Staff Picks: Jenna Smith’s Favorites

We all know the story of the Titanic. But this YA historical fiction novel is an incredibly fresh take inspired by the forgotten history of the Chinese immigrants on the Ship of Dreams. Here we follow a fiercely independent heroine with a sly sense of humor: British-Chinese aspiring acrobat and stowaway, Valora Luck. This novel is thrilling, atmospheric, as joyful as it is heartbreaking, and — despite knowing the fate of the Titanic — you’ll be on the edge of your seat to see how this tale ends for Valora.

Amid racial injustice, inequity, and the Black Lives Matter movement, this book is so needed. Rather than simply “not being racist,” I sought out ways I could actively help and be ANTI-racist. This book was incredibly insightful, helpful, and digestible. If you’re looking for antiracist reading material, this is a great book to get started. And if it leaves you wanting to learn more, Ibram X Kendi’s new title Four Hundred Souls comes out later this year, where extraordinary voices tell the epic story of the 400-year journey of African Americans from 1619 to present.

I’m a huge fan of all things John Green and his first endeavor into nonfiction does not disappoint. Based on The Anthropocene Reviewed podcast, Green rates facets of the human experience on a five-star scale. From rating scratch ‘n’ sniff snickers to staphylococcus aureus, Green’s voice is sincere, humorous, and engaging. Also, I was both an English and Geology major in college and first learned the term “Anthropocene” back in 2018, so my inner nerd truly enjoyed this neat, entirely unexpected cross-over.