Recommended Reads

Independence Day Closing

Friday, July 4 - The library will be closed in observance of Independence Day. Your online Library is available every day, 24 hours a day, through the library catalog and Online Resources.

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Poetry Unbound

Pádraig Ó Tuama

In the tumult of our contemporary moment, poetry has emerged as an inviting, consoling outlet with a unique power to move and connect us, to inspire fury, tears, joy, laughter, and surprise. This generous anthology pairs fifty illuminating poems with poet and podcast host Pádraig Ó Tuama's appealing, unhurried reflections. With keen insight and warm personal anecdotes, Ó Tuama considers each poem's artistry and explores how its meaning can reach into our own lives.

Focusing mainly on poets writing today, Ó Tuama engages with a diverse array of voices that includes Ada Limón, Ilya Kaminsky, Margaret Atwood, Ocean Vuong, Layli Long Soldier, and Reginald Dwayne Betts. Natasha Trethewey meditates on miscegenation and Mississippi; Raymond Antrobus makes poetry out of the questions shot at him by an immigration officer; Martín Espada mourns his father; Marie Howe remembers and blesses her mother's body; Aimee Nezhukumatathil offers comfort to her child-self. Through these wide-ranging poems, Ó Tuama guides us on an inspiring journey to reckon with self-acceptance, history, independence, parenthood, identity, joy, and resilience.

For anyone who has wanted to try their hand at a conversation with poetry but doesn't know where to start, Poetry Unbound presents a window through which to celebrate the art of being alive.

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The Little Veggie Patch Co. DIY Garden Projects

Mat Pember

The Little Veggie Patch Company is a Melbourne based business that specializes in everything that encompasses the edible garden. From the design, installation and maintenance of home, school and corporate veggie patches, to everything you will need to care for them, they are dedicated to helping people learn the skills of how easy it is to grow their own food and have fun doing so, no matter the space, size or lifestyle. They also pride themselves on creating gardening-related projects that use recycled materials in new inspired ways that add a personal element to every corner of your outdoor space.

The Little Veggie Patch DIY Garden Projects includes over 38 of their best projects for those young and old wanting to transform their outdoor living space. It is broken into 6 categories from Kids, Recycled/Upcyled, X-Factor, Vertical Gardening, Gardening basics and Kitchen, and includes a variety of projects for experienced handy folk to quirky ideas that will involve the youngest members of the family. Projects range from the incredibly quick and simple, such as a self-watering milk-carton planter, how to grow micro-herbs and milk-crate planter boxes to large-scale building projects such as making vertical gardens from pallets and how to build an ultimate playhouse from recycled apple crates. Complete with a collection of recipes for what to do with produce in the kitchen truly makes this the ultimate gardeners companion. Written in a personable, approachable style with stories to accompany each project as well as clear step-by-step instructions with colorful photographs to match, The Little Veggie Patch crew will inspire the green-thumb in every reader.

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Made By Yourself

Peter Fehrentz

DIY is becoming highly popular and fashionable once more as handmade objects guarantee not only sustainability but also add an individual touch to the home.

Readers looking to personalise their house can follow the easy step-by-step tutorials in the book, as well as sketches and patterns.

Made by Yourself is a practical and inspirational book filled with sophisticated and creative ideas.

It combines many different kinds of materials, from traditional stone and wood to more imaginative metals, leathers and textiles. Filled with sophisticated and creative ideas, Made By Yourself is guaranteed to thrill its readers.

Expertly guided by a professional designer and stylist, readers, both beginners and established designers, will feel confident and inspired to start their own projects.

The book is targeted at interior designers, design fans, and anyone who wants to be the creative designer of their home.

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DIY Nail Art

Catherine Rodgers

Have beautiful nails right in the comfort of your home with this YALSA Quick Pick Award Winner and #1 New York Times bestselling cure for the common mani.

Black Lace. Summer Citrus. Hot Pink Zebra. Get ready for nails that will get you noticed!

Catherine Rodgers, creator of the popular nail art YouTube Channel Totally Cool Nails, shares her secrets in DIY Nail Art. Packed with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips for recreating Catherine’s stunning looks, you can create one-of-a-kind nail art designs without ever stepping inside a nail salon.

Inside this colorful guide to all things nails, you’ll find seventy-five eye-catching designs including never-before-seen styles like Argyle, Light Burst, and Spiderweb Nails.

Complete with step-by-step photographs so you can nail your look every time, DIY Nail Art will have you saying goodbye to the nail salon‑and hello to fashion-forward nails at home!

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DIY for Your Dog

Rachelle Blondel

Full of handmade goodness meant to be chewed, rummaged in, chased around, and worn proudly, DIY for Your Dog is a treasury of delightful DIY projects to make for your furry companions. Suitable for all breeds, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, these sweet and easy projects are presented in four sections--"Eat," "Nest," "Play," and "Wear"--and include everything from a cozy traveling dog bed, a knitted blanket, and a throw-and-catch bone to an adorable neckerchief, a colorful crocheted leash cover, and a made-to-measure coat for gray days. There are even recipes for wholesome and easy-to-make treats like Doggie Pops, Bite-Size Biscuits, and the ultimate Doggie Birthday Cake. Fun, practical, and irresistibly cute, DIY for Your Dog will inspire dog lovers everywhere to replace standard pet items and pamper their pups with handcrafted treasures.

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Martha Stewart's Gardening Handbook

Martha Stewart



 

An instant New York Times Bestseller

"If you want to be happy for a year, get married. If you want to be happy for a decade, get a dog. And if you want to be happy for the rest of your life, make a garden."

--Martha Stewart, Martha Netflix Documentary

The first fully comprehensive gardening guide from the legendary Martha Stewart in more than 30 years, with everything you need to know to curate a beautiful, thriving garden

Master the art of gardening with Martha Stewart's Gardening Handbook: an in-depth guide that will teach you the knowledge and skills to cultivate a flourishing garden. From understanding soil composition to learning about different types of plants and gardening methods, you'll discover the secrets to creating a stunning outdoor oasis.

Martha covers:

  • the nuances of careful planning
  • soil testing
  • drainage
  • watering and rainfall
  • understanding plant hardiness zones
  • the art of choosing the healthiest plants for your specific climate



 

Plus, all different kinds of plants like:

  • annuals, perennials, and bulbs
  • succulents and cacti
  • vegetable and herb gardens
  • trees and shrubs



 

From designing your garden to selecting the right varieties for your region, this manual has every detail covered. Whether you're a green thumb or a gardening novice, this gorgeous book, filled with practical tips, stunning images (many from Martha's personal gardens), and detailed explanations, will arm you with the knowledge to help your garden thrive. As Martha likes to say, gardening is a never-ending opportunity for growth.

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