Tag Archives: We Heart MN

Books

We Heart MN: Lutefisk

In this series, we’ll pick some of our favorite things about Minnesota and share some related book suggestions. (We’re open to your suggestions! Comment below or email us and tell us some of your favorite MN things!) 

Many people in Minnesota come from a Norwegian background, and lutefisk is a traditional Scandinavian food! Whether you enjoy it or prefer to pass (it’s a no thank you from me!), it’s definitely interesting to read about the history of the dish!

The Last Word on Lutefisk: True Tales of Cod and Tradition by Gary Legwold “The Last Word on Lutefisk provides you with the most comprehensive collection of facts, fiction, and folklore surrounding this simple fish with the unforgettable scent.”

 

 

Real Norwegians Eat Lutefisk by Rose Marie MeuWissen
“Lutefisk is known through the United States and Scandinavia as an old traditional food of our Scandinavian forefathers. Real Norwegians Eat Lutefisk provides a Lutefisk recipe with an enticing and humorous story about a young boy’s first acquaintance with this strange type of Cod fish.”

Keeping Christmas: Yuletide Traditions in Norway and the New Land by Kathleen Stoker
“This title brings home the stories of Christmas in both Norway and the United States. The author describe and traces the developments of folkways on both sides of the ocean, from their origins to their practice in 2000.” The MN Historical Society Press has this excerpt of the book that talks specifically about the history of lutefisk.

The Lutefisk Ghetto: Life in a Norwegian American Town by Art Lee “The Lutefisk Ghetto is a funny, enlightening account of life in 1945 Scandinavia, Wisconsin.”

 

 

 

Books

We Heart MN: Hockey!

In this series, we’ll pick some of our favorite things about Minnesota and share some related book suggestions. (We’re open to your suggestions! Comment below or email us and tell us some of your favorite MN things!) 

Hockey season has recently started up again! In case you have students or patrons interested in reading more about the sport, here are some suggestions:

Hockey Strong: Playing Through Pain for the Love of Sport – stories of sacrifice from inside the trenches of the NHL by Todd Smith “This is the story of hockey, one scar at a time. For the casual enthusiast and hockey fanatic alike comes a brilliant collection of essays and photographs celebrating the grit and dedication of hockey players who regularly and willingly withstand injury and hardship to play the sport they love.”

Beartown by Fredrik Backman “People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.”

Iceman by Chris Lynch “The other guys on Eric’s hockey team call him the Iceman, because he’s a heartless player, cold as ice. Only Eric knows the truth — he’s not cold, he’s on fire, burning with a need he just can’t explain. Least of all to his fanily — not to his dad, whose only joy in life id watching Eric smash other hockey players to a pulp. Or his mom, who starts every conversation with “Your problem is…” Or even his brother, Duane, once a star athlete, now a star slacker.”

Checked by Cynthia Kadohata “Hockey is Conor’s life. His whole life. He’ll say it himself, he’s a hockey beast. It’s his dad’s whole life too—and Conor is sure that’s why his stepmom, Jenny, left. There are very few things Conor and his dad love more than the game, and one of those things is their Doberman, Sinbad. When Sinbad is diagnosed with cancer, Conor chooses to put his hockey lessons and practices on hold so they can pay for Sinbad’s chemotherapy. But without hockey to distract him, Conor begins to notice more. Like his dad’s crying bouts, and his friend’s difficult family life. And then Conor notices one more thing: without hockey, the one thing that makes him feel special, is he really special at all?”

Books

We Heart MN: Cheerful Books for Fall

In this series, we’ll pick some of our favorite things about Minnesota and share some related book suggestions. (We’re open to your suggestions! Comment below or email us and tell us some of your favorite MN things!) 

One of the best things about living in Minnesota is that we get to enjoy all four seasons. And right now I am loving that my drive into work is becoming more and more colorful every day! Green is transforming into orange, red, and yellow so we thought it’d be fitting to read some cheerful books that take place in the season of autumn.

Squashed by Joan Bauer “Humor, agriculture and young love all come together in Joan Bauer’s first novel, set in rural Iowa. Sixteen-year-old Ellie Morgan’s life would be almost perfect if she could just get her potentially prize-winning pumpkin to put on about 200 more pounds…”

 

 

Now I haven’t read this yet so I’m not sure it technically takes place during autumn. However, the main character’s name is September and it sounds like a fun adventure! The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by by Catherynne M. Valente
“Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.”

 Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert “Lois Ehlert uses watercolor collage and pieces of actual seeds, fabric, wire, and roots in this innovative and rich introduction to the life of a tree. A special glossary explains how roots absorb nutrients, what photosynthesis is, how sap circulates, and other facts about trees.”

 

Autumn at Apple Hill by Angie Ellington “Elise Jacobs is ready for a change. Recently divorced, she relocates to her hometown of Landover, Maine to operate a bed and breakfast she inherited from her grandmother. After growing up with the fondest memories of her childhood being spent there, she relishes the chance for a fresh start and an opportunity to revive the inn. As summer gives way to Autumn, the inn is returning to its’ grandeur. A handsome guest sets out to challenge Elise at every turn. She knows the type…or does she? “

Books

We Heart MN: Minnesota Music Part 1

Minnesota has been home to some legendary musicians, but also to some lesser well known talent. Since this topic is so broad, we’re breaking it up into a few different posts. If you have a book about the Minnesota music scene or a Minnesotan musician you’d like to recommend to us, please comment or email to admin@cmle.org!

My Own Devices: True Stories Fom the Road on Music, Science, and Senseless Love by Dessa
“Witty and moving, this debut memoir in essays from the dynamic rapper and singer Dessa, is a candid account of her life in the van as a hard-touring musician, her determination to beat long odds to make a name for herself as a performing artist, and her struggle to fall out of love with someone in her band. In a literary, honest style, evoking Amanda Palmer and Miranda July, Dessa demonstrates just how far the mind can travel while the body is on the six-hour ride to the next rap show.”

First Avenue: Minnesota’s Mainroom by Chris Riemenschneider
“One of the longest running clubs in American rock ‘n’ roll–and most recognizable venues in Minnesota–First Avenue in Minneapolis finally gets the rock-star treatment it deserves in print. Amidst all that history, the book is interlaced with anecdotes, quotes, and occasionally cloudy memories from musicians, employees, and regulars–many of whom are as unique as the club itself. Chock full of concert photos and memorabilia collected from professional photographers and average fans alike, the book is a lavish celebration of a rock ‘n’ roll landmark.”

Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound by Andrea Swensson
“Beginning in the year of Prince’s birth, 1958, with the recording of Minnesota’s first R&B record by a North Minneapolis band called the Big Ms, Got to Be Something Here traces the rise of that distinctive sound through two generations of political upheaval, rebellion, and artistic passion.”

Books

We Heart MN: Our Somali-American Neighbors!

Since our Central Minnesota area has become home to many Somali immigrants, we want to learn more about their culture and experiences in order to build understanding and community with our new neighbors! Here are some books to help:

Soo Fariista/Come Sit Down: A Somali American Cookbook by Wariyaa. “Somali Americans celebrate a shared heritage at mealtime. No matter what country they first called home, no matter how they found their way to Minnesota, members of this community come together over shaah, kackac, and halwad (that is, tea, beignets, and sweets). Realizing how quickly traditions can change in a culture on the move, Somali American students set out to preserve their culinary legacy by interviewing family members, researching available and alternative ingredients, and testing kitchen techniques. In Soo Fariista / Come Sit Down, seventy recipes for everything from saabuuse (stuffed pastry) to suqaar (sauteed meat) to canjeelo (flatbread) to shushumow (fried sweet dough) honor memories and flavors from East Africa with adjustments for American realities.”

From Somalia to Snow by Hudda Ibrahim
This book “gives readers an invaluable insider’s look into the lives and culture of our Somali neighbors and the important challenges they face. In providing a great understanding of Somali culture, tradition, religion, and issues of integration and assimilation, this book also focuses on why thousands of Somali refugees came to live in this cold, snowy area with people of predominantly European descent.”

Through My Eyes by Tammy Wilson
“After being caught in Somalia’s horrific civil war, Zamzam escapes with her mother, sister, and brothers to America. But when she arrives, she learns that she has to deal with biases and stereotyping she isn’t prepared to handle. Zamzam dreams of making a difference in this world, and she wants to be seen as a person who has value.  Through My Eyes is a story of compassion, empathy, and the importance of eliminating stereotypes to promote social justice. Join eleven-year-old Zamzam as she navigates her way through her new country while embracing her Somali values.”