondays Or Miss Marple Means Murder Mondays.

Okay, so we don’t actually have Miss Marple here, nor is it Monday. But please enjoy a book from our intriguing selection of mysteries, thrillers, and whodunits. Murder mysteries and crime novels continually fascinate us. We like to think “of course” when we find out who the culprit was, or “I would have done it differently” if you had committed the crime. They are cerebral, and dig into the recesses of consciousness, to the shadowy part of your mind that generally escapes prodding. It makes for a healthy brain to think like a Holmes. Are you up for the task? It’s elementary.

The Whisperer By Karin Fossum (2018)

Scandinavian crime novels are all the rage these days, and The Whisperer helps hold true to that statement. Renowned crime writer Karin Fossum, AKA the Norwegian Queen of Crime, dishes out this excellent character driven slow burn that will keep you guessing. With flawless writing, Fossum travels before and after a brutal crime, and each chapter unravels more layers onto our complex and troubled protagonist.

The Glass Hotel: A Novel By Emily St. John Mandel (2020) 

From the award winning author of Station Eleven comes a tale of intrigue, mystery, murder, and Mauritania. St. John Mandel’s novel is replete with white-collar crime, fallout from calamity, people of dubious morality, and regrets. Hauntingly beautiful with sentences crafted so well that they must be art, you’ll enjoy following the characters through locations like Vancouver Island and massive ocean bound container ships.

Camino Winds By John Grisham (2020)

The sequel to Camino Island is a bit of a departure from the courtroom drama that Grisham is well known (incredibly famous) for. After a deadly hurricane, a bookshop owner and his author friends discover one among them has been killed. Was the death a direct result from natural disaster, or was there something more malicious at play. Bruce Cable and his cadre of interesting acquaintances are bound to find out.