Behind the Scenes Minis: Opera and Joyous Research

The book follows Margaret Simon, who moves from New York City to Farbrook, New Jersey, and struggles to fit in with her new friends. Margaret is part of a secret club where the girls discuss boys, bras, and getting their periods. Born to a Jewish father and a Christian mother, Margaret is trying to figure out her own religious identity and has a personal relationship with God, whom she talks to about her thoughts, fears, and desires. The story addresses themes of puberty, peer pressure, social acceptance, and religious identity in a relatable and humorous way.

Rebecca Solnit's 'River of Shadows' is a deeply insightful book that intertwines biography, history, and cultural analysis to explore the life of Eadweard Muybridge, a pioneering photographer whose work in motion studies laid the groundwork for modern cinema. The book also delves into the broader technological transformations of the late 19th century, tracing the roots of Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Solnit's narrative weaves together Muybridge's personal crises and innovations with the rapid changes in technology and human perception during his time.