Staff Picks Adult Nonfiction
August 2021
The Anthropocene Reviewed
by John Green
The Anthropocene is basically the world as we know it and the impact people have on the environment, animals, climate, and each other. In this collection of essays, author John Green steps away from his usual YA novels to write short reviews on different things within the Anthropocene including animals (Canada Geese), places (Indianapolis), food & drink (Diet Dr. Pepper), and ideas (The Yips). Each chapter is a different topic with a unique view and how it benefited or hurt existence complete with Green’s own starred review of the topic. Written during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Green conveys feelings and emotions that are all too familiar and joins us in our struggle to weight how our recent experiences will shape who we are and what we will become. I cannot recommend this title enough.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
July 2021
Vegetables Unleashed: A Cookbook
by José Andrés
Healthy eating has become very trendy, but something as basic as eating vegetables every day is still difficult for most people. How do you squeeze in 3-5 servings of vegetables each day without eating the same thing repeatedly? José Andrés, popular chef and restaurant owner, has made eating greens more fun that you can imagine. In his popular cookbook Vegetables Unleashed: A Cookbook, Andrés gives us a plethora of ideas for making vegetables so delicious that they will become the star of the plate and not just a sad standby. The book is organized by season for easy shopping throughout the year and even includes many articles on sustainability and agriculture. This book is sure to inspire you to try something new. So go and eat your vegetables!
Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
June 2021
Natural Curiosity: Educating and Nurturing Our Children at Home
by Lisa Carne
If you are thinking about homeschooling your child or are trying to bring more nature into your child’s education then this book is for you. It is a reflection on how the author, her husband, and her children found the right form of “unschooling” for them through nature and self-learning. There are many interesting points on why one would pull their children from a public school and create a nature based home school for them. She describes many ups and downs and worries that the family experience along their journey. This book isn’t a how to manual. There aren’t lesson plans or rules for games inside. It’s more of an experience story on what this family did and how it all worked out for them. This is a great read for someone who is going through the same experience or for someone who is thinking that this might be the route that they’d like to take with their children.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
May 2021
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance during the Blitz
by Eric Larson
Eric Larson tackles Winston Churchill grappling with war and with family in this excellent history. Spanning Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister, The Splendid and the Vile charts his family and political life during the course of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. Larson takes us into Churchill’s inner circle of family, friends, and advisors as they guide Britain through the bleakest moments of the war with determination and fortitude.
This title is available in print and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Peter Tew, Adult Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children
by Naomi Walmsley
This book is great for those looking to get their kids (of any age) outside exploring nature. It is based on the Forest School concept, but the activities can very easily be used by parents, teachers, scout masters, or anyone really. This book is full of wilderness skills, nature crafts, activities, and team building games. It has everything you need to begin the adventure of teaching kids to fall in love with the forest.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Teen Librarian
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
March 2021
Thunderstruck
by Erik Larson
This compelling historical true crime read by Eric Larson weaves together the invention of radio and an almost perfect murder. The restlessly curious Guglielmo Marconi attempts to complete his trans-Atlantic radio station in the face of relentless skepticism; meanwhile the kindly-seeming Hawley Crippen commits murder and races against time as he attempts to vanish into the crowd. This title is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Peter Tew, Adult Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
February 2021
Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting
by Ann Hood
Twenty-seven writers tell their stories about knitting and writing. From triumphs to disasters in both knitting and life, these essays will make you laugh and cry. There are also five patterns included.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
December 2020
What it’s Like to Be a Bird
by David Sibley
This guide to birds is well laid out and easy to understand. The author is able to break down complicated parts of bird life into layman’s terms. The guide is full of wonderful and life-like illustrations. I highly recommend it to anyone with any level of curiosity about birds.
Recommended by: Peter Tew, Adult Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
November 2020
Trust: America’s Best Chance
by Pete Buttigieg
I read this book on a recommendation from a friend and I was not disappointed. Buttigieg discusses the 2020 presidential candidacy from his perspective including the end of his campaign and how he still believes the country needs to move forward. It’s a short and very timely read and includes the current state of our nation focusing on the pandemic and protests as well as the events leading up to the election. I’m not one to usually read books written by politicians, but it was the right book for the right time. I also highly recommend listening to the audiobook as Buttigieg does a fantastic job with the narration. This title is available as a physical copy as well as on OverDrive as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
July 2020
The Little Book of Hygge, Danish Secrets to Happy Living
by Meik Wiking
The word Hygge is pronounced ‘hoo-ga’ or ‘hoo-guh’ and is a Danish philosophy that places an emphasis on a person’s well-being or general happiness. This book offered a pleasant guide to assist us in the ways in we can experience Hygge. Experiences such as Hygge cooking (recipes are included), how to create Hygge lighting in your home (lanterns that are not overly bright), to a Hygge outing (such as going to a fruit orchard with the family) plus other topics are discussed. And although we all may have done some of these things, it was very interesting to read about another culture. If you enjoy being an armchair traveler, give this book a try. Also available on Hoopla and OverDrive.
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
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