Juneau Public Libraries--Juneau, Alaska

	Staff Picks for Non-Fiction
	500 Art Quilts: An Inspiring Collection of Contemporary Work Non-Fiction This wonderful book, which contains an amazing variety of quilts created by contemporary quilters, is both inspiring, if you are a quilter, or simply enjoyable to browse, if you're not a quilter. Some of the quilts in this book are astonishingly elaborate. Information about the artists and what techniques they used are included. Other books in the '500' series include 500 Baskets, 500 Cups, and 500 Handmade Dolls. Recommended by Nila
	84, Charing Cross Road Written by Helene Hanff Non-Fiction Back in the days before the internet, voracious readers depended on brick-and-mortar bookstores to find books. Voracious readers like Helene Hanff (author of this completely charming book) with a particular interest in rarer, older titles, relied on brick-and-mortar bookstores in other cities, in this case, Marks & Company in London. Back in the days before e-mail, voracious readers ordering books from out-of-town brick-and-mortar bookstores had to do so by letter. The result of all this is a book that contains twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, voracious reader, and Frank Doel, bookseller. Before long a pen-pal friendship begins between the letter-writers. You may not think that a book of letters about buying books would be that interesting, but I promise you this book is wonderful. Hanff is quite hilarious, and the contrast between her energetic letters and the more prim Mr. Doel makes for an entertaining read. If you like it, try the movie version, starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins, or the sequel, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, in which Hanff travels to London to see Marks & Company in person. Recommended by Catherine
	A Brief History of Time Written by Stephen Hawking Non-Fiction Stephen Hawking, one of the most important physicists of the 20th Century, was also one of the first to write books introducing important physics concepts to non-physicists. A Brief History of Time was first printed in 1988, and created an explosion in popular-physics writing. In it, Hawking covers most of the important points in physics, from early concepts of the universe through relativity, the uncertainty principle, black holes, wormholes, and up to string theory. This newer edition also includes brief biographies of Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton, plus a glossary of physics terms. This book was my first introduction to popular physics, and works as a great jumping-off point to other physics authors such as Michio Kaku, Brian Greene, and Richard Feynman. Great for people who would like to learn more about physics, but want to start with something relatively light and easy to read. Recommended by Jenna
	A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again: Essays and Arguments Written by David Foster Wallace Non-Fiction I've never managed to get through any of the late writer David Foster Wallace's fiction, which I find overwhelming, but I like his essays, which I think are a more manageable dose. If you only read one essay in this collection, make it the title essay, on the supposed fun of taking a Caribbean cruise. Smart, funny, and rife with his trademark copious footnotes, try this book to get your first taste of David Foster Wallace. Recommended by Catherine
	Abstract City Written by Christoph Niemann Non-Fiction This book is a compilation of posts from artist/illustrator Christoph Niemann's New York Times blog, also called Abstract City. Niemann uses a crazy variety of media (fallen leaves, cookie dough and sprinkles, Google Maps, as well as the usual ink, pencil and paint) to examine various aspects of everyday urban life, such as how to manage all those cables we have in our lives nowadays, an homage to coffee, and the stuff of everyday New York City life, constructed with Legos. If you're wondering how he comes up with it all, the book wraps up with an explanation of his creative process. Recommended by Catherine
	Alex and Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence... Written by Irene Pepperberg Non-Fiction For thirty years Ms. Pepperberg, the author, and Alex, a Grey African Parrot, worked together to learn and understand the mind of each. Although this destiny was surely not chosen by the parrot, he eventually participated wholeheartedly. The author describes the frustrations and the humorous events that occurred as she realizes that Alex is so intelligent that he is changing the rules of the games to a more complex structure. As often happens when animals and people work together, an unforgettable bonding occurs on the road to scientific study. I found this a very informative and enjoyable read. Recommended by Carol
	Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationship with Dogs Written by Suzanne Clothier Non-Fiction Bones Would Rain From the Sky is an interesting book about a different way to understand and work with dogs. There is not a lot of information in this book about how to train your dog to obey or do tricks; instead the focus is on using positive training techniques to build a strong relationship. If you have a fearful or sensitive dog I would recommend reading this book for a new way to approach working with your dog. Recommended by Alli
	Born to Run: Athletes of the Iditarod Written by Albert Lewis Non-Fiction This book is so cool! Photographer Albert Lewis has taken portraits of dozens of sled dogs, from weeks-old pups to teen-aged race veterans. If you are a mushing enthusiast or just a plain dog lover, you will find this book fascinating. Each dog's personality really shines through. The book also includes portraits of the dogs' mushers. Recommended by Catherine
	Bound for Glory: America in Color, 1939-43 Non-Fiction If you think of the Great Depression and World War II in black and white, this book of photographs will open your eyes to whole new way of seeing American history of that period. Kodachrome film, which created vivid color photographs, was newly available in the mid-1930s, but not yet widely used; photographers from the Farm Security Administration and the Office of War Information traveled all over the country and took some 1,600 photographs using the film, and the Library of Congress chose an assortment of those images and published them in this amazing book. Take a look at farm workers in the deep South, a fair in New Mexico, mines in Colorado, rail-yards in Chicago, commuters in Massachusetts, assembly-line workers building bombers in California, and potato farmers in Maine, all in beautiful color. I love this book firstly for the novelty of seeing images from the time period in color, but also for the glimpse it gives of everyday life and work of Americans some 70 years ago, and the just plain gorgeousness of the color photographs themselves. Recommended by Catherine
	Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting Written by Pamela Druckerman Non-Fiction Bringing up Bebe satisfied my curiosity about how another culture raises its children. Druckerman is an ex-New Yorker living in Paris when she has her children and from the moment she finds out she�s expecting, she finds herself in a kaleidoscopically different world. In the French world, mothers-to-be don�t stress out over how to give birth or raise kids � the society as a whole supports one method of each. Moreover, kids aren�t an excuse for not losing baby-weight, appearing in public in sweats and a t-shirt, or subsisting on take-out. French kids learn to sleep through the night by six months, eat a wide variety of foods in various forms at sit-down meals with their families, respect others, and obey their parents and caregivers. Druckerman is amazed by the behavior of the kids she sees around her and embarrassed by her own children�s antics until she puzzles out the French way of parenting through talks with other parents, child-care experts, and doctors. It turns out that the French are strong believers in building an early, strict cadre, or framework, which is quite sturdily formed by the rules of society (and the big eyes) but which has plenty of room inside it for variation and creativity. They also believe that children need educating, not discipline, and that parents have a right to set aside part of the day for �adult time,� both of which change Druckerman�s attitude towards her kids and spouse for the better. She offers up what she�s learned in part culture-shock memoir, part child-rearing guide. She skewers a variety of American parenting styles (narrated play, anyone?), and offers up an opposing French view, while keeping in mind that French child-raising goals are not necessarily her family�s goals: she picks and chooses her methods based on what is best for her and for her children. This is a fun read for anyone who is interested in how we mold our children, sometimes without realizing it, into the shapes they take. Recommended by Kathy
	Canned: How I Lost Ten Jobs in Ten Years Written by Franklin Schneider Non-Fiction A guilty pleasure read about the author's recollection of a series of horrible jobs, subsequent firing, and sucking off unemployment. Schneider's scathing sense of humor kept me laughing, especially when he is fired from a library for arguing over the classification of a book on the history of wrestling. Recommended by Lynn
	Chasing Hepburn: A Memoir of Shanghai, Hollywood, and a Chinese Family's Fight for Freedom Written by Gus Lee Non-Fiction Looking for a book that takes you to a different time and culture? Chasing Hepburn by Gus Lee is a fascinating family memoir taking the reader on an unforgettable journey from early 1900 China ending in post World War II San Francisco. It's an autobiography that reads like a novel, opening with two gripping stories of binding feet. Lee's parents lives weave through a China that has four factions trying to take control; the gangsters, the Taiping rebellion, the British opium trade, and the brutal occupation of the Japanese. Throughout the story Lee does a magnificent job of creating the atmosphere of the Chinese culture full of superstition, mystery, and tradition. The 1000 mile journey to escape the Japanese occupation that his mother and sisters take is in itself one great story. But, this book has many, many great stories throughout it. It's at times funny, mysterious, tension filled but always captivating. Recommended by Nila
	Confucius Lives Next Door: What Living in the East Teaches Us About Living in the West Written by T.R. Reid Non-Fiction Reid moves to Tokyo in the '90s to work for the Washington Post Tokyo bureau and attempts to make sense of the Confucian code which heavily guides daily life in modern day Japanese society. Recommended by Carol
	Culinary Artistry Written by Karen Page Non-Fiction Not sure what to do with that huge Costco flat of pears, or the freshly-caught halibut you just brought home? This cooking book isn�t as visually appealing as some on our shelves - no beautiful, full-color photos of tasty dishes - but it is packed full of information for enthusiastic (and creative) cooks. It includes sample restaurant menus and information about building your own menus, plus recipes from some well-known chefs, but the best part, in my opinion, is the alphabetical index of ingredients, and what other ingredients go well with them. If you�re a creative and confident cook ready to branch out from the world of cookbooks and create your own dishes, this book is an invaluable resource to help you combine complimentary flavors and ingredients. The authors list classic combinations, but also pairings you may have never tried, as well as suggestions for methods of cooking, such as baking, saut�ing, steaming, etc. Recommended by Catherine
	Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle Written by Daniel Everett Non-Fiction This book is for hard-core linguists, philosophers and anybody interested in other cultures. Daniel Everett recounts the true story of his life with the Pirah� in the Amazonian jungle. He arrives there as a Christian missionary with a very clear objective: to convert the Pirah� people to his own faith. For that he needs, first of all, to learn their language. This isn't an easy feat, as nobody before him has managed this. Through hard observation work and open-mindedness, he finally starts to understand the Pirah� culture; and to doubt much of what had been the base of his own life choices until then. Recommended by Olga
	Einstein's Cosmos: How Albert Einstein's Vision Transformed Our Understanding of Space and Time Written by Michio Kaku Non-Fiction All of Michio Kaku�s books on physics are fascinating, but this is perhaps the most fundamental one that he has written. As much a history of physics as a biography of Albert Einstein, it traces the history of Einstein�s rise in the international physics community, explaining both how and why he developed his great scientific breakthroughs. The main premise is simple: Einstein had a knack for simplifying complex problems into solutions he could visualize, making them basic enough that even a child could draw them out. Working from this, Einstein developed his theories of relativity and worked to develop a unified theory of physics, which is still under construction today. Mixed into the narrative is Einstein�s personal life, including how relationships with family members and political pressures influenced his work. This book offers insight into Einstein�s life, a history of physics in the 20th century, and a basic introduction to the fields of astrophysics and quantum mechanics, and still manages to be both interesting and very easy to read. Recommended by Jenna
	Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage Written by Alfred Lansing Non-Fiction Endurance is the amazing true story of a polar expedition gone awry. After their boat becomes stuck in the ice and then sinks near Antarctica, Shackleton and his crew must somehow make their way to safety. Lansing based his account on diaries and interviews with surviving crew members and the resulting book reads like you are really there. If you enjoy adventure books or stories about polar exploration this is an excellent book to read. Also available as an audiobook, downloadable e-book, or downloadable audiobook. Recommended by Alli
	Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader Written by Anne Fadiman Non-Fiction If you love to read, you will love this collection of essays by Anne Fadiman on the joys of books, words, and reading. Fadiman loves to read, and it shows in this book. Topics range from how the author and her husband finally combined their libraries (after years of marriage), to her family�s compulsion to proofread anything, inscriptions on books given as gifts, and the joys of second-hand books. The essays are smart and funny, and I have given this book as a gift to every avid reader I know, and I am constantly strongly recommending it to anyone I know (or suspect) might be an avid reader. So far, everyone has loved it, and I hope you do too. Recommended by Catherine
	Finding George Orwell in Burma Written by Emma Larkin Non-Fiction This fascinating journey into the dark country which shaped the young Orwell into the writer he became will make you want to re-read Orwell through the lens of Burma. If you have no interest in international politics, historical portrayals of dictators or have a weak stomach for human rights violations you may want to avoid this one. I am grateful to be a dissident writer in a country where I am not unjustly persecuted for my beliefs. In Burma, a nation held firmly under the thumb of an oppressive, authoritarian government, George Orwell is considered something of a prophet. In the literary circles which exist in the country, many of whose participants have spent years as prisoners for political crimes against the government, the three Orwell novels, Burmese Days, 1984 and Animal Farm are referred to as the Burma Trilogy. The world Orwell created as the backdrop for 1984 possesses a frightening resemblance to Burma following the 1988 government suppression of democratic protests. Despite the danger of meeting with a writer from outside Burma, many people arrange to share their experiences with Larkin and the stories which emerge are fantastic though haunting in regards to the way the regime has shaped so many lives. One writer having spent years in prison as a dissident became custodian of a secret library. The books and magazines of this library are buried in different places around the prison yard where he is put to work digging vegetable patches. One character tells a joke which really illuminates the situation in Burma. �There was once a Burmese man who traveled many hard miles in order to visit a dentist in a neighboring country. When he arrived at the dentist�s office, the dentist was surprised to learn how far the man had traveled. �Are there no dentists in your country?� he asked the man with concern. �Yes, yes, we have dentists,� the man replied, �the problem is we are not allowed to open our mouths.�� Recommended by Jonas
	Flight: Volume One Written by Kazu Kibuishi Non-Fiction Kazu Kibuishi is one of my favorite kid-friendly author-artists, penning the Copper comic strip and the Amulet graphic novel series. He also has arranged the Flight anthology series, where he usually contributes one or two of the several-dozen stories in each book. Most of the short stories can stand alone, but it�s best to read the Flight books in order for the several story lines that recur, such as Neil Babra�s �Life of Tejinder Singh� and Michel Gagne�s �Saga of Rex,� both of which are told in chapter installments, one in each volume of Flight. The illustration and storytelling styles vary greatly: some stories are mostly words with augmenting pictures, some are mostly pictures with augmenting words, some have no words at all, and some are more reflective and poetic and don�t really have a storyline to follow. If you�re interesting in checking out a variety of comic and graphic-art styles and formats, Flight is a great series to take a look at. Each volume will have a few stories you don�t really like, but also a few that you�ll be glad to have found. Volumes 1 through 8 are available from the library. Recommended by Jenna
	Frommer's National Parks of the American West Written by Don Laine Non-Fiction This is hands-down my favorite guidebook. It is organized alphabetically by park with a chapter devoted to each National Park in the Western U.S. Each chapter gives concise information on the best times to visit and why and includes advice on avoiding crowds and making the most of your visit. The lodging/transport/food recommendations are kept to a minimum and instead space is devoted to the parks themselves. There is lots of information on the different hikes, natural history and human history of each park. A clear map is also provided for each park showing trailheads, campgrounds and information centers. I have used this guidebook to plan three different National Park visits now and it continues to be the first place I turn to when I have a vacation coming up. Recommended by Alli
	Ghost Trails: Journeys Through a Lifetime Written by Jill Homer Non-Fiction Ghost Trails is a memoir written by a former Juneau resident about growing up in Utah, moving to Alaska and what led her to participate in The Iditarod Trail Invitational, a snow bike race on the Iditarod Trail. The memoir focuses on Homer�s experiences hiking the Utah desert, biking across the continental U.S., as well as training and participating in the I.T.I. I really enjoyed this book because I found Homer easy to relate to and her stories are very honest and empowering. I get a distinct sense of �If she can do it, I can do it!� from this book. I love reading trail stories and Homer is an expert at bringing the trail to life. Recommended by Alli
	Gulp: Adventures in the Alimentary Canal Written by Mary Roach Non-Fiction Mary Roach fans, rejoice! The author's latest is in the same interesting, humorous, and yes, sometimes weird and/or gross, vein as her much-loved previous titles. If you've never read one of Mary Roach's books, here's the main thing you need to know: they are very funny. In this book, Roach examines the digestive system, and all things directly and tangentially related to it. As in her previous books, Gulp contains oddball historical research, current science, and meandering yet hilarious footnotes. Roach is an intensely curious person, and she is not squeamish, so be prepared to go wherever her research takes her. If you are of a similar bent, you will enjoy the trip. The library also has Roach's other books. If you like Gulp, try Packing for Mars, or Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. Recommended by Catherine
	How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk Written by Adele Faber Non-Fiction This book is a great resource for parents, teachers, or anyone who works with kids. It is very easy to read, and has dos and don'ts, cartoons, little assignments, as well as all sorts of tips on communicating with kids (without yelling). I used this book when I was raising my kids, and if you are a parent (or teacher) who is tearing your hair out trying to communicate with kids, this book can help. Recommended by Nila
	Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain Written by David Eagleman Non-Fiction Incognito talks mostly about the latest discoveries in how the human brain works. Not having a very scientific brain myself, I was delighted at the conversational, easy-to-understand way in which the facts were exposed. The author explains the scientific findings clearly, and also lets the reader know how the data was collected. He also makes it clear when he talks about his own opinions when they haven't been scientifically proved. Recommended by Olga
	Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls Written by David Sedaris Non-Fiction You know that sarcastic, witty voice in your head? Well, it has written a book under the name David Sedaris. Like a new best friend that makes you feel in on the joke, Sedaris amuses and entertains in this series of essays. Some are better than others, but they are all entertaining. If you've read him before you will appreciate his humor; if you haven't read him then this book is a wonderful introduction to a unique voice. Recommended by Suzi
	Liveaboard Written by Emily Wall Non-Fiction Emily Wall is a Juneau poet and will be reading selections from this collection this Friday, October 27th, 2012 at the Downtown Library and leading a writing workshop entitled "Eat, Drink: Write: writing about food" on Saturday, October 28th, at the Douglas Library. I love this book because I love poetry, especially poetry that you don't have to try too hard to understand. Wall's second collection of poems is a heartfelt treat full of moments of simple magic that one is only lucky enough to witness when living aboard a boat, in a sense rooted in water. Her poems are intimate and honest and are steeped in estuary, eddy and the pull this watery world has on our lives. From "Grace Harbor, Desolation Sound" "The water around us is a thick carpet of moon jellies, each little orb pulsing, rising and falling in the tide swell. Even though we know better, we can't help stretching out our hands, reaching down. Who could resist touching the moon, if it came down, in its thousand little bodies, and surrounded us? Sometimes we need to be chosen. Sometimes, we need for belief to be out of our hands." Recommended by Jonas
	Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology Written by Caroline Paul Illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton Non-Fiction Author Caroline Paul was in an accident, and then, to add insult, or maybe further injury, to injury, her cat Tibia disappeared. Five weeks later, just when she had given him up for lost, the cat came back, begging the question: Where the heck had he been all this time? Paul set out to answer that question using GPS, cat-cams, psychics and amateur detection. The result is this cute little book, charmingly illustrated by the author's girlfriend, Wendy MacNaughton. If you are a cat-lover, this sweet book, which made me laugh out loud, is for you. Recommended by Catherine
	Midnight in Peking: How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China Written by Paul French Non-Fiction Midnight in Peking is set in the last days of the Chinese republic, as Japanese forces threaten, dominate, and finally invade the country. A gruesome murder of a young woman is discovered in a setting of the old city of Peking (Beijing) that invokes ancient fears and superstitions. Investigation of the crime uncovers multiple layers of intrigue among the privileged western diplomats, their counterparts in the Chinese police, and the underworld of the city. As war comes closer, investigation of a single crime becomes ever more difficult. Although Midnight in Peking, moves at the pace of a novel, it is well-documented history. If you enjoyed books such as The Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larsson, you will also enjoy Midnight in Peking. Recommended by Barbara
	Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers: Fresh Ideas for the Weeknight Table Written by The Moosewood Collective Non-Fiction I read cookbooks when I can't concentrate on a plot. This particular cookbook is lovely to read and has lots of pretty pictures. Written by the folks at the Moosewood Restaurant, it focuses on recipes that are simple and easy to prepare for everyday dinners at home. Recommended by LouAnn
	Not So Big Solutions for Your Home Written by Sarah Susanka Non-Fiction Great ideas for organizing and decoration your small home. If you like this one, check out Susanka's other "Not so Big" books from Taunton Press, the folks behind Fine Homebuilding magazine. Recommended by Amelia
	Planetfall: New Solar System Visions Written by Michael Benson Non-Fiction This large-format photography book gives you a fascinating, and breath-taking, look at Earth as seen from space, the flares of the Sun, the cratered surface of our moon, the red, sandy dunes of Mars, the rings of Saturn, and much, much more. Author Michael Benson has taken images and data collected from NASA and European Space Agency missions and created beautiful images of other worlds. I don't know if I'd be tempted to visit any of these places in person, should it become possible someday, but I did enjoy taking an arm-chair trip through space, thanks to this book. Recommended by Catherine
	Preserving Basics: 77 Recipes Illustrated Step by Step Written by Jody Vassallo Non-Fiction Preserving Basics is just one title in a series of cookbooks called My Cooking Class, which illustrates each recipe with a series of photographs showing each step in the process. Besides being more visually informative than a written recipe, the photographs are gorgeous on their own. This particular book shows how to make jams, jellies, mustards and more, but other books in the series include (but are not limited to) Pasta Basics, Sauce Basics, and Cake Basics. Find them by searching for 'my cooking class' in the catalog. Other cookbooks in the library's collection that also have step-by-step illustrated instructions include: How to Cook Everything - The Basics, by Mark Bittman; Illustrated Step-by-Step Baking, by Caroline Bretherton; and The Family Meal, by Ferran Adria. Recommended by Catherine
	Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Written by Susan Cain Non-Fiction This book, which examines introverts and introversion generally, and the ways in which our society doesn't particularly reward or appreciate that personality type (Cain makes the argument that this is a mistake), is generally fascinating, but also particularly interesting for the chapter about how extroversion has become more valued in many institutions and workplaces, and how that can minimize the strengths of less extroverted people, to the detriment of the entire organization. One topic the author discusses is the limit to which introverted people do well in �brainstorming� type situations. There are people who have no qualms about sharing ideas with a group, but others are inhibited by it, even if their ideas are good. The result is, not all ideas are shared, and sometimes poor decisions are made. The author writes about workplaces that have come up with ways for ideas to be shared that don�t require speaking out in front of a big group. The book also addresses the history of how extroversion became valued (and introversion undervalued), scientific studies of introversion, examples of well-known introverts, as well as some practical tips for helping introverted kids succeed. I came away from reading this book with a new pride in my own introverted tendencies, and the inspiration to reconsider which are the best ways to share ideas and make decisions. Also available as a downloadable e-book and downloadable audio-book. Recommended by Catherine
	Royal Pains: A Rogues' Gallery of Brats, Brutes, and Bad Seeds Written by Leslie Carroll Non-Fiction Juicy, shocking, hilarious gossip about monarchs throughout history. This guilty pleasure read features twelve chapters on different historical figures from Vlad Impaler to Princess Margaret. Reviewed by Sarah
	Second-Time Cool: The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater Written by Linden-Ivarsson Anna-Stina Non-Fiction This book is full of inspiring ideas about how you can re-use your old sweaters and turn them into new clothing and accessories. Make mittens, scarves, slippers, bags and more from the raw materials you already have in your closet. Includes an overview of how to re-purpose sweaters, basic instructions, and lots of pictures and ideas for how to embellish your re-purposed woolies. Recommended by Cheryl
	Serengeti Spy: Views from a Hidden Camera Written by Anup Shah Non-Fiction This book is so cool! Wildlife photographer Anup Shah set up cameras disguised by "mud, grass, elephant dung and other materials" around the plains of East Africa, and then used a remote to trigger the shutter. The result is amazing, on the ground, in-your-face images of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, baboons and more. Although the photos of stampeding herds as seen from the ground are incredible, my favorite images are the ones of animals, particularly lions, reacting to the camera. The shots of animals with their noses close up to the strange clicking device are fantastic. Recommended by Catherine
	Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work Written by Matthew B. Crawford Non-Fiction Do you feel insulted by automatic faucets, throw-away electronics and high-end automobiles that have USB ports but no dipsticks? In Crawford�s unique work, careful attention is given to the anatomy of frustration many of us share as we encounter technological advancements that claim to save our time by removing independent thought and the physical manipulation of things from our daily experience. As both the owner of a motorcycle repair shop and a doctor of philosophy, Crawford brings elements of both worlds to his exploration of the philosophy, economy and ethics of work. From the value-added products of a craftsman to the intellectual, time-saving services provided by the knowledge worker, Shop Class is an articulate, passionate argument in support of a return to the skilled trades in opposition to the over-emphasis of advanced degrees and certifications. As a whole, Crawford�s at times unbalanced indictment of the modern workplace, is a thought provoking journey through the philosophy and ethics of craftsmanship and an insightful memoir of work in a changing world. Pick this up for the philosophical high school kid in your life or as you stand on the brink of a mid-life career change in a marginal economy or for yourself if you have the stamina to skim though some dense, overly-academic prose for the moments when craftsmanship of the author�s skilled hands weave a story that hits on the growing disparities in our individual experiences as we journey through our lives at work. I read this book while unemployed and really enjoyed the sections that discuss the various ways our perception of craftsmanship and value differ when we are doing work with our hands rather than work with our minds. Recommended by Jonas
	Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy Written by Melissa Milgrom Non-Fiction This book is an in-depth look into the wacky world of taxidermy. Milgrom sets out to find out more about taxidermy and this book is the story of her exploration of the subject. There is a little bit of everything from history, technique, current world championships and meeting with modern taxidermists. This book is grimly fascinating; I couldn�t put it down and have a new appreciation for the dioramas and taxidermied animals I increasingly notice around me. Recommended by Alli
	The Art of Eating Written by M.F.K. Fisher Non-Fiction If you�ve never read anything by the American food writer M.F.K. Fisher, this book is a good place to start. It�s actually a compilation of five of Fisher�s best-known books, written between 1937 and 1949, including How to Cook a Wolf and An Alphabet for Gourmets. What I like about Fisher is that she writes not just about food (she includes anecdotes, memories, and stories), but that the food she writes about tends to be approachable, everyday food. So much food writing involves exotic destinations, strange ingredients you can�t buy locally, and restaurants you will never, ever visit, so reading about the best way to make a simple omelet makes a nice change. With this compilation, you can dip in, sample a chapter or two, or read from cover to cover. Recommended by Catherine
	The Best Light Recipe Written by Cook's Illustrated Non-Fiction Trying to prepare good, low-fat meals can be a cook�s biggest challenge. Fortunately, the writers at America's Test Kitchen have pulled together 300 of their greatest lower-fat recipes. The Best Light Recipe reads like any of the Test Kitchen's publications: first a summary of how the recipe as developed, including trials and errors and how substituting different ingredients altered the result, followed by a step-by-step recipe, including serving size and calorie counts. Interspersed throughout the book are useful tidbits and instructions, such as how to tie up a beef roast, the different kinds of fats found in cooking oils, and the "Makeover At A Glance" sections, which compare the nutrition information between classic recipes and their Test Kitchen lower-fat variations. One thing you won't find in this book is illustrations: none of the recipes have pictures of the final product. Despite that, it's a great overview of the best low-fat recipes developed by America's Test Kitchen so far. The best surprise for me was that the book has its own stir-fry section, including several Asian sauce recipes. For more Test Kitchen recipes, check out Cook's Country magazine at the Douglas library, or Cook's Illustrated magazine at Douglas, Juneau, or the Valley. Recommended by Jenna
	The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World Written by Eric Weiner Non-Fiction Weiner, a foreign correspondent for NPR, has traveled extensively, mostly to troubled spots around the world. Where in this world, he wonders, would happiness exist, and he takes a year to find if happiness can exist in a geographic location. Weiner writes in a fury, his mind jumps around about as much as his travel, but once on the cadence, I enjoyed this armchair travel to Amsterdam, Bhutan, India, Switzerland, Thailand, Qatar, Great Britain, Moldova (happiness is somewhere else), and Iceland. Weiner has a natural charisma and a journalistic flare for drawing people in and writing their stories. He also shares his rather neurotic, chaotic and well-read self. As Weiner points out, �Our happiness is completely and utterly intertwined with other people�happiness is not a noun or a verb. It�s a conjunction. Connective tissue." Recommended by Carol
	The Parties Versus the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats into Americans Written by Mickey Edwards Non-Fiction (In which we learn that the Constitution does not stipulate that the Speaker of the House of Representatives must be a member of the House.) Edwards, an Aspen Institute vice-president and former six-term Congressman, has written a tract arguing that the political parties, private clubs, have illegitimately taken over functions that belong to governments, to the detriment of the actual business of governing. He makes his case clearly and succinctly and offers concrete suggestions for putting the parties back in the corral - he does not want to do away with them - and restore a workable representative democracy. An invigorating call to citizen action. Recommended by Dian
	Truck: A Love Story Written by Michael Perry Non-Fiction You may think that you are not interested in reading a book about restoring an old International Harvester pickup truck; before I read Truck: A Love Story, I wouldn't have thought I was interested in reading a book about restoring an old International Harvester pickup truck. However, it turns out I am, and I think you might be too. It helps that Perry's book is about a lot of other things too, such as gardening, hunting, volunteer fire-fighting, family, small-town life, and, of course, love. It also helps that it is so funny, you will laugh out loud. If you like it, try Perry's other books, Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time and Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting. Recommended by Catherine
	Warmly Inscribed: The New England Forger and Other Book Tales Written by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone Non-Fiction Authors (and avid book collectors) Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone take readers along on their various bibliophile travels, including tours of the Beinecke (Yale University's rare book library) and the Folger Shakespeare Library, among others. The essays I particularly enjoyed include the authors' tour of the Library of Congress (they brought their three-year-old daughter along), an appreciation of the English writer Max Beerbohm, and the story of the New England Forger (who was caught selling books with counterfeit author inscriptions). This book is light, wonderful, easy to read, and will appeal to all book lovers. Recommended by Barbara
	When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present Written by Gail Collins Non-Fiction This history of the changing role of American women, written by New York Times columnist Gail Collins, is approachable, full of anecdotes and quotes from all kinds of women, some famous, some you have probably never heard of before. For those of us born after many of the changes Collins describes in the book, the stories (such as the one about a woman being fined for appearing in a courtroom in pants) are eye-opening. If you like this book, check out Gail Collins earlier history, America's Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates and Heroines, written about the years preceding 1960. Recommended by Catherine
	Your Skin Written by Joseph P. Bark, M. D. Non-Fiction Got warts? Bumps? Dandruff? Any skin and hair-related problems? This is the book for you. Well-written, clear and concise information and helpful advice make this an interesting read. Clear up your skin in time for the Juneau summer beach fun! Recommended by Suzi