3 New Books With New Year’s Resolutions for Teens
Jan 06, 2019
New year, new hope, new you! It’s true that just being a teen is tough enough, but it’s also a great time to embrace growth and change. The three new e-books in this week’s book club, geared toward youth but accessible to all, are guides to creating change in your own life and in the world. Here’s how to make and follow through with resolutions to live with less stuff, contribute to ending rape culture, and even save the environment. Not a bad way to spend 2019!
<em>Living Simply: A Teen Guide to Minimalism</em>
We tend to acquire a lot over the holidays, leading many people to make the same New Year’s resolution: Have less stuff. Many of us are drowning in clutter, and the sooner we break the pattern, the better. McGraw’s book is a helpful guide for anyone who’s been binge-watching Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up on Netflix this week. McGraw uses graphics and statistics to show teens the huge impact that unchecked consumption can have on the environment and on our lives. She outlines the history of the minimalist ethos, its battle with the “rise of consumer culture,” and its connections to politics, design, and artistic movements. She differentiates between minimalism as a conscious decision and “no-choice minimalism” and gives suggestions on how to live a good life with as little as possible, even if you’re not ready to go live on a commune.
<em>No More Excuses: Dismantling Rape Culture</em>
“What is going on with rape in America?” This question, from the first chapter of Keyser’s guide to breaking down a culture of casually accepted sexual violence, has been at the forefront of recent discourse. A topical book for the budding activist, No More Excuses relives landmark recent moments, movements, and cases pertaining to the issue, such as the 2016 election, the #MeToo revolution, and a number of high-profile rape trials that resulted in lax punishments for offenders.
<em>Solutions for a Greener, Cleaner Planet: Environmental Chemistry</em>
“Through chemistry — the study of atoms and chemical processes — researchers are able to do many things. They can design new medicines, make smaller and longer-lasting batteries, and improve fuel efficiencies of cars, planes, and other vehicles. While chemical processes can make our lives easier and more fun, they can also pollute the environment around us. Our shared planet faces many environmental challenges. Understanding the chemistry that underlies these issues is a key part of coming up with solutions. The field of environmental chemistry focuses on understanding the most common pollutants; how they pollute; how they get into our food, water, and air; and what the consequences to human, plant, and animal health are. Just as critical is that environmental chemistry also focuses on solutions.”
