Nonfiction

The new Negro : the life of Alain Locke book cover

The new Negro : the life of Alain Locke

Jeffrey C. Stewart

BIOGRAPHY Locke, Alain
Nonfiction, Biographies

"A tiny, fastidiously dressed man emerged from Black Philadelphia around the turn of the century to mentor a generation of young artists including Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Jacob Lawrence and call them the New Negro--the creative African Americans whose art, literature, music, and drama would inspire Black people to greatness. In The New Negro : The Life of Alain Locke, Jeffrey C. Stewart offers the definitive biography of the father of the Harlem Renaissance, based on the extant primary sources of his life and on interviews with those who knew him personally. He narrates the education of Locke, including his becoming the first African American Rhodes Scholar and earning a PhD in philosophy at Harvard University, and his long career as a professor at Howard University. Locke also received a cosmopolitan, aesthetic education through his travels in continental Europe, where he came to appreciate the beauty of art and experienced a freedom unknown to him in the United States. And yet he became most closely associated with the flowering of Black culture in Jazz Age America and his promotion of the literary and artistic work of African Americans as the quintessential creations of American modernism. In the process he looked to Africa to find the proud and beautiful roots of the race. Shifting the discussion of race from politics and economics to the arts, he helped establish the idea that Black urban communities could be crucibles of creativity. Stewart explores both Locke's professional and private life, including his relationships with his mother, his friends, and his white patrons, as well as his lifelong search for love as a gay man. Stewart's thought-provoking biography recreates the worlds of this illustrious, enigmatic man who, in promoting the cultural heritage of Black people, became--in the process--a New Negro himself"--

Jason's picture

Winner in the Nonfiction category -Jason

The art of logic in an illogical world book cover

The art of logic in an illogical world

Eugenia Cheng

160 /Cheng
Nonfiction

"In a world where fake news stories change election outcomes, has rationality become futile? In The Art of Logic in an Illogical World, Eugenia Cheng throws a lifeline to readers drowning in the illogic of contemporary life. Cheng is a mathematician, so she knows how to make an airtight argument. But even for her, logic sometimes falls prey to emotion, which is why she still fears flying and eats more cookies than she should. If a mathematician can't be logical, what are we to do? In this book, Cheng reveals the inner workings and limitations of logic, and explains why alogic--for example, emotion--is vital to how we think and communicate. Cheng shows us how to use logic and alogic together to navigate a world awash in bigotry, mansplaining, and manipulative memes. Insightful, useful, and funny, this essential book is for anyone who wants to think more clearly."--Amazon.com.

Melody's picture

I was very excited to learn about this book. Haven't read it yet but it's definitely on my to-read list! I love listening to reasonable arguments from different points of view and learning how people think about the world. However, the political tribalism times we are living in are definitely driving people mad. I'm looking forward to reading about how a mathematician balances logical and emotional persuasions. -Melody

Alone time : four seasons, four cities, and the pleasures of solitude book cover

Alone time : four seasons, four cities, and the pleasures of solitude

Stephanie Rosenbloom

910.4 /Rosenbloom
Nonfiction, Travel

"A wise, passionate account of the pleasures of travelling solo. In our increasingly frantic daily lives, many people are genuinely fearful of the prospect of solitude, but time alone can be both rich and restorative, especially when travelling. Through on-the-ground reporting and recounting the experiences of artists, writers, and innovators who cherished solitude, Stephanie Rosenbloom considers how being alone as a traveller--and even in one's own city--is conducive to becoming acutely aware of the sensual details of the world--patterns, textures, colors, tastes, sounds--in ways that are difficult to do in the company of others."--

Candice's picture

Stephanie Rosenbloom writes a travel column for the New York Times, and has a breezy, friendly voice. Don't let that fool you, though--she's a thinker. Here she recounts her travels through four different cities, reflecting upon what makes solo travel unique: How does one travel differently when they are alone? How do they experience things? What are the unforeseen benefits? How does travelling alone change somebody? In addition to her own experiences, she references a lot of very current research that relates to the topic. A very interesting and enjoyable book, whether or not you are hitting the road. -Candice

Rome : a history in seven sackings book cover

Rome : a history in seven sackings

Matthew Kneale

945.632 /Kneale
History, Nonfiction

"[This book] tells the story of the Eternal City--from the early Roman Republic through the Renaissance and the Reformation to Mussolini and the German occupation in World War Two--through pivotal moments that defined its history"--Amazon.com.

Candice's picture

Some may feel that there is an overabundance of books on the history of Rome--what more could there be to say?? I think it's a given; in a city where the physical layers of over two millennia still exist, not to mention the cultural heritage and legacy, it's tempting to try and interpret that history in various ways. It's endlessly fascinating. In this case, Kneale looks at seven pivotal attacks on the city, and how they transformed it. So, not necessarily the story of the always-conquering, expanding, empire-creating Rome, but instead. those who tried (and succeeded, at times) to subdue it. -Candice

Making tiny toys in wood : ornaments & collectible heirloom accents book cover

Making tiny toys in wood : ornaments & collectible heirloom accents

Howard Clements

688.72 /Clements
Nonfiction, Crafts

"Miniature woodworking for maximum enjoyment. Create delightful holiday ornaments that double as small toys with this easy-to-follow guidebook. Making Tiny Toys in Wood provides full-size patterns and step-by-step instructions for 15 working miniature masterpieces. From tugboats and tractors to windmills and wagons, these nostalgic moving toys make great Christmas decorations as well as keepsake gifts for family and friends. They're a great way to reuse and repurpose scrap wood, and require only minimal painting. All you need is a scroll saw, a drill, and some glue to create memorable heirloom collectibles. Make your own collectible toy holiday ornaments: 15 full-size patterns and step-by-step instructions ; Charming mini toys with moving parts ; Easy scrill saw projects that don't take a lot of wood or tools ; Great way to reuse and repurpose scrap wood ; Make great keepsake gifts." -- back cover.

Beth's picture

If you have basic woodworking tools and want to learn to make wooden toys this book is a good start. -Beth

Mini crochet creatures : 30 amigurumi animals to make book cover

Mini crochet creatures : 30 amigurumi animals to make

Lauren Bergstrom

746.434 /Bergstrom
Nonfiction, Crafts

"The interest in Japanese amigurumi is explored in minature in this charming new title. Gorgeous and cute, these projects may be small but they are bursting with personality, making perfect gifts for friends and family. These tiny creatures can be used in a variety of imaginative ways--as key rings, jewelry accessories or just displayed as adorable trinkets in their own right. All the basic crochet techniques you will need are clearly explained along with step-by-step illustrations making Mini Crochet Creatures perfect for beginners upwards. Anyone unsure about working in this scale can simply practice with larger hooks and thicker yarn--the patterns are exactly the same. The animals are divided into six categories: farm, small, woodland, pet, sea and zoo so there is something for everyone from an elephant or a whale down to a squirrel, piglet, bunny and even a ladybird or butterfly!"--Amazon.com.

Beth's picture

30 fun amigurumi to make with step by step instructions. -Beth

Stitch & sew : beautifully embroider 31 projects book cover

Stitch & sew : beautifully embroider 31 projects

Aneela Hoey

746.44 /Hoey
Nonfiction, Crafts

Beth's picture

Great ideas for holiday gifts. -Beth

Merry makers : patchwork quilts and projects to celebrate the season book cover

Merry makers : patchwork quilts and projects to celebrate the season

746.46 /Merry
Nonfiction, Crafts

Beth's picture

Lots of fun holiday themed sewing projects. -Beth

Jewelry school : bead stringing book cover

Jewelry school : bead stringing

Carolyn Schulz

745.582 /Schulz
Nonfiction, Crafts

Beaded jewelry is popular among crafters as it requires very little by way of tools or materials. Jewelry School: Bead Stringing, written by Carolyn Schulz, author of Jewelry School: Let's Start Beading, helps the reader to make attractive, wearable items of beaded jewelry in no time. Bead Stringing is a progression from Let's Start Beading, and focuses on the specifics of bead stringing, teaching the reader more advanced beading techniques.The book is divided into three sections: beading on tiger tail, beading on thread, and decoration and pattern. Through clear, colorful step-by-step photographs Carolyn Schulz guides the reader through the whole process and focuses on a series of projects that readers will be impatient to try for themselves.

Beth's picture

If you want to start at the beginning, this great little book will teach you the basics. -Beth

Quilled Christmas : 30 festive paper projects book cover

Quilled Christmas : 30 festive paper projects

Alli Bartkowski

745.59412 /Bartkowski
Nonfiction, Crafts

"Christmas is the perfect time to brighten your home and delight family and friends with handmade decorations, ornaments, stocking stuffers, greeting cards, gift packaging. In these thirty beautiful holiday-themed projects, Alli Bartkowski shows you how to roll, shape, and glue colorful paper strips into eye-catching framed art for your mantel, a handsome nutcracker figurine to display, dainty snowflake ornaments to hang on your tree, and a stunning poinsettia pin to wear at your next holiday party. Each project is designed for a specific skill level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). Plus, you'll find an in-depth introduction, complete with step-by-step photos, to the essential techniques for making basic quilled shapes, elegant quillography, and dazzling linear art"--Back cover.

Beth's picture

An 18th Century Hobby is back yet again. I remember learning to quill in the 1970s, and when I saw this on the shelf I had to give it a try again. All three of the local big-box craft stores (J's, M's, and HL) carry quilling paper - but you have to hunt to find it. -Beth