A work to read again, or for the first time! Written by Malcolm Gladwell

Year of Publication: 2008

A summary from the book flap: “Why do some people succeed far more than others? There is a story that is usually told about extremely successful people, a story that focuses on intelligence and ambition. In Outliers Malcolm Gladwell argues that the true story of success is very different, and that if we want to understand how some people thrive, we should spend more time looking around them – at such things as their family, their birthplace, or even their birth date. The story of success is more complex — and a lot more interesting — than it initially appears. Outliers explains what the Beatles and Bill Gates have in common, the extraordinary success of Asians at math, the hidden advantages of star athletes, why all top New York lawyers have the same resume, and the reason you’ve heard of the world’s smartest man — all in terms of generation, family, culture, and class.”

Comments from a Goshen Public Library staff member: “Fascinating and meticulously researched explanation of the mechanics of fame.” — Cinzi

Other works by the author: “In The Tipping Point Malcolm Gladwell changed the way we understand the world. In Blink he changed the way we think about thinking. Outliers will transform the way we understand success.” (back book flap)

Goshen Public Library call number: 302 GLADWELL

Welcome back to the Goshen Public Library New Books, Videos, and Recommendations section of the website know as our “Library Spotlight!”

We’ve been away for a while, but look to see upcoming posts for, you guessed it:  new books and new videos that have arrived at the library. 

Also included will be recommendations for works that are already here to encourage you to look at something you may have missed in the past.  The goal is to have something “new” at least every other Tuesday and something “throwback” every other Thursday.  The highlighted items will come from throughout the library to showcase our offerings across the board. 

Now we will ask for your help:  part of future posts can be a quote from you!  See the Tuesday 1/9/23 post for Nazis on the Potomac (that post is below this one) where a review quote by a patron of the Goshen Public Library is included in the highlight.  If you find something you would recommend, leave a quote with any of the library staff and it might end up here in a post about the work for other patrons to see.  This can be done by all patrons regardless of genre or area of the library.  Regardless of your age, tell us what you like about our collection and we will share your recommendations with others!

On August 6, 1945, a 22-year-old Kaleria Palchikoff was doing breakfast chores when a blinding flash lit the sky over Hiroshima, Japan.  A moment later, everything went black as the house collapsed on her and her family.  Their world, and everyone else’s, changed as the first atomic bomb detonated over a city.  From Russian nobility, the Palchikoffs barely escaped death at the hands of Bolshevik revolutionaries until her father, a White Russian officer, hijacked a ship to take them to safety in Hiroshima.  Safety was short-lived.

After the bombing, trapped in the center of a previously unimagined devastation, Kaleria summoned her strength to come to the aid of bomb victims, treating the never-before-seen effects of radiation.  Fluent in English, Kaleria was soon recruited to work with Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s occupation forces in a number of secretarial positions until the family found a new life in the United States.

Heavily based on quotes from Kaleria’s memoirs written immediately after WWII, and transcripts of United States Army Air Force interviews with her.

In this stunning debut picture book, Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story that will inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

Excerpt front front jacket:  “She is darker than everyone in her family.  She is darker than anyone in her school.  Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister.  Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.”

NEW  E Nyongo