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Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Youth Non-fiction that Adults Will Love
I enjoy non-fiction books, but I also find that adult non-fiction can quickly become overly technical or bogged down in minutia beyond my level of interest. I recall once reading a history of American guitar companies that would periodically list production of various models by year. Fortunately, I’ve found the youth library has a number of fun non-fiction titles that I feel other adults may want to know about. Because sometimes you might be only two-hundred pages interested in a subject.
Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets of the World’s Favorite Treat by Kay Frydenborg
You’ve eaten it, you probably love it, but do you know where it comes from? Frydenborg explains the history of chocolate consumption and production; and even meets the scientists inventing new varieties.
Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman
Phineas Gage was a railroad construction foreman who in 1848 walked away from an accident with a thirteen-pound iron rod pushed through his skull. The event understandably changed his life and our understanding of how the human brain affects personality. A fascinating, informative read that never bogs down in medical minutiae. The Bronte Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily, and Annie by Catherine Reef
A secluded house, an eccentric father, and imaginary kingdoms complete with their own languages. The Bronte sisters’ brief lives are as fascinating as the books they wrote.
Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman
As a child, future Newberry medalist Fleischman was so fascinated by Harry Houdini he would eventually work professionally as a magician. As a consequence, this excellent biography also touches on the author’s own relationship with this childhood hero as he figures out his secrets. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong
The story of Ernest Shackelton’s daring, ill-fated 1914 attempt to cross Antarctica; and his even more daring expedition across the ice to rescue his crew. Armstrong brings life to the story with archival photos and anecdotes of the crew members as they survived the cold, hunger and sometimes tedium.
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) by Sue Macy
The bicycle’s invention in the tail-end of the 19th century was a fad and a phenomenon in the western world. Women took to the new exercise, and for the first time found themselves traveling independently. At fewer than one hundred illustrated pages, this is a fun afternoon read full of detours about subjects such as women inventors and early celebrity cyclists (Annie Oakley!).
Friday, January 4, 2019
You CAN Handle the Truth: January Nonfiction Book Picks
Posted by the Information Services Department (Gwen B., Emily W., Lisa E., & Joyce D.)
Here's the latest list of our new nonfiction book picks! Listed below, along with their Dewey Decimal classification, are our top picks of the nonfiction books that looked most interesting, ultra-informative, or just plain fun. Many of these are so new that we're still working on getting them out on the shelf, but you can request them now by clicking on the titles and placing a hold.
181.112 SCH Confucius : and the world he created by Michael Schuman
Confucius is perhaps the most important philosopher in history. Today, his teachings shape the daily lives of more than 1.6 billion people. Throughout East Asia, Confucius's influence can be seen in everything from business practices and family relationships to educational standards and government policies. Even as western ideas from Christianity to Communism have bombarded the region, Confucius's doctrine has endured as the foundation of East Asian culture. It is impossible to understand East Asia, journalist Michael Schuman demonstrates, without first engaging with Confucius and his vast legacy.
Touching on philosophy, history, and current affairs, Confucius tells the vivid, dramatic story of the enigmatic philosopher whose ideas remain at the heart of East Asian civilization.
190 REE On the Future: Prospects for humanity by Martin Rees
Humanity has reached a critical moment. Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes--good and bad--are possible. Yet our approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking, polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. In this short, exhilarating book, renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees argues that humanity's prospects depend on our taking a very different approach to planning for tomorrow.
284.4 RAY Chasing Contentment: Trusting God in a discontented age by Erik Raymond
The biblical practice of contentment can seem like a lost art--something reserved for spiritual giants but out of reach for the rest of us. In our discontented age--characterized by impatience, overspending, grumbling, and unhappiness--it's hard to imagine what true contentment actually looks (and feels) like. But even the apostle Paul said that he learned to be content in any and every circumstance. Paul's remarkable contentment was something grown and developed over time.
294.342 HAG Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
This book offers a clear, straightforward approach to Buddhism in general and awareness in particular. It is about being awake and in touch with what is going on here and now. When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teaching in a single word, he said, "Awareness." The Buddha taught how to see directly into the nature of experience. His observations and insights are plain, practical, and down-to-earth, and they deal exclusively with the present. In Buddhism Plain and Simple, Steve Hagen presents these uncluttered, original teachings in everyday, accessible language unencumbered by religious ritual, tradition, or belief.
303.5 DOD Deviced: Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World by Doreen Dodgen-Magee
With current statistics suggesting that the average American over the age of 14 engages with screens upwards of 10 hours a day, the topic of our growing dependence upon technology applies to nearly everyone. While the effects differ at each point of development, real changes to the brain, relationships, and personal lives are well documented. Deviced! explores these alterations and offers a realistic look at how we can better use technology and break away from the bad habits we've formed.
325.73 SAL Melting Pot or Civil War? by Reihan Salam
For too long, liberals have suggested that only cruel, racist, or nativist bigots would want to restrict immigration. Anyone motivated by compassion and egalitarianism would choose open, or nearly-open, borders--or so the argument goes. Now, Reihan Salam, the son of Bangladeshi immigrants, turns this argument on its head.
In this deeply researched but also deeply personal book, Salam shows why uncontrolled immigration is bad for everyone, including people like his family. Our current system has intensified the isolation of our native poor, and risks ghettoizing the children of poor immigrants. It ignores the challenges posed by the declining demand for less-skilled labor, even as it exacerbates ethnic inequality and deepens our political divides.
If we continue on our current course, in which immigration policy serves wealthy insiders who profit from cheap labor, and cosmopolitan extremists attack the legitimacy of borders, the rise of a new ethnic underclass is inevitable. Even more so than now, class politics will be ethnic politics, and national unity will be impossible.
364.1060973 OLD
Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society: America's original gangsters and the U.S. Postal detective who brought them to justice by William Oldfield and Victoria Bruce
The incredible true story of the US Post Office Inspector who took down the deadly Black Hand, a turn-of-the-century Italian-American secret society that preyed on immigrants across America’s industrial heartland—featuring fascinating and never-before-seen documents and photos from the Oldfield family’s private collection.
500 NOV The Skeptics Guide to the Universe by Steven Novella
It's intimidating to realize that we live in a world overflowing with misinformation, bias, myths, deception, and flawed knowledge. There really are no ultimate authority figures-no one has the secret and there is no place to look up the definitive answers to our questions (not even Google). But, by thinking skeptically and logically, we can combat sloppy reasoning, bad arguments and superstitious thinking. It's difficult, and takes a lot of vigilance, but it's worth the effort.
In this tie-in to their incredibly popular "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe" podcast, Steven Novella, MD along with "Skeptical Rogues" Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella, and Evan Bernstein will explain the tenets of skeptical thinking and debunk some of the biggest scientific myths, fallacies and conspiracy theories (Anti-vaccines, homeopathy, UFO sightings, etc.) They'll help us try to make sense of what seems like an increasingly crazy world using powerful tools like science and philosophy.
636.7376 EGG Training your German Shepherd Dog by Brandy Eggeman and Joan Hustace Walker
Books in Barron's Training Your Dog series offer breed-specific advice on virtually every aspect of canine training, including housetraining, obedience to basic verbal commands and hand signals, and walking on a leash. Also covered are humane methods of breaking a dog's bad habits. The German Shepherd is intelligent and a quick learner, which makes him highly trainable. However, training this fine dog should begin early in life. German Shepherds are best suited to owners who can offer gentle, positive leadership and consistent training methods. Includes full color photos throughout, as well as some instructive step-by-step color photos.
641.591822 BAL The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook by Serena Ball and Deanna Segrave-Daly
Bowls of pasta, abundant seafood, roasted vegetables, bread dipped into olive oil, and even a glass of wine―the Mediterranean diet is easy to follow because it’s also a lifestyle. The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook makes it easier than ever to get your fill of the Mediterranean diet and all of its health benefits with quick, satisfying recipes for health and longevity.
Table-ready in 30 minutes or less, these classic Mediterranean diet meals combine easy-to-find ingredients with quick prep and cook times, so that you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food. From Breakfast Bruschetta to Baked Chicken Caprese to Chilled Dark Chocolate Fruit, The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook makes the Mediterranean diet a staple for everyday schedules.
B TRAVIS The Challenge Culture: Why the best successful organizations run on Pushback by Nigel Travis
The executive chairman and former CEO of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins reflects on the unique, results-oriented discipline he's developed over decades of leadership, which provides a blueprint for any organization to achieve prosperity.
We live in an era in which successful organizations can fail in a flash. But they can cope with change and thrive by creating a culture that supports positive pushback: questioning everything without disrespecting anyone.
Here's the latest list of our new nonfiction book picks! Listed below, along with their Dewey Decimal classification, are our top picks of the nonfiction books that looked most interesting, ultra-informative, or just plain fun. Many of these are so new that we're still working on getting them out on the shelf, but you can request them now by clicking on the titles and placing a hold.
181.112 SCH Confucius : and the world he created by Michael SchumanConfucius is perhaps the most important philosopher in history. Today, his teachings shape the daily lives of more than 1.6 billion people. Throughout East Asia, Confucius's influence can be seen in everything from business practices and family relationships to educational standards and government policies. Even as western ideas from Christianity to Communism have bombarded the region, Confucius's doctrine has endured as the foundation of East Asian culture. It is impossible to understand East Asia, journalist Michael Schuman demonstrates, without first engaging with Confucius and his vast legacy.
Touching on philosophy, history, and current affairs, Confucius tells the vivid, dramatic story of the enigmatic philosopher whose ideas remain at the heart of East Asian civilization.
190 REE On the Future: Prospects for humanity by Martin Rees
Humanity has reached a critical moment. Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes--good and bad--are possible. Yet our approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking, polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. In this short, exhilarating book, renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees argues that humanity's prospects depend on our taking a very different approach to planning for tomorrow.
284.4 RAY Chasing Contentment: Trusting God in a discontented age by Erik Raymond
The biblical practice of contentment can seem like a lost art--something reserved for spiritual giants but out of reach for the rest of us. In our discontented age--characterized by impatience, overspending, grumbling, and unhappiness--it's hard to imagine what true contentment actually looks (and feels) like. But even the apostle Paul said that he learned to be content in any and every circumstance. Paul's remarkable contentment was something grown and developed over time.
This book offers a clear, straightforward approach to Buddhism in general and awareness in particular. It is about being awake and in touch with what is going on here and now. When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teaching in a single word, he said, "Awareness." The Buddha taught how to see directly into the nature of experience. His observations and insights are plain, practical, and down-to-earth, and they deal exclusively with the present. In Buddhism Plain and Simple, Steve Hagen presents these uncluttered, original teachings in everyday, accessible language unencumbered by religious ritual, tradition, or belief.
303.5 DOD Deviced: Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World by Doreen Dodgen-Magee
With current statistics suggesting that the average American over the age of 14 engages with screens upwards of 10 hours a day, the topic of our growing dependence upon technology applies to nearly everyone. While the effects differ at each point of development, real changes to the brain, relationships, and personal lives are well documented. Deviced! explores these alterations and offers a realistic look at how we can better use technology and break away from the bad habits we've formed.
325.73 SAL Melting Pot or Civil War? by Reihan SalamFor too long, liberals have suggested that only cruel, racist, or nativist bigots would want to restrict immigration. Anyone motivated by compassion and egalitarianism would choose open, or nearly-open, borders--or so the argument goes. Now, Reihan Salam, the son of Bangladeshi immigrants, turns this argument on its head.
In this deeply researched but also deeply personal book, Salam shows why uncontrolled immigration is bad for everyone, including people like his family. Our current system has intensified the isolation of our native poor, and risks ghettoizing the children of poor immigrants. It ignores the challenges posed by the declining demand for less-skilled labor, even as it exacerbates ethnic inequality and deepens our political divides.
If we continue on our current course, in which immigration policy serves wealthy insiders who profit from cheap labor, and cosmopolitan extremists attack the legitimacy of borders, the rise of a new ethnic underclass is inevitable. Even more so than now, class politics will be ethnic politics, and national unity will be impossible.
The incredible true story of the US Post Office Inspector who took down the deadly Black Hand, a turn-of-the-century Italian-American secret society that preyed on immigrants across America’s industrial heartland—featuring fascinating and never-before-seen documents and photos from the Oldfield family’s private collection.
500 NOV The Skeptics Guide to the Universe by Steven Novella
It's intimidating to realize that we live in a world overflowing with misinformation, bias, myths, deception, and flawed knowledge. There really are no ultimate authority figures-no one has the secret and there is no place to look up the definitive answers to our questions (not even Google). But, by thinking skeptically and logically, we can combat sloppy reasoning, bad arguments and superstitious thinking. It's difficult, and takes a lot of vigilance, but it's worth the effort.
In this tie-in to their incredibly popular "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe" podcast, Steven Novella, MD along with "Skeptical Rogues" Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella, and Evan Bernstein will explain the tenets of skeptical thinking and debunk some of the biggest scientific myths, fallacies and conspiracy theories (Anti-vaccines, homeopathy, UFO sightings, etc.) They'll help us try to make sense of what seems like an increasingly crazy world using powerful tools like science and philosophy.
Books in Barron's Training Your Dog series offer breed-specific advice on virtually every aspect of canine training, including housetraining, obedience to basic verbal commands and hand signals, and walking on a leash. Also covered are humane methods of breaking a dog's bad habits. The German Shepherd is intelligent and a quick learner, which makes him highly trainable. However, training this fine dog should begin early in life. German Shepherds are best suited to owners who can offer gentle, positive leadership and consistent training methods. Includes full color photos throughout, as well as some instructive step-by-step color photos.
641.591822 BAL The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook by Serena Ball and Deanna Segrave-Daly
Bowls of pasta, abundant seafood, roasted vegetables, bread dipped into olive oil, and even a glass of wine―the Mediterranean diet is easy to follow because it’s also a lifestyle. The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook makes it easier than ever to get your fill of the Mediterranean diet and all of its health benefits with quick, satisfying recipes for health and longevity.Table-ready in 30 minutes or less, these classic Mediterranean diet meals combine easy-to-find ingredients with quick prep and cook times, so that you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food. From Breakfast Bruschetta to Baked Chicken Caprese to Chilled Dark Chocolate Fruit, The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook makes the Mediterranean diet a staple for everyday schedules.
B TRAVIS The Challenge Culture: Why the best successful organizations run on Pushback by Nigel Travis
The executive chairman and former CEO of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins reflects on the unique, results-oriented discipline he's developed over decades of leadership, which provides a blueprint for any organization to achieve prosperity.
We live in an era in which successful organizations can fail in a flash. But they can cope with change and thrive by creating a culture that supports positive pushback: questioning everything without disrespecting anyone.
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