If you think you’re noticing a lot more facial hair on the men around town, you’re not imagining things. November is the month for the ‘mo (aka mustache) and bringing awareness to men’s health issues.
The Movember Foundation is in its 11th year of leading efforts to change the face of men’s health in the United States and around the world. The annual Movember campaign – a “no shave” November – spotlights key health issues like prostate and testicular cancer, suicide prevention, and mental health. And it produces a stunning amount of beards and ‘mos in the community. (Did you know there are active community groups like Movember Mountain Mustache Network and Rocky Mountain Beard and Mustache Club that work to celebrate the ‘mo and raise funds for men’s health?)
The Rocky Mountain Beard & Mustache Club participates in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Fort Collins.
Part of building awareness of key men’s health issues is empowering the dads, brothers, sons, and male friends in our lives with greater knowledge and resources to stay healthy and take action.
So, we’ve put together a list of some of the men’s health books and resources available at the Poudre River Public Library District.* We’ve also included titles celebrating a few of our favorite men-with-a-mo.**
*Always consult a doctor with any questions or concerns about your health.
**Always consult your spouse, sibling, friend, or partner about whether or not to grow a mo’. Face it, not everyone can pull of the Tom Selleck look!
| 100 Things You Can Do to Stay Fit and Healthy: Simple Steps to Better Your Body and Improve Your Mind by Scott Douglas | Each short section in this guide features a simple, and easy-to-implement, physician- approved practice that that will improve your fitness and general health in an instant, and, when continued, will elevate your well-being permanently. |
| Bearded Gospel Men: The Epic Quest for Manliness & Godliness by Jared Brock and Aaron Alford | This book is about far more than beards – it’s about manliness and godliness. Through this 31-day devotional, men are inspired to rise to a higher calling. The humor and facial hair is the perfect means to have a broader conversation about living a faithful life. |
| Guy’s Guide to Eating Well: A Man’s Cookbook for Health and Wellness by Holly Clegg and Dr. Curtis Chastain | This cookbook address common male needs with coordinating ingredients that help alleviate men-specific symptoms and help prevent men’s diseases–all with an emphasis on hearty, king-of-the-grill simple and super-satisfying recipes. |
| Health and Medicine eResources at the Library | Access research, articles, and databases online including “Consumer Health Complete” and “Medline Plus.” Available via the Library District’s website. |
| Invisible Men: Men’s Inner Lives and the Consequences of Silence by Michael E. Addis | Psychologist Michael E. Addis draws on scientific research and clinical experience to identify the epidemic of silence that is compromising men’s mental health, citing disturbing rates in depression, addiction and violence while sharing case stories that illustrate how men can overcome psychological blocks to obtain necessary help. |
| Men’s Health Magazine | The monthly publication is available as a digital download via RBDigital (formerly Zinio) or in print at the three libraries. |
| Men’s Private Parts: A Pocket Reference to Prostate, Urologic, and Sexual Health by Dr. James H. Gilbaugh | (eAudiobook) Dr. James H. Gilbaugh, Jr., a board-certified urologist and fellow of the American College of Surgeons with twenty-five years of clinical practice, presents the latest medical information for men in a straightforward, friendly, and accessible style. In addition to putting locker-room misconceptions to rest, he offers the best, most up-to-date medical advice. |
| Myths About Suicide by Thomas Joiner | Around the world, more than a million people die by suicide each year. Yet many of us know very little about a tragedy that may strike our own loved ones—and much of what we think we know is wrong. This clear and powerful book dismantles myth after myth to bring compassionate and accurate understanding. |
| Prostate Cancer Breakthroughs: the New Options You Need to Know About by Dr. Jay S. Cohen | If you or someone you know is one of the thousands of men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, this book is must reading. Dr. Jay Cohen provides new information on PSA testing, targeted biopsy, and groundbreaking prostate cancer treatments. |
| The Mast of Masculinity: How Men Can Embrace Vulnerability, Create Strong Relationships, and Live their Fullest Lives by Lewis Howes | The former professional football player, two-sport All-American, and entrepreneur offers a guide to remove harmful male gender stereotypes that may be holding men back from achieving their full potential. |
| The Prostate Monologues: What Every Man Can Learn from My Humbling, Confusing, and Sometimes Comical Battle with Prostate Cancer by Jack McCallum | Through the lens of his own experience, McCallum attacks the nitty-gritty questions about prostate cancer that men think about (but may be too bashful to ask their doctors) with honesty and humor. He decodes the sometimes-confusing jargon of medical professionals so that it is understandable and relatable to “regular” men. |
| Younger Next Year: A Men’s Guide to the New Science of Aging by Chris Crowley | (eAudiobook) Drawing on the latest science of revolutionary biology, Younger Next Year shows men fifty or older how they can become functionally younger every year for the next five to ten years, and continue to live like energetic fifty-year-olds until well into their eighties. |
Stories of Mo’d Men
| Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop by Nick Offerman | The author not only sports a great ‘mo and beard, but he shares the passion for woodworking that inspires him and his companions at the Offerman Woodshop, provides instructions for some of their most popular projects, and includes humorous essays and odes to his woodworking heroes. Check out his other bestseller, Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Principles for Delicious Living. |
| The Hercule Poirot mysteries by Agatha Christie | A great detective with a great ‘mo! Choose from among the great Poirot mysteries – available as books or on video/DVD – like “Murder on the Orient Express” or “Death on the Nile.” |
| Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America by John Waters | Waters is putting his life on the line. Armed with wit, a pencil-thin mustache, and a cardboard sign that reads “I’m Not Psycho,” he hitchhikes across America from Baltimore to San Francisco, braving lonely roads and treacherous drivers. |
| Anything starring Tom Selleck | Whether you’re a Jesse Stone fan or more likely to watch Blue Bloods, you can check out and download television series from the library. |
Children’s Stories and Picture Books Featuring Mo’d Characters
| Mustache! by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell | When extremely good-looking King Duncan builds more and more tributes to his handsome face, neglecting kingdom projects and repairs, his loyal subjects find a mustachioed solution. |
| Mo’s Mustache by Ben Clanton | Monster Mo’s big, beautiful mustache inspires all of his friends to copy his style by growing fabulous mustaches of their own, leaving Mo to wonder how he will continue to distinguish himself. |
| Mustache Baby Meets His Match by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Joy Ang | A haphazard playdate ensues when Baby Billy and his mustache meet Beard Baby, an instant rival who tests his manliness. |
| The Glorkian Warrior and the Mustache of Destiny by James Kochalka | (Graphic novel) The third volume in this off-kilter science fiction series for young readers, features the space adventurer joined by three horribly annoying little kids. Everything is terrible, and nothing is okay…Well, that’s not entirely true. There’s a really great mustache. And a valiant cup of coffee. And a truly dastardly villain. |
Who’s your favorite mo’d man/character?
