|
Home, Garden, and DIYMarch 2014
|
"After all, the only things needed to enjoy a good book are a lamp and a place to sit. An effective cocktail should be just as easy." ~ from Tim Federle's Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist
|
|
New and Recently Released!
|
|
| Audubon Birdhouse Book: Building, Placing, and Maintaining Great Homes for Great Birds by Margaret A. Barker and Elissa WolfsonWhile it's true that birdhouses make fun craft projects and cute garden decorations, this well-researched book focuses on function over fashion. Here, dedicated birders can learn how to construct and place specialized birdhouses for over 20 North American species of birds, including waterfowl and raptors. The birdhouse designs cover all skill levels, and each includes easy-to-follow blueprints, cut lists, and photographic instructions. This appealing, practical guide offers all the clarity of Popular Woodworking's Birdhouses You Can Build in a Day, but with the scientific, bird-centered perspective you'd expect from the National Audubon Society. |
|
| Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home by Julie CarlsonIn her first full-length book, Julie Carlson (of the popular design website Remodelista.com) presents a wealth of design information with simple, distinctive flair. Carlson takes an integrated approach to home design: in addition to advising readers on construction, remodeling, and single-room refresh-and-revamp strategies, she also combines clever DIY projects with a buyer's guide to 100 "all-time favorite everyday objects" such as lamps, linens, and kitchen tools. Overflowing with photos that display the airy, clean-lined Remodelista aesthetic to gorgeous effect, this beautifully browse-able book is "an excellent source of inspiration" (Library Journal) for interior design enthusiasts. |
|
| L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food by Roy Choi with Tien Nguyen and Natasha PhanThe city of Los Angeles has shaped the course of Roy Choi's life, and in this vibrant new book, the Korean-American chef shares his story through the medium he knows best: food. Full of rough-and-ready energy and raw language, Choi describes the gritty misadventures that led to his eventual culinary training and co-founding of the innovative Kogi BBQ taco trucks. Interspersed throughout this remarkable account are plenty of enticing recipes, ranging from comfort foods (twice-cooked duck fat fries) to global flavors (kimchi jigae, tempura potato pancakes) to fancier fare (soy-glazed broiled halibut). Fans of Anthony Bourdain's no-holds-barred exploits will devour this edgy, autobiographical cookbook.
|
|
| The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Food in Harmony with Nature by Tammi HartungIf, like a lot of gardeners, you consider yourself a nature-lover yet find yourself in epic battles with insect invaders and furry pests, The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener is your go-to guide for solutions. Gardener and herbalist Tammi Hartung suggests nontoxic and well-proven methods to decrease stress and increase yield by working with local wildlife, including using herbs to repel nibbling critters and creating welcoming, garden-adjacent habitats for pest-controlling predators. And if the battle is already raging in your garden, just flip to the end of this useful, reassuring volume to consult the Quick Reference Chart for Remedies, which details simple ways to deter common pests.
|
|
| The Art of French Pastry by Jacquy Pfeiffer with Martha Rose ShulmanTo more seasoned chefs, French pastry might not be daunting, but to many bakers, croquembouches or perfectly-piped macarons appear almost magical in their intricacy (and deliciousness). Enter renowned pastry chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, who seeks to "demystify classic recipes and empower readers" (Library Journal) to create delectable pastries on their own. Beginning with basics like brioche, ganache, and choux paste, Pfeiffer and co-author Martha Rose Shulman present a mouth-watering variety of precise pastry recipes, each one illustrated and explained in a clear, understandable manner. Wonderfully comprehensive and sprinkled with handy tips and trade secrets, The Art of French Pastry will benefit professionals and beginners alike.
|
|
| The Complete Beer Course: Boot Camp for Beer Geeks: From Novice to Expert... by Joshua M. BernsteinThanks to the popularization of microbreweries, there is now an astonishing -- sometimes intimidating -- array of beers to experience. Beer expert and journalist Joshua Bernstein walks you through how to find, evaluate, and appreciate a wide-ranging variety of beers, from familiar brews like lagers and IPAs to less common types such as milk stout and barley wine. Additionally, Bernstein shares his recommendations for breweries and beers to try, and his tips for pairing beer with food. Attractively designed pages, casual humor, and impressive scope make The Complete Beer Course just as entertaining for casual readers as it is helpful for beer connoisseurs-in-training. |
|
| Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails With a Literary Twist by Tim Federle"Even if you don’t have a B.A. in English, tonight you’re gonna drink like you do." This declaration kicks off an outrageous jaunt through classic literature…via cocktails. As you might guess from the title, it's one pun-tastic ride: you'll find recipes for individual drinks such as "Love in the Time of Kahlúa," "Last of the Mojitos," and "Absinthe Shrugged"; large-batch beverages like "The Pitcher of Dorian Grey Goose"; and tasty bar bites like "Prawn Quixote." Witty and charming, Tequila Mockingbird is certain to tempt boozy bibliophiles, but whatever you do, don't forget to read responsibly: savor this book one sip at a time.
|
|
| The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. HeissExamining the growth, cultivation, manufacture, history, and cultural significance of tea around the world, the authors, who are themselves tea merchants, provide a detailed look at the complex world of tea. Highlights include the "Encyclopedia of Tea" chapter, which presents more than 30 varieties of tea (along with photos of both the dried leaves and the brewed tea); a tea-lover's travel guide; a discussion of the health benefits of tea; and recipes for dishes that incorporate tea, such as Savory Chinese Marbled Eggs or White Tea Snow Sorbet. This "comprehensive, lavishly illustrated" (New York Times) guide is tea-riffic! |
|
| Superfood Smoothies: 100 Delicious, Energizing & Nutrient-Dense Recipes by Julie MorrisFor busy, health-conscious people, smoothies are a fast, high-impact way to support a wholesome diet. In Superfood Smoothies, natural food chef and "unabashed smoothie enthusiast" (Publishers Weekly) Julie Morris identifies 15 nutrient-rich "superfoods" upon which to base a variety of smoothies. Simple, flavorful smoothie combinations such as mango ginger, apple with broccoli, and cucumber mint are balanced with smoothies containing more unusual additives such as maqui berry and sea buckthorn. Recipes are indexed by benefit (protein, immunity, etc.), with a convenient ingredient glossary and source list provided. And for your canine companions, there's even a peanut butter-based Doggie Smoothie!
|
|
| I Love Coffee! Over 100 Easy and Delicious Coffee Drinks by Susan ZimmerHot, iced, steamed, spiked, flavored -- however you enjoy your java, this accessible, photograph-filled book is bound to have a beverage that appeals to your palate. Lest you be overwhelmed, the dizzying assortment of 100-plus drink recipes is grounded in coffee fundamentals, including the history of coffee, how to choose beans and roasts, and tips for troubleshooting. If you're worried that your barista skills are lacking, fear not: there are instructions for using different types of coffee equipment and brewing techniques, and many of the drinks are so easy you can make them on your stovetop.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Round Rock Public Library at
512-218-5400, 221 E. Main Street Round Rock, Texas 78664
|
|
|