LibGuides: Booklists for Adults & Teens: ICYMI

garden

Southwest Gardening

Also check out our Home and Garden guides for more information (including about our Seed Library)!

While most of these listings link by default to a print copy, many are available in other formats (eBook and eAudiobook). Don't forget to check the catalog by title or author if you prefer digital!

The Hot Garden by Scott Calhoun "Put your desert eyes on," is Scott Calhoun's first advice to gardeners facing arid Southwestern regions with extreme climate conditions. Then he shows how to translate the natural beauty of the region-mountains, canyons, sculptural succulents, and incandescent sky-into gorgeous yet water-thrifty landscape designs that complement existing architecture as well as the environment that surrounds it. Spectacular photographs help to tell the tale, showing flowering plants that are also tough as nails, vivid purple walls, and cacti with "punk rock hairdos," along with creative touches drawn from Native American and pop culture. Gardeners at all levels will find insight, inspiration, tips, and tricks to help them create and foster beauty in the desert.
Agaves by Greg Starr Gardeners and garden designers are having a love affair with agaves. It's easy to see why--they're low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and strikingly sculptural, with an astounding range of form and color. Many species are strikingly variegated, and some have contrasting ornamental spines on the edges of their leaves. Fabulous for container gardening or in-the-ground culture, they combine versatility with easy growability. In Agaves, plant expert Greg Starr profiles 75 species, with additional cultivars and hybrids, best suited to gardens and landscapes. Each plant entry includes a detailed description of the plant, along with its cultural requirements, including hardiness, sun exposure, water needs, soil requirements, and methods of propagation. Agaves can change dramatically as they age and this comprehensive guide includes photos showing each species from youth to maturity--a valuable feature unique to this book.
A Place All Our Own by Mary Irish For twenty years Mary Irish, along with her husband Gary, tended a garden in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the years they transformed it into a lively and lovely spot that reflected both its place in the world--hot, dry, and often hostile to gardeners who don't understand its ways--and the particular passions of its two creators. Of course, not everything went as planned, and the garden talked back as much as it obeyed. But for these two gardeners, the unexpected outcome is one of gardening's great pleasures.  Mary Irish is a delightful writer. With grace, wit, and obvious affection, she tells the story of how she and Gary transformed a barren half-acre plot around their house in the center of Greater Phoenix into a haven: for its creators and their friends, for the birds and insects and other critters that have discovered it, and for the plants that have made it their home. Although it describes the experience of gardening in one of the most extreme climates in the inhabited world, A Place All Our Own will interest anyone who gardens--and everyone who enjoys a well-told, true-life nature tale.
Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping by Sunset Staff; Kathleen Brenzel The perfect companion to the best-selling The New Sunset Western Garden Book, the Western Garden Book of Landscaping is the ultimate source for ideas and expert advice to make a readers dream garden or landscape a reality. Completely redesigned and updated for today's homeowner and landscape professional, this book has the proven, reliable, expert information that readers have come to expect from the Western Garden brand. Much more than an idea book, this book is designed to inspire homeowners by showcasing the West's best garden design, and--more practically--to give Do-It-Yourselfers enough information to tackle basic projects on their own, making their gardens look and function better. Useful for beginners and expert landscapers alike, this book is ideal for those readers looking to install a new garden, renovate an existing one, or simply to make parts of their garden, whether a patio or flower border, more stylish. With gorgeous photography and the latest in garden design, this book includes the best in tips, guidelines, and step-by-step instructions throughout. Featuresincludes: More than 400 pages full of tips, advice and ideas for creating a dream garden Over 600 gorgeous full-color photos Expanded and Extensive Photo Galleries showcasing stylish Western gardens Expert Tips from expert landscape professionals to make a reader's garden the best it can be Fresh ideas for arbors, colorful effects with paint, fire pits, pools, and more Up-to-date information on designing gardens that can withstand drought, fire, wind and more Creative and Innovative uses for major plant groups including lawns, shrubs, perennials, and succulents Beginners' Advice with tips, cool ideas, and secrets from first time gardeners who have already gone through a landscape remodel and learned from it. Sunset magazine (www.sunset.com) is the premier guide to life in the West, covering the newest and best ideas in Western home design and landscaping, food and entertaining, and regional travel in 13 Western states. Sunset Magazine has a circulation of over 1.25 million and a readership of 4.864 million.
The New Western Garden Book by Sunset Magazine Editors As surely as gardens change with the seasons, gardening is ever changing. New plants, techniques, materials, and lifestyles are constantly broadening the choices you have and reshaping the way you garden in the West. In response to this natural evolution, the editors of Sunset-the West's most trusted source of gardening information for more than 80 years-have completely redesigned and updated The Western Garden Book in this new 2012 Ninth Edition. Following the best-selling success of the previous editions of The Western Garden Book, this edition includes a fresh new look, thousands of color photographs, fresh illustrations, and an easy-to-follow format. Written by experts for gardeners in the West, this book is an indispensable reference for beginning and expert gardeners alike. The New Western Garden Book features include: A photo gallery shows the West's most innovative gardens, from all-edibles front yards to stylish water-wise and fire-wise gardens to living walls and green roofs-all with ideas you can use. Climate Zone Maps and growing-season graphs for all regions of the West including Alaska and Hawaii. A new "Plant Finder" section helps you choose plants for their garden's problem areas or for special effects. "A to Z Plant Encyclopedia" lists some 8,000 plants that thrive in the West, including more than 500 new ones. Gorgeous color photographs illustrate all plant entries-for the first time ever in The Western Garden Book. "Gardening From Start to Finish" is a new visual guide that leads readers through all steps of making a garden, from soil prep through planting, growing and care, with special sections on natives, veggies, grasses and more.
Landscape Plants for Dry Regions by Warren D. Jones; Charles Sacamano The definitive guide to landscaping in the Southwest, featuring exotic plants of tremendous potential seldom used in Southwest landscapes.
Growing Vegetables in Drought, Desert and Dry Times by Maureen Gilmer Here is the definitive guide to growing healthy organic vegetables without wasting our precious water resources! This incredibly timely book will give dedicated home gardeners the know-how to grow delicious produce in dry times, focusing on four different low-water conditions in the western United States: voluntary water conservation, drought, and both high and low desert. Using modern techniques, as well as tips and stories from native traditions ranging from the southwestern United States to the Middle East, this guide offers the best of ancient wisdom and the newest innovations in conservation, and includes varietal recommendations and a seasonal crop guide.
Dry Gardens by Flora Grubb (Foreword by); Caitlin Atkinson (Photographer); Daniel Nolan Featuring 25 indoor and outdoor gardens and landscapes each detailed project offers a different approach to incorporating the desert flora. With designs by Daniel Nolan as well as other leading garden designers such as Judy Kameon, Terremoto Studio, Mark Word, and Steve Martino, Modern Dry Garden offers techniques and designs to inspire readers to transform any available space into their own modern dry garden. Rich with bold architecture of spiny cacti, brilliant and muted sage, rosy succulents, bright, dusty sands, and red rocks, Modern Dry Garden will prove that inspiration has no geographic boundaries, and will be loved by lovers of gardens and interior design from around the world.
Growing the Southwest Garden by Judith Phillips Plant selection and garden style are deeply influenced by where we are gardening. To successfully grow a range of beautiful ornamental plants, every gardener has to know the specifics of the region's climate, soil, and geography. Growing the Southwest Garden, by New Mexico-based garden designer Judith Phillips, is a practical and beautiful handbook for ornamental gardening in a region known for its low rainfall and high temperatures. With more than thirty years of experience gardening in the Southwest, Phillips has created an essential guide, featuring regionally specific advice on zones, microclimates, soil, pests, and maintenance. Profiles of the best plants for the region include complete information on growth and care.
The Bold Dry Garden by Johanna Silver; Marion Brenner (Photographer) "For those of you--and your numbers are growing--gardening in drought-stricken parts of the country, The Bold Dry Garden will quench your thirst for inspiration." --New York Times Book Review Ruth Bancroft is a dry gardening pioneer. Her lifelong love of plants led to the creation of one of the most acclaimed public gardens, The Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California. The Bold Dry Garden offers unparalleled access to the garden and the extraordinary woman responsible for it. In its stunningly photographed pages, you'll discover the history of the garden and the design principles and plant palette that make it unique. Packed with growing and maintenance tips, profiles of signature plants for a dry garden, and innovative design techniques, The Bold Dry Garden has everything you need to create a garden that is lush, waterwise, and welcoming. 
Call Number: Check it out now - only available from hoopla digital!
The Colorful Dry Garden by Maureen Gilmer A design-focused, easy-to-use guide to colorful, eye-catching foliage and flowers for your whole yard, from the ground plane to the canopy, for homeowners and landscapers faced with replacing thirsty gardens in California and other dry regions in the Western US. If readers must reluctantly remove water-guzzling favorites from the garden, they need equally beautiful substitutes! This book is a visual treat that supports the transition to dry gardening by proving that gardeners can have all the gorgeous color and flowers they had in the past using just a fraction of the water. Maureen Gilmer provides chapters on design categories of plants-flowering shrubs, the ground plain, eye-catching accents, ephemeral flowers, perennials for color, animated plants and fine textures, canopy, and edibles-with profiles for each plant plus background info and top picks lists. The Colorful Dry Garden is unique because it features only bold plants that are also heavy bloomers despite heat and limited water. It also features more than just Western native plants by including varieties from the world's driest climates.
Call Number: eBook
Southwest Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, 2nd Edition by Jacqueline Soule In this updated 2nd edition of Southwest Fruit & Vegetable Gardening, you'll find much-needed advice and practical tips on growing an edible garden, no matter which part of the southwestern US you call home. Growing in the Southwest isn't easy. It's either too hot or too cold and often very dry. The region hosts a range of soils and climate conditions that can be difficult for a gardener to navigate. That's why this region-specific garden guide is a must-have for every Southwestern gardener! Botanist Jacqueline Soule simplifies the ins and outs of gardening in the Southwest and serves as your guide to success. Regardless of whether you're tending an in-ground plot, a small container garden, or a series of raised beds, Southwest Fruit & Vegetable Gardening is an invaluable resource. You'll find: Detailed profiles of over 60 edible plants that thrive in the region's distinctive growing conditions, including favorites like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, summer squash, hot peppers, and pomegranates--plus popular herbs Information on soil preparation, starting seeds, fertilizer tips, and more Techniques for safely managing the Southwest's most troublesome vegetable garden pests Helpful planting tips to keep you on track Garden maintenance advice to ensure a lush, productive, and high-yielding garden Regardless of whether you're a first-time grower or an experienced Master Gardener, the modern varieties and well-researched gardening information found here will have you going from seed to harvest with confidence and know-how. Southwest Fruit & Vegetable Gardening is part of the regional Fruit & Vegetable Gardening series from Cool Springs Press. Other books in the series include CaliforniaFruit & Vegetable Gardening, Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Gardening, TexasFruit & Vegetable Gardening, and many others.
The Water-Saving Garden by Pam Penick A guide to growing beautiful gardens in drought-prone areas utilizing minimal water for maximum results. With climate change, water rationing, and drought on the rise, water conservation is more important than ever-but that doesn't mean your gardening options are limited to cacti and rocks. The Water-Saving Garden provides gardeners and homeowners with a diverse array of techniques and plentiful inspiration for creating sustainable gardens that are sobeautiful and inviting, it's hard to believe they are water-thrifty. Including a directory of 100 plants appropriate for a variety of drought-prone regions of the country, this accessible and contemporary xeriscaping guide is full of must-know information on popular gardening topics like native and drought-tolerant plants (including succulents), rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, permeable paving, and more.
Homegrown Herb Garden by Lisa Baker Morgan; Ann McCormick Take your home cooking to the next level by incorporating fresh, homegrown herbs! If you have been wanting to grow and cook with fresh herbs, this combination gardening book and cookbook is your ideal guide to getting started. You don't need lots of space for a huge herb garden, and you don't need to spend a lot of money on fresh herbs at the grocery store or farmers' market. With Homegrown Herb Garden, you can choose the herb or herbs you will use the most and build your herb garden around them. The book is divided into two sections, the first is devoted to gardening and the second to cooking. The authors chose the most widely used herbs--including staples like cilantro, dill, tarragon, parsley, rosemary, and sage--and added a few of their favorites that may be less familiar to you, such as chervil and Thai basil. In "In the Garden," you will learn when to plant, where to plant, how and when to harvest your herbs, and how to dry and store those you don't use immediately in the kitchen. In "In the Kitchen," you will learn about flavor pairings and how to use each herb in numerous ways in sweet and savory dishes and through the use of all cooking techniques. Choose your favorite herbs, learn to grow them successfully, and never be at a loss for what to do with them!
Call Number: Check it out now - only available from hoopla digital!
Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees and Butterflies: Southwest by George Oxford Miller Plan Your Landscape or Garden to Help Beloved Backyard Visitors The presence of birds, bees, and butterflies suggests a healthy, earth-friendly place. These most welcome guests also bring joy to those who appreciate watching them. Now, you can turn your yard into a perfect habitat that attracts them and, more importantly, helps them thrive. Professional nature photographer and botanist George Oxford Miller provides all the information you need in this must-have guide for Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, west Texas, and Utah. Learn how to landscape and create pollinator gardens with native plants, including succulents. The book begins with an in-depth introduction to native pollinators and to birds. It's followed by a "field guide" section to more than 100 native plants that are widely available to utilize, are easy to care for, and provide great benefit to birds, bees, and butterflies. The species are organized by level of sunlight needed and then by plant types. Each species includes full-color photographs and information about hardiness zones, what they are most likely to attract, soil requirements, light levels, and George's notes. As an added bonus, you'll make use of blooming charts, tips on attracting specific species, and more! Plus, the invaluable garden plans and projects show you just what to do and can be customized to suit your own specific interests. Plan, plant, and grow your beautiful garden, with native plants that benefit your favorite creatures to watch and enjoy.
Month-to-Month Gardening, New Mexico by Kelli Dolecek; Paula Bousquet (Photographer)
Arizona and New Mexico Getting Started Garden Guide by Judith Phillips; Mary Irish Renowned Southwest gardening experts Mary Irish and Judith Phillips share their firsthand experiences with gardening in Arizona and New Mexico. The southwestern United States is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and formations in the entire country. Alongside its famed attractions - the Grand Canyon, Rio Grande Gorge, and Havasu Falls among them - the region caters to a vast array of unique plant life, specially adapted to thrive in warm, dry climates as well as at high elevations. In Arizona & New Mexico Getting Started Garden Guide, authors and local gardening legends Mary Irish and Judith Phillips feature region-specific advice on planting, growing, and caring for more than 150 of the best-performing and most desirable plants across Arizona and New Mexico. Flowers and grasses, desert perennials and trees, shrubs and vines . . . this plant-by-plant guide includes useful information for the novice and the experienced gardener alike, paying special attention to low-water-use species that enjoy the specific climates of these two states. From the spectacular blooms of the claret-cup hedgehog to the puffballs of the Baja fairy duster, each plant is featured with full-color photography, detailed planting and care instructions, and recommendations for plants that can peacefully coexist with them. With an intuitive layout, pronunciation guides, a custom icon key for readily accessible plant facts, and color-coded USDA zone maps, Arizona & New Mexico Getting Started Garden Guide is the simplest, most foolproof plant manual for gardening everywhere from Carlsbad to Kingman.
Water for the People by Enrique R. Lamadrid (Editor); José A. Rivera (Editor) Water for the People features twenty-five essays by world-renowned acequia scholars and community members that highlight acequia culture, use, and history in New Mexico, northern Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Spain, the Middle East, Nepal, and the Philippines, situating New Mexico's acequia heritage and its inherent sustainable design within a global framework. The lush landscapes of the upper Río Grande watershed created by acequias dating from as far back as the late sixteenth century continue to irrigate their communities today despite threats of prolonged drought, urbanization, private water markets, extreme water scarcity, and climate change. Water for the People celebrates acequia practices and traditions worldwide and shows how these ancient irrigation systems continue to provide arid regions with a model for water governance, sustainable food systems, and community traditions that reaffirm a deep cultural and spiritual relationship with the land year after year.
Sunset Western Garden Easy-Care Plantings by Sunset Magazine Editors This book illustrates that intricate, fragrant, and well-designed gardens don't need to be time-consuming to tend. Gardeners of all levels will learn about the types of plants that make their gardens as easy to care for as they are easy on the eyes. The Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings is a book about smart plants, and smart ways to combine them, focusing on specific plant groups that are especially easy, that belong together, and that take the same conditions. Featuring chapters full of plant charts with photos, brief descriptions, and care advice, readers are sure to glean inspiration, design ideas, and enough tips and tricks to build their own garden that radiates both ease and beauty.
Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens by Janice Busco; Nancy R. Morin; Gene Balzer (Photographer) People who live in the high-altitude regions of the American West (5,000 feet and above) are familiar with the many challenges in creating beautiful, enduring gardens, from water shortages to extremes of temperature. This authoritative guide recommends 150 species of native plants--comprising perennials, grasses, bulbs, vines, ferns, and ground covers--guaranteed to be low-maintenance successes for home gardeners.
The Regenerative Garden by Stephanie Rose Discover how to work with nature, instead of against it, by employing permaculture techniques to create a garden that is not just more beautiful and productive, but also more resilient. While the word permaculture might sound intimidating, the principals behind it are not. The main goal of permaculture is to turn your space into a functioning ecosystem that's less reliant on external resources and better able to sustain itself through many seasons of growth and change as it resists pests, diseases, and climate extremes. Whatever the size of your space, from a tiny patio garden to a big backyard, and whether you grow food, flowers, shrubs, trees, or a combination of all, The Regenerative Garden is here to help you become a better, more eco-conscious gardener. Through 80 DIY projects, author Stephanie Rose of the popular website Garden Therapy introduces you to basic backyard permaculture concepts in an easy-to-follow, logical way. Each of the six chapters represents a living element of the garden, capable of playing a valuable role in its constant regeneration, including soil, water, plants, climate, ethics, and community. As you check these projects off your to-do list, you'll find you've reduced your long-term work load, conserved water and other resources, turned your yard into a habitat for wildlife, and learned to grow perennial foods in creative ways. The 80 featured projects include step-by-step instructions on how to: Employ intensive planting to reduce weeding and watering chores Use living mulches to amend the soil Build self-watering planters and wicking beds to reduce water use Install a rain garden to catch runoff Plant a wildlife hedge to support creatures and create a windbreak and noise buffer Compost projects and systems to repurpose waste on-site Make a butterfly migration station to support pollinators of all sorts A healthy, organic, regenerative garden is a perfect example of a self-sustaining ecosystem; everything works in tandem, is intricately connected, and comes full circle to create its own never-ending cycle of life.
Composting for a New Generation by Michelle Balz; Anna Stockton (By (photographer)) Whether you garden on a small city lot or on a large country property, Composting for a New Generation covers everything you need to know to make great compost quickly. Composting is not just about reducing food and yard waste; it's also about improving the health of your soiland the productivity of your garden. Compost is full of nutrients and beneficial microbes that help plants thrive, but store-bought compost is expensive and often comes packaged in non-recyclable plastic bags. Instead of running to the store to purchase compost, learn how to make your own rich, earthy compost and watch your garden thrive.    Composting for a New Generation explains the complex science behind effective and efficient composting in layman's terms and includes detailed information on tried-and-true composting methods right along with new, innovative techniques. From traditional bin composting (including step-by-step instructions for building your own bin) and vermicomposting, to keyhole gardens and trench composting, you'll close the cover with all the knowledge needed to be an expert composter today. Plus, you'll learn how to use all that "home cooked" compost successfully.  Composting for a New Generation is the most complete book to date on organic composting. 
Hot Color, Dry Garden by Nan Sterman "Eye-popping proof that water-wise gardens are bold, beautiful and brilliantly hued." --San Diego Home and Garden Dry weather defines the Southwest, and it's getting dryer. As water becomes more precious, our gardens suffer. If we want to keep gardening, we must revolutionize our plant choices and garden practices. Hot Color, Dry Garden provides a joyful, color-filled way to exuberantly garden in low-water conditions. Garden expert Nan Sterman highlights inspiring examples of brilliant gardens filled with water-smart plants. You'll find information about designing for color using plants, architecture, and accessories, along with a plant directory that features drought-tolerant plants that dazzle.
Water-Smart Gardening by Diana Maranhao You can have a colorful, striking garden that's drought resistant too with water-smart gardening! This book gives you all the tools needed to create a water-smart landscape and garden. Choose water-smart plants that survive and even thrive in low-water situations, tap into the power of evolution and use plants native to your area, time your irrigation and install water-collection devices such as cisterns and rain barrels. Gorgeous photos throughout Water-Smart Gardening will inspire you with beautiful garden ideas and help you see your way to a garden that sips water instead of gulping it.

tea

National Tea Day

April 21

While most of these listings link by default to a print copy, many are available in other formats (eBook and eAudiobook). Don't forget to check the catalog by title or author if you prefer digital!

The Tea Book by Linda Gaylard The Tea Book helps you explore the blends, tastings, and ceremonies from around the world and create your own delicious tea traditions. Where does tea come from? In The Tea Book learn where in the world tea is cultivated and how to drink each variety at its best, with steeping notes and step-by-step recipes. The Tea Book is your world tour of the art of tea. Visit tea plantations from India to Kenya and explore maps of the world's most important growing regions. Learn to recognize tea-leaf varietals and spot the best types from each region. Recreate a Japanese tea ceremony with a guide to storied traditions and practical implements. Discover the health benefits of green tea. Craft the perfect Chai tea. Try a tasting course to cultivate your sense of tea color, aroma, and taste. Explore the spectrum of herbal, plant, and fruit infusions. The Tea Book covers it all, including history, tradition, and 75 classic and contemporary recipes to steep and share.
Tea by Kevin Gascoyne; François Marchand; Jasmin Desharnais; Hugo Americi An illustrated guide to the world's teas. Tea is second only to water as the most-consumed beverage in the world. When recent studies revealed green tea's health benefits, North American consumption skyrocketed. Tea is a comprehensive guide to non-herbal tea, the plant Camellia sinensis. Concise and authoritative text and an abundance of color photographs take the reader on an escorted tour of the world's tea-growing countries: China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and East Africa. Like a fine wine, it is the "terroir" -- a region's soil and climate -- that imparts unique characteristics to a tea. The book covers black, green, white, yellow, oolong, pu'er, perfumed, aromatic and smoked teas. Topics include: An overview of the history of tea Tea varieties The worldwide export of tea How tea is processed Signature tea cultivars The art of making, serving and tasting tea, including tea ceremonies Tea in cooking, with 15 recipes from gourmet chefs A directory of teas. A set of detailed charts, tables and graphs shows the caffeine, antioxidant and other biochemical properties of 35 teas. Tea aficionados go on organized tours of tea-growing regions, enroll in tasting seminars and earn professional certificates. For them and for the interested reader who enjoys the occasional cup, Tea is a beautifully presented homage to the world's most beloved hot beverage.
Afternoon Tea at Home by Will Torrent Recipes and inspiration for how to host the ultimate tea party with instruction from master patissier Will Torrent. Arranged by season, with extra chapters on a Classic afternoon tea as well as a Showstopper afternoon tea, Will showcases his no-nonsense approach to the key techniques involved in patisserie, baking, chocolate work, and serving savory dishes in 80 beautifully illustrated recipes. An invaluable source of inspiration, there are also six guest recipes from top restaurants and hotels, including The Ritz, The Dorchester, The Gramercy Tavern, The Berkeley, Les Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, and Harrods. Starting with a brief history of afternoon tea and how it came to be such a British institution, Will then offers up store cupboard recipes for basic jams, spreads, butters, and curds - everything you might need to serve alongside a carefully planned afternoon tea. Recipes include classics such as Smoked salmon and whipped cream cheese sandwiches, Cherry and almond bakewell tarts, Vanilla shortbread, and Fruited scones; classics with a clever twist such as Malted milk egg custard tarts, Cucumber sandwiches with yuzu and chive butter, and Crab mayonnaise eclairs; as well as more adventurous offerings of Prosecco, lime and mint jellies, Roasted walnut and miso shortbread, Lemon and lime matcha tea friands, and a very decadent Apricot and lavender almondine from Raymond Blanc at Les Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. A real feast for the senses, this book will make you want to pull out all the stops and create your own gorgeous themed tea parties at home.
Afternoon Tea Collection by Pamela Clark Afternoon tea is a celebration of all things delightful and delectable, pretty and feminine. This beautifully illustrated keepsake book features everything that makes the teatime experience special: lovely small sandwiches (like prawn and lime pepper aioli), yummy scones, little tarts, and other treats--like pink velvet cake and ginger powder puffs with orange cream. And every recipe has been triple tested to guarantee your success first time, every time.
The Vintage Tea Party Book by Angel Adoree The Vintage Tea Party Book embraces the style and class of the trendy London Vintage scene and illustrates how to beautifully recreate the tasty treats and classic styles at home - A unique mixture of recipes and feature spreads with accessible tips on hairstyling, makeup methods and tips on where to collect vintage china Angel Adoree cordially invites you to accompany her on a journey to create your perfect vintage tea party. Expect glamour, roses, rabbits, headscarves, foxes, teapots, crows, parlour games, cake stands, hair and make-up tips and, not forgetting, humongous amounts of magical tea party food that is fit for the Queen of England, and easy enough for you to make.
The Vintage Tea Party Year by Angel Adoree The Vintage Tea Party Year takes you on twelve months of parties, celebrations and teatime treats as well as introducing more games and craft projects for your chosen theme. See the New Year in with vintage style, make Valentine's Day extra special, give every child their dream tea party, find inspiration for weddings and baby showers, be the talk of the town with your own summer street party and wrap up for winter with a vintage-inspired Christmas. Angel's inimitable style will take you on a seasonal journey and help you put on the perfect tea party whatever the occasion.
The Green Tea User's Manual by Helen Gustafson With its own aromas and delights, as well as a host of health bene'ts, including enhancing immune system function and lessening damage from free radicals, green tea continues to grow more popular in American diets. Yet because it is brewed differently, and many varieties of green tea are available, there is more to know about making a good cup of green tea than how to boil water. The Green Tea User’s Manualleaves no leaf unturned, introducing 16 of the most popular types of green tea, including Dragon Well, Sencha, Jasmine, and the Japanese tea Gen Mai Cha. It describes the three stages of bubbles to look for when boiling water and the various vessels in which to brew, from pots to small covered cups known as guywans. Lovely line drawings, original recipes, anecdotes, lore, and related green tea tips help to make this irresistible little book a perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for tea.
How Tea Cosies Changed the World by Loani Prior The creative world of tea cosies again comes to life with these colourful, new, unique patterns for teapot warmers and other knitted accessories.
The Boba Book by Andrew Chau; Bin Chen A beautifully photographed and designed cookbook and guide to the cultural phenomenon that is boba, or bubble tea--featuring recipes and reflections from The Boba Guys tea shops. Andrew Chau and Bin Chen realized in 2011 that boba--the milk teas and fruit juices laced with chewy tapioca balls from Taiwan that were exploding in popularity in the States--was still made from powders and mixes. No one in the U.S. was making boba with the careful attention it deserved, or using responsible, high-quality ingredients and global, artisanal inspiration. So they founded The Boba Guys- a chic, modern boba tea shop that has now grown to include fourteen locations across the country, bringing bubble tea to the forefront of modern drinks and bridging cultures along the way. Now, with The Boba Book, the Boba Guys will show fans and novices alike how they can make their (new) favorite drink at home through clear step-by-step guides. Here are the recipes that people line up for--from the classics like Hong Kong Milk Tea, to signatures like the Strawberry Matcha Latte and the coffee-laced Dirty Horchata. For the Boba Guys, boba is Taiwanese, it's Japanese, it's Mexican, it's all that and more--which means it's all-American.
The Art of Tea by Jordan Marxer (Editor) Readers of this beautiful book from the editors of Victoria magazine are invited to savor the pleasures and possibilities of the cherished ritual of tea shared by people the world over. Divided into four enticing sections, this exquisitely photographed volume offers page after page of ideas for making teatime an unforgettable experience. Begin by learning the essentials, from differentiating the various types of tea to learning the "tools of the tray" and how to brew the perfect pot. Recipes for classic scones and the traditional accompaniments, such as lemon curd and clotted cream, are also included. The Celebrations chapter is filled with inspiration, tips, and recipes for planning special occasions, whether it's a summertime gathering with butterfly-adorned china and a menu that includes delicate lavender cream scones or an outdoor setting to celebrate Mother's Day, where roses--both botanical and edible--are the order of the day. Since presentation is such an important part of any event, readers will discover a treasure trove of brilliant ways for creating the perfect tea affair from start to finish. With a basic "tea primer" leading off this section, the visual journey continues with beautiful linens, china, silver, and floral arrangements before addressing the details--those grace notes that make all the difference in a tableau. And for journeys of a different kind, the spotlight shines on some of the editors' favorite tea destinations, both stateside and abroad. Among the featured venues are the gilded grandeur of San Francisco's Palace Hotel and the history-steeped environs of The Williamsburg Inn in Virginia and Washington, D.C.'s Willard Hotel. For those whose adventures go beyond America's borders, they'll add The Empress in Canada, Ashford Castle in Ireland, and Bettys Café Tea Rooms in England to their must-visit lists. Beautifully bound and pure pleasure to peruse, Victoria The Art of Tea is the go-to guide for all facets of tea entertaining.
The Everything Healthy Tea Book by Babette Donaldson According to industry sources, people increasingly favour tea as a healthier drink option to coffee and carbonated soft drinks. 'The Everything Healthy Tea Book' is perfect for the beginning tea connoisseur, written in a friendly, accessible way by a veteran tea professional. It's an authoritative guide to the most widely consumed beverage on the planet (after water), covering the variety of teas available in today's market, where they come from, their characteristics, and their healing properties (prevention of cardiovascular disease, calorie burning, anti-oxidants, etc.). Additional advice includes brewing the perfect cup and proper storage. AUTHOR: Babette Donaldson is a creative writer and tea expert certified by the Specialty Tea Institute. She is a regular speaker and hands-on educator at the World Tea Expo, Northwest Tea Festival in Seattle, and is the organiser of the San Francisco International Tea Festival. She is a regular contributor to World Tea News and Tea Magazine, with tens of thousands of readers across various media platforms. SELLING POINTS: * Endorsed by World Tea News, this extensive guide to the health benefits of tea is written by leading tea expert and educator Babette Donaldson * Includes simple ways to add tea to a daily routine to maximise health benefits like reducing risk of heart disease and cancer * Everything cooking titles have sold more than 3 million copies
Life by the Cup by Zhena Muzyka "[Zhena] Muzyka's charisma leaps off the pages of this unconventional, touching, and personal guide to success" (Publishers Weekly), featuring seventeen soulful lessons and simple rituals for finding your life's purpose, improving your relationships, and becoming healthier--all in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Drawing on lessons she's learned throughout her amazing and sometimes difficult life journey, the social entrepreneur and founder of Zhena's Gypsy Tea shares seventeen soulful lessons to help you overcome obstacles, clarify your purpose, and bring awareness to each moment of your life. An inspiring roadmap for discovering the secrets of happiness and success for yourself at any stage in life, Life By the Cup's message is that, no matter where you are, you can change your circumstances and live your dreams. As a twenty-four-year-old single mom, Zhena had an infant in need of life-saving surgery and only six dollars in her wallet. She also had two other powerful motivators: hope and a passion to share her unique tea blends with the world. Combining her kitchen hobby of blending tea, her knowledge of herbs and aromatherapy, and her gypsy grandmother's wisdom, Zhena started selling custom teas from a cart on California street corners. Now, over a decade later, her son is healthy and Zhena's Gypsy Tea is a multimillion-dollar brand. Zhena's insights and gentle guidance will inspire you to increase your compassion toward others as well as yourself. You'll also gain wisdom on how to hone your intuition, ask for help, and live out your true purpose without drastically changing the way you live. Discover your calling, bolster your courage, develop your own flavor of success, and you'll see your own passion make a meaningful difference in the world.
The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo With a new introduction, this is an exquisitely produced edition of a classic text made using traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques. "Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage," are the opening words of Okakura Kakuzō's The Book of Tea, written in English in 1906 for a Western audience. The book is a long essay celebrating the secular art of the Japanese tea ceremony and linking its importance with Zen Buddhism and Taoism. It is both about cultural life, aesthetics, and philosophy, emphasizing how Teaism, a term Kakuzō coined, taught the Japanese many things--most importantly, simplicity, which can be seen in Japanese art and architecture. Looking back at the evolution of the Japanese tea ceremony, Kakuzō argues that Teaism, in itself, is one of the profound universal remedies that two parties could sit down to. While the West had scoffed at Eastern religion and morals, it held Eastern tea ceremonies in high regard.
The Story of Tea by Mary Lou Heiss; Robert J. Heiss Whether it's a delicate green tea or a bracing Assam black, a cup of tea is a complex brew of art and industry, tradition and revolution, East and West. In this sweeping tour through the world of tea, veteran tea traders Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss chronicle tea's influence across the globe and provide a complete reference for choosing, drinking, and enjoying this beverage. The Story of Teabegins with a journey along the tea trail, from the lush forests of China, where tea cultivation first flourished, to the Buddhist temples of Japan, to the vast tea gardens of India, and beyond. Offering an insider'-s view of all aspects of tea trade, the Heisses examine Camellia sinensis, the tea bush, and show how subtle differences in territory and production contribute to the diversity of color, flavor, and quality in brewed tea. They profile more than thirty essential tea varietals, provide an in depth guide to tasting and brewing, and survey the customs and crafts associated with tea. Sharing the latest research, they discuss tea's health benefits and developments in organic production and fair trade practices. Finally, they present ten sweet and savory recipes, including Savory Chinese Marbled Eggs and Green Tea Pot de Cr me, and resources for purchasing fine tea. Vividly illustrated throughout,The Story of Tea is an engrossing tribute to the illustrious, invigorating, and elusive leaf that has sustained and inspired people for more than two thousand years.
A Social History of Tea by Jane Pettigrew; Bruce Richardson British writer and tea historian Jane Pettigrew has joined forces again with American tea writer Bruce Richardson to chronicle the fascinating story of tea's influence on British and American culture, commerce and community spanning nearly four centuries. These two leading tea professionals have seen first-hand the current tea renaissance sweeping modern culture and have written over two dozen books on the subject of tea, including The New Tea Companion. No beverage has shaped Western civilization more than the ancient elixir - tea. Follow tea's amazing journey from Canton to London, Boston and beyond as these two leaders of today's tea renaissance weave a fascinating story detailing how the leaves of a simple Asian plant shaped the culture and politics of both the United Kingdom and the United States. CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY: First Tea in England * East India Company * America's Thirst for Tea * Tea Jars & Caddies THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY:  Teas for Sale * Tea Smuggling * Tea Etiquette * Liberty Tea * Boston Tea Party THE NINETEENTH CENTURY:  An Empire Built on Tea * Jane Austen's Tea Things * Afternoon Tea * Glasgow Tea Movement * Tea & Suffrage THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: Teabags * The Tea Room Movement * Wartime Tea * Rise of American Tea Brands * Tea Dances * Specialty Tea THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY The American Teasmith * Tea & Health * The Starbucks Effect * Culinary Tea
The Art of Tea and Friendship by Sandy Lynam Clough Beloved artist Sandy Clough delightfully guides readers on the fine art of blending tea and friendship. Along with her beautiful antique teaware paintings, Sandy offers a creative variety of ways for friends to gather and savor the fragrance of time spent together, sharing a part of their lives. Friends, old and new, close and far away, will enjoy ideas on how to... have a telephone tea party with long-distance friends host a homeschool lesson on the art of tea make a teacup friendship topiaryLaced with wonderful quotes, poems, and Scriptures that celebrate the blessings of friendship, this visually stunning treasure is perfect for rekindling past friendships, nurturing current friendships, and encouraging the growth of new friendships. Ideal for birthdays, holidays, and special celebrations.
The One Taste of Truth by William Scott Wilson Traditionally in China and Japan, drinking a cup of tea was an opportunity for contemplation, meditation, and an elevation of mind and spirit. Here, renowned translator William Scott Wilson distills what is singular and precious about this traditional tea culture, and he explores the fascinating connection between Zen and tea drinking. He unpacks the most common phrases from Zen and Chinese philosophy-usually found in Asia printed on hanging scrolls in tea rooms, restaurant alcoves, family rooms, and martial arts dojos-that have traditionally served as points of contemplation to encourage the appropriate atmosphere for drinking tea or silent meditation. Part history, part philosophy, part inspirational guide, The One Taste of Truth will connect you to the distinctive pleasure of sipping tea and allowing it to transport your mind and thoughts. This beautifully written book will appeal to tea lovers and anyone interested in tea culture, Chinese philosophy, and Zen.
Homegrown Tea by Cassie Liversidge Homegrown Tea explains how to grow a large variety of plants in your own garden, on a balcony or even on a window sill could become your tea cupboard. It shows you how to grow your tea from seeds, cuttings, or small plants, as well as which parts of the plant are used to make tea. Liversidge lays out when and how to harvest your plants, as well as information on how to prepare the plant, including how to dry tea leaves to make tea you can store to last you throughout the year. As a guide to using tea to make you feel better, there are nutritional and medicinal benefits. Finally, there is an illustrated guide to show how to make up fresh and dried teabags and how to serve a delicious homegrown tea. It is sustainable way to look at a beverage, which is steeped in history and tradition. Sample drinks include well-known plants such as rose hips, mint, sage, hibiscus, and lavender, as well as more obscure ones like chicory, angelica, apple geranium, and lemon verbena.
Darjeeling by Jeff Koehler Darjeeling's tea bushes run across a mythical landscape steeped with the religious, the sacred, and the picturesque. Planted at high elevation in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, in an area of northern India bound by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the east, and Sikkim to the north, the linear rows of brilliant green, waist-high shrubs that coat the steep slopes and valleys around this Victorian "hill town" produce only a fraction of the world's tea, and less than one percent of India's total. Yet the tea from that limited crop, with its characteristic bright, amber-colored brew and muscatel flavors--delicate and flowery, hinting of apricots and peaches--is generally considered the best in the world. This is the story of how Darjeeling tea began, was key to the largest tea industry on the globe under Imperial British rule, and came to produce the highest-quality tea leaves anywhere in the world. It is a story rich in history, intrigue and empire, full of adventurers and unlikely successes in culture, mythology and religions, ecology and terroir, all set with a backdrop of the looming Himalayas and drenching monsoons. The story is ripe with the imprint of the Raj as well as the contemporary clout of "voodoo farmers" getting world record prices for their fine teas--and all of it beginning with one of the most audacious acts of corporate smuggling in history. But it is also the story of how the industry spiraled into decline by the end of the twentieth century, and how this edenic spot in the high Himalayas seethes with union unrest and a violent independence struggle. It is also a front-line fight against the devastating effects of climate change and decades of harming farming practices, a fight that is being fought in some tea gardens--and, astonishingly, won--using radical methods. Jeff Koehler has written a fascinating chronicle of India and its most sought-after tea. Blending history, politics, and reportage together, along with a collection of recipes that tea-drinkers will love,Darjeeling is an indispensable volume for fans of micro-history and tea fanatics.
The Big Book of Kombucha by Alex LaGory; Hannah Crum; Sandor Ellix Katz (Foreword by) 2016 Silver Nautilus Book Award Winner Brew your own kombucha at home! With more than 400 recipes, including 268 unique flavor combinations, you can get exactly the taste you want -- for a fraction of the store-bought price. This complete guide, from the proprietors of Kombucha Kamp, shows you how to do it from start to finish, with illustrated step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips. The book also includes information on the many health benefits of kombucha, fascinating details of the drink's history, and recipes for delicious foods and drinks you can make with kombucha (including some irresistible cocktails!). "This is the one go-to resource for all things kombucha." -- Andrew Zimmern, James Beard Award-winning author and host of Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods
A Literary Tea Party by Alison Walsh; Sara Letourneau (Introduction by) **Finalist in the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards** For fans of Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Agatha Christie, Robert Louis Stevenson, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and more, a literary-inspired cookbook for voracious readers and tea lovers everywhere Tea and books: the perfect pairing. There's nothing quite like sitting down to a good book on a lovely afternoon with a steaming cup of tea beside you, as you fall down the rabbit hole into the imaginative worlds of Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Fire up your literary fancies and nibble your way through delicate sweets and savories with A Literary Tea Party, which brings food from classic books to life with a teatime twist. Featuring fifty-five perfectly portioned recipes for an afternoon getaway, including custom homemade tea blends and beverages, you will have everything you need to plan an elaborate tea party. Cook up and enjoy: Turkish Delight while sipping on the White Witch's Hot Chocolate from The Chronicles of Narnia Drink Me Tea with the Queen of Hearts's Painted Rose Cupcakes from Alice in Wonderland Eeyore's "Hipy Bthuthday" Cake with Hundred Acre Hot Chocolate from Winnie the Pooh Hannah's Sweet Potato Bacon Pastries and Jo's Gingerbread from Little Women Tom Sawyer's Whitewashed Jelly Doughnuts from Tom Sawyer And more! Come relax with Sherlock Holmes, Long John Silver, Winnie-the Pooh, Bilbo Baggins, Ebeneezer Scrooge, and more. Accompanied with photographs and book quotes, these recipes, inspired by the great works of literature, will complement any good book for teatime reading and eating.
The Art and Craft of Tea by Joseph Wesley Uhl Let Joseph Wesley Uhl be your guide to the entire world of tea; from peeks into tea production around the world to brewing your own blends at home. "Water is the mother of tea, a teapot its father, and fire the teacher." --Chinese Proverb As one of the most consumed beverages in the world, a cup of tea is a common shared experience across cultures and traditions. Companies and consumers alike are reawakening to the benefits of high-quality, unprocessed, natural beverages, and tea is a perfect obsession for anyone interested in artisan food and healthy eating. In The Art and Craft of Tea, entrepreneur and enthusiast Joseph Wesley Uhl brings to the story of tea its due reverence, making its history, traditions, and possibilities accessible to all. If you want to go beyond reading and enter your kitchen, Joseph offers "recipes" for creating your own tea blends using natural ingredients. Inside you'll find: A detailed overview of tea's history and origins Thoughtful descriptions of global brewing methods Innovative ideas for iced tea, tea cocktails, and DIY blends
Reading the Leaves by Sandra Mariah Wright; Leanne Marrama An illustrated guide to tapping into your intuition through the simple act of sitting down to a cup of tea. Whether you're wondering about career, finances, love, or health, Salem witches Sandra Mariah Wright and Leanne Marrama are here to help build your intuitive skills and transform your life. Reading the Leaves shows you how to:   *  brew a cup of tea for divination purposes   *  interpret more than 200 time-tested symbols that are most likely to show up, such as hearts and anchors, and what their size, location, and relationship to other shapes mean   *  set an intention   *  create a regular tea ritual   *  keep a tea leaf reading journal   *  do a reading for family and friends   *  make their favorite tea time recipes   *  respond when a "bad" symbol shows up You already possess the tools, and with Sandra and Leanne's guidance, the true journey of self-discovery can begin. You don't have to be a witch to find your inner magic.
When America First Met China by Eric Jay Dolin Brilliantly illuminating one of the least-understood areas of American history, best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin now traces our fraught relationship with China back to its roots: the unforgiving nineteenth-century seas that separated a brash, rising naval power from a battered ancient empire. It is a prescient fable for our time, one that surprisingly continues to shed light on our modern relationship with China. Indeed, the furious trade in furs, opium, and beche-de-mer--a rare sea cucumber delicacy--might have catalyzed America's emerging economy, but it also sparked an ecological and human rights catastrophe of such epic proportions that the reverberations can still be felt today. Peopled with fascinating characters--from the "Financier of the Revolution" Robert Morris to the Chinese emperor Qianlong, who considered foreigners inferior beings--this page-turning saga of pirates and politicians, coolies and concubines becomes a must-read for any fan of Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower or Mark Kurlansky's Cod.
The Ultimate Tea Diet by Mark Ukra; Sharyn Kolberg (As told to) Tea has been widely recognized for its amazing health benefits. It can help: Boost the immune system Lower blood sugar and cholesterol Prevent cavities and tooth decay Slow the aging process Decrease high blood pressure Prevent arthritis Sharpen mental focus and concentration Reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, and more ... Now, it's time for tea to be recognized, not only for all of these wonderful health benefits, but also for its ability to help tea drinkers lose weight. The Ultimate Tea Diet harnesses tea's incredible weight-loss potential in a straightforward plan for losing weight in a safe and healthy way. Simply find a tea you love, drink it all day, follow an easy food plan, and see the pounds fall off. Tea's ability to encourage weight loss comes from the synergy of its three main ingredients: caffeine to stimulate, L-theanine to neutralize the harmful side effects of caffeine and act as an appetite suppressant, and EGCG, which causes you to burn fat faster and more efficiently. In other words, tea reduces your appetite and stimulates your metabolism. Don't worry--you won't go hungry on the Ultimate Tea Diet. The food plan includes tasty tea-based meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as tempting choices for midday snacks and sweet treats. All are made deliciously with tea so not only is your food incredibly flavorful, but you're also getting the health and weight-loss benefits in every single bite you enjoy. Drinking tea--and maintaining a conscientious focus on good health--can easily become a way of life. Slim down to a leaner, more energetic, and healthier you with the Ultimate Tea Diet.
The Unofficial Bridgerton Book of Afternoon Tea by Katherine Bebo Over 75 afternoon tea recipes to celebrate the scandal, the sauce and the sumptuous spreads of binge-worthy regency drama hit Bridgerton. Bridgerton fans are cordially invited to indulge in themed afternoon teas galore. Each character hosts their own imagined chapter, serving up tasty treats to complement their theme. Penelope -- with her bright, blossoming frocks -- will be offering up a floral spread, while Genevieve Delacroix goes all ooh là là with her 'French' accent and Parisian petit fours. Only the daintiest delights will do for Daphne Bridgerton, while devilishly delicious is the order of the day for smouldering Simon -- 'I Burn For You' Biscuits, anyone? Queen Charlotte's tea is positively eccentric, while Lord Featherington's errs on the boozy side... Audiences couldn't get enough of the drama, deception and, indeed, Duke's derrière. And they won't be able to get enough of the elegant savouries, scones, cakes, macarons and other delectable recipes for indulgences here that accompany this seriously extravagant period drama with a twist.  
The Way of Chai by Kevin Wilson In this celebration of the comfort and community to be found in a warm, well-made cup of chai, Kevin Wilson offers readers his famous chai recipes alongside meditations on how to live a simple yet full life. Dubbed "the CEO of Chai" by Bon Appetit magazine, Kevin Wilson is an expert on all things chai. When Wilson was a teenager, his family in Sri Lanka applied to come to America, but his was the only visa approved. A world away from his country and so many of his loved ones, he stayed connected to his culture and his family through chai. One day Wilson made a TikTok about how to make the perfect cup of chai-carefully crushing cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon bark, boiling them in milk, adding tea leaves, and stirring until he saw what he describes as "the colour of a happy brown boy." The video went viral and earned Wilson many fans who come for the useful guidance on how to make chai but stay for his wise meditations on how the perfect "cuppa" can soothe and sustain us-even in the most trying of times. In this book, Wilson shares his most popular recipes and introduces readers to making chai as a spiritual practice that involves patience and attunement to meld just the right combination of spices. In The Way of Chai Wilson beautifully describes how something as simple as a well-made cup of tea can bring us solace amid our struggles. While a steaming cup of chai can't solve everything, it can help us tap into the power of patience, clarity, and intention.
Infuse : herbal teas to cleanse, nourish and heal by Paula Grainger Lost your zest for life? Feeling tired and sluggish? Need a health boost? Reach for a soothing cup of herbal tea and harness the extraordinary power of nature's most potent healing ingredients. With more than 70 expertly formulated recipes for tasty, soothing, caffeine-free infusions, tea tips to help you get the most from your brew, and a comprehensive directory of herbal ingredients and their active properties and benefits, you can blend, brew and sip your way to wellbeing.
Caffeinated by Murray Carpenter The additive that flows under the radar The most popular drug in America is a white powder. No, not that powder. This is caffeine in its most essential state. And Caffeinated reveals the little-known truth about this addictive, largely unregulated drug found in coffee, energy drinks, teas, colas, chocolate, and even pain relievers. We’ll learn why caffeine has such a powerful effect on everything from boosting our mood to improving our athletic performance as well as how—and why—brands such as Coca-Cola have ducked regulatory efforts for decades. We learn the differences in the various ways caffeine is delivered to the body, how it is quietly used to reinforce our buying patterns, and how it can play a role in promoting surprising health problems like obesity and anxiety. Drawing on the latest research, Caffeinated brings us the inside perspective at the additive that Salt Sugar Fat overlooked.

siblings

Brothers & Sisters

April 10 is National Siblings Day!

Check out these biographies and memoirs of famous, not-so-famous, and infamous siblings.

While most of these listings link by default to a print copy, many are available in other formats (eBook and eAudiobook). Don't forget to check the catalog by title or author if you prefer digital!

Elizabeth and Margaret by Andrew Morton Perfect for fans of The Crown, this captivating biography from a New York Times bestselling author follows Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret as they navigate life in the royal spotlight. They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends. But when, in a quixotic twist of fate, their uncle Edward Vlll decided to abdicate the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Forever more Margaret would have to curtsey to the sister she called 'Lillibet.' And bow to her wishes. Elizabeth would always look upon her younger sister's antics with a kind of stoical amusement, but Margaret's struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system--and her fraught relationship with its expectations--was often a source of tension. Famously, the Queen had to inform Margaret that the Church and government would not countenance her marrying a divorcee, Group Captain Peter Townsend, forcing Margaret to choose between keeping her title and royal allowances or her divorcee lover. From the idyll of their cloistered early life, through their hidden war-time lives, into the divergent paths they took following their father's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, this book explores their relationship over the years. Andrew Morton's latest biography offers unique insight into these two drastically different sisters--one resigned to duty and responsibility, the other resistant to it--and the lasting impact they have had on the Crown, the royal family, and the ways it adapted to the changing mores of the 20th century.
Like Brothers by Mark Duplass; Jay Duplass; Mindy Kaling (Foreword by) The multitalented writers, directors, producers, and actors (as seen on The League, Transparent, and The Mindy Project) share the secrets of their lifelong partnership in this unique memoir. Whether producing, writing, directing, or acting, the Duplass Brothers have made their mark in the world of independent film and television on the strength of their quirky and empathetic approach to storytelling. Now, for the first time, Mark and Jay take readers on a tour of their lifelong partnership in this unique memoir told in essays that share the secrets of their success, the joys and frustrations of intimate collaboration, and the lessons they've learned the hard way. From a childhood spent wielding an oversized home video camera in the suburbs of New Orleans to their shared years at the University of Texas in early nineties Austin, and from the breakthrough short they made on a three-dollar budget to the night their feature film Baghead became the center of a Sundance bidding war, Mark and Jay tell the story of a bond that's resilient, affectionate, mutually empowering, and only mildly dysfunctional. They are brutally honest about how their closeness sabotaged their youthful romantic relationships, about the jealousy each felt when the other stole the spotlight as an actor (Mark in The League, Jay in Transparent), and about the challenges they faced on the set of their HBO series, Togetherness-namely, too much togetherness. But Like Brothers is also a surprisingly practical road map to a rewarding creative partnership. Rather than split all their responsibilities fifty-fifty, the brothers learned to capitalize on each other's strengths. They're not afraid to call each other out, because they're also not afraid to compromise. Most relationships aren't-and frankly shouldn't-be as intense as Mark and Jay's, but their brand of trust, validation, and healthy disagreement has taken them far. Part coming-of-age memoir, part underdog story, and part insider account of succeeding in Hollywood on their own terms, Like Brothers is as openhearted and lovably offbeat as Mark and Jay themselves. Advance praise for Like Brothers "Wright. Ringling. Jonas. I'm sure you could name a bunch of famous brother teams. They're all garbage compared to Mark and Jay. I can't wait for you to read this book."-From the Foreword by Mindy Kaling "As creative partners, we sure learned a thing or two from Mark and Jay Duplass' journey through the Hollywood machine. Like Brothers is an essential guide for making space for yourself in a world that doesn't always encourage individuality and innovation. As useful to an aspiring filmmaker as it is to a pair of siblings wondering 'How do we turn our connection into something great?,' this book will be essential on your shelf."-Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner "The Duplass Brothers have a genius for conveying deep feeling without ever straying into sentimentality. Here they capture the often wonderful and occasionally terrible business of collaborating professionally with someone you love."-John Green and Hank Green "In my next life I'd like to come back as a Duplass Brother. But until then I'll just enjoy their hilarious, insightful book."-Judd Apatow
Mischievous Creatures by Catherine McNeur The untold story of two sisters whose discoveries sped the growth of American science in the nineteenth century, combining "meticulous research and sensitive storytelling" (Janice P. Nimura, New York Times-bestselling author of The Doctors Blackwell) In Mischievous Creatures, historian Catherine McNeur uncovers the lives and work of Margaretta Hare Morris and Elizabeth Carrington Morris, sisters and scientists in early America. Margaretta, an entomologist, was famous among her peers and the public for her research on seventeen-year cicadas and other troublesome insects. Elizabeth, a botanist, was a prolific illustrator and a trusted supplier of specimens to the country's leading experts. Together, their discoveries helped fuel the growth and professionalization of science in antebellum America. But these very developments confined women in science to underpaid and underappreciated roles for generations to follow, erasing the Morris sisters' contributions along the way. Mischievous Creatures is an indelible portrait of two unsung pioneers, one that places women firmly at the center of the birth of American science.
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough #1 New York Times bestseller Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize David McCullough tells the dramatic story-behind-the-story about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly: Wilbur and Orville Wright. On a winter day in 1903, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two unknown brothers from Ohio changed history. But it would take the world some time to believe what had happened: the age of flight had begun, with the first heavier-than-air, powered machine carrying a pilot. Who were these men and how was it that they achieved what they did? David McCullough, two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, tells the surprising, profoundly American story of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Far more than a couple of unschooled Dayton bicycle mechanics who happened to hit on success, they were men of exceptional courage and determination, and of far-ranging intellectual interests and ceaseless curiosity, much of which they attributed to their upbringing. The house they lived in had no electricity or indoor plumbing, but there were books aplenty, supplied mainly by their preacher father, and they never stopped reading. When they worked together, no problem seemed to be insurmountable. Wilbur was unquestionably a genius. Orville had such mechanical ingenuity as few had ever seen. That they had no more than a public high school education, little money and no contacts in high places, never stopped them in their "mission" to take to the air. Nothing did, not even the self-evident reality that every time they took off in one of their contrivances, they risked being killed. In this thrilling book, master historian David McCullough draws on the immense riches of the Wright Papers, including private diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, and more than a thousand letters from private family correspondence to tell the human side of the Wright Brothers' story, including the little-known contributions of their sister, Katharine, without whom things might well have gone differently for them.
The Almost Legendary Morris Sisters by Julie Klam A Washington Post best nonfiction book pick of 2021 "It is biography as an expression of love." - The New York Times New York Times-bestselling author Julie Klam's funny and moving story of the Morris sisters, distant relations with mysterious pasts. Ever since she was young, Julie Klam has been fascinated by the Morris sisters, cousins of her grandmother. According to family lore, early in the twentieth century the sisters' parents decided to move the family from Eastern Europe to Los Angeles so their father could become a movie director. On the way, their pregnant mother went into labor in St. Louis, where the baby was born and where their mother died. The father left the children in an orphanage and promised to send for them when he settled in California--a promise he never kept. One of the Morris sisters later became a successful Wall Street trader and advised Franklin Roosevelt. The sisters lived together in New York City, none of them married or had children, and one even had an affair with J. P. Morgan. The stories of these independent women intrigued Klam, but as she delved into them to learn more, she realized that the tales were almost completely untrue. The Almost Legendary Morris Sisters is the revealing account of what Klam discovered about her family--and herself--as she dug into the past. The deeper she went into the lives of the Morris sisters, the slipperier their stories became. And the more questions she had about what actually happened to them, the more her opinion of them evolved. Part memoir and part confessional, and told with the wit and honesty that are hallmarks of Klam's books, The Almost Legendary Morris Sisters is the fascinating and funny true story of one writer's journey into her family's past, the truths she brings to light, and what she learns about herself along the way.
The Kennedy Brothers by Richard D. Mahoney; David Talbot (Foreword by) Eight years apart in age, John F. and Robert F. Kennedy were wildly different in temperament and sensibility. Jack was the leader--charismatic, ironic, capable of extraordinary growth and reach, yet also reckless. Bobby was the fearless, hardworking Boy Scout--unafraid of dirty work and ruthless about protecting his brother and destroying their enemies. Jack, it was said, was the first Irish Brahman, Bobby the last Irish Puritan. As Richard D. Mahoney demonstrates with brilliant clarity in this impeccably documented, magisterial book, the Kennedys lived their days of power in dangerous, trackless territory. Mahoney gives us the Kennedy days and years as we have never before seen them. Here are Jack and Bobby in all their hubris and humanity, youthfulness and fatalism. Here, also, is American history as it unfolds. With a new foreword by David Talbot, The Kennedy Brothers is a masterful account of two men whose legacy continues to hold the American imagination.
The Churchill Sisters by Rachel Trethewey As complex in their own way as their Mitford cousins, Winston and Clementine Churchill's daughters each had a unique relationship with their famous father. Rachel Trethewey's biography, The Churchill Sisters, tells their story. Bright, attractive and well-connected, in any other family the Churchill girls - Diana, Sarah, Marigold and Mary - would have shone. But they were not in another family, they were Churchills, and neither they nor anyone else could ever forget it. From their father - 'the greatest Englishman' - to their brother, golden boy Randolph, to their eccentric and exciting cousins, the Mitford Girls, they were surrounded by a clan of larger-than-life characters which often saw them overlooked. While Marigold died too young to achieve her potential, the other daughters lived lives full of passion, drama and tragedy. Diana, intense and diffident; Sarah, glamorous and stubborn; Mary, dependable yet determined - each so different but each imbued with a sense of responsibility toward each other and their country. Far from being cosseted debutantes, these women were eyewitnesses at some of the most important events in world history, at Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam. Yet this is not a story set on the battlefields or in Parliament; it is an intimate saga that sheds light on the complex dynamics of family set against the backdrop of a tumultuous century. Drawing on previously unpublished family letters from the Churchill archives, The Churchill Sisters brings Winston's daughters out of the shadows and tells their remarkable stories for the first time.
Warner Bros by David Thomson From the prizewinning Jewish Lives series, behind the scenes at the legendary Warner Brothers film studio, where four immigrant brothers transformed themselves into the moguls and masters of American fantasy Warner Bros charts the rise of an unpromising film studio from its shaky beginnings in the early twentieth century through its ascent to the pinnacle of Hollywood influence and popularity. The Warner Brothers--Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack--arrived in America as unschooled Jewish immigrants, yet they founded a studio that became the smartest, toughest, and most radical in all of Hollywood.   David Thomson provides fascinating and original interpretations of Warner Brothers pictures from the pioneering talkie The Jazz Singer through black-and-white musicals, gangster movies, and such dramatic romances as Casablanca, East of Eden, and Bonnie and Clyde. He recounts the storied exploits of the studio's larger-than-life stars, among them Al Jolson, James Cagney, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, Doris Day, and Bugs Bunny. The Warner brothers' cultural impact was so profound, Thomson writes, that their studio became "one of the enterprises that helped us see there might be an American dream out there." About Jewish Lives:  Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of interpretative biography designed to explore the many facets of Jewish identity. Individual volumes illuminate the imprint of Jewish figures upon literature, religion, philosophy, politics, cultural and economic life, and the arts and sciences. Subjects are paired with authors to elicit lively, deeply informed books that explore the range and depth of the Jewish experience from antiquity to the present. In 2014, the Jewish Book Council named Jewish Lives the winner of its Jewish Book of the Year Award, the first series ever to receive this award. More praise for Jewish Lives: "Excellent." -New York Times "Exemplary." -Wall Street Journal "Distinguished." -New Yorker "Superb." -The Guardian
The Doctors Blackwell by Janice P. Nimura Elizabeth Blackwell believed from an early age that she was destined for a mission beyond the scope of "ordinary" womanhood. Though the world at first recoiled at the notion of a woman studying medicine, her intelligence and intensity ultimately won her the acceptance of the male medical establishment. In 1849, she became the first woman in America to receive an M.D. She was soon joined in her iconic achievement by her younger sister, Emily, who was actually the more brilliant physician. Exploring the sisters' allies, enemies, and enduring partnership, Janice P. Nimura presents a story of trial and triumph. Together, the Blackwells founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, the first hospital staffed entirely by women. Both sisters were tenacious and visionary, but their convictions did not always align with the emergence of women's rights--or with each other. From Bristol, Paris, and Edinburgh to the rising cities of antebellum America, this richly researched new biography celebrates two complicated pioneers who exploded the limits of possibility for women in medicine. As Elizabeth herself predicted, "a hundred years hence, women will not be what they are now."
The Last Outlaws by Tom Clavin The definitive account of the Dalton Gang and the most brazen bank heist in history, by the multiple New York Times bestselling author. The Last Outlaws is the thrilling true story of the last of one of the greatest outlaw gangs. The dreaded Dalton Gang consisted of three brothers and their rotating cast of colorful accomplices who saw themselves as descended from the legendary James brothers. They soon became legends themselves, beginning their career as common horse thieves before graduating to robbing banks and trains. On October 5, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted their boldest and bloodiest raid yet: robbing two banks in broad daylight in Coffeyville, Kansas, simultaneously. As Grat, Bob, and Emmett Dalton and Bill Power and Dick Broadwell crossed the plaza to enter the two buildings, the outlaws were recognized by townspeople, who raised the alarm. Citizens armed themselves with shotguns and six-shooters from nearby hardware stores and were locked and loaded when the thieves emerged from the banks. The ensuing gun battle was a lead-filled firefight of epic proportions. As the smoke cleared, eight men lay dead--including four of the five members of the doomed Dalton Gang. For the first time ever, the full story of the Dalton Gang's life of crime, culminating in one of the Wild West's most violent events, are chronicled in detail--a last gruesome gasp of the age of gunfights.
The Brontë Cabinet by Deborah Lutz The story of the Bront's is told through the things they wore, stitched, wrote on and inscribed at the parsonage in Haworth. From Charlotte's writing desk and the manuscripts it contained to the brass collar worn by Emily's dog, Keeper, each object opens a window onto the sisters' world, their fiction and the Victorian era. By unfolding the histories of the things they used, the chapters form a chronological biography of the family. A walking stick evokes Emily's solitary hikes on the moors and the stormy heath--itself a character in Wuthering Heights. Charlotte's bracelet containing Anne and Emily's intertwined hair gives voice to her grief over their deaths. These possessions pull us into their daily lives: the imaginary kingdoms of their childhood writing, their time as governesses and their stubborn efforts to make a mark on the world.
Hard to Handle by Steve Gorman; Steven Hyden (As told to) Black Crowes drummer and cofounder Steve Gorman shares the band's inside story in this behind-the-scenes biography, from their supernova stardom in the '90s to exhilarating encounters with industry legends. For more than two decades, the Black Crowes topped the charts and reigned supreme over the radio waves, even as hair bands, grunge, and hip-hop threatened to dethrone them. With hits like "Hard to Handle," "She Talks to Angels," and "Remedy," their massive success launched them to stardom in the early '90s, earning them a place among rock royalty. They were on the cover of Rolling Stone, MTV played their videos 24/7, and Generation X rediscovered the power of classic rock and blues by digging into multi-platinum classics like Shake Your Money Maker and The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. But stardom can be fleeting. For the Black Crowes, success slowly dwindled as the band members got caught up in the rock star world and lost sight of their musical ambition. Despite the drinking, drugs, and incessant fighting between Chris and Rich Robinson -- the angriest brothers in rock and roll, with all due respect to Oasis and the Kinks -- the band continued to tour until 2013. On any given night, they could be the best band you ever saw (or the most combative). Then, one last rift caused by Chris Robinson proved insurmountable for the band to survive. After that, the Black Crowes would fly no more. Founding member Steve Gorman was there for all of it -- the coke- and weed-fueled tours; the tumultuous recording sessions; the backstage hangs with legends like Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and the Rolling Stones. As the band's drummer and voice of reason, he tried to keep the Black Crowes together musically and emotionally. In Hard To Handle -- the first account of this great American rock band's beginning, middle, and end -- Gorman explains just how impossible that job was with great insight, candor, and humor. They don't make bands like the Black Crowes anymore: crazy, brilliant, self-destructive, inspiring, and, ultimately, not built to last. But, man, what a ride it was while it lasted.
Code Name Blue Wren by Jim Popkin *An Amazon Best Book of 2023* *Apple Book of the Month for January* The incredible true story of Ana Montes, the most damaging female spy in US history, drawing upon never-before-seen material and to be published upon her release from prison, for readers of Agent Sonya and A Woman of No Importance. Just days after the 9-11 attacks, a senior Pentagon analyst eased her red Toyota Echo into traffic and headed to work. She never saw the undercover cars tracking her every turn. As she settled into her cubicle on the 6th floor of the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, FBI Agents and twitchy DIA officers were hiding in nearby offices. For this was the day that Ana Montes--the US Intelligence Community superstar who had just won a prestigious fellowship at the CIA--was to be arrested and publicly exposed as a secret agent for Cuba. Like spies Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen before her, Ana Montes blindsided her colleagues with brazen acts of treason. For nearly 17 years, Montes succeeded in two high-stress jobs. By day, she was one of the government's top Cuba experts, a buttoned-down GS-14 with shockingly easy access to classified documents. By night, she was on the clock for Fidel Castro, listening to coded messages over shortwave radio, passing US secrets to handlers in local restaurants, and slipping into Havana wearing a wig.  Montes didn't just deceive her country. Her betrayal was intensely personal. Her mercurial father was a former US Army Colonel. Her brother and sister-in-law were FBI Special Agents. And her only sister, Lucy, also worked her entire career for the Bureau. The highlight of her distinguished 31 years as a Miami-based language specialist: Helping the FBI flush Cuban spies out of the United States. Little did Lucy or her family know that the greatest Cuban spy of all was sitting right next to them at Thanksgivings, baptisms, and weddings. In Code Name Blue Wren, investigative journalist Jim Popkin weaves the tale of two sisters who chose two very different paths, plus the unsung heroes who had to fight to bring Ana to justice. With exclusive access to a "Secret" CIA behavioral profile of Ana, family memoirs, and Ana's incriminating letters from prison, Popkin reveals the making of a traitor--a woman labelled "one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history" by America's top counter-intelligence official. After more than two decades in federal prison, Montes will be freed in January 2023. Code Name Blue Wren is a thrilling detective tale, an insider's look at the clandestine world of espionage, and an intimate exploration of the dark side of betrayal.
They Fought Alone by Charles Glass After the defeat of the French Army Churchill created a top-secret espionage operation. Special Operations Executive, and the SOE remained below the radar until the end of World War II. Of the many brave men and women conscripted, two Anglo-American recruits, the Starr brothers, stood out to become legendary figures to the guerillas, assassins, and saboteurs they led. Written with complete and unrivalled access to recently declassified documents, family letters, diaries, and court records, along with interviews from surviving Resistance fighters, They Fought Alone is a real-life thriller.
The Six by Laura Thompson AN INSTANTNEW YORK TIMESBESTSELLER "Riveting.The Six captures all the wayward magnetism and levity that have enchanted countless writers without neglecting the tragic darkness of many of the sisters' life choices and the savage sociopolitical currents that fueled them."- Tina Brown,The New York Times Book Review The eldest was a razor-sharp novelist of upper-class manners; the second was loved by John Betjeman; the third was a fascist who married Oswald Mosley; the fourth idolized Hitler and shot herself in the head when Britain declared war on Germany; the fifth was a member of the American Communist Party; the sixth became Duchess of Devonshire. They were the Mitford sisters: Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica, and Deborah. Born into country-house privilege in the early years of the 20th century, they became prominent as "bright young things" in the high society of interwar London. Then, as the shadows crept over 1930s Europe, the stark--and very public--differences in their outlooks came to symbolize the political polarities of a dangerous decade. The intertwined stories of their stylish and scandalous lives--recounted in masterly fashion by Laura Thompson--hold up a revelatory mirror to upper-class English life before and after WWII.The Six was previously published asTake Six Girls.
The Kelloggs by Howard Markel ***2017 National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist for Nonfiction*** "What's more American than Corn Flakes?" --Bing Crosby From the much admired medical historian ("Markel shows just how compelling the medical history can be"--Andrea Barrett) and author of An Anatomy of Addiction ("Absorbing, vivid"--Sherwin Nuland, The New York Times Book Review, front page)--the story of America's empire builders: John and Will Kellogg.   John Harvey Kellogg was one of America's most beloved physicians; a best-selling author, lecturer, and health-magazine publisher; founder of the Battle Creek Sanitarium; and patron saint of the pursuit of wellness. His youngest brother, Will, was the founder of the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, which revolutionized the mass production of food and what we eat for breakfast.   In The Kelloggs, Howard Markel tells the sweeping saga of these two extraordinary men, whose lifelong competition and enmity toward one another changed America's notion of health and wellness from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries, and who helped change the course of American medicine, nutrition, wellness, and diet.   The Kelloggs were of Puritan stock, a family that came to the shores of New England in the mid-seventeenth century, that became one of the biggest in the county, and then renounced it all for the religious calling of Ellen Harmon White, a self-proclaimed prophetess, and James White, whose new Seventh-day Adventist theology was based on Christian principles and sound body, mind, and hygiene rules--Ellen called it "health reform."   The Whites groomed the young John Kellogg for a central role in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and sent him to America's finest Medical College. Kellogg's main medical focus--and America's number one malady: indigestion (Walt Whitman described it as "the great American evil").   Markel gives us the life and times of the Kellogg brothers of Battle Creek: Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and his world-famous Battle Creek Sanitarium medical center, spa, and grand hotel attracted thousands actively pursuing health and well-being. Among the guests: Mary Todd Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Booker T. Washington, Johnny Weissmuller, Dale Carnegie, Sojourner Truth, Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and George Bernard Shaw. And the presidents he advised: Taft, Harding, Hoover, and Roosevelt, with first lady Eleanor. The brothers Kellogg experimented on malt, wheat, and corn meal, and, tinkering with special ovens and toasting devices, came up with a ready-to-eat, easily digested cereal they called Corn Flakes.   As Markel chronicles the Kelloggs' fascinating, Magnificent Ambersons-like ascent into the pantheon of American industrialists, we see the vast changes in American social mores that took shape in diet, health, medicine, philanthropy, and food manufacturing during seven decades--changing the lives of millions and helping to shape our industrial age.
Five Sisters by James Fox The beautiful Langhorne sisters lived at the pinnacle of society from the end of the Civil War through the Second World War. Born in Virginia to a family impoverished by the Civil War, Lizzie, Irene, Nancy, Phyllis, and Nora eventually made their way across two continents, leaving rich husbands, fame, adoration, and scandal in their wake. At the center of the story is Nancy, who married Waldorf Astor, one of the richest men in the world. Heroic, hilarious, magnetically charming, and a bully, Nancy became Britain's first female MP. The beautiful Irene married Charles Dana Gibson and was the model for the Gibson Girl. Phyllis, the author's grandmother, married a famous economist, one of the architects of modern Europe. Author James Fox draws on the sisters' unpublished correspondence to construct an intimate and sweeping account of five extraordinary women at the highest reaches of society.
Brothers by George Howe Colt From the bestselling National Book Award finalist, a masterful blend of history and memoir featuring the author's four brothers and iconic brothers in history--the Thoreaus, the Van Goghs, the Kelloggs, the Marx brothers, and the Booths. George Howe Colt's The Big House is, as the New Yorker said, "full of surprises and contains more than seems possible: a family memoir, a brief history of the Cape, an investigation of nostalgia, a study of class, and a meditation on the privileges and burdens of the past." Colt's new book, Brothers, is an equally idiosyncratic and masterful blend of memoir and history featuring both the author's three brothers and iconic brothers in history--the Booths, the Van Goghs, the Kelloggs, the Marx Brothers, and the Thoreaus. Colt believes he would be a different man had he not grown up in a family of four brothers. He movingly recounts the adoration, envy, affection, resentment, and compassion in their shifting relationships from childhood through middle age, also rendering a volatile decade in American life: the 1960s. Some of the Colt men now have children; all have found their own paths; all now consider their brothers to be their closest friends. In alternate chapters, Colt parallels his quest to understand how his own brothers shaped his life with an examination of the rich and complex relationships between iconic brothers in history. He explores how Edwin Booth grew up to become the greatest actor on the nineteenth-century American stage while his younger brother John grew up to assassinate a president. How Will Kellogg worked for his overbearing older brother John Harvey as a subservient yes-man for two decades until he finally broke free and launched the cereal empire that outlasted all his brother's enterprises. How Vincent van Gogh would never have survived without the financial and emotional support of his younger brother, Theo, in a claustrophobic relationship that both defined and confined them. How Henry David Thoreau's life was shadowed by the early death of his older brother, John, who haunted and inspired his writing. And how the Marx Brothers collaborated on the screen but competed offstage for women, money, and fame. Illuminating and affecting, this book will be revelatory for any parent of sons, any sibling, anyone curious about how a man's life can be molded by his brothers. Colt's magnificent book is a testament to the abiding power of fraternal love.
Daughters of the Winter Queen by Nancy Goldstone The thrilling family saga of five unforgettable women who remade Europe. From the great courts, glittering palaces, and war-ravaged battlefields of the seventeenth century comes the story of four spirited sisters and their glamorous mother, Elizabeth Stuart, granddaughter of the martyred Mary, Queen of Scots. Upon her father's ascension to the illustrious throne of England, Elizabeth Stuart was suddenly thrust from the poverty of unruly Scotland into the fairytale existence of a princess of great wealth and splendor. When she was married at sixteen to a German count far below her rank, it was with the understanding that her father would help her husband achieve the kingship of Bohemia. The terrible betrayal of this commitment would ruin "the Winter Queen," as Elizabeth would forever be known, imperil the lives of those she loved and launch a war that would last for thirty years. Forced into exile, the Winter Queen and her family found refuge in Holland, where the glorious art and culture of the Dutch Golden Age indelibly shaped her daughters' lives. Her eldest, Princess Elizabeth, became a scholar who earned the respect and friendship of the philosopher René Descartes. Louisa was a gifted painter whose engaging manner and appealing looks provoked heartache and scandal. Beautiful Henrietta Maria would be the only sister to marry into royalty, although at great cost. But it was the youngest, Sophia, a heroine in the tradition of a Jane Austen novel, whose ready wit and good-natured common sense masked immense strength of character, who fulfilled the promise of her great-grandmother Mary and reshaped the British monarchy, a legacy that endures to this day. Brilliantly researched and captivatingly written, filled with danger, treachery, and adventure but also love, courage, and humor, Daughters of the Winter Queen follows the lives of five remarkable women who, by refusing to surrender to adversity, changed the course of history.
The Boys by Ron Howard; Clint Howard
Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK * NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY PEOPLE AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MEN'S JOURNAL * A STONEWALL HONOR BOOK IN NONFICTION * FINALIST FOR THE LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FOR TRANSGENDER NONFICTION The inspiring true story of a transgender girl, her identical twin brother, and an ordinary American family's extraordinary journey to understand, nurture, and celebrate the uniqueness in us all, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning science reporter for The Washington Post When Wayne and Kelly Maines adopted identical twin boys, they thought their lives were complete. But it wasn't long before they noticed a marked difference between Jonas and his brother, Wyatt. Jonas preferred sports and trucks and many of the things little boys were "supposed" to like; but Wyatt liked princess dolls and dress-up and playing Little Mermaid. By the time the twins were toddlers, confusion over Wyatt's insistence that he was female began to tear the family apart. In the years that followed, the Maineses came to question their long-held views on gender and identity, to accept and embrace Wyatt's transition to Nicole, and to undergo an emotionally wrenching transformation of their own that would change all their lives forever. Becoming Nicole chronicles a journey that could have destroyed a family but instead brought it closer together. It's the story of a mother whose instincts told her that her child needed love and acceptance, not ostracism and disapproval; of a Republican, Air Force veteran father who overcame his deepest fears to become a vocal advocate for trans rights; of a loving brother who bravely stuck up for his twin sister; and of a town forced to confront its prejudices, a school compelled to rewrite its rules, and a courageous community of transgender activists determined to make their voices heard. Ultimately, Becoming Nicole is the story of an extraordinary girl who fought for the right to be herself. Granted wide-ranging access to personal diaries, home videos, clinical journals, legal documents, medical records, and the Maineses themselves, Amy Ellis Nutt spent almost four years reporting this immersive account of an American family confronting an issue that is at the center of today's cultural debate. Becoming Nicole will resonate with anyone who's ever raised a child, felt at odds with society's conventions and norms, or had to embrace life when it plays out unexpectedly. It's a story of standing up for your beliefs and yourself--and it will inspire all of us to do the same. Praise for Becoming Nicole "A profoundly moving true story about one remarkable family's evolution."--People "Fascinating and enlightening."--Cheryl Strayed "Exceptional . . . 'Stories move the walls that need to be moved,' Nicole told her father last year. In telling Nicole's story and those of her brother and parents luminously, and with great compassion and intelligence, that is exactly what Amy Ellis Nutt has done."--The Washington Post "If you aren't moved by Becoming Nicole, I'd suggest there's a lump of dark matter where your heart should be."--Jennifer Senior, The New York Times "Extraordinary . . . a wonderful and inspiring story."--Minneapolis Star Tribune "A downright necessary book--and a remarkable act of generosity by the Maines family."--BuzzFeed
Entwined by Joyce Wallace Scott The remarkable story of "outsider" artist Judith Scott, who was institutionalized for more than thirty years before being reunited with her sister From birth, fraternal twins Judith and Joyce Scott lived as if they were one person in two bodies, understanding instinctively what the other wanted and felt, despite the fact that Judy had Down syndrome, profound deafness, and never learned to speak or sign. But this idyllic childhood of color, texture, and feeling ended abruptly when, at age seven, Judy was taken from their shared bed while Joyce slept, not knowing that the wholeness they had known was being shattered. For the next three decades, Joyce is left without her other half and must grieve unexpected loss while navigating her relationship with an emotionally distant mother--alone. Even so, her life parallels her twin's in surprising ways. While in college, Joyce too is sent away, pressured to relinquish the secret daughter she bore in hiding to adoption. Decades later, Joyce resolves to reunite with her sister and fill their remaining years with joy. After overcoming legal hurdles to become Judy's legal guardian, she enrolls her in an art center for adults with disabilities in Oakland, California. Judy is hesitant at first, but after two years of uninterested painting and drawing, her untapped creativity suddenly ignites when she is introduced to fiber art, and she begins carefully and intentionally winding yarn and other materials around combinations of found objects. With unflagging intensity, Judy works five days a week for the next eighteen years, producing more than two-hundred astoundingly diverse fiber sculptures. Unconcerned with her growing fame, she remains fully immersed in her artistic vision until her death in 2005. Today, Judith Scott's work is displayed in museums and galleries around the world, in some of the most prestigious collections of contemporary art. Entwined is a penetrating personal narrative that explores a complex world of disability, loss, reunion, and the resiliency of the human spirit. Part memoir, part biography, Entwined is a poignant and astonishing story about sisters finding their voices in each other's love and through art.
Inseparable by Yunte Huang Nearly a decade after his triumphant Charlie Chan biography,Yunte Huang returns with this long-awaitedportrait of Chang and Eng Bunker (1811-1874), twinsconjoined at the sternum by a band of cartilage and a fusedliver, who were "discovered" in Siam by a British merchant in1824. Bringing an Asian American perspective to this almostimplausible story, Huang depicts the twins, arriving in Bostonin 1829, first as museum exhibits but later as financially savvyshowmen who gained their freedom and traveled the backroadsof rural America to bring "entertainment" to the Jacksonianmobs. Their rise from subhuman, freak-show celebrities to richsouthern gentry; their marriage to two white sisters, resulting intwenty-one children; and their owning of slaves, is here not justanother sensational biography but a Hawthorne-like excavationof America's historical penchant for finding feast in the abnormal,for tyrannizing the "other"--a tradition that, as Huangreveals, becomes inseparable from American history itself.

Booklists for Adults & Teens

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