In Search of the Canary Tree by Lauren E. Oakes

An informative and fascinating narrative about the die-off of Yellow Cedar trees in Southern Alaska that acknowledges previous studies which established the cause to be climate change but then significantly explores the impact of the loss of this tree species, postulates what kind of changes this die-off might generate, and ultimately offers her extensive study and knowledgeable conclusions to provide a data-rich window into the issues of global climate change.

A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things by Raj Patel and Jason Moore

A strong denouncement of the destruction of the Environment and our global society by the adoption of Capitalism. A lot of interesting details explain how "cheap" natural products and resources, labor, food to keep laborers alive and functioning work to maximize profits for the few. The only disappointment is that their conclusion was cursory. Perhaps readers can form discussion groups to perhaps come up with some concrete strategies and activities to revamp a very entrenched economic system that the 1% will fight tooth and nail to keep in place even as our very damaged World becomes increasingly unable to support life.

Kinship of Secrets by Eugenia Kim

A poignant story of two Korean "sisters" raised apart beginning in the Korean War. The one sister lives with her adoptive parents in Washington DC, while the biological daughter is left behind to live with her Uncle's family in South Korea. Their very different lives are revealed in separate chapters that still manage to impart strongly the emotions of an extended family torn apart by distance, loss, and secrets.