Age of Selfishness:
Ayn Rand, Morality, and the Financial Crisis
By Darryl Cunningham
Many people would not consider books
about economics and philosophy to be engaging reads; however, in Age of
Selfishness: Ayn Rand, Morality, and the Financial Crisis, Darryl
Cunningham delivers a concise narrative of Ayn Rand’s philosophy of objectivism
and it’s connection to the economic meltdown of 2008. For those unfamiliar with
Rand and her philosophy, the book is broken down into three parts, “Ayn Rand”,
a biography, “The Crash”, a look at Alan Greenspan’s interpretation of Rand’s
philosophy and how it led to the 2008 financial crisis, and “The Age of
Selfishness”, an exploration of the aftermath of the meltdown and commentary of
those who follow Rand’s philosophies and principles. Cunningham has written
several nonfiction graphic novels including Science Tales: Lies, Hoaxes and
Scams, How to Fake the a Moon Landing, and Psychiatric Tales.
Be sure to check them out for intriguing and thought provoking reads.
Out on the Wire: the
Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio
By Jessica Abel
Podcasts, downloadable radio like
programs, have become increasingly popular as a way to hear interesting stories
and learn more about a vast array of topics. Some tell narrative stories about
fictional lands and are close cousins to old time radio dramas while others
craft expertly researched and written news pieces. In Out on the Wire,
Jessica Abel draws on the creative minds behind the podcasts Serial, This
American Life, and Radiolab to explore the techniques and tricks of
these impeccable story tellers. What is very interesting about this book is the
use of the graphic narrative to explore an auditory experience.
Author/illustrator Jessica Abel has been creating comics for over 25 years and
uses her storytelling expertise to complement the master storytellers in the
podcasts she explores.
The Thrilling
Adventures of Lovelace & Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First
Computer
By Sydney Padua
Breakout graphic novelist Sydney
Padua’s The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace & Babbage takes a
comical and informative look at the relationship between Ada Lovelace, Charles
Babbage, and the first computational code. Many people have heard of Lovelace
and Babbage in relation to computers, but this unique comic embellishes on
their adventures while teaching the history and science behind their
inventions. The art is wonderfully whimsical and Padua’s research, including
biographical research and correspondences, provide a wonderfully twisted story
for this alternative steampunk history. For those who like non-fiction with a
fictional twist, this is a great graphic novel for you.
The Diary of a
Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures
By Phoebe Gloeckner
This autobiographical graphic novel is,
at times, uncomfortable to read but presents a coming of age story many of us
can relate to on some level. Meet Minnie Goetze, a fifteen-year-old girl
growing up in 1970s San Francisco. Left to her own devices by her absent and
narcissistic mother, Minnie dives into the adult world of drugs, sex, and out
of control behavior. This mixed media graphic novel includes pages from a
teenager’s diary, long form prose and traditional comic book panels. Graphic
novelist Phoebe Gloeckner got her start as a medical illustrator and is
currently a professor at the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art &
Design.
Steve Jobs: Insanely
Great
By Jessie Hartland
Whether you own an iPhone, have seen
the Steve Jobs movie, or love Pixar films, Steve Jobs: Insanely Great
is a fast paced, in-depth look at the life of Steve Jobs. This graphic
biography follows Jobs from his birth and adoption to his rebellious young
adulthood and his relationships which challenged and complemented his
intellectual prowess. While many biographies of Jobs’ life could seem more like
computer science textbooks, what makes Hartland’s book accessible is it’s
ability to seamlessly define and explain complex terms and theories with ease.
The pages are jam packed with amazing illustrations and dense text. Geared to
teenagers, this book is sure to impress and inspire teens and adults alike.
--Tracy Boehm,
Technical Services Librarian
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