Yomu Yomu, Tadoku,* Easy Japanese Books Available

The McGill Libraries recently acquired the electronic version of the Nihongo Tadoku Bukkusu にほんご多読ブックス series. Users can now access graded readers for Japanese language learners in either print or electronic format:

  • Reberu betsu Nihongo tadoku raiburarī レベル別日本語多読ライブラリー  (also, called Nihongo Yomu Yomu Bunko ほんごよむよむ文庫) consists of 15 volumes divided into five levels (0-4). Each volume contains 4-6 booklets (parts).
  • Nihongo Tadoku Bukkusu にほんご多読ブックス consists of 55 books divided into six levels (0-5).

Detailed information about the titles in these series and how to access them can be found in “Resources for Japanese Language Learners” of the Japanese Studies guide. For questions and additional information, contact the East Asian Studies Liaison Librarian (hye-jin.juhn@mcgill.ca).

*Yomu よむ means “to read.” Tadoku 多読 means “extensive reading.”

Reproductive Justice – Redpath Book Display, January 2025

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, we have continued to see reproductive freedom taken away at the highest levels of government in the United States. There has been a ripple effect in Canada, as some members of parliament have become more outspoken about limiting access to reproductive health in this country. As we begin 2025, let us take a moment to look at the breadth of literature on reproductive rights. Much of this display features writings from and about the Canadian context, but there are topics ranging from Victorian Toronto to present-day Mexico and everything in between.  

Some noteworthy works on the local history of reproductive health in McGill Libraries’ collection include: After Morgentaler : The politics of abortion in Canada, which examines the landmark 1988 decision of R. v. Morgentaler that struck down Canada’s abortion law; Shout your abortion, a hashtag that went viral in 2015 following the United States Congress’ attempt at defunding Planned Parenthood; and Portrait of a scandal: The abortion trial of Robert Notman, about the younger brother of Montreal’s noted photographer William Notman who arranged for a woman’s abortion. In consideration of how abortion has been utilized by both proponents for and critics of eugenics, we have also included works on the history of eugenics in Canada such as: Our Own Master Race Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945 and In the public good : eugenics and law in Ontario

Beyond abortion, another theme explored in the display is the timely and hotly debated topic of surrogacy. Surrogacy in Canada: Critical perspectives in law and policy addresses the health and well-being of surrogates, as well as the lack of surrogacy regulation in Québec. In My body, their baby : A progressive Christian vision for surrogacy, author Grace Y. Kao draws on her experience as a surrogate mother and assess the ethics of surrogacy through feminist and Christian lenses. Intimate strangers: Commercial surrogacy in Russia and Ukraine and the making of truth examines the transactional and financial nature behind some surrogate births and the impact it has on women’s bodies.  

McGill Libraries Delivers Chinese eBooks

麦吉尔大学图书馆提供中文电子书籍!

Check out the new digital library of Chinese ebooks: Chinamaxx Digital Libraries.

This digital library contains digitized copies of books published in China, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s. Unlike ebooks nowadays that are born-digital, these are digitized copies of print books that might be out of print.

Through Chinamaxx, you can select books and gain speedy access to the content at your convenient location.

When you enter the Chinamaxx site, check the “Trial” box. (You can choose the display language from the dropdown menu under “Other Languages” in the right column.)

Once “Trial (试读全库书)” is checked, you will be able to see the categories, by which you can browse book titles.

Click “推荐 (recommend)” and enter your name and email address. You will receive an email notification when the book is available.

Questions about Chinamaxx or other Chinese resources? Contact the East Asian Studies Liaison Librarian (hye-jin.juhn@mcgill.ca).