Staff Picks Adult Nonfiction

101 Things to Do with A Tortilla

by Donna Kelly

This is more than your typical pinwheel recipe book. Tasty recipes for adults include open-face pesto quesadillas to do-it-yourself tortilla soup. Families with young children might enjoy recipes for tortilla snowflakes, tortilla elephant ears, and peanut butter s’mores wraps. This is also a great idea cookbook at a time when you might find yourself out of bread….there are always tortillas! Available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

The Ride of a Lifetime

by Robert Iger

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street

by Michael Davis

I was delighted to find that Carol Spinney (Big Bird & Oscar) read the audio version of this book, what a treat! Michael Davis brings us through Sesame Street’s history from the idea stage to the present day. I loved that every aspect of its conception was covered. It was interesting to hear the thought & decision-making process behind the characters, both human and muppet. Sesame Street did more than teach letters, colors & numbers ~ they also taught kindness & acceptance and for that I thank them.

Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager 

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together

by Erin Lowry

Author Erin Lowry tries to speak to Millennials using hashtags and familiar slang to get important points across. It’s a nice introduction to money topics—probably a little bit basic for some, but a nice, easy-to-read introduction to money and finance issues. Whether you’re facing a big-life transition like getting married and buying a house, or just trying to
figure out how to pay your bills, this book has solid financial advice about budgeting, investing, and efficiently paying down debt.

Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Services

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

The Feather Thief

by Kirk Wallace Johnson

How does a flutist in the London Royal Academy of Music come to steal thousands of rare bird specimens from the British Museum in one evening? Through careful planning and a bit of bravado. But why? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. True crime, history, and science all wrapped up in one compelling book.

Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison 

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

by Greg McKeown

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to McKeown share his thoughts on our cluttered minds. This book ticked many boxes for me; self-help, psychology, minimalism, mental health.    Think of it as a Marie Kondo for your mind.   You will be challenged to think about what is essential in your life.  Definitely a great read to start off the new year.

Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager 

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

The red bandanna

by Tom Rinaldi

The biography of Welles Crowther, who saved at least 10 people in the World Trade Center during the attacks on 9/11 before losing his own life. When Crowther was young, his father gave him a red handkerchief, which he always kept in his pocket. He became a volunteer with the fire department in New York and was in a Tower at the time of the attacks. No one knew what happened to him when he did not return home. However, eight months after attacks, his mother read stories about survivors who said they had been led to safety by a stranger who was wearing a red bandanna. This is an accounting of that day and his actions.

Recommended by Joan Stoiber, Youth Services

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Wild and Crazy Guys: how the comedy mavericks from the ’80s changed Hollywood forever

by Nick De Semlyen

I stumbled on this book randomly on our new nonfiction shelf.  It was so interesting.  The author walks the reader through the careers of so many great comedians of the 1980s including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Billy Murray, Eddie Murphy, and more.  Wild and Crazy Guys gives you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the actors’ personal and professional lives, from TV to the big screen.  If you’re a movie fan like me, you’ll wait with anticipation for Ghostbusters or The Blues Brothers to get mentioned.  One side effect from reading this book is an increased DVD watch list.

Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager    

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Uncommon Type: some stories

by Tom Hanks

This is a delightful book! This book is made up of a bunch of short stories that keep you turning the page. As you go from story to story you will find you run into familiar characters. Hanks takes you back to characters from a previous story to share another moment/event in their lives. This book made me laugh, made me emotional, and inspired me. This is a must read!

Recommended by: Jenna Schwartz, Reference Librarian 

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Shed Your Stuff, Change Your Life

by Julie Morgenstern

Shed Your Stuff, Change Your Life, by Julie Morgenstern, is a very practical book that helps readers decide how they may want to simplify their lives and make space for new pursuits. The author addresses three areas including the physical things we collect, the habits we keep, and the time commitments we make. She also addresses some of the psychological reasons we might be holding on to certain things and provides various exercises to help readers become un-stuck. Unlike some of the other simplifying and organizing books I have read, this author does not propose to know how much stuff is the right amount for an individual to keep or shed; she believes that whatever amount makes the individual comfortable is the right amount.

Recommended by: Julie Pryor, Patron Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction