Staff Picks Adult Nonfiction

Help, I’m Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope

by Sally Clarkson

We can all acknowledge that 2020 was a difficult year . We hoped the fog would begin to clear in 2021, yet it still lingers. Among others mothers and caregivers have had an extremely challenging time managing the home and childcare during the pandemic.  Sally Clarkson’s timely book, Help, I’m Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope provides practical tips for women who feel the darkness starting to take hold as they navigate the various storms of life. Each chapter provides anecdotes from Sally’s life as well as biblical references that aim to provide the reader with encouragement and hope that they can make it safely to the other side of their storm. Find this and many of Sally Clarkson’s other books on Hoopla Digital.

Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park

by Conor Knighton

When Conor Knighton’s fiancé leaves him he decides to take his mind off of it by traveling to all of the National Parks in one year. Good thing he worked for CBS and they loved the idea of him sending in reports from all of the parks. This book is full of his experiences from all of the parks. It’s not a pure fact book and it’s not a book written to get you to visit the parks (though after reading it I’m sure you’ll find at least one place you’d like to go). It has a ton of interesting activities that he participated in and has a lot of little pieces of interviews from people he met there. A very fun and informative read.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

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

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

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

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

Thunderstruck

by Erik Larson

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

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

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