Every month, the Columbia Public Library presents items from its collection that connect to a popular bestseller or trending subject.Library Associate Stephanie Thompson gathered the picks for this month.
Variety is what makes life interesting. Many people brought this up when I shared my “Literary Links” theme. And indeed, this saying is accurate. Can you picture yourself only hearing the same 10 songs for the rest of your life? A musical piece composed solely with trombones would lack the richness that a complete orchestra can offer. Eating just one type of food at every meal would not only be unexciting but also lead to poor nutrition. There are countless examples showing how a lack of variety can leave someone feeling unsatisfied. Variety is often essential for balance, engagement, and well-being. This applies to many areas of life.
Let’s look at some books related to this subject!
“Many: The Variety of Life on Earth” (Candlewick Press, 2017)by Nicola Davies, is a children’s book that describes how millions of living organisms live on Earth and why their differences are important. Emily Sutton’s illustrations demonstrate how some creatures may look alike, yet are actually quite different. The book discusses the interdependence of species within an ecosystem and how humans have only discovered a small portion of the species that must exist. A stunning collection of illustrations showcases creatures, ranging from small to large, that have been discovered in the last 50 years. This is an excellent book to help children appreciate the amazing variety of life on our planet and the importance of preserving it.
In the biography “Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden” (Simon and Schuster, 2023)by Camille T. Dungy, we discover how Camille’s home garden thrives in a predominantly White neighborhood in Colorado. Ignoring community rules about what could and couldn’t be grown in backyards, Camille cultivated a wide range of flowers, herbs, vegetables, and plants. She sees her garden as a “metaphor for how uniformity endangers the future of our planet, and why fostering diverse and intersectional language in our national conversation about the environment is the most effective way to safeguard it.”
When talking about her father’s response to comparable neighborhood limitations, Camille remembers the Madeleine L’Engle book“A Wrinkle in Time” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, c. 1962)In L’Engle’s book, “an evil force called IT sought to make ‘everybody exactly the same.’ All the identical children in the uniform houses bounced their basketballs simultaneously,” which reminded her of the efforts of the council in her own neighborhood.
“A Unique Form of Strength: A Memoir” (Crown, 2025)by Jacinda Ardern poses the questions, “What if we could rethink leadership? What if compassion took precedence?” Her narrative begins with Ardern questioning whether she is about to become the leader of her nation and whether she is expecting her first child. She became the youngest female head of state in the world at 37. Her time as prime minister of New Zealand turned out to be just as intense as its start. She guided her country through the aftermath of a mass shooting in Christchurch, which claimed 51 lives and led to a ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons in New Zealand. Then came COVID-19. Her government reacted swiftly and firmly, resulting in some of the lowest death rates in the Western world. Naturally, her time in office was not without controversy, but her memoir provides insight into the potential of leadership and what can be accomplished when kindness, empathy, and unity are your top priorities.
Differences can also be found in corporate culture. In the book“Success via Diversity: Why the Most Inclusive Organizations Will Triumph” (Beacon Press, 2018), Carol Fulp explores how diversity within a company, from the lowest levels of the corporate hierarchy to the top, helps the business connect with a wider audience. “Using numerous case studies, Fulp shows that when companies adopt diversity, they create a more powerful brand and remain more connected to their customer base,” notes Booklist.
Since ability and expertise can be found among individuals of all ages, businesses succeed when they prioritize these attributes over age during the hiring process.“Gentelligence: A New Way to Lead a Workforce with Multiple Generations” (Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2021), by Megan W. Gerhardt, highlights the benefits of creating a work environment where individuals of various ages collaborate effectively and leverage their unique abilities.
Wrapping up with a lighthearted touch, we have“That Cheese Board Craves a Celebration: Festive Boards, Dips, and Recipes Using the Cheese by Numbers Technique” (The Dial Press, 2023)by Marissa Mullen. This publication includes 40 different cheese board setups, party concepts, decoration suggestions, beverage ideas, and musical pairings! That’s a wide range of options!
I hope you discover numerous helpful resources in the library concerning topics such as variety, distinction, and multiculturalism.
This piece first was published on Columbia Daily Tribune:Literary Connections: “Variety is the spice of life” — and the focus of these books
