Nonfiction
Prairie fires : the American dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Caroline Fraser
BIOGRAPHY Wilder, Laura Ingalls
Nonfiction
"This book, written by the editor of the Library of America edition of the Little House books, is a thoroughly researched biography of not only Laura Ingalls Wilder, but of her daughter, Rose. Using unpublished manuscripts, letters, financial records, and more, Fraser gives fresh insight into the life of a woman beloved to many. Intensively researched, this is definitely a fascinating read, and one that I plan on reading again -- maybe the next time I re-read the Little House series. -- Jennifer Ohzourk for LibraryReads,"--Novelist.
The Gulf : the making of an American sea
Jack E. Davis
909.096364 /Davis
Nonfiction
Significant beyond tragic oil spills and hurricanes, the Gulf has historically been one of the world's most bounteous marine environments, supporting human life for millennia. Based on the premise that nature lies at the center of human existence, Davis takes readers on a compelling and, at times, wrenching journey from the Florida Keys to the Texas Rio Grande, along marshy shorelines and majestic estuarine bays, both beautiful and life-giving, though fated to exploitation by esurient oil men and real-estate developers. Davis shares previously untold stories, parading a vast array of historical characters past our view: sports-fishermen, presidents, Hollywood executives, New England fishers, the Tabasco king, a Texas shrimper, and a New York architect who caught the "big one". Sensitive to the imminent effects of climate change, and to the difficult task of rectifying the assaults of recent centuries, this book suggests how a penetrating examination of a single region's history can inform the country's path ahead. --
Winner in the History category -Jason
Become the Force : 9 lessons on how to live as a Jediist master
Daniel (Daniel M.) Jones
299.93 /Jones
Nonfiction, Religion, Self Help
"Daniel M Jones founded the Church of Jediism in 2007 following the Jedi Census phenomenon of 2001; it now has over 500,000 members around the world. This is the book his fans have been waiting for. In it, Daniel outlines the Jedi perspective and provides practical tools for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how to use the Force in everyday life. A metaphor for the universal life energy that connects us all, the Force can be both light and dark, good and bad. Now, more than ever, it is our responsibility to overcome the Dark Side. This book does not aim to convert, but to inspire its readers to live a life of meaning and purpose according to the universal spiritual teachings of 'the way of the Jedi'"--Amazon.com.
Yes, lessons for life based on the holy text of Star Wars. Seemingly combines elements of Christianity, Buddhism, and Taoism, among others, and useful in a number of 'self help' ways. Plus, light sabers. -Candice
Knights in training : ten principles for raising honorable, courageous, and compassionate boys
Heather Haupt
248.845 /Haupt
Religion, Nonfiction
"In an age when respect and honor seem like distant and antiquated relics, how can we equip boys to pursue valor and courageously put the needs of others before their own? This book helps parents to inspire their boys by captivating their imagination and honoring their love for adventure. Heather Haupt explores how knights historically lived out various aspects of the knights' Code of Chivalry, as depicted in the French epic Song of Roland, and how boys can embody these same ideals now. When we issue the challenge and give boys the reasons why it is worth pursuing, we step forward on an incredible journey towards raising the kind of boys who, just like the knights of old, make an impact in their world now and for the rest of their lives." - Book Jacket.
An addition to the recent number of books on raising kind children, this one focuses on the idea of chivalry and manners. -Candice
The disaster artist : my life inside The room, the greatest bad movie ever made
Greg Sestero
eBOOK
Nonfiction
"In 2003, an independent film called The Room--starring and written, produced, directed by a mysteriously wealthy social misfit of indeterminate age and origin named Tommy Wiseau--made its disastrous debut in Los Angeles. Described by one reviewer as "like getting stabbed in the head," the six-million-dollar film earned a grand total of $1800 at the box office and closed after two weeks. Ten years later, The Room is an international cult phenomenon. Thousands of fans wait in line for hours to attend screenings complete with costumes, audience rituals, merchandising, and thousands of plastic spoons. In The Disaster Artist, actor Greg Sestero, Tommy's costar and longtime best friend, recounts the film's long, strange journey to infamy, unraveling mysteries for fans--who on earth is "Steven," and what's with that hospital on Guerrero Street?--as well as the question that plagues the uninitiated: how the hell did a movie this awful ever get made? But more than just a laugh-out-loud funny story about cinematic hubris, The Disaster Artist is also a great piece of narrative nonfiction, a portrait of a mysterious man who got past every road block in the Hollywood system to achieve success on his own terms. Written with a gimlet eye but an open heart, The Disaster Artist is the hilarious and inspiring story of a dream that just wouldn't die"--
Confession: I'm actually listening to the e-audiobook (https://icpl.overdrive.com/media/2300017) and it has me in stitches. The author reads his own story of what it was like to work with Tommy Wiseau, along with vocal impersonations of the infamous director. So hilarious. -Melody
Janesville : an American story
Amy Goldstein
977.5 /Goldstein
Nonfiction
Learn what happens to the residents of a small Midwestern town when the GM plant closes at the height of the 2008 financial crisis, forcing thousands out of long-term, secure jobs and creating ripple effects throughout the region. Goldstein embeds herself with the residents for years, and Paul Ryan and Barack Obama make appearances. Extremely intimate and compelling portrait of a town in crisis! -Anne W
Easy to love, difficult to discipline : the seven basic skills for turning conflict into cooperation
Rebecca Anne Bailey
649.64 /Bailey
Nonfiction, Self Help
My parenting Bible! This book will give you the tools manage your young child's behavior, striking the perfect balance between letting them walk all over you and being a hard-driving taskmaster. -Anne W
The unsettlers : in search of the good life in today's America
Mark Sundeen
640 /Sundeen
Nonfiction, Nature
A work of immersive journalism steeped in a distinctively American social history and sparked by a personal quest, The Unsettlers traces the search for the simple life through the stories of three families of new pioneers and what inspired each of them to look for--or create--a better existence. Captivating and clear-eyed, it dares us to imagine what a sustainable, ethical, authentic future might actually look like.--
Are you FASCINATED by people who manage to live off the grid for long periods of time? Me, too! -Anne W
An Irish country cookbook
Patrick Taylor
641.59415 /Taylor
Nonfiction, Cookbooks
"From New York Times, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author Patrick Taylor: ten new short stories in the popular Irish Country series paired with more than 150 delicious Irish family recipes in An Irish Country Cookbook."--Page 4 of cover.
Not just for fans of Patrick Taylor's beloved 'Irish Country' books! Ireland has a wealth of satisfying and comforting foods, and these are highlighted here, alongside ten new short stories created just for this cookbook. -Candice
Cooking with Nonna : celebrate food & family with over 100 classic recipes from Italian grandmothers
Rossella Rago
641.5945 /Rago
Cookbooks, Nonfiction
For Rossella Rago, creator and host of Cooking with Nonna TV, Italian cooking was never just about the amazing food or Sunday dinner. It was also about family, community, and tradition. Rossella grew up cooking with her Nonna Romana every Sunday and on holidays, learning the traditional recipes of the Italian region of Puglia, like focaccia, braciole, zucchine alla poverella, and pizza rustica. And in her popular web TV series, Rossella invites Italian-American grandmothers (the unsung heroes of the culinary world) to cook with her, learning the classic dishes and flavors of each region of Italy and sharing them with eager fans all over the world. Now you can take a culinary journey through Italy with Rossella and her debut cookbook, Cooking with Nonna, featuring over 100 classic Italian recipes, along with advice and stories from 25 beloved Italian grandmothers. Learn to make fresh homemade pasta, handcrafted Spaghetti with Meatballs, and decadent Four-Cheese Lasagna that will have everyone coming back for seconds! With easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and mouthwatering photos, Cooking with Nonna covers appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, meats, breads, cookies, and desserts, and features favorites such as Sicilian Rice Balls, Fried Calamari, Stuffed Artichokes, Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Veal Stew in a Polenta Bowl, Struffoli, Ricotta Cookies, and more! So if you are ready to bring back Sunday dinner and learn how to make Italian food just like nonna, then look no further!
What could be better than recipes for delicious Italian food, from a grandmother? Classics recipes and how-to, along with a little family gossip. -Candice
Winner in the Biography category -Jason