Celina Lozano

Reading memoirs offer us the opportunity to step into an author’s personal life and immerse ourselves in the experiences that have shaped their growth, life purpose, and understanding of the world during a particular era. Thus, we may feel inspired by the author’s journey, connected through shared experiences, or motivated to learn more about unfamiliar perspectives and topics. Additionally, the format in which the memoir is presented plays a part in how we engage with it. Today, memoirs are presented not only in traditional book form, but also as graphic novels, which can appeal to a new generation of readers through the use of visual elements such as color to convey emotion and meaning. In addition, memoirs are available in audiobook format, allowing listeners to further immerse themselves in the author’s emotions and experiences.

What began as a letter correspondence between Sister Helen Prejean and Patrick Sonnier, a man sentenced to death for murder, led to Prejean’s lifelong advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty. Dead Man Walking: Graphic Edition, takes readers back to the beginning of Prejean’s work in this field through a visual adaptation of her 1993 bestselling memoir, “Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate.” Created in collaboration with writer Rose Vines and artist Catherine Anyango, the memoir aims to reach a new generation that perhaps has not heard of Prejean and her work. Combined, the visuals, colors, and the script, capture the sorrow and emotional weight of Prejean’s experiences, as well as those of inmates and families. The memoir humanizes those on death row while also acknowledging the impact of their crimes on their victims’ loved ones; multiple perspectives on this controversial issue are also presented.

The audiobook version of Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Roberts Giuffre was a finalist for the 2026 Audie Award for Best Narration in Biographies— an award that recognizes distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. Narrators Gabra Zackman and Thérèse Plummer bring Giuffre’s story to life by giving voice to her experiences of childhood abuse, the exploitation she suffered by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and the emotional challenges she faced in seeking justice. Listening to the memoir allows readers to connect to Giuffre’s emotions through the narrators’ tones and inflections, which can often be less apparent on the page. On the other hand, reading the physical memoir offers the reader flexibility to skim, or skip sections that can be difficult to read—both the audiobook and print formats are available for check out.

Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense by Joe Manchin recounts his experiences in the Senate and the White House, along with the defining moments that shaped his character, values, and work ethic. Organized into thirteen chapters, the memoir traces his journey from childhood to his career as both a businessman and senator. Each chapter centers on a guiding principle that has influenced his leadership approach, such as, “The dignity of work builds a good and accountable society,” and “If you can’t change your mind, you can’t change anything.” Manchin explains how these principles helped him overcome adversity, shaped his understanding of leadership, and influenced his view on commonsense politics.

There are several memoirs to be checked out at A.K. Smiley Public Library; perhaps there is one ready to be read by you.

Celina Lozano is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

One of my favorite literary genres is the exposé genre. It often uses interviews and in-depth research to expose hidden truths, and injustices, on social issues and other matters. Animal research and the treatment of animals are topics at the forefront of this genre. Reading exposés can create feelings of sadness, shock, and empathy, but at times it can also offer hope.

The following books highlight some of the current realities of fish, beagles, and lions—they also serve as a call to action by providing guidance on what we can do to promote a better world for animals.

Dive into the world of fish with Rose George’s book, “Every last fish: a deep dive into everything they do for us and we do to them.” George goes into an underwater exploration to understand the fish’s journey from ocean to dinner table. She travels to different places such as Alaska and Scotland, to understand how practices, illegal and otherwise, in the fishing industry affect our fish consumption during a time when consumption is increasing, and fish populations are decreasing, and oceans are warming. Readers will also be introduced to fishermen, marine biologists, and other individuals who are at the forefront of the fishing industry and working towards better fishing practices.

Next we have “Lab Dog: a beagle and his human investigate the surprising world of animal research” by Melanie D.G. Kaplan. Kaplan’s curiosity into the animal research industry began when she adopted her beagle, Hammy—previously a research lab dog for four years. Part of her investigative work is to find answers to some of the most common animal testing questions such as: why are beagles the most common type of lab dog, where do they come from, and can we live in a world where animal testing is nonexistent? Kaplan also brings forth supporting and opposing viewpoints for animal testing from the perspectives of lawmakers, activists, researchers, and other individuals.

“The Last Lions”, edited by Don Pinnock and Colin Bell, is an eye-catching photography coffee table book showcasing lions in their natural habitat in the regions of Africa and India. The captivating photographs give us wildlife glimpses into the everyday moments of lions, from hunting, lounging on trees, eating, to caring for their cubs. The photographs also capture the sad realities that lions experience, including poaching, habitat loss, and illegal trade. The photographs are dispersed through several chapters that support the anecdotes of scientists and conservationists who advocate for the protection of lions. Other topics touched upon in the book are the behaviors, biology, and intricate lives of lions.

Do you have a particular animal or topic you are interested in reading? These and other new reads are available for check-out at A.K. Smiley Public Library. Let us know what you are in the mood for reading and we may just have a book for you—exposé or not.

Celina Lozano is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library and would love to adopt a dog one day.

November, for me, is a month when I reflect on my New Year’s resolutions and how they are coming along. This year my resolution was to read more, specifically to finish reading my library books from cover to cover. This may not sound like a big deal, but my day often consists of being surrounded by a variety of great books that I can’t help but start reading more than one! As a result, it’s difficult finishing a single book. However, it’s November, and I still have time to read at least one book in its entirety.

In an attempt to fulfill my New Year’s resolution, I decided to pick a book in the running for a 2025 National Book Award. This seemed fitting since November is the month when the National Book Foundation honors five authors with National Book Awards. There are twenty-five author finalists, but only one winner in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people’s literature. Different factors are taken into consideration by the National Book Foundation when selecting the winners, but all titles represent some of the best literature in the country. Here are just a few of the titles that have been nominated for a 2025 National Book Award.

Non-Fiction

In When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World, anthropologist and former Los Padres Hotshot wildland firefighter Jordan Thomas vividly describes his six-month fire season with the Los Padres Hotshots. Thomas recounts what is it was like to battle wildfires during a record-setting season and provides information on how wildfires have evolved throughout the years. Thomas also introduces historical factors that offer a new perspective on the climate crisis. These include the ways in which the Indigenous people in California used fire to shape the land, and how government actions tried to take the use of fire away from Indigenous people.

 

Translated Literature

The next 2025 National Book Award finalist is The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje. Noon Merckem served in the Great War and lost his memory due to shell shock. While living in the psychiatric asylum, he receives visits from women responding to a newspaper ad—each hoping he might be their spouse who vanished during the war. Years later, Julienne identifies Noon as her husband and brings him home. Attempting to help Noon recover his memory, Julienne shares stories about his life, but Noon begins to doubt her sincerity and struggles to determine whether she is telling the truth. Can Noon find peace amid the confusion of his past and new identity?

 

Poetry

Great reading experiences often occur when we feel seen and understood. This occurs when an author captures what it’s like to live through a certain experience—or expresses emotions such as loss, love, and longing in a deeply familiar way. In The New Economy, poet Gabrielle Calvocoressi does just that. Her poetry collection explores themes of loss, love, memory, aging, and gender. Calvocoressi writes about what it’s like to protect the body one is born with while yearning to have been born in another. Additionally, her series of “Miss You” poems evoke the pain of absence—the people we wish we could see again and the moments we wish we could relive. Calvocoressi’s poetry invites us to face our sorrows and remember the people, or the what, that have left us.

These and other titles that speak to the heart and mind are available for check out at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

~ Celina Lozano is a Library Specialist who is currently reading, and hopefully finishing, When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World by Jordan Thomas.