
And here are some recommended reads available from the Hamilton Public Library. To borrow them or place a reserve, go to https://hpl.bibliocommons.com .
Mafiaboy by Michael Calce & Craig Silverman. In 2000, 15-year-old Michael Calce, aka “Mafiaboy”, was arrested in Montreal by the RCMP & the FBI for hacking & shutting down the websites of CNN, Yahoo, eTrade, Dell, Amazon and eBay. His arrest ended the search for the most wanted “man” in cyberspace. The book takes the reader into the fascinating world of hackers; their motivation, their determination, and their goals. Calce walks the reader through his early life which seems to be pretty much that of a typical young boy going to school, hanging with friends, being part of a family; but there was something remarkable about his young life. His advanced computer skills were self-taught from the age of 6 when his father bought him his first computer. Calce speaks candidly about his attraction to computer-user clubs. It was a community built on an obsession with computers and the free exchange of information, however his actions went too far. He was subsequently charged and convicted. Luckily, he emerged a better person and is now a cyber security consultant. Calce says, “Mafiaboy is dead. You can call me Michael”. A good read.
Paige Turner
From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way. By Jesse Thistle
Abandoned by both parents as a toddler, Jesse shares the painful, often gut-wrenching but ultimately redemptive story of his journey through despair, addiction and homelessness. A school dropout and now a scholar at York university where he is an assistant professor ad PHD Candidate. His focus is on Métis history and the impact of intergenerational trauma. A Canada Reads 2020 contender defended by Canadian Country singer George Canyon. In Thistle’s own words, “I want readers to be left with a sense that I am, and people who are like me, who are in that situation and have addictions and cycle in and out of the justice system, we’re just like everybody else.” I believe that he has succeeded in this. An inspiring read, brutally honest and sometimes difficult, it is worth the effort. Kit Darling
Note: The bookmobile will be at Eastwood Park on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:00. There will be no access to the bookmobile to browse, but staff will be on hand for contactless returns and holds pickup.
Have you read any of our recommendations? Liked any of the same books we talked about or disagreed totally? Let us know at bayareabookclub@bell.net .