Entertainment Weekly Picks Top Nonfiction Books of 2014

The following nonfiction titles were among Entertainment Weekly‘s top picks for 2014.

blood will outBlood Will Out by Walter Kirn – The true story of a young novelist who meets and befriends an eccentric, privileged New Yorker when he delivers a crippled hunting dog to him from an animal shelter, and later discovers that his friend was a serial imposter and brutal double-murderer.wonder

The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore -A cultural history of Wonder Woman traces the character’s creation and enduring popularity, drawing on interviews and archival research to reveal the pivotal role of feminism in shaping her seven-decade story.

can't we talkCan’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast – A graphic memoir by a long-time New Yorker cartoonist celebrates the final years of her aging parents’ lives through four-color cartoons, family photos and documents that reflect the artist’s struggles with caregiver challenges. what if

What If? by Randall Monroe – The creator of the popular webcomic “xkcd” presents his heavily researched answers to his fans’ oddest questions, including “What if I took a swim in a spent-nuclear-fuel pool?” and “Could you build a jetpack using downward-firing machine guns?

smokeSmoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty – The blogger behind the popular Web series “Ask a Mortician” describes her experiences working at a crematory, including how she sometimes got ashes on her clothes and how she cared for bodies of all shapes and sizes.short

The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs – Presents the life of Robert Peace, an African American who became a brillant biochemistry student at Yale University, but after graduation lived as drug dealer and was brutally murdered at the age of thirty.

 

Goodreads Best Book Award Winners Announced!

Every year Goodreads allows its registered members to vote on the best books of the year in a variety of genres and categories. The votes are done in three rounds, each round lasting about a week. This years voting for the final round ended on November 24th. The winners in each category are:

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Fiction: Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Mystery & Thriller: Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
Historical Fiction: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Fantasy: The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
Romance: Written Down in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon
Science Fiction: The Martian by Andy Weir
Horror: Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
Humor: Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Nonfiction: The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan
Memoir & Autobiography: This Star Won’t Go Out by Esther Earl
History & Biography: The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport
Business Books:#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
Food & Cookbooks: Make it Ahead by Ina Garten
Graphic Novels & Comics: Serenity: Leaves on the Wind by Zack Whedon
Poetry: Lullabies by Lang Leav
Debut Goodreads Author: Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Young Adult Fiction: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Young Adult Fantasy: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
Middle Grade & Children’s: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
Picturebooks: The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems

Parenting Books for New and Experienced Families

About to become a parent, or just looking to read what all the experts and fellow parents have to say on the subject? Here are some useful collection or books to consider for reassurance, advice, and inspiration. Parenthood is not easy, no matter what ‘they’ say. Every child and every family is different, but it always helps to learn about the theories and recommendations that just might help you in the coming years. I have given three small lists here, one for parents to share, one that is particularly helpful to my fellow moms, and a list fabulous resources for fathers.

Parenting Books for All:
1. All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior

2. Good Kids, Tough Choices: How Parents Can Help Their Children Do the Right Thing by Rushworth M. Kidder

3. You Might as Well Laugh: Surviving the Joys of Parenthood by Sandi Kahn Shelton

4. Nurture the Nature: Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Unique Core Personality by Michael Gurian

5. Parenting Experts: Their Advice, the Research, and Getting it Right by Jane L. Rankin

6. The Business of Baby: What Doctors Don’t Tell You by Jennifer Margulis

7. Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids by Bryan Caplan

8. Babyproofing your Marriage by Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O’Neill, and Julia Stone ; illustrated by Larry Martin

Especially for Mothers:
1. Why Have Kids?: a New Mom Explores the Truth about Parenting and Happiness by Jessica Valenti

2. The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood:
Coping with Stress, Depression, and Burnout
by Kathleen A. Kendall-Tackett

3. The Girlfriends’ Guide to Toddlers by Vicki Iovine

4. I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile

5. Because I’m the Mother, That’s Why by Stephanie Pierson ; illustrations by Mary Lynn Blasutta

6. The 7 Stages of Motherhood by Ann Pleshette Murphy

Especially for Fathers:
1. The Book of Fathers’ Wisdom: Paternal Advice from Moses to Bob Dylan by Edward Hoffman

2. The Playskool Guide for Expectant Fathers by Brian Lipps

3. Father Knows Less, or, Can I Cook my Sister? by Wendell Jamieson

4. The Expectant Father by Armin Brott

5. Rookie Dad Tackles the Toddler by Susan Fox

6. Dad Handbook by Peter Baylies

This is of course far from a comprehensive list, and we would be more than happy to help you find a book that best fits your needs. We do have a Parent’s section in the children’s room full of helpful books as well as a variety of books in the nonfiction section. If you are look for specific information please stop by the Children’s Desk or Reference Desk and we will gladly help.

December 16th is Chocolate Covered Anything Day!

Did you know that there is a day to celebrate covering foods with chocolate? This year December 16th is chocolatetopChocolate Covered Anything Day! Now, with whispers of a chocolate shortage have been present in the news lately it is even more important to celebrate this day with some fantastic treats. Chocolate covered fruit such as strawberries, banana, and pineapple are well known and loves and less obvious treats like chocolate covered pretzels and more savory treats have become more popular in recent years, a day like today is just the inspiration you might need to explore other less obvious pairings, like chocolate and bacon.

chocolate1So, in honor of today cover your food in chocolate or simply make something tasty with it. Like all good things chocolate is better when shared so, in spirit of the holiday season, share some of your chocolate treats with your friends and family. Here are some books to give you chocolate related inspiration:

1. Chocolate: From Simple Cookies to Extravagant Showstoppers by Nick Malgieri

2. Chocolate: 90 Sinful and Sumptuous Indulgences by Elisabeth Johansson

3. The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Making Sweets, Candy & Chocolates by Claire Ptak

4. The Essence of Chocolate: Recipes for Baking and Cooking with Fine Chocolate by John Scharffenberger and Robert Steinberg with Ann Krueger Spivack and Susie Heller

5. Chocolate and the Art of Low-Fat Desserts by Alice Medrichchocolate3

6. Maida Heatter’s Book of Great Chocolate desserts by Maida Heatter

7. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook: Recipes and History from America’s Premier Chocolate Maker photography by Leigh Beisch

8. Chocolate Lover’s: From Hot Fudge Soufflé to Chilled Biscuit Cake by Chris and James Tannerchocolate4

9. Bittersweet: Recipes and Tales from a Life in Chocolate by Alice Medrich

10. Seriously Bitter Sweet: The Ultimate Dessert Maker’s Guide to Chocolate by Alice Medrich

For even more chocolatey goodness and inspiration check out: Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn, chocolate5Chocolate: A Sweet History by Sandra Markle, Chocolate: a Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner’s Private Collection by Max Brenner, Pure Chocolate: Divine Desserts and Sweets from the Creator of Fran’s Chocolates by Fran Bigelow with Helene Siegel, Chocolate & Zucchini: Daily adventures in a Parisian Kitchen by Clotilde Dusoulier, 1000 Chocolate Baking & Dessert Recipes produced by theChocolate6 Bridgewater Book Company, Ltd, or Sweet Christmas: Homemade Peppermints, Sugar Cake, Chocolate-Almond Toffee, Eggnog Fudge, and other Sweet Treats and Decorations by Sharon Bowers.

10 Celebrity Books Worth Reading

hollywoodI admit it…..I don’t watch much television or go to movies, so I’m not into the celebrity thing.  But a couple articles caught my eye about books written by celebrities that are considered to be quite good.  Take a look:

bossyBossypants by Tina Fey (Biography) – From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon, comedian Tina Fey reveals all, and proves that you’re no one until someone calls you bossy.unbearable

Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi (Biography) – A wife of Ellen DeGeneres and actress best known for her roles in Ally McBeal and Arrested Development provides a searing account of the years she spent secretly suffering from anorexia and bulimia, and trying to hide her sexuality, all under the glare of Hollywood’s bright lights.

my motherMy Mother Was Nuts : A Memoir by Penny Marshall (Biography) – A Hollywood icon discusses her incredible life, from her starring role on the classic sitcom Laverne and Shirley to her trailblazing moment as the first woman to direct a movie grossing more than $100 million at the box officeyes please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler (Biography) – A first-person account by the Golden Globe-winning actress best known for her work on Parks and Recreation and Saturday Night Live includes coverage of such topics as her relationships with caregivers and her friendship with Tina Fey

seriouslySeriously……I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres (Biography) – The stand-up comedian, television host, bestselling author, and actress candidly discusses her personal life and professional career and describes what it was like to become a judge on “American Idol.”not that kind

Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s Learned by Lena Dunham (Biography) – The creator and star of HBO’s “Girls” documents her coming-of-age in and out of the spotlight, recounting her experiences with everything from dieting and embarrassing sex to dirty old men and performing in less-than-ideal conditions.

is everyoneIs Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling (Non-Fiction) – The Emmy-nominated writer and actress best known as Kelly Kapoor on The Office shares her observations on a wide range of topics from favorite male archetypes and her hatred of dieting to her loving relationship with her mother and the haphazard creative process in the Office writers’ room.someday

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham (Fiction) – The stage and screen star best known for her work in such series as Gilmore Girls presents the story of a struggling actress in 1990s New York City who searches for work and the perfect hair product while befriending a rival and resisting her father’s pressure to get a “real” job.

pleasureThe Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin (Fiction) – Daniel, a troubled man who lives alone in a Santa Monica apartment, detached from the world, watching life go by, passes his time filling out contest applications, estimating the wattage of light bulbs, and counting ceiling tiles, until his grown attachment to Clarissa and Teddy helps him rediscover the outside world, as well as love and life in the process.when

When It Happens to You by Molly Ringwald (Fiction) – A collection of interlinked stories follows a Los Angeles family and their friends and neighbors as they negotiate the deceptions and heartbreaks of everyday life.

(Source: collegecandy.com, Kirkus Reviews)